The herald., 1895-05-06
Comes TO Visit Southern CaIifOr=
mia for the First Time
INCIDENTALLY TO LECTURE
He Explains Clearly the Meaning of the
Term Reformed Jew
And Tells How He Was ImpeIied to Write
His Lecture on the Reasons for
the New Woman

That eminent scholar and cultured gen.
! tleman, Rabbi Jacob Voorsanger, reached
Los Angeles from San Francisco yester
day afternoon, and is stopping at the
Westminster hotel. DR.. Noorsanger is
just entering the prime OF life, is about
! medium height, with an ample weight.
which he carries easily and well. His
dark hair is brushed back from wide,
thoughtful brow; his mustache and closely
trimmed pointed beard are also dark, as
are his eyes, which look out through
gold trimmed glasses with keen yet be-
nevolent gaze.
To reporter who called upon him
shortly after his arrival he extended
most kindly greeting. and explain ed
briefly that he found it warm in Los
Angeles, but an agreeable change from
San Francisco. The reporters next words
were marked by the same brilliantly idi-
otto want of tact that characterize the
speech Of other well-intentioned but ms
guided people who stop not TO think be-
fore speaking. and were as follows:
1T seems to me. DR.. Noorsanger, that
it is decidedly,Chrstian act on your part
coming to Los Angeles and giving your
valuable time and strength for local
charity"
A quizzical expression that was tenn
pered by tolerance fitted across the doc
tors face as he replied quietly
christian. do you think so?' and
then, almost without pause, he contin-
ued, 1t is time for my vacation: | never
have been in Southern California before;
1t was an opportunity for me to visit my
good friend. Mr.. Newmark, and genially
he turned to that gentleman who sat be-
side him, 80, hearing of the desire of and
the need for the Associated Charities to
raise some money, | thought a number
of things might be accomplished at the
same time-and am here"
"How long have you lived in Califor-
nia?"
Just about nine years"
And before that?''
For about nine years again [ was
cowboy in Texas; that is, being resi-
dent of Texas l naturally refer to my
self while there as cowboy. although l
had no association other than the conven
tional one with those useful animals, nor
did | ever see genuine cowboy. My
life was absorbed IN my professional
work and my home was in Houston. As
in the other cities of the southwestern
part of the state, it is populated with cul-
tured southern people and the experience
was most broadening and agreeable
one.'
"You have been spoken of as a re-
formed Jew. Can you explain just what
that term inplies?"
LAS l understand it and practice it,
reformed Jew teaches Judaism by Amer
lean methods instead of by Polish, or
German or English OF French methods.
That is, the worship differs from the
orthodox ritual only IN SO far as it is on
the order of beauty. and harmony and
intelligence; there is no difference on
doctrinal points, but it is merely apply
ing them to the American intelligence
\
simple manner. The scope of our relig-
ion is so broad that we can have all kinds
OF opinions"
"rhen it is not from the Jews, but the
Gentiles that you find any opposition to
your vIews?'
We'll, l can't say that, but everybody
who hews way for himself in any de-
partment, or on any subject is liable to
attacks from irresponsible or ignorant
persons. There are so many people who
live in ruts and think in ruts. that any
one who goes outside meets with OBJ
stacles sometimes worth taking notice of
of and overcoming, but oftener not.
The titles of your lectures are rich
with promise, DR.. Voorsanger. How did
you happen to write the one you are
going to give tonight-Cranks. Dreamers
and Other Crazy People-What possibili-
ties!"
DIR. Voorsanger smiled a smile that was
enigmatic. yet full of meaning. but said:
Il cannot tell you that for publica
ton. but will tell you about the new
woman lecture. 1t is the outcome of a
screaming attack on me by one or two OF
the ladies of the Press ASSOCIATION. in
consequence of an incautious remark of
mine 10 the effect that woman's high
, est privilege was to be a wife and mother.
For long time 1 paid no attention to the
attacks, but | gradually collected my
ideas, put them in shape. and think
what | say will surprise a good many
women, for | am distinctly on the side OF
the new woman. only | would warn her
that when she loses her respect for and
her ideal of man, she involves herself in
the ruin which she creates"