The Denver Jewish news., 1919-01-09
Thursday, January 9, 1919

This resolution was introduced by
Or. Harry Friedenwald. who until four
years ago was the president of the
Zionist organization OF America of
which Justice Brandeis Is the present
leader it brought forth the greatest
demonstration of the congress. For
several minutes tears and cheers were
mingled the strains of the Star Span.
gled Banner and Haiikvah resOunded,
Delegates kissed each other in ecstacies
of joy. After il was all over, DIR. .Frie-
Scnting the resolution was the greatest
he ever received. though he was more
than once signally honored and that
that moment was tlfe happiest in his
life.
As companion picture one recalls
the solemn. pious pilgrimage of the
delegates to Independence hall. 1T is
the sacred shrine of the Republic. There
the venerable Liberty Bell is housed.
The first IT, in American history a
Zionist flag was displayed there side
by side with the flags of our Allies, and
the Jewish national anthem sung Con
Scious of fhc wondrolis part the Jews
of America played since the days of
Jews of Ncwsport that we speak no
more of liberation but of rights, to the
days OF President Wilson when together
with all other Americans we have sac
riticcd our all in the cause of liberty
and democracy. the congress delegates
as the representatives of three and
half million Jews dedicated themselves
III that morning in Independence hall.
NEW to The cause of orr American com.
monwealth dear and sacred to us all.
The Uniqueness Of the Congress.
Many people have characterized the
american Jewish congress in various
ways. A workingman said, Il have lost
one days wages to attend \ single ses-
sion it was worth the sacrifice" A
communal worker voiced his appraise-
mcnt of its results by saying, Il have
had a, little. share in making this con-
gress possible. Now, l can die happy
I would sum up the uniquencss of
the first American Jewish congress in
these words:
Solidarity.-It was not n congress of
| factions or parties hut of the Jewish
people living in America.
Sympathy.-Notf for selfish purposes
did we call the congress. Not for our
J selves did we plan and bring into he
ing this historic gathering. American
Jews need no congress for themselves.
We created it for world Icwries still
oppressed and prosecuted without
cause.
Statcsmanship.-Thi meeting has
convinced the most skeptical that the
Jews are able to govern themselves.
The final word that sums up the great
ness of the congress is Spirituality.
The idealism that has characterized
the Jewish race in its wondrOus past
has helped to make this great gather
ing the spiritual force cementing Is
rael everywhere vOicing prophetic
hopes for humanity.
The delegates felt that they helped
usher in II new era and that they pro-
claimed the dawn of the new day.
The Reveille of the World.
l can best illustrate my thought by
! my own feelings when one day this
| summer in one of our country's camps.
[ first heard the soldiers morning call
The Reveille. 1t was my first day in
camp, when at the break of day 1 heard
| the bugle call. l saw the soldiers rush
IDut from their barracks. Some were
half dressed; many still rubbed their
eyes others had a far-away look as if
ly they all fell into line. Guards stood
at respectful distance, TO let no one
pass. The Reveille Is the soldiers morn
ing summons to service.
The congress is the Jews Reveille
| calling to him to serve his people and
humanity even as he serves his God and
his country.
The American Jewish Congress. re-
viewed the storied past of Israel. re
told our heroic. tragic, triumphant
[ suffering, summed up CIR sacrifices
on the battlefields of the world and
voiced the hope that the peace confer
ence will right all wrongs and return
to Israel Palestine as the Jews home
land.
Success is in Gods hands. The des-
TIMES of peoples are divinely ordained
| Nations no less than individuals &C