New-York tribune., 1902-08-03
RABBI JOsEPH's OFFICE.
ORTHODOX JEWS NOT CERTAIN WHETH-
ER TO FILL HIS PLACE OR NOT.

D,scussion among the orthodox Jews of this
,,,v with reference to choosing or not choosing
9 chief rabbi is heard in all quarters the
East Side. On point all agreed. that
he late Chief Rabbi Joseph was a Jewish
teacher of learning piety and personal charm
that are rarely found in combination. But
whether successor to him can should be
chosen is much debated.
personally / don't think there will be chief
-shhi." said Charles Dushkind al his home. in
East Broadway. last night. for. in my opinion.
!. is utterly impossible to bring all the congre-
cations together. You must remember that
1scoh Joseph was not really a chief rabbi In
1857 the orthodox congregations of New-Tork
rstv united in getting him TO come here, and
FOR a time they were united under him. Some OF
she CONGREGATIONS withdrew however. and for
=. last six or seven years the congregations
acknowledging Rabbi Joseph their chief rabbi
have been in a measure distinct from the rest
asked whether il was true that many Jews
thought that Rabbi Joseph was rather out of
t,,ne with his new surroundings" Mr.. Dush-
kind said:
~Beine strictly an orthodox rabbi he could
he nothing but old fashioned. Still, he fully de-
served the title we gave him-charef. sharp
head one Of the most honored designations
among the Jews, and one that has been be-
slowed only six or seven times in The last two
hundred years AS matter Of fact. the reason
I DON'T think he will have successor is that
don't know of a single rabbi alive who could
hold these New-York City congregations to-
eether Even Rabbi Joseph did it only little
while. The task would require a man of extra
ordinary power and influence"
Mr.. siegelstein, Of No. 169 Essex-st.. inclined
last night to the opinion that Chief Rabbi
would be chosen within a short time, probably
1i.S ra ola So
of Jews in New-York the Reforms and the
"Not-Reforms." Rabbi Joseph. he said. belonged
distinctly TO the latter class Mr.. Siegelstein
would not commit himself as to which class he
thought the new Chief Rabbi would be chosen
from though he Is himself strongly in sympathy
with what he called the ot-Reform" class
Mr.. De Haas. assistant editor of The Jewish
World. said last night that the quesuon u ol
organization under chief rabbi was stun IN
nabuloIls condition. 1T looks as if the East
Side CONGREGATIONS would get together on per
rnanent lines" he said. and endearor 10 cover
the whole area At present eighteen New-Yor DIX
CONGREGATIONS are together They are lnQs-
pendent OF the conference Of rabbis tnat mas
recently been held. but people are thinking
there will be a merger. The conference SPEAK
OF was called originally to discuss TeHslous
questions general. but RABBI Joseph oeac nssor
occurring. the possibility Of choosing successor
10 him was naturally considered, and II was oe
cided that at any rate none OF the raopls pre-
ent at the conference should allow nirlseII 10 e
called chief "a Dbl unless he should be formally
elected. ..L
Considering the comparative neglect Win
which he had been treated in recent years, ls tLe :
universal signs of grief displayed at fkap ppl
Josephs death must be set down as lnuch 10
respect for the Office veneratlon Tor the man
This indicates that the downtown Jews OF New :
York would be willng-nay, eager-tc receive d
spiritual leader capable Of representing lhefh
and Of adjusting their differences 1t is true
that Rabbi Joseph himself seems an argument
against this suggestion. But due provision had
not been made fo- his maintenance. ana wlthout
q salary suita he TO the dignity of his posltloh'
no chief rabbi can keep that dignity intact
The readiness TO receive a chief rabbi might
be almost assumed from the scenes OF the last
week There is need that second expert
r1ent need fail. if the proper steps are taken 10
insure z suitable incunlbent TO the off1ce- Ihere
comes IL the difficulty.