The New York herald., 1878-12-19
is JUDAISM DYING?
Professor Ader's Statements FlatlY Contra
delsd BY The Jewish Rabies
THE HEBREW RACE ILOURISIIING.
A Tendency to Ape Christianity the Only
Sign Of Decadence.

The declaration made at STANDARD Hall on Sunday
by Professor Felix Adler of the exrabbi of the
Fifth Avenue Temple. that Judaism about to die,
about exist among the religions of the
world has naturally created considerable commotion
among the Israeites of this city. Singular to say
the metropolis of the New World contains to-day a
larger number of adherents 70 the ancient faith than
any city in Europe the Hebrew population of New
York ranging from 1000 to 70 600 Leaders and clergy
menall had more less to say about Professor Adj
ers extraordinary prediction.
Rev. Dr. Huebsch. rabbi Of the Lexington Avenue
Temple. when called npon by the writer said :--.p
fcssor Adler aspires tn be prophet but don't see
whence he gets his prophecy. The great charactcris
| tic principle Of Judaism --monothesm-cannot die.
As to individuals, they do they please but the
Hebrew a will continue forever. Juda-
ism cannot die; if it does Christianity die
wants to give to religion is not strong enough to
hold anything. Only thi,k he will be good Jew
sh preacher vet; he is making wonderful progress;
he is young man yet and occasionally will give
vent TO juvenile expressions. He has however made
some good changes for the better. year and half
ago he did not speak respectfully OF religious af
! fairs he does 10 my mind he has
changed entirely, and / should like to him work
with us in fact hope that OF these days he will
be i'll the foremost rank OF faithful workers. As
to mixed marriages. the professor prohibits strict,
orthodox jews from being married to Christians, but
| he allows his own people whom he calls 'humani-
tari ns, to do it-a privilege which will perhaps in
! crease the number of his audiences
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY CLAIMED.
Rev. Henry $. Jacobs rabbi of the Thirty fourth
Street Synagogue, rdiculed the idea that Judaism is
dying. He said :-"Never were the Jews higher up in
| their material and moral power in Europe well as
| in America Look abroad in all departments OF art
science. literature and in politics, the leading
| minds Jews. Does this show decadence of the
race? There synagogues, temples
| and Jewish institutions to-day than there were
| ever before. Look at the extraordinary growth
of the Independent Order Of B'na Berth, Of the
Keshcr Shel Barrel and OF the Free Sons OF Israel
they stronger to-day than ever they We're, and
these exclusively Jewish institutions This fact
alone would be sufficient evidence of their vitality
| from religious point OF view But in addition to
this happened to be member of the Committee
on Statistics Of the Jewish Board of Delegates durn.
this very year and have evidence to show that the
capital invested in Jewish church property, in be-
nevolent institutions. hospitals. homes for infrm.
aged and orphans all exclusively Jewish institutions
is continually on the increase. All these are, to my
| mind. strong evidences OF growing and increasing
power. and by means evidence that there is the
least decadence of the Jewish race. There are
more Jewish places OF worship to-day than
ever before, and their number is constantly
increasing, showing larger religious activity.
and besides have better educated ministry than
before The difference in this regard with what
ii used to be thirty years ago. when had OF
high intelligence and capacity to fill tho Jewish pull
pits is indeed remarkable. II all these things show
| any approach to the extinction of the Jews or Of
| Judaism every logical argument fails The forward
strides made i'll Hebrew education and literature
should not be overlooked. In Cincinnati We have the
nucleus for excellent Hebrew college, amply and
well supported; in New York we have the
preparatory Theological school originally started
adopted by the Union of American Israelites
in Philadelphia there is class for the study OF
higher Hebrew. including Talmudica studies. under
the charge Of ministers OF various shades of Judaism
Here in New York, in the Hebrew free schools we
have also recently started Tamudic class; which is
operation and other large cities preparing to
follow. Such IS the recent awakening i'll Jewish con-
greaatonal life that differences Of opinion are being
| put aside and East West North and South are now
members Of the Union of American Jewish Congre-
cations, which soidfcs and strengthens the entire
brotherhood, all working harmonously for the ad-
vancement Of Judaism So much for this country.
By ANY MEANS DEAD IN EUROPE.
| 'Now to Judaism going to die abroad. hap
peed to be present in Paris August last at the con-
! ference held there of leading Jewish minds. The
| aged Cremicux presided, and representatives were
there from every country in Errope-ay even from
| Morocco-and all these mon have large following.
The sefdeyoon. the carnestness the national spirit
there evinccd in all matters affecting the welfare of
the race afforded the best commentary upon the
| sumption that even the least possible symptoms OF
| decaicncc exist anywhere among our people In
Paris a synagogue s now being built. and while
| 1 was in London, month later, one synagogue had
| just been consecrated and another was about to be
| consecrated.
Rev. Frederick dc Soa Mendes. rabbi of the Forty
fourth Street Synagogue alluded to the fact that Pro-
fcssor Adler had been quoting the prophets. All
of interpretations had been given 10 the follow
ing from Zechariah xiv, 9:-"And the Lord shall be
king over all the earth; in that day shall there be
/ one Lord, and his name one Now" continued
Rabbi Mendes. .what is there to prove anywhere that
the Jews dying ont or even that Judaism is Ian
/ gushing? The very contrary is the fact There is
too much vitality among them. They just now
| attaining n very high degree of power as a race.
There decadcnce visible anywhere. In England,
especially. the representative Jews therefor in
stance. the eight or nine members of Parliamentare
all observant Jews.
i JEWS ApISc CHRISTIANITY.
"Here, among the Weather, but not among the
lightenod Jews. there is a disposition to ape Chris
tanty by desiring to establish the pew system Ia the
synaGogues placing Christmas trees III their pmcs.
i The idea that Jews should have Christmas tfpcs is
ridiculous in the extreme, and far this sping
business II concerned Professor Adler is right, but
repeat that II is only among the weahcr Jews, who
not at all in the majority either i'll numbers in
tclligence. There is. however, strong phalanN of
Am, ,rican Jews who above all this nonsense they
have received thorough home education. The
trouble with large number oil American Jews is that
their parents came here poor. We're unable 10
| give their children proper education i'll this
| 10 them new country. and they have not
had the advantages of religious teaching; hence there
exists among to-day that rcstivcncss of the nor-
,iches, who have decided leaning toward
| Christianity. Yet whenever yor speak to them in
regard to it. with their Christmas in their
parlors. they profess to he Jews nj heart and ex-
cecdingly patriotic for their race. Ay, this very
class, should any assail their rights, would
at once range themselves under the Jewish banner
aud fight for their rights. l am glad in respect
that Professor Adler has thus spoken II will bring
these people ont and will then il they all
dead The very discussion Of this question will
show what vast amount of vitality there is left.
not only in Judaism. but even among those who but
indierently adhere to the ancient faith OF these.
there will be quite number who, when discuss
ing Professor Alers declaration. will exclam in the
language of the Talmud which warns us to beware
of the child that should rend llis mother breast ("
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