The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-25
REV. DIR. SILVERMAN ON EVOLUTION OF
 THE MODERN JEW
NOTED JEWISH DIVINE MADE A DRAMATIC ADDRESS AT THE INSTALLATION OF OPTIC FRS OF ABRAHAM
 LODGE B'NAI
BIRTH.

Rev. Joseph Silverman. rabbi of Temple Emanu-E, of New York, de- livered a remarkable address at the public installation of officers of Abra- ham lodge. Independent Order of Mai B'Rith last night at Steuben Hall. Dr. Silverman is known all over the world as the representative of advanced Jewish thought Last night he recog- nized the theory of evolution and com mented on the changes which were Jews as well as in their habits and surroundings. The subject which was selected for him by the committee was The Modern Jew" and it gave him an opportunity to trace the advance ment of the race from the time of the Inquisition when 100000 Jews were ex- pelled from Spain and scattered over the other European countries. This persecution had operated as a bless ing to the Jews. They began to de- velop in the countries in which they were allowed an equal footing with others. Oliver Cromwell gave the Jews their first opportunity to move upward by allowing them the same privileges as other religions.
 The declaration of Independence gave the Jews equal rights with every race in the United States. Napoleon led off in Europe and was followed by almost all the other nations who removed the ban from the religion and allowed the race equal privileges Jews were then no longer obliged to confine them selves to the Ghetto and the toga and other badges of inferiority were dis carded. The modern Jew is modern in every respect. He has advanced with the world and now takes his place in all walks of life. He has returned to the soil and now forms a large propor- tion of the producers as we'll as the consumers. privilege which he was denied for ages. He is part of the ad- vancing movement of civilization. He has had an opportunity to prove his suitability and natural good fellow ship. He has worked out his own ad- vancement without the assistance of other races. He is independent and now can say that he controls the Jew ish vote. The speaker grew dramatic and taking the American flag which hung on the desk he called it the flag of the Jews. Placing the Jewish bible on the flag he declared they repre- sented the governing impulses of the modern Jew. One of the surest signs of the advanced thought among the Jews is the progress in their religion While the underlying principles were unchanged in Judaism there had been an evolution in accordance with mod ern thought.
 Attorney Jacob E. Klein. first vice president of the grand lodge was the installing officer. Max Stein presided at the meeting and Herman Kempin- ski was the conductor.
 The officers installed were: Presi- dent. Joshua Meltzer; vice-president, Henry Greenstein: secretary, Sigmund Hirschberg; treasurer, Philip Glasner; inside guard. Henry Wittstein; out side guard Albert A. Hotz; trustees, Bernard Klein. Eli Lesser and Sig mund Loewith; representatives. J. B. Klein. c. H. Shapiro. and S. Hirsch- berg.
 An instrumental trio consisting of John A. Lynch. Frederick Brown and Roy Garrison furnished music for the installation. Joseph Wieler and Mrs. Henry l.. Bishop sang solos, and H. Roland Gustavson rendered Hun garian fantasic as a solo.
 Rev. Dr. Silverman was entertained at the residence of Max Stein, 342 Nor man street. where number of promi- nent citizens met him prior to the meeting.