the American Jewish Committee seems determined to use the occasion not to develop a national Jewish organization, but to strengthen its own position, as if Jewish unity must await the recognition of the American Jewish Committee.
We hope, however, that public opinion will express itself, and that an attempt will soon be made to arouse American Jews to a recognition of the fact that not only relief funds are necessary, but also Jewish organization and Jewish policy.
MAURICE WERTHEIM ON "PALESTINE AND THE WAR"
Mr. Maurice Wertheim, who carried the relief fund of American Jews to Palestine, and saw to its distribution soon after the outbreak of war, contributes an interesting account of his experience in the January 2nd issue of The Survey. The article is amply illustrated with photographs taken by the author. It is a very appreciative and sympathetic account of the Palestine work of the Zionist movement. He gives a vivid picture of his encounter with Ben Jehuda. In one of his concludinz pararraphs he writes:
WEIS: WE BEE WWIBEDESLENBEEEE BARS ERERBEREFARED BAND. WER ATuRd .e “I became a Zionist on the spot. That does not mean that I became an advocate of a Jewish state in Palestine, or that I wished to become a party to a movement that would drive all Jews, wherever living in the world, into Palestine as into a corral—which many laymen seriously think is the object of Zionism. It means merely that I sympathized, as almost anyone would, with the aims of those who are trying to establish in Palestine a center of refuge for oppressed or restricted Jews of all countries, a center that will preserve Judaism and will permanently radiate Jewish life and culture. It is a thousand pities that this simple and noble aim has become an ‘ism,’ developing pro’s and anti’s’on a subject about which, among either Jew or Gentile, it seems to me that little difference of opinion can exist. If all Jews realized that this is Zionism on the ground, I hardly think that there would be so much theoretical and vexed discussion of the matter.”
The "isms" Mr. Wertheim complains of arose in order to meet the opposition of Jews to Zionism. Before that opposition appeared Zionism was included in the hopes of all Jews, without theories, without vexed discussion. It was accepted as the destiny of the Jewish people to be resettled in Palestine. When the opponents of Zionism entered the lists, it was necessary for Zionism to be formulated and theoretically sustained. But isms are not needed for an appreciation of our ideals. It suffices that one sympathizes with the simple formula of the Basle program.
THE LIBERALISM OF LIBERALS
Ir is not necessary to become excited over the latest exhibition of academic liberality given by the authorities of the Hebrew Union College. Dr. Kallen was invited to address a student organization on “The Meaning of Hebraism.” His engagement was cancelled by the students by order of the president of the faculty, who declared that, knowing Dr. Kallen’s Zionist views, he would not permit him to express them within the College walls. The lecture on “The Meaning of Hebraism” was not delivered.
This is in keeping with well-established Hebrew Union College tradition. An eminent professor of the College has written a history of Reform Judaism, in which he formulates a reform dogma to the effect that reform Judaism has nothing in common with the national aspirations of the Jewish people. The Hebrew Union College seems to have accepted the dogma. All who come within its portals, expecting to find freedom of scholarship, discover that one dogma cannot be displaced, the dogma of opposition to Zionism. A professor may be an excellent Arabic scholar, capable as a teacher, a model of modesty and ability, but if he is a Zionist, he has no place in the Hebrew Union College class-rooms. A professor may be the foremost Bipbli- cal exegete in this country, but if he progresses to be a Zionist or holds views that are opposed to the narrow conception of Judaism favored by the president of the College, his position is untenable. Not that the students are unwilling to listen to these professors, or that the supporters of the institution have tabooed Zionism, but because two or three of the leaders of the College are nossessed of an anti-Zionist obsession.
Dr. Kallen's experience is merely an incident in the hardening of the dogma of anti-Zionism, which has been imposed upon the College. Liberalism has become dogmatic and unwilling to test its truths in the open forum of public opinion. Liberality has ceased progressing. It does not deal with evolution in life. It holds to the shibboleths of another day, and threatens with
destruction any one who will invade the sacred precinct devoted not to scholarly research, but to the maintenance of ideas that have already become ossified.
This is not an occasion for Zionist protest. Let the supporters of the Hebrew Union College square this latest scandal with the ideals set forth by the founder of the institution.
Death of Composer of "Queen Of Sheba."
The death is announced of Carl Goldmark, the composer of “The Queen of Sheba,” who died in Vienna on January 3rd aged eigthy-four. Goldmark was the son of a poor cantor in Kessthely, Hungary, and in most of his music a decided Oriental coloring may be detected. Much of his music has found its way into the synagogue, carried there by chazonim, who had little difhculty in converting it into effective Jewish music. “The Queen of Sheba” was his most interesting composition, and although at first coldly received, later attained considerable popularity. He also wrote a cheerful symphony called “Rustic Wedding” and an overture entitled “Sakuntala,” glowing with oriental coloring. His list of compositions include five operas, two violin concertos, two symphonies, five overtures, etc., ex-ceedinge fifty.
Dr. Max Nordau Sympathizes with Allies
Dr. Max Nordau's whereabouts has been the subject of considerable discussion since the outbreak of the war. He was first heard from as being in a concentration camp in France, being an Austrian subject, in spite of the fact that he has lived in France for over thirty years. Then it was announced that he had gone to Spain. Recently he was heard from as being at Madrid, whence he has written to friends in Paris that he identifies himself in interest with the cause of the Allies.
Jewish Chautauqua At Rochester
The twenty-second assembly of the Jewish Chautauqua Society was held in Rochester, N. Y., the last week in December. Among those who delivered lectures were Dr. Henry Berkowitz, Dr. William Rosenau, Eugene Lehman, Miss J. M. Goldberg, and Rabbi Max Currick.
The Zionist movement was criticised by Rabbi Currick, because, he said, it aims to make physical nationalism with geographical boundaries a predominant evidence of Jewish integrity. That kind of integrity, he said, had been largely responsible for the conflict now raging in Europe. He thought cosmopolitanism preferable to nationalism.
Zionist Bureau for New England
A Bureau for the development and organization of the Zionist forces of New England has been established by the Federation in the Compton Building, 161 Devonshire Street, Boston, Mass.
All those in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine who desire information relating to Palestine or who are willing to co-operate with the Zionist effort and in general seek information relating to the Zionist movement, are cordially invited either to call or correspond. The office is opened daily except Saturdays and Sundays. Mr. Tacob de Haas is in charge of the ofhce.
Albany Zionists Gives Entertainment
An entertainment was given by the Sons and Daughters of Zion of Albany, N. Y. for the benefit of the Emergency Fund on January 6th in Odd Fellows’ Hall. A. B. Asrikan was chairman of the committee, assisted by Mr. Rosenberg, of the Hebrew Institute, Miss Lily Sanders, Mrs. M. Cohen, Miss Anna Friedlander, A. M. Levenson, Nathan Brenner and Samuel Got- tesfeld. The proceeds have not as yet been turned into the Provisional Committee.