The Maccabaean

DEVOTED TO ZIONISM AND ALL JEWISH INTERESTS

VOLUME XXX.

ESTABLISHED OCTOBER, 1901

X LEO PINSKER

THE Jewish people should know more about the personality of Leo Pinsker, author of ““Auto-Emancipation,” and knowing more, they will come to a better understanding of the quality of mind and spirit, which he introduced in the Zionist movement. What oppressed him most, when he realized the futility of the Haskalah as a panacea in Russia, was the abascment of the Jewish people in the goluth. He was impatient with the eulogists of the goluth, and pleaded for a self-respecting, free nationality, under obligations to no one for its liberation. Reading “Auto-Emancipation,” one is overcome by the natural eloquence that emanates from the ex- ‘perienced Odessa physician, who came to reconsider his life’s philosophy when over sixty. He was among the first to speak of the Jewish people in terms of national dignity and self-respect. Rather a hovel in Palestine than a palatial residence in Odessa. The origin of Achad Haam’s “Slavery in Freedom” may be traced to “Auto-Emancipation.” It is true that Pinsker was not a philosopher, but some times the simpler mind strikes the eternal truth, much more effectively than the philosopher accustomed to the juggling of terms. Pinsker first preached assimilation with Russian culture. When he perceived the futility of the idea, he came to realize that it involved national humiliation. A flock of sheep—going whither they are driven— never moving in accordance with their own plans—out of this disorderly state let there be created some thing indicative of national determination. Let us know the truth and speak frankly. Unless we build the house, we cannot live comfortably in it. Unless we save ourselves, we shall never see Salvation. It did not concern him then what land was to be selected, but some territory the Jews must acquire through sacrifice and devotion, where they could live as they

saw fit. With this thought Pinsker, as did Herzl, went to the leading men in the Jewish world and pleaded for co-operation. He returned empty-handed, and then realized the further application of the truth expounded in his brochure, that even as the lords of the world are unable to emancipate a people, so too the lords of the Jewish world cannot bring freedom to the Jewish people. The people must become their own liberators. We have much to be thankful to Pinsker. He expressed the thought of thousands who came after him, and probably spoke for the thousands who preceded him. But he gave his thought in simple, direct terms, so that all may understand. Whenever a Zionist loses courage, or hesitates in his allegiance, let him re-read Pinsker. It will strengthen his Zionism, and give him courage to make further sacrifices.

THE democratic nationalistic forces in American Jewry won a signal and outstanding victory at the Hotel Savoy Conference on December 25th. An American Jewry Congress on democratic lines is assured. This was the first encounter of the organized Jewish democracy with the hitherto predominant element in American Jewry. The leaders of the American Jewish Committee and their allies were defeated at every point. The control of the organization of the Congress remains with its friends, and not with those who reluctantly entered the movement. There was a grave danger, which is now happily passed. It was feared that in an encounter with the leaders of the American Jewish Committee, the democratic forces would become demoralized and pass the control of the Congress organization to its erstwhile opponents, without an effective protest. The apprehension was that with the destiny of the Congress entrusted to these men.

the Congress would be a pale and ineffectual reflection of what its friends hoped it would be. We wished to have the Congress more than a demonstration. It was our desire through the democratic elections to arouse all Jews to a direct personal interest in the Jewish problem, so that a more direct responsibility would be created. We wished to organize the Jewish people not only for Jewish rights, but also for a comprehensive, continuous consideration of the whole problem of Jewish existence. All these hopes and desires were threatened by the possibility that the American Jewish committee would become the master of the Congress organization. We are thankful for the victory. Having achieved it, a grave responsibility now rests upon us. Upon us rests the obligation to wrest from the Congress opportunities for a more efficient handling of Jewish affairs. We shall be called upon to test our strength in the four or five months to come. The elections should be conducted in as public a manner as possible. This will serve to bring within the circle of Jewish interests that large body of indifferent Jews to whom we must now appeal for co-operation. It is our hope to be able to overwhelm the Congress with Zionist sentiment and feeling, so that whatever is done may be in accord if not identical with the aspirations of the Zionist movement. This work will entail sacrifices and the highest order of organization ability. We trust our friends will stand behind us in this movement. A victory in the Congress must follow the victory in the Hotel Savoy conference. Let us prepare for the contest.

CONSTRUCTIVE RELIEF

THE Congress Organization Committee has decided to place the problem of constructive relief on the Congress program. As our readers will remember, this ques-