Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-07

1
from the narrow political and national
field, has been expanded to tho promotion
among the whole human race or the
broad and universalisttc religion first pro-
| claimed by the Jewish prophets. Such at
tempts do not benefit. but Infinitely harm
our Jewish brethren where they are still
| prosecuted by confirming the assertion
OF their enemies, Sat the Jews are for.
eigners In the q tries In which they
| are at home, and CT Which they are every
where the most loyal and patriotic citi-
| zens.
We reaffirm that the object of Judaism
| is net political nor national. but spiritual
and addresses itself to the continuous
| growth of peace. Justice, and love in the
human race, to messianic time when all
men will recognize that they form "one
! great brotherhood" for the establishment
OF Gods kingdom on earth.
| The above was read by DR.. Phillipson
to the convention, and was received with
| applause. The president then appointed
| DIR. Phillipson, Hon. Simon Woln, and
DR.. Joseph Kranskopf to formulate reso-
| vention.
SYNAGOGUE EXTENSION.
Rev. DR.. Henry Berkowitz. of Philadel-
! phia, in an eloquent and vigorous speech,
| advocated the appointment or a perna-
! nent committee on synagogue exten-
sion" Expansion is in the air OF Amerl-
ca" said the Doctor. "and the convention
| should catch the inspiration"
| DR.. Berkowitz went on to explain tnat
| the work Of the proposed committee woulo
| be to organize new congregations anu
| to speed the work throughout the coun-
| try There should be union and brotner-
| hood everywhere. he said, and the dliler-
ence between the orthodox and unortno-
| dox should be stamped out
DR. Berkowitz yielded the floor before
| finishing his subject in order that the
| Hon. Simon Wolf might address the con-
| gregaton.
THE ADDRESS OF Mr.. WOLF.
Chairman Julius Straus introduced the
| distinguished orator of the occasion. as
| the representative Jew of the United
States. and the Minister Of this country
to Egypt.
Mr.. Wolf was received with great dis
play Of cordiality. He spoke for nearly
an hour and his address created pro-
found impression 1T was remarkable
not only fer it's polished rhetoric, but Tor
the force that underlay It, Mr.. Wolfs
style of delivery Is very convincing, and
he is possessed OF a vast fund Of MAGNET
ism. which enchanted the attention Of his
audience.
Mr.. Wolf said: Never have / felt so
difdent in discharging s3cred trust anu
duty as / do to-day. Two OF America
gifted orators and original thinker nav
been the hoDored guests OF TINS uhlon
and have in eloquent phrases pointed OUT
what there was deficient. but never 10 my
recollection single word now 10 lnproNe
or better the conditions. ana where SUCH
eminent ability has failed and only sue
ceeded in arousing a great deal OF crltl-
cism. possibly wholesome, IL can easily
be imagined that / am not at all sure Oh
the ground on which | stand. or the mea-
sures of success which / should advocate
| can. however, say with absolute truth
that from the first moment / nave been
devoted. jealous. and enthusiastic
friend of 1.-The Union Of American lie,
brew CONGREGATIONS the college and all
The works connected herewith; feeling
sure then, as ! have ever since ana now,
that such a union was essential Tor the
preservation of the achievements OF Juda-
ism in the past and for the betterment OF
the condition of the jew as individuals
and citizens of the United states.
WHY 1T WAS FOUNDED.
The union. according TO my ideas, was
founded as a basis in developing the ac-
tive forces of Judaism, 10 maintain
high standard of morality, TO teacn by
example unity, and 10 endow college
that should teach its students all OF the
elementary principles Underlying pro-
gressive Judaism without endangering IN
diyidual opinion, and this college should
educate American rabbis VINO shOulu
preach the Word of God in an intelligent,
cultured refined, and elevated manner,
appealing to and stimulating the younger
generation for support and perpetuatlns
to the Jew. And this idea, believe, mas
been successfully accomplished There
can be no question but what more should
have been done had there been an abso,
lutte union of all the congregations ana
more money in the treasury.
The union has never attempted, ana
never will, TO dictate any prayer-DoOK or
any forms of worship within the sacred
portals of the synagogue That IS mat
ter left entirely to the wishes of the in
dividual congregation, and there Is not
letter in the constitution of the union or
It's bylaws that enforces discipline III con-
sequence of a non-acceptance o. tas
union prayer-book or any neglect OF IT'S
rules, except for the non-payment or
dues to the union. 1t is strange TO ne
that our brethren and members or the or
thodox congregations and the non-paruI-
pating Reform congregations DO not tet-
lie the vast amount Of good the union
Of congregations has produced, and how
much more could be achieved with a
larger number of congregations and
larger income The moral influence alone
would be far-reachng and wholesome
DIR. WISE AND HIS WORK.
Twenty-Five years have passed into his
tory since the birth of the Union Of Amer
lean Hebrew Congregations-year
freghted with rich argosies OF expert.
ence, for years prior TO the Launching q
our shin The waters were troubled aud
tempestuous, and il was hoped and be-
Ueyed this union would not only produce
harmony, but also permanent accord on
all the lines Of modern, progressive Juda-
ISM would aid and stimulate patrlouc
feryor. and elevate the individual Jew TO
a higher plane of American citizenship.
Continuing, the orator said: The found
er of this union, who at the same time
may be justly called the Nestor OF Amer
lean rabbis and editors, Rev. DR.. Isaac
NJ. Wise, was actuated by lofty and
sincere purpose. | do not claim, nor VIII
he, that he was always right, or tnat
time has not proved him occasionally
wrong but the sincerity OF his motives
the singleness of his purpose, the unset
fish devotion to Judaism and the Jew,
cannot be questioned. and deserves at our
hands to-day, as pOsterity is bound 10 ac,
cord, unstinted praise, recognition, ana
the 'sincerest homage TO the scholar, the
editor. the patriot, the teacher, the man,
and the fighter. Had DR.. Wise never done
another act than the creating OF this
union" and the founding OF the college,
he would deserve gratitude; ne recos-
nized with the instinct Of genius the
weak spots in the communal life of Amer
lean Judaism, and foresaw. splendld pos
sibilities based on union
ORGANIZATION AND SUCCESS.
'Tbe trend of modern society is for con-
centration and organization. A compact,
united. and harmonious body can achieve
success. and render invaluable service not
only to itself, but TO the State, and what
Dr Wise worked for was not only in the
Interest of the Jew and Judaism. but also
in aid of civil and religious liberty, ana
to give the jew, as an American citlzen,
that status and recognition TO which he
is entitled by the logic of history, and by
his humane and civilizing philosophy ana
ethics / have never conceded, nor 90
to-day, that this union was TO cement
The reform element only. The very word
''union" dsproves il. The idea was, and
&c to bring every Jewish congregation IN
the United States into a closer union,