Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-01
HEARD SPEAKER FROM NEW YORK
Albert M Fendenberg Gave Address Under Auspices M H. A.-Early History of Jews in America Described Their Three Essential Characteristics Y. M H. A. Organized for Active Work.

An interesting lecture on The Jews of America in Early Days was given on Sunday evening at the Colonial the atre by Albert M. E'riedenberg of New York, under the auspices of the Young Mems Hebrew association. The attend ance was not as large as had been ex- pected owing to the very unfavorab1e weather conditions, but the speaker had the close attention Of his audience from start to finish. David Ellison, president of the |. NJ. H. A, called the meeting to order and introduced MT. Friedenberg.
 MT. Friedenberg first dealt briefly with the consideration of the question, What Do the Jews of This Hemi- sphere Stand For? The Jews have been residents of this country almost since it's beginning. In the West h. dies the Jews were of vital importance as settlers, planters and traders. In the United States Q. century ago the number of Jewish people here was comparatively few. It was not until the beginning of the 18th century that the Jews began to come here in num- 5eTs and they came here to take up their permanent residence. It was claimed by a noted writer that the gold was discovered in California through the Jews, but this is not borne out by the facts. as it has been found that the Jews went to California be- cause of the discovery of gold.
 Here as in every country where they have settled. the Jews have made ideal contributions to the communities in which they live along educational financial and philanthropic lines. MT. FTiedenberg gave the three essential attributes of the American Jew as fol- lows: 1. The Separation of the church own poor; 3, That Israels mission is peace.
 Was Columbus a Jew?
 The history of the Jews in Amer ica,'' said the speaker, lis one that all of the Jews in the world may well be proud of Participation of the Jews in the discovery of America was the next point touched upon by MT Fried enbeTg. He spoke of the maritime in terests of the Jews as far back as the 14th century and then gave a. brief aC- count of the discovery Of this country by Columbus. In regard to the ques- tiCn, Was Christopher Columbus a Jew? MT. Friedenberg did not attempt an answer, as he felt that the matter has not yet been definitely settled. However, he presented the claims ad- vanced by several noted writers. Co., lumbus is generally conceded to have been born in Genoa and he always referred to himself as q, native of Genoa Those who regard him as a Jew advance claims that he was born in northern Spain of Jewish parents.
 Financed the Voyage of Discovery.
 When Columbus left Portugal after having been unsuccessful in his ef- forts to get financial help for his pro- posed voyage to the Indies by d west ern route he went 10 Spain, where he enlisted the aid of q. number of prom- lnent Jews. It was one of these Jews who succeeded in Persuading inc queen. Isabella. to enlist the services of Columbus, and the speaker showed wherein the Jews in large measure financed his expedition. Columbus, 20 on his voyage Q, number of Jewish companions and 1t was a Jew, the in-