Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
FUNDS ALREADY IN HAND
He Thinks Present Churches and Syn.
agogues Are Too Social.
OFTEN ONLY RICH MANS CLUB
Desires to Interpret the Jews to Him
self and Judaism to the
World.

special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK. December 22-The estab-
lishment in this city of the Free Syna-
gogue. an institution different from any
that Is yet in existence, is now assured, ac-
cording to the declaration of the protector
OF the new religious organization, the Rev.
DR.. Stephen s. Wise.
Sufficient support has already been
promised to assure its maintenance. DR..
Wise, who for some time was prominently
known In New York as the rabbi of the
BNai Jeshurun Congregation Of the Mad
ison Avenue Synagogue, recently returned
from Portland. Ore, where he gave UP the
charge of the wealthy Beth Israel Temple
to found the Free Synagogue here.
series of addresses will be delivered
by him during January and August in
some large hall, In which addresses he
Will outline the plan and the scope Of the
new institution. Speaking at his home, 40
East 68th street, DIR. Wise explained that
his plan antedates his differences with the
congregation of Temple Emanuel, for the
coadjutor rabbi of which he was mentioned
year ago; that he had been planning and
talking with his friends Of the Free Syn
agogue for several years.
A Pewless Synagogue.
II want to establish" he said. "a free.
democratic and pewless synagogue, that
will minister to the spiritual needs of the
people, and not be a center of wealth
and fashion. The synagogue. as well as
the church, has become too much Of q
social center. 1t is the rich mans club.
1t has been institutionalized and conven-
tionalized, so that 1t no longer serves the
original purpose.
He declared that under present conditions
there is no place for the poor man in re-
lgious institutions, and that those churches
and synagogues which cater to the poor
are often subsidized by the rich. The pulpit
Is no longer free, and this accounts, In his
view for the loss of influence of the
churches. This also explains the spread
among the people of the belief that the pull
pit no longer serves the cause OF truth.
His idea was, he said, to have synagogue
supported by voluntary contributions. small
as well as large; a synagogue where all
will be met On equal terms and precedence
will be given to none. The synagogue VIII
have no regard for any other interest but
that Of truth and justice.
Wants to Retain Hold.
''It has become VIGOROUSLY known" said
Dr. Wise, that the churches are con-
trolled by the mighty and the rich. and the
people have no longer any confidence in
those who are supposed to be their spiritual
leaders. No one now looks to the church
for vital truth and expressions of right
eousness. 1t Is very largely because OF
habit and Of social advantage that people
20 to the church. The same in large
measure is true of the synagogue. It Is my
desire to regain the hold which the syna-
gogue formerly held upon the people. This
hold can be gained only through absolute
independence and fearessness Of express
sion. The synagogue must also accommo-
date itself to present conditions and enter
into the life of the people,
81 want to interpret the Jew to himself,
and Judaism to the world. / believe that
the time is coming when, If the great teach
ings and spiritual depths Of our religion are
sufficiently emphasized Judaism will
sweep the world. I believe that Judaism
has a great message to deliver to nom
Jews"
The Worlds Dissatisfaction.
1.-THE world" DR.. Wise continued, sis be-
coming dissatisfied with the charity and love
and Christianity. and Is anxious to go back
to elemental justice, which is SO vitality en-
phasized by Judaism. Charity is bankrupt.
Every new development in sociology points
to the failure Of charity and insists upon
the need Of enforcing Righteousness
Absolute independence In the discussion
Of all problems will be the keynote Of the
Free Synagogue. Dr. Wise believes In en-
phasizing the essential jewiShness Of Jew
ish teachings and religious practices. He
proposes to give free expression to the
Jewish problem in all it's phases, and to
Zionism as an adherent of the idea Of