The Jewish outlook., 1908-06-19
Jewish immigration
IT'S EFFECT ON THE AMERICAN JEW AND
THE DUTIES OF THE HOUR.

By Leo CdH w eHer, JOpttn, NO.
published by request of committeeD
In considering the question OF
Jewish Immigration in America today
and the attitude that we are to assume
toward it, we are first brought face to
face with the greater and deeper ques-
ton of the significance of the Jew
in history The position that we as
sume today toward the Jew in this
country will be determined and condl-
toned mainly by our opinion OF his
place and his value in the history OF
mankind. We must first become def
initely assured as to whether he has
counted for any particular thing IN
times past, whether the ideas that he
tvpifies mean anything of value to the
world in general, and more especially.
if they have had significance. do
they continue to possess 1t. Ii these
IDEAS are of value, is it necessary that
the Jew remain particularly their eN-
FOUNDER and the living example OF
their truth. and scope. and power: or
has the Jew taught his lesson to the his
tory of all time and is it now his turn.
having played his part as ii character
and an individuality with message
full of meaning. to pass off the stage,
immersing himself in the broad gener-
ality of mankind. mixing his blood
with the blood of all the nations? ? The
Greek and the Roman OF old had their
lesson of Beauty and Organization.
constitutions to the world develop
mcnt abiding and eternal. Shall the
Jew then continue to live as II NOV
ing force. further cnjoining by active
participation in Life the belief and
the practice of his fundamental ideas ?
1t is here in America that the prob
lem of continuation aS class III so
cicty is most pressing. Here we are
compelled to decide between an asst
initiation that will preserve distinctive
traits and an assimilation leading to-
ward n complete ABSORPTION. Indeed
the problem is II burning one with us,
for il is here that the conflicting ten
dcncics incident to an era of transI-
ton and progress are most vividiy
seen. Here is where society grown.
pains are most kccnly felt.
That which follows should he taken
os olr answer To this great inSlstent
u,cry. 1t is written upon the basic
;ss,,mption that the continuance OF
thc Jews as a distinctive class Is the
end that we seek to accomplish. Our
ultimate ideal should be the asslmila-
ton of the immigrant-relatlng hm
to the new life with which he is in
contact by IA process that will conserve
to our general society the elements iii
his character and mode of thought
that might prove valuable in view oi
conditions prevailing here.
For several reasons there should no,
be a too violent breaking with the past
A society or an element in society
without fixlty or relationship with the
great historic chain of events will ol
necessity lack flavor. zest. or lndl'
yiduality. The contributions which
the Jew has to make to present civil
zation are meaningless when consld
cred apart from Jewish history. How
can the Jewish lessons of humility
submjssiveness to the inevitable, per
tinacity. indomitablc cOurage-how
can these be rendered meaningfu
apart from the story OF wanderinSs
prosecutions and the circumscrlbet
life of the ghetto! Even the Jews
modern rcsourccfulncss. his newl!
evidenced versatility. his aboundin!
energy might be explained in the ligh
of general modern tendencies. but tn
SLIGHTEST bit of historical perspective