The Denver Jewish news. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-1925, 1920-02-25
Adolf Kraus---a a Great
Jew and a Manly Man
THE PRESIDENT OF THE ORDER
B'NAI BIRTH TO CELEBRATE
HIS 10TH BIRTHDAY.
By DIR. GEORGE FON


SEVENTEEN anniversary of his birth, in
IL few days. To one who does not
take any interest in the affairs of the
Jewish world, this means nothing. But
to the millions whose hearts are touch
ed by the currents of Jewish life, this
is joyful news. We think we know
whereof we speak. when we say that
not only is a sentiment of congratula-
tion on the lips of every jew who
reads this, but there wells up in the
may be sparcl many, many years TO
come.
1t is given TO few men TO achieve II
world leadership. 1t is given to fewer
men tc hold this leadership for as
long as II quarter of Il centIry, and
grow with it, in the esteem and love
of those who are led. But this has
been given to Mr.. Krals. and now that
he has reached the traditional three
score and ten, the prayers of millions
will ascend. that he mn. continue ~
work and achieve for Israers good.
The great leader of the B'nai Birth
has had most interesting career. We
hope that he will pardon us for re-
calling intimate events in his life. We
have worked under him and have been
closely associated with him, and from
his mouth we have heard the stories
uf his early struggles anu his roman
tic rise. We have learned not only TO
admire his great intellect and his
inerciful hcart-but we have learned
to revere and love the man.
Kraus, like other immigrants came
here at a very early age. Like many
of the early corners, he peddled for
living. but was always alert 10 the
opportunities which this new and slori-
Gus land afforded But while he work
ed. he studied, and within few
years, the youthful peddler had be-
come law-student. and later Il law
yer, the editor and then the owner of
ls'rhe old Chicago Times. He was cor-
poration attorney for the city of Chi
cago. and was held in high esteem
among his colleagues of the National
Newspaper Publishers Association.
During these early struggles. Kra,s
never forgot that he was Il Jew-in
the sense of participating in Jewish
activities. He tells one story that is
characteristic of early Judaism in this
country. and at the same time indica-
tive of the financial standing of Mr..
Krans in those early days. 1t was
shortly after he had arrived in Amer
lea. He made his way to Cleveland,
and peddled out of that city. Like
most of our coreligionists, he decided
to attend services on the High Holi-
days, and came TO the city to go TO
'Shul." We have forgotten whether
II was II "Shul' or Temple" At
any rate the peddler came to attend
services. He entered the House of
Worship but his progress was stop
ped He asked what the trouble was,
and was informed that since lie was
not a member of the congregation. he
would have to pay five dollars for
scat. Mr.. Kraus was willing enough
~ pay H. Dtll nt llut ilS lHpilts,
SO informed the officer at the door.
The man was obdurate, and Mr.. Kraus
went home so chagrined. that he made
up his mind never to cntsr II Jewish
house of worship again.
OF course he changed his mind For
a number Of years he VAS president
of Isaiah Temple of Chicago. The
congregation would not let him out of
office, and he is now honorary preSi-
dent; not only has he been leading
member of the congregation, but by
his life he has set an example of devo-
tion to every Jewish cause. He has
activized his religion-and he has
never hesitated to make "A sacrifice
when sacrifice was necessary.
Mr.. Kraus is one of the great Jews
Of America. Modes. and retiring TO
a fault, he has not permitted the daily
press to herald the praises of his
deeds But when the proper time
comes-and it will he very soon-the
record of Kraus' work will astound
the Jewish world Much is going to
be shown-for tho not many know it.
Kraus has been an international figure
in the recent war. and he has made
the Order n factor in the treatme of
the Jews by certain of the beliGerents
since the conclusion of the struggle.
His work as the peacemaker in the
Jewish Congress is well known, and
had his health permitted. it is safe to
say that he would have been the great
est Jew at the Peace Conference. How
| ever, this was out of question, for Mr..
Kraus is not well man