The Catholic bulletin., 1919-02-01
JEWS AND KNIGHTS
SPLENDID COOPERATION is
SHOWN REGARDLESS OF CREED
OR RACE-LETTERS OF THANKS
FROM JEWS TO KNIGHTS OF
COLUMBUS.

The following letters express vivid
ly the feeling of cooperation that has
animated the knights of Columbus in
dealing with those of Jewish faith.
The writer, Corporal J. P. Hirtenstein,
is Jewish army chaplain.
Letter to Knights.
To Headquarters, Knights of Colum-
bus.
Good Friends:
1t affords me great pleasure to en-
close copy of letter which l wrote
to the Jewish Welfare Board regard
ing the treatment of my people by
your Representatives The letter is
self-explanatory and goes to prove the
truth of the legend that your sign
bears: Everybody Welcome
There are hundreds of us who are
indebted to the Knights of Columbus
for their kindness in allowing us to
worship our God at a time when there
is absolutely no other place available.
We shall never forget it; you may
count upon the families Of those
Jewish soldiers who were present, as
well as their friends and themselves,
to boost the K. of c. by word as well
financial assistance.
If there is any K. of c. Drive on at
present l would consider it a privilege
to ask the Jewish boys for contribu-
tions, and you can be sure that won't
have to ask twice. A.-
Wishing you all the best of every
thing, l remain,
Gratefully yours,
CORPORAL J. P. HIRTENSTEIN,
Assistant Chaplain,
10th Regt. Engineers.
Letter to Jewish Board.
Following is Chaplain Hirtenstein's S
letter to the Jewish Welfare Board:
Jewish Welfare Board,
Al Boulevard Haussman, Paris.
Gentlemen:
Through your board l wish to call
the attention of our co-religionists to
an act of kindness on the part of the
| Methodist chaplains and the Knights
| of Columbus Secretary who made it
possible for us boys of the 116th En-
gineers to observe the Holy Days.
Lieutenants Albert E. Legg and H.
| G. Markley, the schaplains of our regi-
ment, called upon the adjutant in be-
| half of the boys who wanted to leave
camp, and they were extended every
| courtesy in his office. Pvt. Bernard
! Friedman of "M'' Company, at one
time president of the Young Mems
| Hebrew Association for the State of
Pennsylvania, who in connection with
| the chaplain's Office, acts as English
instructor to boys of foreign extrac-
ton unable to read and write, was told
to secure the services of one who
would conduct the rituals. During the
interim the chaplains conferred with
Mr.. Baker, Secretary of the Knights
of Columbus in the city, who gladly
offered the use of the largest room.
| A truck load of chairs was brought in
for the worshippers. Chaplain Legg
was present, and before the services
commenced gave the boys a very in
teresting talk.
/ Truly, such an act is noble. The
outstretched hands of our Gentle
brothers to their Jewish compatriots
is striking contrast to Gains guilty
query: 'sAm | my brothers keeper?"
am certain the folks back home
will feel good to know that their boys
were able to observe in a fitting man.
ner that which is holy and sacred to
every son of Israel. With this thought
in mind ask that you send these
three friends of every Jewish soldier
a letter of thanks in behalf of the
folks back home, the citizens of today
and of the city who joined us in the
services. and those grateful soldiers of
the 10th Engineers who were the
direct recipients Of their kindly in
terest.
Wishing all a Happy New Year, |
remain, Yours for victorious peace,
CORPORAL ]. p. IIIRTENSTEIN,