The Denver Jewish news., 1923-10-04
Judaism in America

American Jews.
We wish them Godspeed to arrive
at some definite steps by which Judaism
may take root in this country. But
1t won't be amiss to suggest that at
he proposed convention, laymen's
League be organized, and If the time
is not too short, TO have laymen par
ticipate at their sessions.
In the writer's opinion Theological
Judaism like Theological ristianity,
is thing of the past, as far as America
il concerned. Where there is political
and social democracy there must he
religious, democracy-the absolute CO.
operation between Rabbi and Congre-
cation.
Religious mysticism which has
fiourished and still fiorishes in the
Orient. cannot and will not take root
in America. Theological tenet have
caused squabbles not only among
Rnbbis of western Europe and America,
hut have split up Christianity into
some 400 seperatc denominations. .
While wy are not concerned with
the present state of Christianity, at
this momentous time, when the fate of
Judaism is at stake, we may profit
some by the formers errors, and avoid
further splits in our ranks, but work
for united Israel i'm America.
Like Catholicism. Judaism has held
out thru the dark ages. The Jew
stood by his Rabbi thru the centuries
of oppression in Eastern Europe. But
under democratic institutions where n
more liberal education obtains, Orth-
odOXy becomes untenablc. 1t defeats
our high purpose of free social inter
course. Our cherished hope for full
American Citizenship becomes para.
doxical when our Orthodoxy drives us
to the Ghetto which would make us Il
sepcrate Unit in American life.
Where there exists religious cOnvic-
tions among our Brethren, few can
exercise them, except by joining the
Ghetto life Such a life is not only
distastcful to our young generation. but
it hinders the American Ideal of Ma
tional Momogamy.
To he sure. Orthodox Judaism has
thrived in Russia (and the same is true
of Christianity there-''wie es christelt
sich so judelt sich.") Bur how can
self respecting Jew wish to live
over the life he has lived I'M darkest
Russia with the accompanying horrors
he went thru there? 1t is a fOrlorn
hope of our, would be Orthodox Jews,
to retain a seperate Ethnic Unit I'M
der Democracy. M
Russia has shown, clearly in her
post Revolution, days, that only De-
spotism will not amaIgamate separate
Nationalities though living for cen
turtles under one Flag-what was
formerly known as Russia, with the
fall Of Tzartiom, there revived some
10 distinct NatiOnalities.
But Democracy keeps the melting
Pot Boiling" and Orthodox JudaisO
must recognize this fact. BY our Con-
stitutional Declaration that Religion Is
a private matter of the individual. it
has sounded the knell of Orthodoxy,
both in the church and synagog.
But the church in America had the
wisdom of adabting herself to Ameri-
can life, and has made good as moral
agency, while orthodox Judaism held
aloof,- and lost out. as IL moral guide
to American Jewish children.
The Helenizing influences are strong
err in our Orthodox homes than in the
so called Reformed Jewish homes.
Among the latter, their religion is n
little helpful to better morality. But
Jewish Orthodoxy has utterly failed
with our children born here.
We blush with shame at the grow
ing numbers of our sons in American
Penal Institutions. 1t is most en-
barassing to see our young generation
grow mp absolutely without the in
fluence of the Synagog. What is the
cause Of 1t? Do we lack the means to
give them the desired Religious train
the facilities are there, and plenty of
Jewish talent. fully capable to teach
and learn. But we have no practical
bnsis upon which to work-we lack the
method of adapting ourselves to the
American environments.
We cannot consistently champion Re
form Judaism, since it is n cheap immi-
tntion of Protestant Christianity. The
intellectual jew VIII always remain out
side of it's fold-he is ever mindful of
Jewish prestige. as nm original thinker
md creator of religious philosophy.
AID forsooth there is enough Jewish
brlin matter in our ranks. and noble
vision 10 adjust jewish life in Americn