New-York tribune., 1919-03-17
Wise Centennial
Is Celebrated Here
By Reformed Jews
Unity of Americanism and
American Judaism Theme
of Speakers; Campaign
for $500, Fund Opens

Celebrating the centennial of Isaac
M. Wise, founder of American Judaism,
the Reformed Jews Of Greater New
York and Westchester County, from
Temple Emanuel, Fifth Avenue and
Fortythird Street, last night sounded
new clarion call to their brethren
Throughout the land.
at is true" cried the Rev. DR..
Joseph Silverman in his opening ad-
dress, chat Israel has come forth out
of Zion. But Israel can never be
forced back into Zion. American
Judaism, which was founded with the
man we have met here to honor,is the
symbol and affirmation of the uni
versatility Of Judaism.
"Zion is, to be sure, the cradle
from which we emerged. And we
honor that cradle, as we should. But
we will never permit a minority-and
a very small minority at that-to force
us back into the cradle.
Israel" continued DR.. Silverman,
"is greater than any nationality. By
the oppression, the misrepresentation
the suffering it has endured in all
lands, yet rising triumphant in the
end, it has proved this. Israel belongs
to all nationalites and to all lands.
1t was sent as blessing to all men.
Our task is to make ourselves worthy
of this blessing and minister to its
fulflment."
Various phases of the same theme
were developed by the Rev. DR.. Sam
uel Schulmann, former United States
Ambassador Abram I. Elkus and the
Rev. DR.. David Phlipson. At the
same time the Isaac M. Wise cente-
nary fund campaign was launched, $780,
800 being subscribed on the spot.
The campaign for this fund is to
run throughout the country for full
week. The total amount sought Is
100000, of which New York City Is
expected to supply 100000. Calcu-
lated quotas, according to the wealth
Of the various congregations, have been
assigned TO all the reformed Jewish
churches In the United States, Temple
Emanuel heading the list, with an
allotment OF 5000.
The money Is to go chiefly to the
Hebrew Union College, which the
Union of tho American Hebrew Congro-
CATIONS maintains at Cincinnati. Ohio.
This Ia The institution, founded by
Isaac NJ Wise, ut which The rabbits
and teachers OF Jewish religion In this
country receive their instruction. Ap-
propriationa hre also to bo made for
school and synngoguo extension de-
pnrtmonte and tho agencies, scattered
throughout the country, whose business
1T H. TO sec that no Legislation dis
eliminating against Jews finds Its
way onto state or federal statute books.
The subscriptions last night were
ntn. &ol To1J ~
DR.. Schulman, by Mr.. Ben Althcimer,
who pledged $1,000. The largest dona-
ton, $4,000, came from Jacob II. Schif.
He was followed by Felix M. Warburg
with $4,000. Subscriptions Of $1,000
each were made by Philip J. Goodhart,
L. Vogelstein, Nathan J. Miller, Morris
II. Rothschild, Adolph S. Ochs, and
Morris Rosenwasser. Sol Nigel con-
tributed $500, while donations Of $3.50
each were made by Daniel P. Hays and
Sam We'll.
the essential unity Of Americanism
and American Judaism was emphasized.
American Judaism" said DR.. Schul-
man, emphasizing this point, dis the
belief in the perfect harmony between
the essentials of religion as revealed
by 1srael's genius and the character
and destiny of this republic. 1t is the
sacred conviction that the seed cast
into the soil Of history by the Hebrew
prophets of the East is destined to
produce the richest harvest of the
Republic of the West.
"There never was country in the
worlds history" he went on, (Which
was so we'll adapted to the fultilment
of the glorious vision of the scers Of
Zion as is our beloved land. For the
American Republic is the first nation
in the worlds history which organized
itself not on the basis of race, but on
the fundamental rights of man."