The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11


 York Times has posted in its va- rious departments for the guidance of editors, reporters. proof readers and com positors the following:
 The word Jew" implies primarily person protesting the Jewish religion. Owing to certain historical causes, the adherents of this creed are almost exclu- sively of one race, or, at any rate. of persons who for the most part believe themselves to be descended from the peo- pie called by the same name in the Bible. Hence there is a secondary use of the word Jew" implying that the person belongs to a particular race or people, quite apart from his religious beliefs.
 There is, however. a third use of the word Jew owing to the deliberate policy of the mediaeval church which purposely shut out all reputable callings to Jews, so as to impress upon Christians the superiority of the true faith. Hence, a certain touch of opprobrium and con- tempt has attached to the very name Jew which has lasted to some extent down to the present day among the com mon people, and even among some of tho
  probably trace the real origin of his preju- dice.
 However unjustifed and obsolete the prejudice thus attaching to the word Jew" may be, it exists in many minds and has to be reckoned with by the moulders and modifiers of public opinion. Jews are naturally and derervedly more sensitive to this unconscious prejudice, and have at times attempted to introduce in- stead of the word Jew" other terms such as "Hebrew'' or "Israelite" in order to obviate it. But these have failed to re- place the more familiar nomenclature, and of recent years the better class of Jews have adopted the policy of boldly Identifying themselves with the term Jew" with the hope of thus wearing down the mediaeval associations connect ed with it.
 With view 10 meeting this sentiment among Jews and to avoid catering to the prejudice which all fair-mnded persons, whatever their creed, would like to see disappear, rules are offered for guidance as to the proper use of the words Jew and Jewish" in the public prints: hl FUN I. The words Jew and Jewish can never be objectionable when applied to the whole body of Israel or to whole classes within the body, as. for instance, Jewish wives" Jewish children" Jew ! ish young men," and the like.
 ?. There can be no objection to the use of the words Jew or Jewish" when contrast is being made with other rep- gions. Jews observe Passover. and Christians Easter" Jews are less sus- ceptible to tuberculosis than other races" these are perfectly fair and proper sub jects of public comment.
 | However,
 3. The application of the word Jew or Jewish to any individual is to be avoid ed unless from the context it is necessary to call attention to his religion; in other words, unless the facts have some rela- | ton to his being a Jew or to his Jewish ness. This rule should apply equally whether the word is used in scandalous or discreditable connection or when it is used in connection with some praise worthy or honorable act of achievement. Thus, if Jew is convicted of crime he should not be called Jewish crimi- nal;" and, on the other hand. if Jew makes a great medical or other scientific discovery, he should not be called a great | Jewish physician" or an eminent Jewish sicentist'' In neither case had the mans Jewishness any connection with his con duct or with the disgrace or honor which that conduct entailed. The same rule applies in the case of other religions: If a Roman Catholic or a Protestant is con victed of a>crime, he is not alluded to as a Catholic criminar or a Protestant criminal" In view of the medieval op- probrium still surviving in connection with the term Jew" it is the more just and important, therefore, to avoid sim liar unfairness in speaking of Jews. f The word Jew is noun, and should never be used as an adjective or verb. To speak of Jew boys" Jew girls" or Jew stores" is both objection able and vulgar. The word Jew is a noun: Jewish is the adjective. The use of the word Jew" as a verb-"to Jew down''-is a slang survival of the mediae- val term of opprobrium. alluded to above and should be avoided altogether.
 D. The word Hebrew should not be used instead of Jew" As a noun, il connotes rather the Jewish people of the distant past as ''the ancient Hebrews
 It is used also as an adjective-'the He brew language" Hebrew literature, ? etc.-but as such it has a historical rather