of which Dr. Mendes writes elsewhere in these columns. That phase of Zionism is too important to slight. It should not be undervalued. But with the eyes of the world turned to him, Mr. Zangwill wisely refrained from mentioning spiritual Zionism, reserving that for discussion among Jews themselves.
“The American Israelite’s” Light
THAT the editor of “The American Israelite” should be an anti-Zionist need not excite surprise, and that he should be ignorant of the history of the movement and of the geographical, economic and statistical facts concerning it, is likewise a matter of no grave concern.
Zionism has many opponents, most of whom object to the movement because of their ignorance of its nature and object. The editor of “The American Israelite” is not by any means the best informed man of the present time, and it really cannot be said that he is shedding any light on this important question. The motto of “The American Israelite” is יהי אור, but we do not see it in this connection. Zionists cannot hope to conduct a campaign of education so great as to inform the minds of all those who have as yet remained blind to the significance and the importance of the Zionist movement; and if the editor of “The American Israelite” cannot see, we can only express our regrets.
Of course, some people expect editors to be well informed on topics such as Zionism, but then one really has no right to expect too much of the editor of “The American Israelite.” His duties are too varied to enable him to know what he is writing about all the time, and it must be a trying task to carry the heavy banner of American Israelitish light through the length and breadth of our great country.
In one editorial he expresses the opinion thatthe convention began on December 26th in Basle,because that date is a general holiday, recognizedby Jews as well as Christians, and was chosenby the leaders of the movement to ensure a smallmeeting. He says in all seriousness that thepurpose of the Zionist leaders was to keepmembers of the Congress at home, because they(the leaders) had something to conceal, and hedemands an explanation. Now an explanationfrom Dr. Herzl to the editor of “The AmericanIsraelite” would be quite an event in AmericanJewish history. The editor will no doubt re-
member the effective check which was given to the plans of leader Moses by the demand of Korah (was he an editor?) for an explanation.
The statement that December 26th is recognized as a holiday by Jews is delightfully naive. No doubt the editor of “The American Israelite” has his little Christmas tree with his little lights for his little children—and no doubt his example is imitated by all the cultured and enlightened American Jews that are under the spell of his leadership. The rest of the statement proves the editor to be a statesman of the highest rank, with real political genius. One quick look of his keen, inquiring eye penetrated the heart of hearts of the leaders of the Zionist movement, and laid bare the hidden motives of their actions.
How wonderfully he grasps large ideas is shown in another editorial in which he quotes some missionary to the Jews to the effect that the Zionist movement has resulted in raising the price of land in Jerusalem; “hence,” argues our editor, “the movement is good to work up a boom in corner lots, if for nothing else.”
Why does he call the movement "Zionite" instead of using the name "Zionists," which all the world has adopted? To call names is not the highest form of expressing a truth. Has he nothing else to say? Does he really think that his arguments—such as they are—would be less effective if he called the movement "Zionist" instead of "Zionite?"
In another editorial, the editor allows the light of “The American Israelite” to irradiate the subject in these words: “The Jews in the benighted lands of Russia, Roumania and others must fight their battles at home, if only for the sake of the coming generations. They must endure until the dawning of the morning.” The editor really is a man of poetic temperament and sensibility. That phrase about the dawning of the morning is quite pretty. General Sherman said that “war is hell.” But the editor of “The American Israelite” does not shudder for a moment at the thought of war, and he bravely tells other people to fight battles for the sake of the coming generations, and to endure until the dawning of the morning.
There are many opponents of Zionism clamoring against the movement in private speech and public press because they fear the criticism of their Christian neighbors. Weak-minded, half-hearted Jews whose self-respect has long since disappeared because of their truckling to the good opinion of non-Jews. Jews who have nei-