book intended for students, but
these do not come within the
purview of this article. In addi-
tion, he had a loveable and mag-
By DR. A. M. HERSHMAN
netic personality, which was his
Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Editor's Note: Dr. Hersh•zan's article is the first in a series of special features to be pub- outstanding characteristic.
In a word: As man, writer and
lished by The Jewish News in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the settlement of the
Jews in this country. The Tercentenary series will include articles on American Jewish history, leader, he exerted a wholesome
and several essays on the development and status of Jewish religious institutions in this country and abiding influence on Ameri-
can Jewry.
by Detroit's Conservative, Orthodox and Reform Rabbis.
Solomon Schechterfs Influence on American Jewry
Prof. Solomon Schecter held
a unique place in American Is-
rael. It is no exaggeration to say
that no man in his generation
wielded such a controlling power
over his people's thought s.
Though the head of the Jewish
Theological Seminary, an insti-
tution for upholding Conserva-
tive Judaism, his influence was
not confined to any particular
element of Jewry. It extended
to all schools of Judaism. Under
his guidance and inspiration,
"Go back to Judaism" became
the ruling passion of various
groups.
He arrived in this country in
1902, laden with honors. A na-
tive of Romania, he had been
most happy at
Cambridge, Eng-
land, the scene
of his activity,
where he gained
a world - wide
reputation as a
great scholar
and won the
love and respect
of his famous
colleagues. H i s
main reason for
giving up such
an ideal life was Prof. Schechter
the growing
conviction that the future of
Judaism was in America. "I am
afraid," he wrote to Herbert
Bentwich, "that we and our sci-
ence (the science of Judaism)
are in Exile even in England ..
whilst in New York, I may be-
come a great power for good
through the Seminary- and my
13ublic position. I may become—
if I am deemed worthy of God
—His instrument for serving
Conservative Judaism." Before
he departed for these shores, he
wrote in the same vein to one
who later became associated
with him in the work of the
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•
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LA SALLE
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T E. 4-2858
UNITED JEWISH FOLK SCHOOLS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADAS SHALOM SYNAGOGUE
Adas Shalom Synagogue
OAK WOODS JEWISH CENTER
IN QUALITY
Announces that they are now accepting applications for a full time Hebrew
School and Sunday School to be held at
First
OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL
OAK PARK BLVD. & COOLIDGE
IN SALES FOR
20 YEARS*
On Sale
at Better Stores
Everywhere
*•ines produced in Michigan
LASALLE
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FARMINGTON, MICHIGAN
HAIFA, (JTA) — The S. S.
"Nachman," Israeli fishing boat
seized in international waters
by a Syrian naval vessel, re-.
turned here with its master and
crew. However, fish valued at
3,000 Israeli pounds had to be
dumped.
The entire catch was spoiled
because the "Nachman-'s" re-
frigeration machinery was out.
Seminary: "It is hard to leave ' laity in the perpetuation of Ju- 6—DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Friday, August 27, 1954
Cambridge, but this is a time to daism, he called t h e United
act for the Lord. I may, I hope, Synagogue of America into
be worthy to exalt the Torah being. The preamble of that or-
and glorify it, and to found ganization reads:
MST SERVICE IN YOUR HOME
there a House of Learning for
"To assert and establish
the Law of Israel and its wisdom
loyalty to the Torah and its
and its doctrines."
historical exposition; to jos-
AUTHORIZED SERVICE STATION
His one preoccupation was
ter the observance of the Sab-
• RCA
• Crosley
• Stromberg
the survival of Israel as a dis-
bath and Dietary Law; to pre-
• Montt ..
tant entity. This is the theme
serve in the service the refer-
• Zenith
• W
hoeussteing-
• Dumont
• GE
• Halli-
• Capehart
which like a golden thread
ence to Israel's past and the
• Admiral
pchrailfct0er
• Sylvania
runs throughout his writings.
hopes for Israel's restoration;
•
• Motorola
• Emerson
He felt that if Judaism were
to maintain the traditional
SINCf 930
PARTS WARRANTIES HONORED
to be preserved, the Jew must
character of the liturgy with
Dexter
rediscover himself. "Our
Hebrew as the language of
Call
C o.
Scriptures," he complains, "are
prayer; to foster Jewish reli-
,„t. u
Service
If NO Answer Call:
TR 2-1252
the constant object of attack,
gious life in the home, as ex-
ALL WORK GUARANTEED • - BONDED SERVICEMEN
and our history is questioned;
pressed in traditional observ-
our morality is declared to be
ante; to encourage the estab-
of an inferior sort. While not
lishment of Jewish religious
unmindful of the profit which
schools, in the curricula of
t h e Biblical student might
which the study of the Hebrew
derive from the works of Ger- , language and literature should
man Bible interpreters, it must
be given a prominent place."
not be forgotten that there is
It was at his instance that the
such a thing as a Christian
Jewish Publication Society of
13722 LINWOOD
bias, and to ignore Rashi, Ibn 'America undertook the task of
Ezra ... in favor of .the High-
translating the Scriptures from
er Critics is to move from the a Jewish point of view.
