Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-26
EXPLAINS PURPOSES
OF ZIONIST MOVEMENT
Louis Lipsky, of New York. Makes
Reply to DIR. l.. n.
Calisch.
SEEKS RESTORED PALESTINE
Country Claimed by Jews Both by
Right OF Inheritance and by Col
Observation-Disclosures of View
point Are Fundamental.

Louis Lipsky. chairman of the Fed
eration OF American Zionsts, with
headquarters In New York. who spoke
last night at the Sir Moses Monteiiore
| synagogue under the auspices of the
Richmond Hcrzl Zionist Club, replied to
criticism of Zionism offered recently
by DIR. Edward n. Calisch Of Temple
Beth Ahabah.
! DR.. Calisch said there is no Jewish
life aside from the Jewish religious
life said Mr.. Lipsky. One would ex-
pect there fore. that the religious ideals
of Dr. Calischs school OF theology
would De all, inclusive, and saturated
with traditional Jewish religious
thought. Al the same time. however.
he admits that the reformed Jewish
school has eliminated all reference to
Palestine as the land OF Jewish resto-
ration from the union prayer book
| ISSUED by the Union OF American He
brew Congregations: that il has cut ont
of its Jew "a rroa am all references
TO the jewish nationality; and that his
Judaism stands OH the basis of ethical
superiority. Judaism. however, is a ma
uonal' religion, in which are implicat-
Ell numerous national customs and reg
ulations, and to exclude nationality
from Jewish life means to exclude the
greater part Of Judaism
DIFFERENCES OF VIEWS
ARE FuNDA
The difference between DIR. Calisch's
brand of Judaism and Zionism is fun
damental. Dr.. Calisch's view would
make Judaism less and Jewish tradi-
ton less. Eionism increases the con-
tent OF Jewish life. and therefore aug
ments the value of the Jewish religious
life. ny claiming for the Jew in Ger
many identity in culture and ideals with
the Germans. and for the Jew in Eng
land identity in culture and ideals with
the English. Dr.. Calisch would destroy
the unity of Israel ana create various
sects in Judaism divided on national
| lines. BY insisting on the common des.
! tiny OF the Jewish people, no matter
where they live; by asserting as basis
or unity their religious. cultural, eco
nomic and political identity of interest
the Iionists make possible larger
unity and more effective one.
DIR Calisch said that the restoration
| of Palestine to tho Jews is entirely UNI
necessary TO Jewish life in its entirety
! pui " UNITY no Jt"lSn llIc Is pos
sihle. The Jews are slowly disinteerat-
ing wherever they profess the views ex-
pressed by DR.. Calisch, for they have no
| central authority, they have no com-
mon interests, they speak various lam
| guages and worship according to their
! own tastes and desires. Every where the
Jews are succumbing TO the prcdomi-
nant culture. Their mission is dissi-
ipated and becomes meaningless, because
| they do not understand that they have
| a common destiny. The fewer the tics
| that bind Jews tho weaker Judaism and
I the Jewish life become.
CENTER OF JEWISH LIFE
/ ESSENTIAL TO WELFARE
! 1T is. therefore. essential to the in
Iterests of the Jewish people that they
Establish for themselves center of
Jewish life, where Jews may he en-
ablcd to create their own standards.
and where their religion may he freed
Ito develop naturally, and not as Il re-
action against the pressure Of other
cultures and religions. This center is
! Palestine, the hereditary home OF the
Jewish people, title to which Is theirs
by ancient right, and by right OF ac-
/ tual colonization in our day. No Jew
who belierns in Jewish prophecy. and
boasts OF the lofty ethical ideals OF
Isaiah and Amos, can believe In these
ethical prcccpts and repudiate the ma
tional forccastings OF these prophets.
The prophets all spoke OF the day of
the Jewish return. and their prophecies
were intended for the Jewish nation,
living on its own soil.
| We Jews are loyal TO the countries
where we have settled. but our ma
ttional interests demand common ac-
ltion In the direction of acquiring for
ourselves a center of Jewish life DR..
Calisch Is afraid that some day Palcs-
tine will become the Belgium of rho
| East. Hut have faith in mankind.
and feel that when Palestine is again
acquired by the Jews the nations will
lhave progressed SONS what In the direc-
| ton OF that universal peace of which
| DR. Calisch himself is an eloquent adj
ivocate.
TIME HAS COME FOR JEWS
no ASSERT THEMSELVES
Having faith I'm the capacities Of the
Jews, having faith I'm mankind, we
lIionists declare that the time has come
| for the Jews to come out OF their state
lof lethargy. to quit prating Of the
lgreatness OF the prophets and of the
Jewish past, TO quit being snug, COM
placent chameleons. and to assert
themselves as n virile. creative race
This creative work requires Jewish
center In Palestine. Without it. Jews
remain aliens in the world OF nations
a people of 10000 600 souls, numbering
sc many men and women of ability ana
talent ought to be ashamed to admin
lister their affairs in the disorganized,
Needless depressing manner of wan
derers. who have no base Of opera
tions.
| The historic mission of the Jews"
lid Mr.. I.ipsky, In conclusion, lis set
forth in the Prophets. The Jews are
TO he a nation, from which light shall
radiate to all corners of the world.
Now, being scattered they shed no light
but hide themselves In the shade Of
fallen cultures and ambitions We
lXionists want the Jews to come out into
the open, M free men, determined to
realize the hest things in themselves.
DR.. Calisch may think that Washing
ton is his Jerusalem. but majority OF
Jews think otherwise. for TO unite the
Jews. Jerusalem must be the center of
Jewish life, toward which ali Jews must
turn for inspiration.
This movement is succeeding. We
are slowly acquiring Palestine. II is
bound to succeed, for 1t is based on
common sense. the principles OF self
help, and the authority Of the prophe-
~