twenty-six men who expect to become rabbis, exclusive of the value of rent on property or everything but running expenses. For the amount expended for each student a man could easily be sent to Europe to attend the best colleges in the world and perhaps better rabbis would be turned out. Why then all this expense? Because the donors want to create a special brand of rabbis with special training and special views. As a business proposition are they not justified in being angry when the Zionists, without money or influence or any right whatsoever, step in and change the brand with a single word? After spending about ten thousand dollars in nine years for making a single rabbi (to say nothing of the fact that about twelve of the former graduates of the college are not rabbis at all) what a disap- pointment! N. T. I.
NOTES
THE Central Conference of American Rabbis discussed Zionism at its summer meeting. From all reports, nobody was injured in the conflict. Dr. Heller stated his position, others followed in opposition, and it finally dwindled down to a feeling that it all depends upon your definitions, whether reform Judaism and Zionism are incompatible. If it is Zionism for the other fellow, then reform Judaism of a certain brand may sing in unison with it. If it is Zionism for yourself, then reform Judaism, of another brand, is not compatible. Therefore, one rabbi pertinently and wisely shelves the entire discussion by demanding that definitions be provided. Whatever theories may be advanced to prove the necessity of Zionism, the declaration of the Zionist movement stands, approved by every Zionist to whatever party he may belong. Zionism aims at securing for the Jewish people a legally guaranteed publicly assured home in Palestine. If reform rabbis have anything to say against that, if they believe reform Judaism incompatible with that object, they need not hide themselves behind the plea that they do not know what is meant by Zionism. Are there any reform Jewish principles against the realization of the aims of Jewish nationalism?
THE relative position of the rulers of Jewish
destiny in America have not altered since our last notice of their activities. The B'nai B'rith and the Union of American Hebrew congregations line up on one side of the fence, drape their historic past about themselves, majestically, and glare pacific defiance at their young rival, the American Jewish Committee, which is on the other side of the fence. Since there has been no pogrom in the past five or six weeks, and Hilsner cannot be extricated, and, more especially, since it is the "good old summer time," the solution of the Jewish question may abide with us a little while longer. All three organizations are waiting for an emergency call. Probably the first call to arms will be sounded by the Liberal Immigration League whose activity continues and whose officers unerringly scent an immigration restriction bill in the air.
De. JacoB VOURSANGER has returned from a brief visit to Palestine, more convinced than ever that Palestine is of no value to the Jews. He declared that Zionists are all for talk, especially in America, and cites the German Templars as examples of what can be done in Palestine by the use of intelligent methods. The query is, if the Templars are successful, why not also the Jews? Dr. Voorsanger’s reply is, the Zionists have no money. Then it reduces itself to a question of the ability of Zionists to raise the required funds? But Dr. Voorsanger does not follow ‚out the line of his own reasoning. When confronted by views in opposition to his own, as to the fertility of Palestine, he tacks and takes refuge behind the plea that Zionists merely talk. What is there left for us to do, but to go ahead with our work, relying on those who have made a study of Palestine conditions, rather than on those prejudiced authorities, who go to Palestine to find confirmation for their own dogmas, and clzverly get it.
THE MACCABAEAN prints this month several articles bearing on the development of Palestine. This may seem an error, from the point of view of proportion, but we hope our readers, the Zionist readers especially, will use this number for propaganda purposes.