Sabato Morais, Seminary Founder, Championed Rights Battle in Pulpit BY RABBI SAUL I. TAPLITZ (Seven Arts Feature Syndicate) American Jews who today are taking a vigorous part in the fight for equal rights for their Negro fellow-citizens are following a tra- dition established by the great men who laid the ground-work for the development of American Jewry. Foremost among these illustrious figures was Sabato Marais, a foun- der of the Conservative movement and of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. In 1851, Morais received a call to leave his native Italy to take over the pulpit of the Mikveh Israel Congregation in Philadel- phia. He found a community bit- terly divided on the abolitionist issues of that day. His conscience allowed no corn- promise. In spite of the bitter op- position of his congregation, which included a powerful minority in favor of slavery and of laissez- faire, he continued to deliver fiery sermons protesting the injustice of slavery. This brought about a congregational crisis. An extraordinary meeting of the board of managers was con- vened and the pro-slavery group forced a resolution forbidding their rabbi to deliver English discourses from the pulpit with- out written authorization. Yet, although his public addresses were temporarily restricted, Mo- rais made no secret of his sym- pathy with the Negro cause. His main life's work was yet to come. Sabato Marais was one of the far-sighted leaders at the dawn of the century who stood at the turn- ing point—and whose efforts help- ed to save Judaism at a time of crisis. Recognizing that Judaism had to take a new dynamic form if it were to survive the challenges arising in the New World, they were con- cerned to ensure that such changes result in strengthening the his- toric chain and in affirming the tradition of Torah. Morais and his colleagues, in promulgating the philosophy of Conservative Judaism, took their stand upon the precedent estab- lished by the ancient Torah sages, who were constantly reinterpreting and molding the pattern of the law, adapting it to the new condi- tions and insights of their age. The disunity in American Israel was distressing to Morals, and it was his earnest endeavour to at- tain a closer relationship with the movements that flanked Conserva- tism on each side. But his hopes to attain some theological unity with his Reform colleagues were shat- tered in his lifetime. Morais realized that the doc- trines of the Hebrew Union Col- lege at Cincinnati, the clerical Judaism. The Sunday school move- ment in Philadelphia looked to him as its founder. In 1887, the University of Pennsylvania awarded Dr. Marais the honorary degree of doctor of laws—the first time a Jew had Holiday Good Cheer J & M Ace Hardware 16111 W. 7 - Mile Rd. VE 6-8683 been so honored. 9M9—.Q.SULL229—Q-SLAISSULLUULP.90000000009.12...Q.CL9....Qi Holiday Greetings THE WALTER CARROLL COMPANY Painters - Decorators Since 1907 110 N. Waterman trsinsimnsinsary VI 3-1400 6 -6-6-6-Inc6; Best Wishes on the New Year CENTRAL HEATING COMPANY Gas Oil - - Warm Air-Conditioner - Repairs of All Kinds D. A. LAVEN 15905 James Couzens Hwy. UN 2-9517 New Year Best Wishes CENTRAL SCRAP IRON & METAL CO. Happy New Year To The Jewish Community Dealer in All Kinds of Scrap and Metals LAND 0' LAKES CREAMERIES, INC. 9140 Roselawn Jack Levenson and Jack Ellish 17239 Swift Ave. at 6 Mi. Rd. & Russell, TE 4-1400 SABATO MORAIS RALEIGH. HOUSE Ribs — Chicken — Shrimp ground of the Reform Speedy Delivery movement were such that it was 20050 Livernois UN 4-7700 impossible for the young Con- servative element to continue to ,615-611121-6151=IMMMSISI °oda a a or'5211511-6111/11M •ifb rtns-6-56-3 share its academic facilities. 863-0770 It was decided that the time had come to establish an institution of Jewish learning that would train rabbis for American pulpits in ac- cordance with the principles of Jewish tradition. New Year Greetings Desmond Process Supply Co. Silk Screen Colors — Supplies — Equipment 862-1115 ULAS.1.5LASUL299. 2S4„ Happy New Year C C DETROIT DRIVES SERVICE Personal Cars Delivered Anywhere 6834 West Warren 5 Z•-75-6-21212fMrn6 r6-615-6-6-615Th 6-6-0W1-6 , In January, 1886, Morais is- sued a declaration signed by himself and six other rabbis an- nouncing that since it was im- perative to make a strong ef- fort for the perpetration of Judaism in America" . . . it is proposed to form an institution in which Bible and Talmud shall be studied to a religious pur- pose." The Seminary would be ". . . dedicated to the knowledge and practice of historical Juda- ism." On Jan. 2, 1887, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America formally opened its doors in the Happy New Year — Shalom Aleichem building of Cong. Shearith Israel in New York, with Sabato Morals presiding. Dr. Marais was designated as 15349 Wyoming the first president of the Semi- 863-8424 nary's faculty and its professor of Bible. He remained dedicated to the Seminary and occupied its ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■13■0■ ■ position until his death Nov. 11, Sincere Wishes for a Most Happy New Year ! 1897, at the age of 74, continuous- ly journeying from Philadelphia to New York despite great physi- cal strain and suffering. Custom Collision Work on All Makes of Cars The influence of Sabato Morair ALL WORK GUARANTEED i was keenly felt in many areas of i 8524 Dunbarton Rd., near Grand River TY 8-5600 I Jewish and American life. The .-........--------------------,.--n-.J range of his interests and knowl- edge was prodigious—and he wrote prolifically on a vast range of themes from theology to politics, literature and current affairs. He reaped honors and accolades Best Wishes for a Happy New Year from outside the community, and even outside the nation. He was To Our Customers and Friends involved in the cause- of freedom and unification of the land of his birth, and Joseph Mazzini, the re- nowned Italian patriot, was an in- timate friend. In recognition of his efforts for the Union cause, the prestigious Union League of Philadelphia elected him an honorary member. His home was a place where young people were accustomed to CADIEUX APPLIANCE SERVICE ire.0.!0•11M11.11 0!0•11111111.11 01MIKNIIMID.IMI•0 0!0.1 04 CHECKER BAR-B-Q training 18'641 Wyoming R. - ',„szasuuuusuzassuuta.suuususssuuuts.asza New Year Greetings to All Our Friends, Relatives and Customers Happy New Year from everyone at the 6340 Fenkell TW 2 8100 0481/0.0 allIM.01=1111.1111 0•111.101,0•1.1411 CLAM SHOP 2675 E. 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