teachers, cantors, social and com-
munal workers of all kinds are
toward k'lal Yisrael, the commu- also leaders) are men of learning
nity of Jewry, but to a specific or- and vigor, men whose vigor gives
The Meaning of Jewish Leadership
By RABBI JACOB NEUSNER
Aslistant Professor of Religion
Dartmouth College
Many Jews present themselves
as "N'si-ei Yisrael," as leaders of
Israel, and assume office in various
ganiaztion alone. Thus we find not
loyal Jews, but institutional pa-
triots of Bnai Brith, or 'a given
synagogue, or, worse still, a syna-
Jewish organilations and institu- gogue-movement. One meets •"ver-
brennte reform Jews" and "dedi-
tions.
Our teacher Moses learned quick- cated conservative Jews" whose
ly that it is not a light or easy zeal burns not for Judaism in one
task to lead the children of Israel. another of its modern expressions,
At the same time, Jewish leader- but for the specific institutions
ship is , a sacred mission, for we are which embody those expressions.
the people whom God called into Indeed, we may in time have to
being, and our historical signific- organize an Anti-Defamation
ance depend upon Him who created League to work -toward inter-faith
the world by his word. ' amity between the several wings in
Indeed, Jewish leaders take upon American Judaism.
What we have; therefore, are not
themselves the most solemn re-
sponsiblities, not only toward those active servants of God of Israel,
whom they accept into their the Torah, and commandments of
charge, the Institutions and organi- Israel through various mundane
zations, but also towards Him in institutions. We have rather pro-
whose name these things are done. phets in the name of some Jewish
« • 41.
organiaztion that has caught some-
In our Jewish community, what one's fancy.
, *
are the qualifications of. Jewish
We are, therefore, faced with
leadership?. They are outlined in
the Scriptures. We call to mindAhe many paradoxes among Jewish
passage, "Who shall ascend the leaders.
mountain of the Lord, and who
We find men 'who work day and
shall stand in his holy place?"
night for PJA, including the Sab-
Every American Jew knows the bath. We find women who care for
answer: "He that contributeth -nothing but Hadassah, including
$1,000 annually to the UJA, that the Jewish education of their own
buyeth in addition $10,000 of Is- children and themselves. We find
rael Bonds, and that liveth more Zionists who care nothing for
richly than his neighbor, he shall Judaism, and eJwish War Veterans
lord it over my people Israel, and who are indifferent to the struggle
rule the children of Jacob."
to preserve Judaism in America,
Perhaps Scripture .is mi.squated. for the freedom of which they
Let us try another verse: "Lord, fought in war after war.
who shall sojourn in thy tent and
We find Jewish leaders whose
Who shall dwell on Thy holy hill?" Jewish hearts do not beat strongly
Anyone active in an average enough to bring them to the syna-
synagogue knows the answer: "He gogue to pray to- God.
that speaketh loud words at meet-
We find Jewish leaders who care
ings, that useth a big mouth, that
complaineth- often and doeth little not at all for the prosperity of the
sacred
instruments of Jewish cul-
and prayeth not but murmureth
much .against the rabbi and all his ture in America, who take for
granted hte existence of Jewish
Ivories, he shall have a chief seat
in the congregation of the Lord." 1 newspapers and publishing con-
cerns, schools and seminaries,
• • •
colleges,
The truth is that there is little libraries and teachers'
and never give a thought to provid-
relationship between one's spiritu-
al endowment and the position he ing the means for these institutions
holds in the jewish community. I to exist.
I
find no perceptible sense of sacred
calling among many of those who
rise and call themselves presidents.
This writer recently met a con-
gregational president •who consid-
ered it an affront to be told that
he should attend synagogue serv-
ices regularly, and who looked
upon the congregational rabbi as
his nursemaid and servant. As it
happens, he is out looking for a
new rabbi.
The more serious problem is not
that Jewish leaders are immature
or stupid, though many are. It is
that the greater -number of Jewish
leaders exhibit little sense of inter-
est in, or responsibility toward, the
entire Jewish community and its
general welfare, and are abysmally
ignorant of the ideals for which
that Jewish community is consti-
tuted. Many wo regard themselves
as "Jewish leaders" are not "lead-
ing Jews" in any meaningful sense
of these words.
