groups living there. In Zion, however, Jews will predominate; their culture will be the ruling culture, their religion the predominant religion. Whether this ethnic national supremacy will be coincident with political independence is not the issue, but why should an American object to such a consummation? Should not Palestinian Jews have political autonomy? Would political autonomy in Palestine be a menace to local American patriotism? Does any one question the patriotism of Irish-Americans who are aiding in the Home Rule movement? Does any one question the patriotism of German-Americans who, not content with Platonic good-will toward Teutonic culture, endeavor even in this country to perpetuate it? On the contrary, America receives with cordiality all efforts to enrich American life by amalgamating with it the best of European culture.
As to Jewish Faith
Mr. Schiff’s other criticism, which, he claims, makes his adherence to Zionism impossible, is that Zionism is independent of religion. If, as he admits, Zionism has acted as a unifying force, has recalled the Jew unto himself, has possibly more than anything else shown him the value af his heritage and is leadinz him to
HOME LONGING
the effective reclamation of Palestine, has not the Jewish religion benefitted greatly thereby? Is not religion a very large part of our heritage? This is the view of Dr. Schechter, who speaks wholly as a professor of religion; "We must have Zionism if we want Judaism, orthodox or reform, to continue to exist."
Zionism has shown what it is by what it does. Theoretically it holds that the Jews are a national group and all manifestations of the Jewish spirit are regarded as part of the national revival. Its aim is to establish a Jewish center in Palestine. To this end, the support of all Jews is invoked, and the agnostic is bound to be included. It is neutral on religion not because it has no interest in religion, but because ali Jews can be gotten to rally to Zionism when the points of difference are reduced to a mininuum. Being a national movement, it cannot make only religion its point of contact. That is the theory. But if you credit Zionism with what it has done, has it not actually strengthened religion wherever it has obtained a foothold in Jewish life? Who have brought into Jewish life anew the enthusiasm, the loyalty, the hopefulness and the splendid self-sacriice which formerly only religion was able to inspire? What is this Zionist spirit but in a higher and less technical sense a religious spirit?
I
Hast thou seen a bird soar home,Soaring upward, onward, fast,Filling all the clouded domeWith its notes of joy at last?
II
Hast thou known the wanderer's blissAs he sights his home again'And takes from all the welcoming kiss,While the tears descend like rain?
III
Hence I too now long to turn To my homeland once again; But how sadly must I learn That a stranger there doth reign.