Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-09-29
What the Jews

1
The Je1oish Messenger up what the profess
ors of the Hebrew faith have accomplished, as an
Ecclesiastcism, during the past year, 1920 of the
Jewish calendar.
The editor dspIores the 'lethargic Indifference
which has characterized the Hebrew community OF
this country, but observes that this Indifference d
compensated, in some degree, by the establishment
of the "Board of Delegates of American Israeltes
and adds; "The contamination Of this measure,
with the recent eforts-promising a successful is
sue-to organize similar central body among our
Italian co-religonists and to carry out the design
for some time agitated of Universal Israelitish
Alliance, we consider a significant realization of
the hope we expressed twelVemOnth ago, and-as
constituting great advance towards the union of
Israelites throughout the world-we deem these
matters of greater Importance than casual obserV-
er might be disposed to cOncede" A similar hope,
we may remark, has been expressed for centuries :
the dream of United Israeli is the one sweet dream
of every Israetish breast but it seems far from
fulfilment now as in the day when Solyman l. held
mosque services in the Holy City of Palestine.
The Messenger adverts with spirit of glSdness to
the progress of liberal ideas and the tolerance ex-
tended toward the Jews of Europe during the year
past. We may quote
"In Great Britain, France and Holland our CO.
rellgonists retain the same high standing, which, in
free country, they are certain to secure. Distin-
guished hOnOrs have been paid to several lsraeltsh
citizens of these sovereignties. From Russia we
have intelligence of continued progress in liberal
enactments. and the condition of our community is
one of prosperity and advancement In Poland,
likewise old preJudices are wearing Off Dr. Hirsh-
field for instance, has been elevated to important
professorship in the Warsaw University. In Cali
cia lberal measures are yet being enforced. Aus
tria has witnessed some little improvement in the
position of her Jewish population during the past
year, though whether it Is likely Last we have our
fears In Prussia and the minor German States no
thing worthy of particular mention has TRANSFERRED
although, the whole, the condition of things is IA
vorable. The Grand Duchy of Hesse boasts of u
Jewish mayor. Our Italian brethren are doing
well. In Spain and Portugal Judaism is
once more openly practiced where, since the close
of the fifteenth century, it has been interdcted"
In what other age of the Christian world could this
have been asserted,
Jewish literature seems not to flourish here but
two books having been printed in Hebrew on this
side of the Atlantic during the year past though in
Europe the labors of Auerbach, Philipsohn, Stau-
ben, &C.. are eminently appreciated A Jewish pro-
fessor, STERN is now attached to the University of
Gottingen. Three Jewish papers have been started
during the year, viz: at Tunis Mayence and Odessa
IAAC VI papers mas Increased IN the
and the Messenger depores the fact that but one or
two have any influence"
Five new congregations have been organized dur
ing the year, VIZ; "One at Portlond Oregon one at
New Brunswick, New Jersey one at St. Joseph No.. |
and two in this city. The number. of CONSIDERATIONS
of new synagogues rather exceeds the average |
Places of worship have been dedicated at Fort |
Wayne, Indiana; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Macon |
Georgia; Plaquemine Louisiana; Montreal. Canada |
East Philadelphia Pennsylvania; two at Cincinnati
Ohio; Brooklyn, Long Island, and three in this
city"
The Hebrew Benevolent Society has established
an Orphan Asylum in this city. One also has been
in Charleston, South Carolina No men
ton is made by the Messenger of any other benevo-
lent institutions under Hebrew auspices.
The recent disturbances in Morocco and Syria did
not affect the Jews particularly. In Morocco they
received ready protection from Moorish vengeance
and are now peacefully enjoying their usual iumu-
lities In Palestine the Hebrews were not disturbed
It all by the contending factions of Moslems and
christians.
The Messenger says, in closing its summary:
tilIra toI,, -. l..