The Jewish outlook., 1907-12-20


bias in the affairs of government, else
the angry tide of religious hate and
discord will rush in and overwhelm
the ship of state and Columbia, the
ark of freedoms foundation, would
become wreck upon the ocean which
it now so proudly and peacefully
sails.
Though the Christians be in the ma
jOrity here. this nation was builded to
afford refuge for the prosecuted and
downtrodden of all peoples, and if it
is to remain true to its founding, the
doctrines and institutions of Chris
tianity should not be in evidence in
the civil and political life of the peO-
pie. any more than those of any other
religious denomination.
When the Jews of New York or any
of our cities object to Christmas eel
ebration in the public schools, that is
decidedly Christian, they are clearly
in their right, not as Jews, but as
American citizens and patriots, and it
seems to me that those who answer
this just grievance by saying that if
the Jews cont like it, they can go
elsewhere. have in them very little of
the true American spirit and just as
little the true spirit of Christianity
which teaches gentleness and forbear-
ance and even the love of ones enc
mics.
But | should likewise counsel my
brethren not to be Over-zealous in op-
posing every manifestation of Christ
mas and its spirit of good will and
joyousness, in the public schools
Whether we like it or not. Christmas
has become largely national holi-
day. a season of universal rejoicing.
from which we Jews cannot shut our
selves out.
I was reared in an orthodox home
and yet l remember how glad / was
when Christmas came round. The fact
that I yielded to the nature of the
child and shared the joy of those
around me did not make me one whit
less good jew. The ethics of Chris
tianity are Jewish to the core. and it
was for this reason that the great
teachers of the medieval synagogue
regarded the Christian religion as a
providential agency for the spreading
of divine truth and the uplifting of
mankind. Animated then by the broad
example of our own leaders. we ought
not to vociferate. when somewhat of
the spirit of the Christmas season
overfiows into the public schools, pro-
vided. however. that everything of a
strictly dogmatic and sectarian nature
be excluded. BY too much protesting.
by an ill-advised aggressiveness. we
may arouse the fanatic. who in the
language of Thomas Jefferson. may be
manoeuvering to bring about the legal
ascendency of some form of Christian
ity. We do not fear him in this land.
our soil is not propitious of such fun
gous growrhs. but still we hold it the
part of wisdom to leave him in OBJ
security. No vital principle underlying
our rights and immunities as Ameri-
question. and if ever such dire oc-
casion should arise, it might even then
be well for the Jew to hold himself in
reserve and leave the issue with the
large mass of our intelligent and fair
minded co'lntrymen of non-Jewish
persuasion. Every American, worthy
of the name knows that the stability
of our government depends upon the
absolute divorce of church and state.
and that our non-denominational pub
lie schools are the strongest bulwark
of our liberties.
Let us rest easy then; our cause is
in good hands and our champions,
against the fanatics. are the hosts of
notrinfio end uar,,;no Cb,,;.+;,,,c