The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-21
HIsToRICdL JUDAISM DEFENDED.


To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Sir: As an
Israelite who is too much attached to his faith
TO sit quietly 10y and see 1t misreprcsented. |
ask the courtesy OF your columns to enter my
protest against the false position in which the
Rev DR.. Gottheil has placed the Jewish people
first by his address before the Unitarian Con-
ference and secondly by his letter Of attempted
self-iustincaton in THE Sun Of yesterday.
DR.. Gottheil. 1t Is true. dsclaims all right 10
the title OF leadership among the Jews. but he
must know that man OF his great learning and
extensive influence cannot give public utter
ance TO views on Jewish matters without COM
hitting all his people more or less to those
views As the chief minister Of the Temple
Emmanuel-a wealthy institution which num-
beers among its mombers such men as the Selig
MAINS. the Roscnfclds. and tho Bcrnheimers-
lac should b. careful what h. says and how he
When Dr. Gotthcil speaks Of having dis.
carded the broad phylacteries." and OF hav-
ing abolished cercmonials which he thinks
no longer adapted for our time nor suitable
for our mode OF thinking" he Is regarded by
the public. no doubt. rs speaking for all Jews.
He does not speak for all Jews. He speaks for
class who. having struck ile, or grown rich
on army contracts. have suddenly become nris-
tocra,s in religion and undertaken TO reform
our faith. These ARE tho people whose works
have given birth To the goddess Society ~
ETHICAL Culture which is a sort Of branch Of
the Temple Emmanuel. and which H. supported
almost exclusively by the Temple Emmanuel
members. Though Dir. Gottheil is now but ono
step removed from Felix Adler. he should re-
member that n few short years ago he was n
minister OF a jewish congregation in England.
where. II he did not wenr the broad phylac-
teries. he land every member Of his congrega-
tom wore the slken scarf called the fdlttt.
PRAYED with covered heads. the sexes wore
divided and. TO all intcnts aud purposes. DR..
Gottheil WINS a historical jew. Remembering
this. he should have some regard for the feel
ing Of those to whom 1t is not given to emerge
so suddenly from Judaism in Europe TO Tenn
plni-nl on the ftth avenue.
DR. Goithcil speaks fortho Temple Emmanuel
and for the Irmpietes only when he announces
the regeneration Of Judaism d Ia Elith Avenue
Temple. The majority of jews are still ~ truc to
their inth rs Dr. Goithcil WINS NJ 10 the time
he loft England. The jews OF Europe. like the
old American tiOrtuguosel jews. are SO. They
have not abolished the rite OF circumcision, as
large and Influential number Of DR.. Gottheil's
congrcgants, who are still considered members
"a good standing in the Temple have done.
However much Dr. Gottheil aud Felix Adler
may work together for the new cushioned faith.
or, rather. uniaith. historical Judaism is neither
dead nor morlbund.
agree with your correspondent. An Is
rnelite,' that DR.. Gottheil has misused the eX-
| cellent opportunity he had TO put the Jews in
right light before their Gentle neighhors by
disappearing the minority OF us. We stil
believe in Judaism pure and proper; We still
| use the liturgy in our service a. prescribed 10y
| csion. we wear tdlttun. and cyon wear our
| phylacterics, and We claim 10 Doe as good citi-
zens ana as intelligent men as the Templeitcs
| We refuse to follow DIR. Gottheil in his lem
| from Judaism to Tempeism. and hence, II
| course To- Adlerism; and We protest against
| DR.. Gotthoil numbering us, oven 10y inference,
| among the inthless guardians OF n sacred
| represent the Synagogue. The historical Jews
| are ~ far removed from the rempleiies and
| the Aderites ms tho DR.. GOtthcil OF New York
IN lsIs is from the Dr. Gottheil Of Manchester
NEW YORK Dec 90. ''' man,