The Denver Jewish news., 1924-01-31

thought that rationalism demanded
changes in religious observances. The
Sephardic Jews sad to say, We're max
ing n conscious bid for standardization
as Jews. To adopt forthwith faith
o-her than Judaism was, to be sure,
inglorious But to lose gradually their
spiritual identity in the course "f scv-
eral generations, during which little or
no positive Jewish effort was to be
eNerted, was regarded with sombre'
equanimity The Sephnrdic Jews of the
South simply put n stop TO the con
of self-defense.. as though they feared
that, with the advent of non-Sephardie
Jews from Central and Eastern Europe,
they would have an unhappy existence
if Jews whom they looked upon as in
ferior were 10 outnumber them.
Theirs was not n happy fate. They
found themselves unable to resist the
pressure Of the German Jews, with
whom they could not dwell in amity. !
Unlike the Sephartlic Jews of New York |
and particularly of England, who ten
aciously adhere 10 their exclusive
ritual and fascinating ccremonialism, |
the Sephardic Jews of the South in
allied themselves with Re
form synagogs or ,as has happened in |
50 many instances, passed ont of the
Jewish fold altogether. In New York
and in London the leading figures in
the Sephar,lic congregations are OK
The learning and religious fidelity of
man like Moses Caster and David $.
Sassoon, of London. and David dc Soln
Pool II. Pcrcira MendcS and y. Taylor
soundeSt kind. Men like these have
given tone to Jewish social and in
tellectual cndeavors. But the Sephardic
groups of The South/or what remains
of those communities not found
il possible either 10 ally thcmSclvc,
with the large Jewish efforts of recent
years or to withstand the ravagcs ot
racial dilution.
The splendid culture and religious
idealiSm that characterized the Scphar
die Jews of other days are gradually
1t is to he regretted that
The civic and economic opportunities ac-
corded to the Scphardic Jews by the
people of the South should have led
10 their spiritual nndoing.
The Souih has reason 10 mourn the
gradual disappearance of the Scphartlic
Jews. for they contributed ilusirious
public servants and men of deeds
Judah l.. benjamin are memorable fig
urcs in the history of the Southland
But these were not the only JcwS II
the Scplnardic strain TO whom the south
was beholdcn. The Sephardic Jews
We're among the arstocrats Of history.
Their culture, moral iplcnsity and 50
cinl elegance were the result of his
toric Jewish processes reacted upon by
years of intellectual growth preceding
an asset of incalculable worth.
The South has had in It's midst .
relatively small number of Jews. Living
among II people whose character ev-
pressed itself In warmth of hospitality.
the Sephardic Jews were not long in
themselves of their heritage.
Those whose names recall Toledo, Cor
,lovn. Lisbon and Granada and arouse
colorful memories Of Spain during its
golden period when Moorish culture and
liberal doctrine wrought for the her
ian penSinsua what the Renaissance
did in Iinly-the Jews of Spanish and
Portuguese descent have almost passed
from the scene in the Southern States.
Time has dealt mprcilessly with the
scious of n great historic Jewish
group.