New-York tribune., 1906-03-28
JEW CRITICISES JEWS.
Er-JuSticc Cohen'S Remarks Cause
Stir tn Temple BETHEL.

1.-THE Jew lacks simplicity. He is purse proud" ="
| These were some Of the caustio remarks by ex-
Justice William n. Cohen IN the vestry room Of
the Temple Bethel. lasc night that caused some
thing Of a sensation.
The ex-JustIce was taking part in a symposium
on the topic, THE Function Of the Synagogue In
America"
The Temple Bethel. at 18th street and Fifth
avenue, is the house of worship for the wealthest
Jews in New York. many Of whom were In the
audience
The first function of the synagogue. said Mr..
Cohen, religious training one function. he
said, was morality and another ethics He con-
tinued:
The Jews have not sufficient culture. In Chris
tiln church stranger is treated with greater con-
hymnaI and he is made to feel welcome.
Before the speaker had gone further there a
buzzing in the audience. Continuing, ex-Justce
Cohen said. with considerable warmth
3 We & are rightfqIly m proud Of our race and rggon
makes II "a live institution. We keep within our
we lack courtesy and simplicity. If there is one
thing prosperous Jew lacks il is simplicity. He
pensing OF charity makes him solid with the Lord
and ana the people. You can see it in everyday life
Where there is rivalry from the word Coz
Sit at the table of a Jewish millionaire and you
you overfeed. We have too much in our stomach
bad Jew. am a religious Jew.
Although the remarks OF Mr.. Cohen were met
with applause, it evident that they had created
a furor.
Oscar S. Straus. who was the first speaker, said
that the house Of religion generally be it the syna-
gogue or church. did not perform the same function
it used to. That, he said. was because there ex-
listed to-day so many institutions and societies that
occupied much Of the field formerly held by the
church
There are SO many avenues of information" said
Mr. straus. Speaking of idealism, he sad:
3, Jews are by nature idealists If not they would
be here to-day to study the religious history Of the
race. There also the materialSts, who give us
a bad name, but they have had to struggle from
There Is a little prejudice there is good deal
or prejudice, but what does Il amount 70? l main
tam Ihat the KIND or prejudice that exists between
the Protestants and Catholics and Jews is dis
advantage IL Is positive advantage The reason
Tor II Is this, that II cannot be formulated into
government acts which deprive you Of your
Just little better. It IS the spur of your
Isn't II an advantage that the doors of the -Four
,,I t &c IlOt OP1lII 70 you ~ is Il bIesSlhg;
Wculu not nave you devote yourselves to idle Hip
pancy You can elevate others by showing that one
energies and money can be devoted to higher and
nObler efforts. Devote yourselves more the ideal
side Of life. In no country earth has the Jew
fuller rights than here in America, and we should
at all times be Of loyal faith.
The Rev. DR.. Schulman of Temple BETHEL re-
plying TO eX-JustiCe Cohen said he would not con-
fine himself TO the little peccadiloes Of the Jewish
race upon which much emphasis had been
Jewish conscience" he said means the truth
ana Ideals that go to constitute Judaism. don't
dlHeE with our fellow men in the main in ethics
We don't differe from them I'm KNOWLEDGE Ia bOr or
spiritual force. '0''' anu
The synagogue is a great liberal force. and
classes and the masses"