The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-04-15
MODERN TREND
OF JEWISH FAITH
Rabbi Schulrnan's Message
to Conference of Rabbis
Now in Session.

Baltimore. April l5.-The trend of
American Judaism and it's aid in the
preservation and growth of the re-
ligion Of Israel were themes of the
message given to the twenty-third
annual central conference of Ameri-
can rabbis here today by it's president.
Rabbi Samuel Schulman of New
York Rabbi Schulman praised the
1t had done on the Russian passport
question. In his annual message Rab-
bt Schulman said:
We glory In the name Of American
Judaism. But it implies for us Moth
ing exclusive or provincial. From
time to time. mistaken persons feel
im?eiled to criticise this phrase. as
If by it. We meant to emphasize pro-
vincial vanity and detach ourselves
hundred years, of which we are a
part. Nothing can be farther from
the truth.
1T makes tremendous difference
whether the synagogue Is being
crushed by the arms of the destruc-
tive Russian bear. or whether it is
being inspired and protected by the
contemplation of the flight of the ma.
jestic American eagle. 1t makes all
the difference in the world to the
synagogue whether it is still forced
to dwell in an environment Of medic
valism or whether 1t is invigorated
and Its best resources challenged
difficult. though worthy problems
forced upon it. by an environment of
human freedom and of perfect oppor-
tunity to every religious group to un-
fold the best that is in it. Unques-
tonably the synagogue in our country
will have to shane itself differently
from what the synagogue in a country
die ages, will be twisted into doing
We have no apology, therefore, to
make for the phrase, American Ju-
daism.'
The triumph of modern ideas in
the synagogue should fill us with that
feeling of confidence and strength
that shall enable us gladly to cooper
ate with any other religious organiza-
tion or party with Judaism
AS the religious leaders of the
synagogue, we naturally take this op-
to congratulate the national
gocernment, congress and the presi-
dent. and through them, the Ameri-
can people upon the clear and unmis-
taxable enunciation Of the principle
that the United States cannot and will
not allow any discrimination to be
made by any government in American
citizenship, because of distinctions Of
race or color.
"one of the most important ques-
tions before the American people to-
day is that of marriage and divorce
One of the most serious problems is
that of the maintenance of integrity
ar purity and spirit of self-sacritice
Of the home, the family life, the cor
ner stone of our civilization. We have
devoted papers and discussions to the
questions of marriage and divorce.
There are two extreme views with re-
spect to divorce in the American
world today. One is that no divorce.
under any circumstances. should he
given. And another makes divorce
very easy and thus we have a con-
f1ict of legislation in the various states.
Should Take Stock.
1.-The synagogue ought to take stock
of it's own traditirns-on the one
hind of its recognition of the indis-
in certain cases. of the
possibility of divorce for the moral
life of the nation-ar : on the other
hand Of it's beautiful sentiment that
that the altar weeps when two hearts
are disunited by divorce" thus bring
ing out that sanity and restraint
which made. on the whole. for the
happiness and virtue of Jewish homes.
The synagogue ought also to encour-
age the state in accordance with
Jewish tradition, to legislate forbid
ding persons with certain diseases to
enter the marriage relation so that a
certificate of health, in certain cases.
would be implied in the license for
offered to the rabbi or the
of any other church.
Conscious of its liberality and at
the same time of it's duty the syna-
gogue should watch jealousy any pos
sible undermining of its integrity from
within. If as rumor has it Jews like
others are being influenced by the
of denomination called
the church Of Christian Science. it
becomes our duty to investigate to
purpose we have assigned papers and
on this theme. With anv
particular individual. who through
mental distress or physical suffering
seeks what he considers remedies that
are offered him by the practice of
such church, we should deal most
tenderly. We should not estrange
the bfother Heresy trials are con-
tra1y to the 81, spirit d.,,. Of Judaism: ,h
rumor has it. Jews formally enroll
as members of Christian
Science churches and presumably SUBJ
scribe to the tenets Of Christian
some Of which are opposed
to the fundamental principles Of Ju-
daisnl. and when even officers of Jew
Ish congregations find no inconsistency
between membership in the synagogue
and formal membership in the Chris
tian Science church, such persons
should be told that such double al.
legiance is impossible. that member
ship in the synagogue is incompati-
BILE with formal membership in
Christian Science church, even as such
would be incompatible
with membership In any other Chris
tian denominations. Ouch mixtures
or shatnez we cannot brook with Inn
punity. They make for internal dis
ntegration. We respect the sincere
Of the religious senti-
nent Of man. We revere any sincere
" held faith. We believe that all
men are children Of God and in some
way are doing Gods work. But IL we
are to maintain distinctions because
of sacred convictions. we must have
the courage. to maintain them and
guard the sacred heritage of the re-
igion of Israel. No uncertain note
should, go forth from this body.
I'VE should make clear by resolu.
lion the impossibility of such two
fold membership in the synagogue and
IN a church. While the Jew becomes
, member of the synagogue by birth
and remains potentially a member of