The times., 1899-11-03
WOMEN DISCUSS A PLAY.
They Give and Hear Opinions of the
''ChfIdren of the Ghetto"

MY Wv q Auu flGlE ORAaAoGN Oh Nhe
CHILDREN of the Ghetto"
The local branch Of the National Council
of Jewish Women held an interesting meet
ing at the Temple OF the Washington He
brew Congregation, in Eighth Street north
west, at s o'clock last night. The nesting
was well attended. about fifty being pres
ent when Mrs. Isadore Grosner president
of the Washington section, called the men,
bers to order. A great deal of business was
transacted during the first half hour of
the meeting, and several important mat
ters Of interest to the members of the or
ganization were discussed \ report from
the committee on religion and entertain
ment was read, in which suggestions were
offered for the study of the Hebraic Bible
and several dates were selected for en-
tertainments. The committees on philan-
thropy, Sabbath schools, and reciprocity
also presented reports of their work
The most important feature of the meet
ing was the reading and discussion of a
paper on Israel Zangwills play, The Chill
dren of the Ghetto" Almost every one
of the women present had seen the play
and most of them were acquainted with
the customs of the Jews of London OF the
period during which the action of the play
takes place. The paper was prepared and
read by Mrs. Solomon Oppenheimer. Mrs.
Oppenheimer had given the matters treated
in the play great deal of study, and was
prepared to speak authoritatiyely on all
the points that have been brought out in
the various criticisms of the piece. She
stated that the adverse criticisms were
the result of the personal animosity that
exists bptWppn bn critics and the author
Of the play They were unjust and un-
called for in many Instances, and the
writer's proclaimed by their work that they
were hardly acquainted with the Jewish
customs OF that period, or this period. for
that matter.
1t was the general opinion of the Jew
ish women who had witnessed the per-
formance in this city and elsewhere that
the play gave an almost perfect illustra-
ton of life in the Jewish quarter Of
the great English city one hundred years
ago. Some Of the customs noted in the
piece have been handed down from father
to son and are observed to this day This
is notably prominent in the observance
OF the Friday night meetings which are
held regularly by all orthodox Hebrew
congregations throughout the country. The
scenes showing the home life of the Sc
mite people of London during the last
speaker. Nothing could be more beautiful
or more simple than the picture presented
of the peaceful home of the old Reb
Shemuel in the third act and nothing
could have been given which would have
shown more truly the gentle atmosphere
that pervaded quieter scenes
1t was almost an ideal Characterization,
the speaker held, and the whole play has
done more toward the uplifting of the Jew
in this country. and will do more to pro-
mote respect for the Hebrew race than
anything that could have been written
or played.
The views of Mrs. Oppenheimer were
heartily endorsed by all of those present.
At the conclusion of her address several
of the members spoke. Everyone who had
views on the play were allowed to express
them. 1t appeared to be the general opinion
OF the ladies present that while the play
was perfect in almost every detail it de-
voted too little attention TO the women out
| side the heroine Of the piece. The Jewish
mothers were not dealt with as elabOrately
| as the fathers of the families and many OF
| the women thought the mothers were quite
/ as important in the organization of the
| homes as the fathers. The meeting was
( brought to an end at about 10 O'Clock al
/ the conclusion of the general discussion Oi
! Zangwill's S play. The next meeting Of the
! Washington section will be held at the
| Temple on the 10th OF this month.
The National Council of Jewish WomeT
| is one Of the best known Of the women's
religious organizations in the country. Il
| was organized a number of years ago anC
at present its headquarters are in Chicago
| where the president of the organization
Mrs. !. SalCmon, resides. The objects o
| the order are to bring the Hebrew womer
of the country together and promote the
| welfare Of those who are not able TO takt
| care Of themselves. 1t also requires it,
members to assist in the intelligent study
Of the Hebriac Bible and in the variou!
Jewish charities. The latter is probabl!
the most extensive benevolent systems il
the country and is presided over by repre-
sentative members of the various Semeti
| organizations
| Thousands Of dollars are spent annual.
in relieving suffering and distress among
the Jews of the country. The Women
Council assists greatly in this work. Their
are branches of the organization in almos
| every city in the United States eyeryon
of which is working in unison for a com
mon cause. The headquarters of the Wash
ingtOn section is at the Temple on Eight
Street The officers are Mrs. Isadore Gros
ner, President; Mrs. J. Schifman. Vic
President; Mrs. Hetty Abraham, Secretary
and Mrs. J. Newman, Treasurer. Meet
ings Of the organization are held on tn
| first and third ThurSdayS Of zach month