The Denver Jewish news., 1923-08-16
CHRISTIAN TALMUDIS T
HONORED AT DIN N E X
GIVEN BY JEWISH INST1-
TUTE OF RELIGION FOL-
LOWING COMPLETION OF
LECTURE COURSE.

1ks
ting,lished English scholar who recent
ly completed course of lectures at the
Summer Session Of the Jewish Institute
II Religion, West 6Sth street, was paid
a warm tribute by the executives and
teaching staff of the Institute as well
rs by several leading Christian edpca-
tors at a luncheon given in his homer
last Wednesday Mt the City club. The
affair was arranged in order to provide
an opportunity for friends and ad-
mirers of Rev Herford to express their
appreciation OF his service to the cause
Of truth and religious liberation rem
dered by his remarkable studies in the
field Of Jewish theology and Talmudic
literature.
Rev. Herford has won international
prominence as one Of the few Christian
authorities on the above subjects, and
his researches published In book form,
contributions made by Christian schol-
ars to the modern study of Judnism.
His recent book on "Pharisaism' In
which he proves that the 'Pharisees'
were not religious literalists and form
alists and that they. did not deserve the
condemnation they received Mt the
hands of early Christian leaders. has
been. acclaimed by those competent to
Judge ns work OF grent merit.
The luncheon was well attended.
Among the speakers were: DIR. Lee
X. Frankel. chairman Of the 1nsti-
tute committee; DIR. J.. .Floakes-Jackson,
professor Of the Union Theological Sem
mary: DIR. Sidney f. Goldstein, AssO-
ciate Rabbi of the Free Synagog; Mr..
Henry Hurwitz. President Of the Inter
collegiate MenOrah Association of
America, DIR. Harry Lewis, member Of
the faculty of the Jewish Institute of
Religion. and Prof. Julian ]. Ober-
mann, Of the University. Of Hamburg
and visiting professor of the Jewish
Institute Of Religion.
DIR. Frankcl extended the thanks of
the Institute to Rev. Herford for con-
senting to come to this country and
share the results Of his lifelong study
and researches with the students of
the Summer Session. He spoke OF the
great need of reviving an interest in
religion in general and in Judaism in
particular, an interest strong enough to
make religious impulse enter the ordin-
airy mOtivations of life.
Prof. Foakes Jackson sought in the
religious knowledge of the Jews key
every walk of life. This knowledge.
which he claimed to he the natural
outcome of centuries of intensive re-
| ligious training, was in his opinion the
| best requisite for success and he ad-
vocated the widest dissemination of
| it among both Jews and Christians.
| DIR. Goldstcin paid tribute to the
scholarly achievement of Rev. Herford,
his skill as lecturer and teacher and
the beneficial influence which his works
are having in the process of disabusing
the minds of Christians of their pre-
judicial views on Judaism.
DIR. Lewis and Prof. Obermann ex-
pressed their personal gratitude to their
English colleague for the instruction
and inspiration derived from his lee
| lures.
Rev. Herford responded with a short
address in which he thanked all pres
ent for the kindness and consideration
shown him in this country. He told
of the many years of study devoted to
his special subject which were COM
pensated by the sheer delight in the
knowledge attained. He felt himself
performing service to truth in a
field that was to him of intensely glow
ing interest. He emphasized the need
of revision of some of the traditional
views on Judaism that are still held by
,, the majority of Christians and felt that
his studies were helpful in accom-