The Washington herald., 1910-07-31

Ghetto" and The Melting Pot have
taught US much about our Jewish Reign
bors: taught as, In "a measure. 20 under
stand and 10 sympathize with their isola-
ton; taught us to feel for those orthodox
Jews forced by cruel conditions in the
land where they lived 20 seek asylums in
this country, who must look on and see
their children slipping away from the
faith Of their fathers But stin the Jews
are strangers to us. strangers, perhaps,
because they viii il so and refuse 70 lay
aside their splendid and dignihed reserve
objection 10 America.
America holds Is per cent Of the Jews
Of the world. and in New York alone
there are S0oO00 Jews, who have more
liberty. more freedom, and are more con-
sidered than anywhere else on earth.
But the older Jews and the younger Jews
who cling TO the orthodox faith do not
find in America the promised land on
the contrary. they curse It as a place
where. through association with Chris
tlans, their children are prone TO lose
in measure at least, the generation for
their faith, 20 become lax in its observ-
ances, AID to disregard the traditions Of
their race They would. If they could
these dissatisfied ones. return 10 the
Russian pale. where they can AT least
bring their children up IN the faith OF
their fathers without fear OF outside in
fluence.
In the chapter on the Jews in that
most interesting and Illuminating book.
''The Americans" MI Francis saws.
"One old orthodox Jew l met. who had
resolved. to return to his native village
at the peril Of his life. In America he
had found nothing TO love in the years
he had dwelt in the land; and in the
hour Of leaving II forever. his one re-
greet was that his children and grand
children remained at the peril Of their
souls This incident is quoted for the
instruction of those who say. "Oh. the
Zionist movement is for the Jews Of the
Russian ghetto. not for the rich and
prosperous Jews Of America" Little do
those who believe this appreciate that
though we are more tolerant in our laws.
we as little understand our Jewish neigh
bors as do the Russians themselves. ana
feeling this lack Of understanding. hat
ing the influence that robs their chill
dren Of their reverence and piety. they
turn with as great a longing toward
Zion as do their prosecuted brothers in
the Cars kingdom.
Loyal 10 His Faith.
But" says someone. 10y way Of ex-
cuse. they viii not let us understand
them True enough. TWO thousand
years Of persecution. Two thousand wears
during which they have been misunder-
stood does not make them feel that they
will be any better understood in this age
and by this generation. His American
neighbors resent the fact that the Jew
viii not give up his religion. ignore his
traditions, deny his fathers. and become
zone Of US yet those very things he is
asked TO give up are the very things
that make the Jew admirable. and that
wiring respect from Knockers even.
When he relinquishes those things.
when he is no longer a jew. nor vet
a Christian, the Jew is less interesting.
less admirable. not so acceptable a
neighbor One feels that for commercial
reasons, material advantages. he has sur
rendered that which is dearest. most sa-
cred TO him, and it is 10 the orthodox