The American Jewish world. [volume] (Minneapolis ;) 1915-current, 1920-09-10
Page SiTty-tq0o

signify should read the annual re-
views of any Jewish community what
would be his impression? He must
conclude that Jewish is the classified
ton given to certain clubs, lodges and
organizations. This is not the fault
of the reviewer The Jewish commu-
nifty is not an autonomous body hav-
ing special civic problems or aspira-
tions upon which this reviewer can
dilate. However, the Jewish, like the
general community of which it is a
part, has it's trends. 1t has its own
educational, civic (dare I say politi-
cal?), and particularly social and re-
ligious trends. These however blend
so closely at times with the trend of
the general community that they are
quite impossible to trace. Therefore
a review of the activities of it's or
CARNATIONS is perhaps the most faith
full review one can give of the COM
munity's life and it's trend must be
left to the discernment of the reader.
No intense organized drive was
made for war relief funds during the
past year. Large sums however were
collected by Individual organizations
and forwarded to the proper authori-
ties.
This year has been singularly free
from the intense organized commu-
nifty effort that has marked the past
four or five years with its war re-
lief, Jewish Congress, Pogrom Pro-
tests, etc. However, the excellent
spirit of harmony which characterized
these joint efforts still blesses the ac-
tivities Of most individual organiza-
tions. This is condition of which
Duluth Jewry can be justly proud.
OF course we are not wholly free from
leaders of the impetuous sort who act
in haste and without warrant, then
repent at leisure, needless of the in
Justice that their thoughtlessness
works on others.
The numerous congregations have
gone the even tenor of their ways.
The Temple Emanuel congregation
has attracted to itself it's regular an
nual increase in membership, owing
as in the past to the widespread pop
ularity of it's Rabbi. One age long
problem of our congregations is still
with us. 1t is that of the delinquent
member who makes his name a by
word of contempt among all other
members. He causes his officers to
make repeated calls on him for pay
ment of dues. He makes their Off
cial life one long story of grief and
chills their enthusiasm for all pro-
gressive effort by creating himself a
problem that consumes all their re-
serve energy. Can it be that he does
not realize that his record is open to
all his fellow members and that it
stands as blemish against his name
wherever he is mentioned? In these
days of general prosperity one might
expect to find this situation less ag-
gravated than actually obtains. Our
charitable organizations should also
find their burdens lighter However,
the past winter was very severe. Liv-
ing costs continue to soar skyward
and the grim spectacle of want stalks
in our midst, reaching its hand into
the breadboxes and coal bins of many
families.
The sisters of Israel, headed by
Mrs. D. Silk and the Temple Aid SO.
ciety headed by Mrs. M. Cook are
the two organizations to whom all
cases of need are referred with very
little exception. The truest spirit of
charity rests upon both of these
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