Intermountain Jewish news., 1925-12-03
"BACK TO THE SYNAGOG"
By JOSEPH FRIEDLAND
Delivered last Friday night at the Beth
Ha Medrosh Hagodol Synagog

Tonight is an occasion not only for
the Thanksgiving message, or for the
Father and Son spirit-two most
worthy issues-but it is also for what
is known as the Back to the Synagog
Night" movement sponsored by the
Young Peoples League Of the United
Synagog. The fact that so many of
you have responded to our invitation
to attend services tonight, and the fact
that SO many have not been present at
past Friday evening services disclose
the theme of my remarks.
Whether we like to admit it or not,
the truth remains that the Jewish youth
of today is becoming estranged from
his synagog. An inquiry into the causes
of this estrangement, reveals the un-
mistakable evidence that 1t s,the fault.
not Of the synagog, but of the youth.
who, in defense. complains that the
synagog has no attractions for him
that it is old fashioned, narrow, reac-
tiOnary-a contention that is entirely
refuted by the fact that various Gentle
churches of the modern school, who
are particularly catering to the inter
ests of the younger group, are likewise
facing this chronic lack Of interest on
the part of the youth. And speaking
of this lack Of interest. Louis Marshall
says, "this attitude will not only react
ON those who entertain it by weakening
their moral fiber, by deprivlng them Of
the Strengthening forces of courage, and
loyalty, and of pride in their glorious
history, but it will forfeit for them
the respect of all right thinking men"
What is the call-the appeal of the
institution which, tracing back its eX-
istence into time immemorial, has sup
plemented the work Of the home in
keeping the race of our Fathers intact?
about MS. What more inspiring than
this Holy House of God to renew our
devotion to faith which should he
our pride and boast? Material
thoughts, thoughts of everyday life, are
left for a few hours. We enter Holy
House which embodies something high
er, finer, more worth while-we are in
spired to loftier ideals. to strive for
something nobler than material gains,
to make life mean more than mere ex-
istence. The Synagog-the most es-
sential and central institution in Jewish
life. A community house, where young
and old may gather. An institution
vitality interested in he welfare-edu-
cational, social, moral, and spiritual
welfare of each and all the members
of the community.
Irving II. Fisher, writing in the Jew
ish Tribune, says: "There are many
young people who desire this spiritual
enrichment to be gained from the syna-
cog. But for numerous reasons they
have remained outside its portals. 1t
may be that they did not understand
tiit VI llHNtI. tnt u'Noi
left no impression on them. that the
service were unattractive, that they
were considered an unimportant factor,
or that they were given no part in the
services"
Whatever the reason may have been,
wherever the fault may have rested,
Rabbi Kauvar and our synagog are en-
deavoring, through Young Peoples
Friday Evening Services, to give us
what we seen to have desired. 1t seems
to me that the synagog is doing more
than its share in its effort to attract
the youth. 1t but remains for us to
take advantage of the opportunities of
fered. The appeal is made to MS, the
youths of the synagog, upon whose in
telligent interest in the preservation
Of the Jewish cause depends the entire
welfare of our faith, upon whom rests
the very future OF Judaism-the appeal
is made to us to return and rebuild the