The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-08-24
A REVOLUTION IN JUDAISM.

The Tendency of Hebrews In This Country to
Lose Their Identity as q Peculiar Peo-
pie, and to Become Americanized. 4ss
Sights and Scenes at Long Branch. Where the
Wealthy Jew Plays No unimportant
Part as a Social Factor.
A Project to Perpetuate the Teachings of In-
fdel Bennett by Carving Them in Immor-
tai Marble at Greenwood Cemetery.
New YORK, Special Correspondence, Aug.
2.-The Jews will become before long so alb
sorbed by the rest of the people in America as
to be indistinguishable. Pro-. Felix Adler says
80, and there is no more observant or intelli-
gent Jew in the country than he. But he is an
apostate, and a strictly orthodox Hebrew would
scout The idea of Israel ever losing her separate
character. But there is no den ing that the
IN ore educated and more prosperous Israelites
in this city are drifting far away from their
ancient standards. While still measurably
~e"iN 'oN SAA S'ahA ~ XIV ikibJ VIZ ~
necessarily mixed with them in business, and
here the line of distinction ls unquestiouably
being obliterated. Go through The streets
OF wholesale trade, and you viii be
struck. first, by the prepond rating jewish
names on the signboards; aud, second, you will
observe that a surprising number of firms are
apparently composed Of Jews aud Christians.
This Is slightly more so in appearance than in
reality, for Jews have developed a tendency to
Americanize their names. For instance, a MI.
Sandheim lately became Mr.. Sands. Or falling
in business and starting anew, he concluded it
wise to begin with q freshened name, In
stances of this sort are numerous, so that a
firm name showing in part a lack x of Judaism
does not mean n copartnershlp with Chris
tianity. Nevertheless, the repugnanco to close
business relationship has considerably given
way on both sides, and they no longer come
together IN trade exclusively for mutual spoilia-
ton. In religion, of course, there is
no meeting half way, for the Chris
tian most tolerant in mercantile affairs enter
tains no notion Of becoming u Jew, and that is
just the way the en- feels regarding Chris
tianity. But they can and do get together IT.
reliGiously; that is to say, on the plane of in
tdelito. lprefer not to go into a tickiish sub
ject far enough to estimate the proportion of
our business men who ara unbelievers in any
sort of revealed religion, but it is safe to say
that Jews in New York With an income OF q
thousand a year and upward have generally
departed from the faith of their fathers.
Thousands have renowned al allegiance, and
never go into a synagogue to worship. Other
thousands remain nominal members Of con-
| gregations, but freely eat unclean food, work
on Saturdays, and observe few of the rites and
usages of the ten tribes; and indeed it is only
the Polish Jew, in the crowded East Side tene-
ment colonies of his people who strictly main
tains Judaism in the metropolis.
q JEW AT THE BEACH
Long Branch Is the best place TO see the social
aspect Of the moneyed Jew, In the c he is
the greatest of theater-gosrs, and can be found
at the fashionable public balls; but much of
his social diversion is out of the sight of the
rest of US. But Town at the seashore he is in
full view, both as a cottager and as a hotel
guest. Judge Hilton, whose order excluding
Jews from the Grand Union, Saratoga caused
such a stir a few years ago, has an extensive
enterprise founded here on the same princi-
pie. His Hilton park, which is to contain a
large number of cottages, will be wholly free
from Jews. But there Is no landlord along the
Jersey shore who maintains this rule, though
several manage to keep Israel in a very small
minority. The largest and most fashionable
hodoS / - olC- VI lliSu ny Cch5, auu
it's concededly best dressed lady is Mrs. Fraley,
wife of a Jewish banker of st. Louis. The
most prejud!ced critic could find no impolite-
ness in her manners, while her wardrobe COM
mands wondering admiration by its extent and
richness, but gives no offense by any lack of
good taste. The two ladies who stand next in
toilet distinction are Mrs. Loeb and Miss Haas,
sisters Of Jewish birth, but Episcopalians in
religion. Indeed, this hotel presents more
social indications than l have seen elsewhere
that Adler's prophecy of eventual absorption
may prove true. But he will have to wait
awhile-say 100 years or so-for its entire
fnlfllment. Who would suppose that the
careful. methodical, thrifty jew would ever
gamble? And vet the heayYest loser whom 1
have heard of in the GORGEOUS hells OF the
Branch this season is an Israelite.
He is a stock farmer, however, and
his business is next door to professional
gambling. He dropped into Charley Ransom's
club house one night this week, and in 4 lew
hours left SO, 600 on the faro table. Speak
ing Of religion, Long Branch knows no Sab
BATH. There are churches especially for the
summer visitors, it is true. but not one holds 8
congregation equal in numbers to the Sunday
bathers at any of the many hotels, and on Sun
day afternoons tho drives are IS full OF equi-
pages as on a week day.
REAL sTRoLLING PLAYERS.
In theatricals l yesterday saw = genuine
company Of strolling players. There were four
members-a man, a woman, 3 child and q dog.
They were travelling along the Jersey shore in
D touT OF tue summer roeOfts; ana tney wore
not aroot because bad business had reduced
them to that inexpensive mode OF going, but in
pursuance of their habit The man was . YER
satile comedian, with several dialects at his
command, and the scenery and costumes on his
shoulders in the shape of a Punch and Judy
show and its puppets. The woman looked out
for what showmeE call the "front of the
house" She was also the orchestra, for she
played the tambourine in which she gathered
coin. The child was an infant phenomenon,
probably capable at times of dancing nimbly,
though When saw her fatigue had taken all
the skip out of her little legs. The dog was .
spectlve duties in the entertainment As lowed
in transit, the child was carried in q basket on
the back Of the woman and tho dog drew q cart
load of baggage.
That Is what l call a nice. compact working par
ty." said Frank Chanfrau the actor. as he watched
them setting up their show on his lawn. "All in
the family; everybody with plenty to do. no sal
aries to pay or sharing terms to haggle over. and
no costly TRANSPORTATION to eat into the receipts"
Nor any board bills, for I subsequently saw
them encamped ty a roadside. A tree had
been their hotel for the night, and q cursory
glance at their breakfas st made it appear to be
composed of gratuitous bits from q kitchen and
surreptitious vegetables from unguarded
fields. From the wag Of the dogs tale to the
laughter Of the child there were no indications,
of anything but amjable comfort in these law
less yagabonds.
Neverth eless, their summer outing looked
homogeneous when it took them through the
luxurious life which now fills Long Branch.
Good clothes are so common there that thread
baroness seems misery and rags absolute
agony. An observant woman tells mo that the
dressing has never been richer, as displayed
eyeuiugsi in the larger hotels. II ia true that