New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-10
RABBI H4I HERTHEINER.
WHY HE BECAME A CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST
VIEWS OF LEO WISE

VIEWS OF LEO WISE
The case Of Max wertheimer rabbi Of an Ohio
congregation who recently renouncsd MS faith TO
embrace Christian Science. has had much notice in
the public press. and there has been some curiosity
the part OF the reading public 70 know whether
Wertheimer's position IN American Judaism was
important. and whether. some writer's alleged.
he was really shining light IN his Church
Leo Wise. Editor - The American IsraeAts
and the OF the venerable Rev DIT. Isaac NJ
Wise, 70 whom Wertheiuer's letter of withdrawal
from his charge was addressed win vsnrilare ths
subject in the next issue OF his paper Says Mr.
Wise:
Mr.. Wertheimer's days OF usefulness in the Jew
rom ne t-r5 70 9s oy f S woHe AZ 5 =
The increase Of me CONGREGATION n DAYTON durIzg
De placed largely ~ even in any cons dera6s meas
uTe, 70 MS credit The congregation had never
had young American minister before and the
ADVENT or one, graduate OF the Hebrew Unlon
College Al that reused the members 10 enthusiasm
and active work The result was an lnersased
satisfactory state OF AFFAIRS did last long The
new rabbi soon evlnced peculiartties- Wild sccen-
was soon AZ Ioagsr,as v-fr rs co-gregsfion ara
as time went on the relations between them did nOt
improve
When the proper length Of time after his gradu-
alton had expired Rabbi Wsr-he1=--r presented TO
tae faculty OF The Hebrew Union College thesis
IS candidate for the degree Of doctor Of divinity.
This paper was declared b. me faculty not up 20
ferred Aror1e rTr,ifra+io1 bs7 sfT-1Ia- -as,.I.
This aRgered M Werthelmer very much His
diosyncras-es. led him 70 believe that the refusal
10 grant the degree brought abU-r by personal
prejudice against himself. by his lack OF the
requisite scholarship. He thereupOu Joined the
mics or the Hebrew Union College 10 their attacks
upon the good Hame Of the institution the scholar
snip or the faculty and the character and capacity
OF the grsduaIeSa rather extraordinary proceeding
toward his Alma Mater and fellow alumni
pecialy in addition free tuition he mad dur
ing MS college career. been a peusiOuer and had
been ted lodged clothed and generally cared FOR
SraruitOusly- This naturally seems abOFtanable 20
On American. but Mr. Wertheimer Is a FESnchran
oy birth. and, as recent events have shown. many
Of these have totally different idea from own
or what IL Is proper for gentleman 10 DO leave
undOne.
Wertheimer finally dismissed This
done says Mr. Wise, il the usual delicate way
that is. BY re-electing him for further term and
then accepting his resignation M Wise says
further.
Rabbi WerJheiner then became a candidate FOR
various Jewish pulpits that without fncurn-
bents, but In every instance his reputation for
was not selected This seems 70 have had the
effect OF disgusting him with Jews-not, however
with Judaism.
have known Mr. Werthener from the time he
entered the preparatory department OF the Hebrew
Union college, and have watched MS career since
ne graduated With fun knowledge Of the facts
/ nave no hesitation in saying that unpleasant
OF the manner IN which Mr. WeTIheImer has left
the Jewish ministry IL is far better that he should
nave Withdrawn II this manner than have re-
NAMED n Il As ne stands to-day a mild an
noyance, Tor some time past he been source
OF harm 20 Judaism.