'
,
Indeed, we find Jewish leaders
who are glad to use English-Jew-
ish newspapers to serve the good
causes they care for, but who
consider it an affront to be asked
to pay for a subscription or take
out an advertisment. After all—
they are Jewish leaders. Publicity
is theirs by right, and as "lead-
ers" that is what they cherish
most of all.
• S S
effect to their learning, and whose
learning gives meaning to their
vitality.
Some, but not most. Who are
the others? They area those of
whom Scripture speaks t Proverb§
1.22)4
"How long, o simple minded, will
you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight
in their scoffing, and fools
hate knowledge?
Because they . hated knowledge
and did not choose fear of the
Lord,
Would have none of my coun-
sel and despised all my re-
_
proof,
Therefore they shall eat the
fruit of their way,
And be sated with their own
devices."
In other words,. we have the
leaders we deserve, some good,
some bad, some truly Jewish lead-
ers of vision and breadth of soul
and mind, and some functionally
atheistic leaders who think they
could save the world if only they
could raise the money, and who
do not even know that they them-
selves are lost.
And we, those -who are led,
stumble like lost sheep while we
are devoured in our golden sheep-
fold, one by one, by kindly wolves
so glad to see the flock of Israel
diminish, and we are lost to the
Shepherd of Israel.
Classified Ails Bring Results
NEW
DAIRY MEAL
TREAT!
bravo! bravo! bravissimo!
Quite specifically, many who 'ac-
cept serious responsibilities and
high positions - within Jewry care
very little for what Jewry stands
for, for what Jewish affairs mean
ultimately. We have Jewish leaders
whose ignorance of Jewish beliefs
and indifference to Jewish reli-
gious practices deter them not at
all from "leading," even from ex-
pounding Judaism to whoever
might listen (particularly if he is
not Jewish). -
These same leaders are impen-
trably indifferent, as I said, to
The interest, love. and loyalty of
these presidents are not directed . Jewish books, ideas, sentiments,
litraturee, to all the spiritual bless-
ings and challenges which Judaism
may offer for the enrichment of
KEDEM WINE
Available in a
Variety of
Flavors For
EVERY
FESTIVE
OCCASION
Also Kedem
Grape Juice
Kosher for
Kiddish
Famous for
QUALITY and
KASHRUTH
Available
at Your Favorite Store
mmo n....somm..■.•■ ■ ■■r o ammo.
MICHIGAN DISTRIBUTOR:
National Wholesale
Grocers Co.
TR 1-0606
VE 7-3387
life and soul.
The reason is that Jewish leader-
ship is most frequently conditioned
upon financial, and only financial
capacities. Many Jews, leaders and
followers (if there are any) think
that - "Jewish actions" are ulti-
mately financial. They contribute
generously of their funds, but noth-
ing of themselves, as if by paying
a ransom .they may redeem their
absent souls, and as if they thought
they had nothing to give to their
fellow men but money. What a tra-
gic view of self- What a shallow
view of Judaism!
* • *
Yet who accents this kind of
crass and material leadership, if
not the Jewish people themselves?
We have the kind of leaders we
deserve.
Some of them are truly great
men. They are men whose gifts are
not only material, but who give us
something of themselves, of their
vitality and wisdom, of their com-
passion and understanding. Some
of our JeWish leaders (and rabbis,
BITE SIZE MACARONI PIES
THE MARVELOUS
MEATLESS
MEAL
THAT'S READY TO
HEAT 'NI EAT!
WITH CHEESE
For your family, your guests ...for youi
very 'next dairy lunch or supper ... famed
Chef Boy-Ar-Dee has captured a. real
Italian flavor in this new Cheese Ravioli
feast! .Just heat...and here's what you
serve! Italian-tasting tender little macaroni
pies filled with tangy cheese ... lavished
'with savory tomato sauce, simmered with
mushrooms and cheese, and seasoned to
perfection in the real Italian way.
.What a treat to serve...tastier and
easier than the frozen kind.V.nd so much
thriftier, too. Costs only about 150.a serv-
ing. Each can serves two. Buy several caw
today.