TO. 8-9280
TO. 8-0941
Judengasse into the Christian
He demolished Mendelssohn's
Ghetto." It was the time when
contention that Judaism was
Wellhausen, Stade and Duh7n
dogmaless. It is true, he said.
monopolized a n d dominated
Registrations for all classes for the new term are
that the Jewish religion attaches'
the field of Bible Literature,
no saving power to belief; never-
now being accepted.
He vas cut to the quick to see theless, it does commit itself on
Judaism misrepresented and vital questions of religious life..
misinterpreted by•C h r i s t i ans,
•
The office is open Monday through Friday from
Schechter was a Zionist, but
who avered that the Law was
his
was
what
May
be
termed
an intolerable burden to the
12 to 4 p.m. We pickup children in -the North-
Jew, describing the Sabbath in "the High Zionism," a Zionism
which deals with the problem
gloomy and lurid colors.
west area.
It was, moreover, .the vogue of Judaism. "To me, personally,"
among Christian theologians to he writes, "after long hesitation
play fast and loose with Jewish and careful watching, Zionism
concepts. Thus, they m a i has recommended itself as the
tamed that the God of the Jew great bulwark against assiinila-
was too far, too remote from ton . . . What.I understand by
assimilation is a loss of iden-
man_
tity." He was a firm believer in
Schechter stepped into the
the permanence of Israel. He
breach and warded off the on-
OF
chose as the seal of the Sem-
slaughts of the enemy, refut- •
inary the words: "And the bush
ing what he was wont to call
was not consumed." (Exodus III,
"the Higher Antisemitism." He
2).
pleaded for a Jewish Com-
. His conscientiousness. is at-
mentary, a commentary which
should give priority to Jewish tested by the fact that - for some
takes pleasure in announcing that it will conduct High
time he had believed in the exis-
opinions, and above all should
tence
of
Maccabean
Psalms,
i.e.,
Holiday Services in both the main Synagogue and in
make it clear that "the Bible
and the whole history of Israel Psalms that had their origin in
the new Social Hall. Both auditoriums are now air
are not a preamble to the his- the Maccabean events. But the
conditioned.
t r y of Christianity." He Ben Sira, which he had dis-
covered in the Genizah
stressed the joy and enthu-
In accordance with its new policy, attendance at
ing), smashed his theory. The
siasm which the Jew felt at
High
Holiday Services will be limited to members of
original
Ben
Sira
was
pre-Mac
acconzplishing what he con-
cabean, and was written in Pa-
the Congregation only. Tickets will not be sold to non-
sidered to be the will of God.
Regarding the last contention, lestine. Its language was simi-
members.
that tlie Jewish God was too far lar to the Hebrew of the Mishna.
It
is
not
true,
therefore,
that
a
removed from man, Schechter
Memberships, payable over an extended period, are
had this to say among other large part of the Psalms, Pro-
now available.
verbs
and
the
other
Wisdom
lit-
things: " . . Has the Jew ever
heard his mother at the bedside erature of the Bible was of the
The Board Cordially Invites Your Inquiries.
of a sick relative directing pray- late origin ascribed to them by
Higher Critics. "Alas," he
ers to God, and appealing to the
adds, "there is no insurance of-
Him as the beloved name, the fice
Rosh Hashanah—September 27, 28, 29
gracious helper, the merciful fice in which students can in-
sure theories against the dan-
father, and the dear God; or gers
resulting from unexpected
Yom Kippur—October 6 and 7
was it some Christian neighbor
discoveries and fresh excava-
to whom he was listening? . . ." tions."
America offered Schechter, a
Schechter c r e a ted •felicitous
much wider scope to spread his
Aside from his onerous phrases, such- as "the Higher
UN. 4-7474
Curtis and Santa Rosa Drive
duties as President of the Jew- Antisemitism," "Catholic Israel,"
ish Theological Seminary, the etc.- He enriched our literature.
scene of his ripest labors, he He wrote and edited many a
played a distinctive par,t in the
life of the Jewish community.
Realizing the importance of the
, First
•
Seized. Israeli Ship
Returned by Syria
Give a Place of
Honor in Your Home
to the
JNF BLUE-
WHITE BOX
If you do not have a Box, ask
for one by coifing the
JEWISH
NATIONAL FUND
TO, 8-7384
Until its own facilities will be completed at Coolidge and Allen Rd.
Classes will begin in the early fall for children from
five years of age, and including Bar Mitzvah boys.
Applications will be accepted until September 17th
For Registration and Information, Apply at Our Temporary Office:
13200 NORTHFIELD BLVD.
OR CALL LI. 5-8608 OR LI. 6 2503
-