The Denver Jewish news., 1920-08-11
"AMERICANISM AND JUDAISM
THEIR COMMON HOPES AND
IDEALS.


Rabbi VIM. Rosenau, in II lecture OH
"Americanism and Judaism" deliver
ed under the auspices of the Jewish
Chautauqua society, at the University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor, said in art:
Every government must hay its
ideals. So must every religion. ! .css
these ideals harmonze, government and
religion work mt cross purposes In
treating my subject "Americ;inism
and Judaisnl-Their Commcn Hopes
and Ideals" l wish to state in the
premises, that America is the melt
ingpot" of denominations, as well ;is
of national elements.
What is "Americanism?" 1t is the
philosophy of the government life, con
ceiycd by the fathers of our country,
developed by their descendants. and to
be practiccd by us. their children's
children, so that there may be pro-
tlucetl here democracy, which, in
every sense Of the word, shall prove
"a government of the people, for the
people and by the people" A democ-
racy such as ours, was not known un
til America came into existence.
"What is 'Judaism?" 1t is the rc!i-
:,ioms philosophy of II people, which
three thousand years. 1t has been
successively contemporaneous with the
cultures Of Egypt. Assyria. Babylonia.
Persia, Greece. Rome and all later
European powers. 1t has given birth
to law-giver, prophet, sage, philosopher
and modern Rabbi 1t Is the mother
of Christianity and Mohummedanisn.
1t has monumcntalized its activity by
biblical, Talmudical and later Rah-
Einical writings. 1t calls into being
pricstly service and popular devotion.
1t has made for worship in the Temple
at Jerusalem and in Synagogs all over,
the world. 1t has hallowed n variety
of customs and ceremonies. 1t is the
theory of life of fourteen million peo-
pie. IN the last analysis the hopes and
ideals of classic Israel are the estab-
lishment of democracy theOcratic in
its character. where the well-being Of
the people is the prime consideration.
According to Jewish teachings, the
Lord requires of man, nothing but ITO
do Justice, to love mercy and to walk
lumbly before God"
...The gift of Americanism and Juda-
ism may be said to be freedom. Juda-
ism emphasizes the Decalogue-Amer
icanism, the Declaration of Indepen-
dcncc The freedom both champoined
is threU fold in character-politicnl,
personal and industrial. "One law
and one ordinance shall be to you and
to the stranger that sojourneth among
YOU is their common fundamental
principle. Like Americanism, Judaism
accentuates regard for another's rights.
emphasizes humanity, stresses the op-
portunity of every man to work out
his own happiness, and would witness
the establishment of universal peace
of the cessation of hatred, war, OPP
preston, bigbtry, falsehood, persecu-
ton and massacre. Neither one toll
Grated the wise who will glory in his
wisdom, the rich in his riches and the
strong in his strength; but is satis-
fled to have him glorify himself who
understands and knows God and His
will.
after all, as an ancient Rabbi said
-'The social order rests on three
pillars-truth, amity and Justice" In
order that the Jew may make his Ju-
daism practice as well as theory.
the Jews philosophy is theocentrc.
/; pleads for the personal sanctifica-
tion of life.
"In the program Of Americanzation
now being followed in this country,
the Jew must play an important role.
If our AmericanizatiOn is to be tru-
ly moral one, our Americanization
must not ignore the soul of America
Americanism must be spirit of God.
spirit.
"The re-statement of Amaricanism
is highly necessary iii inns hour. when
preachments of all kinds are heard
here and thee ard everywhere / hope