The Maccabaean

Of all the great nations, only the United States is at peace, and we must be the factors in effecting peace among the nations.

The President of the United United States States has been of great and American “.“ . Jewry dignity, and he has added greatly to the prestige of our country. His plea for what is in effect a spiritual neutrality amongst us is one to which the sight of our brethren arrayed against each other in the hostile armies makes us give a listening ear. Jewish eitizens in the United States will not be slow in seconding the efforts of our government ın behalf of peace.

Upon the Zionists of America is thrown a heavy burden. The Organization has made an eloquent and stirring appeal and we confidently exspect a response from all elements of Jewry. The Actions Comite is scattered and and the work in Europe is at a stand-

still. Yet the needs of the hour are greater than they have been in centuries. One thing we Zionists must demand —not relief measures only, but constructive work. The work of upbuilding Palestine must not cease, nor the work of Hebrew Education nor the preparing the ground for those who are to come.

The most striking lesson of the war is the demonstration of the strength of nationalist feeling, to us in America too strong and terrible a National Spirit force to be handed over in to a few men in power the War to rise. The millions of Soeialists Aghting under their national colors, as Babel and Jaures prophecied they would, shows how much stronger than aught else is the spirit of Nationalism. W’e must unite to maintain it not as a weapon of destruction, but as the great creative power it has always been since the Dawn of history.

The most important work of a nation is the training of the children. Young Judaea has undertaken this task in Jewry. We print in this issue two articles that throw light on their work, which has only begun, reaching five thousand children.

The work thus far has been done by a number of young men and women qualified by devotion, enthusiasm and training, but possessing limited financial resources.

The Jewish Youth as a whole has but little knowledge of Jewish history, and practically none of Jewish ideals. His knowledge is limited to a small portion of the Old Testament and to a vague idea of a few leading characters of Jewish history of whom he has read or heard in the American Schools.

He has not the slightest idea of a Jewish standard of values or what we call "the continuity of Jewish history." He knows more of French and German history than he knows of his own. The great past—Biblical literature of the Jews is a closed book to him. Ibn Gabriol, Jehudah Halevy and Maimonides are hardly even names. He is barely con-

scious of a national heroism that has endured throughout the Ages. He knows nothing of the Hebrew Renaissance, of Achad Halam, Bialik, Frishman, Frug, and others.

Luther, Renan; Nietzche, Karl Marx; Mommson, and Chamberlain, the great enemies of Semitism he does know, and in a great measure, he accepts their standards and ideals.

The four thousand years of steadfast heroism has not been brought home to him, nor the knowledge of a vital and creative force that has its roots in the East and of which the Jewish is the guardian.

T.ct the Jewish Youth be made to understand our heritage and desertion from our ranks will gease. Teach them loyalty to race and loyality to their traditions and the future ot Zionism is secure.

This is the task Young Judaea has set itself. It trains leaders, teaches Jewish history and literature, celebrates in fitting manner the great national festivals, and does all things necessary to move the Jewish Youth to an appreciation of their traditions and responsibilities.