The Denver Jewish news., 1925-03-05

plunged themselves into the stream or
assimilatlon-but that was because
Judaism had not had the opportunity
Of assimilating itself to the new en-
vircnmcnt therefore its weaker on
springs were assimilatcd by their en-
vironmcnt.
But fortunately, that first rush into
the stream of assimilation has ceased.
1t is now 100 years since the Ghetto
walls have begun TO crumble. In the
meantime Judaism has begun to reas-
sert its intrinsic capacity for adjust
ment The result is that we are be
ginning to produce Jewish men and
women who while they are imbibing
the best of the modern culture are nj
the same time using it to enrich and
not to destroy their Jewish heritage.
In Germany, in England, and especial
ly In America, the Jewish genius is
producing leaders who are eminent In
the civic life of their country and at
the same time intensely Jewish. There
need be no discrepancy, there need be
no contradiction. II is the old story
of adaptation and survival
From the standpoint of the Jew, DIR.
Eliots comment fortifies The sentiment
of the loyal jew who has never doubt
ed his right and duty to live his life
, in adherence to Jewish tradition, hut
who has felt certain uncasiness as
TO whether he was being properly un-
dcrstood by hi3 sO-callcd more en-
:, lichtened brother. The dictum of
. llightenment is beyond cavil. should
/. have n reassuring effect upon the Jew
, who Is loyal to his traditions.
, From the standpoint of America IL.
, self. DIR. Eiiot's comment represents the
= highest concept of American Democracy
= which has yet been formulated. 1t has
., FOR long time been admitted by care
=. ful students and observers Of American
, life and institutions that the melting
n pot formula was an illusion.
h There is no such thing in America
+ as II melting pct" says DR.. EIiot-and
= by that statement brushes away all the
y finely spun theories which were intend
o cd To prove that in America racial
strains ARE fused and cultural tradi-
I tions are merged into the great melting
n pot of America ont Of which comes
/ forth the uniform American. 1t has
n for It long time been realized among
I careful observers that no such thing
races is concerned, the term melting
@ pot is an illusion. 1t is doubtful II
+ there will ever he an American race.
4 In that way, America is unique among
Q all the nations OF the eartl-tlat it al
- lows, nay encourages unrestricted free
= dom for diverse cultures and racial
\ strains to dwell side by side each cul-
tivaring the spiritual resources Of its
= own heritage. There Is no other comr-
n try in the world where it would be
I possible for n number of racial groups
to 20 on living their cultural lives for
generations without any Interference.
/ History shows n number Of instances
p where races started out TO live side by
p Side-bUt the weaker soon found itself
p in the melting pot and was absorbed by
the stronger. Such was the case for
; instance with the Anglo saxon Norman
:. strains in England,
= 1t seems to he the unique purpose
"a Of 4 IN al
Q spiritual unity out of racial and cul-
@ tural diversity America is not Il melt
+ ing pot but Il community. Therein it
4 is the highest type of democracy yet
: formulated 1t is community of
: various members. representing various
I strains. arising ont of various back
r grounds aud dedicated TO the prescrya'
= tion of their respective traditions-all
Q of them bound by allegiance to Ameri.
l. ca sworn to- be loyal to the country
g which gives them that unprecedented
l. freedom. and consecrating their love
: their life and limb to the protection of
. that America which they all cherish
II in common. If one can speak of Il
l. melting pot in amy sense, II is in the
ii sense that all the loyulties Of the old
h hpmesteads and to the old governments
n are here scrappcd and fused in The
n melting pot of undivided loyalty ia
: America Thus each group Cherishes
Il the laws of the land. bears respOusih.
II ilities of citizenship, and stands ready
d TO do its full duty in peace aud war.
:. The Argonne forest was melting pot,
q the fields of Flanders were melting
n pot. and the great cantonmcmts seat
1. tered throughout our country during
2 the war-thesc we're the melting pots
u of loyalty to America to which each
n group, Irish, Jewish, Italian, contribut,
D. ed its unique talent and its unique
IS genius.
o