The Phoenix Jewish news., 1949-05-27


it his love of
Deborah Metz til e theatrical,
his penchant for the dramatic ges-
ture. Others spoke of his devotion
to his country. But it seems to me
entirely fitting that this passionate
believer in democracy should have
put his beliefs into practice in pre-
cisely this fashion.
1t was 1913 and his country was
at war. Ships had to be built. So
Rabbi Stephen Samuel Wise put
aside his sermons and his lectures,
and set to work in shipyard.
NO IVORY TOWER This
son and grandson of Jewish min
listers, seventh rabbi in direct sue
cession in his family, was one who
often descended from the, ivory
tower of the rabbinate to plunge
deeply into the heart of the eco
nomic and social problems of his
day.
During his ministry in Portland,
Ore, he found time to draft a new
child labor law for the state, help
found the Oregon State Board of
Charities and Correction, and es-
tablish "The Peoples Forum" pat
termed after the old New England
town meeting.
Once established in New York
City, having refused the pulpit of
Temple Emanuel because the
rabbi was obliged to be subservient
to the Board of Trustees, and hav-
ing organized the Free Synagogue
where pews were abolished and
dues were voluntary, Or. Wise
continued his crusade for justice
and democracy.
HE CHOSE COURAGE
During a strike of the needle
trades, DIR. Wise delivered a stir
ring attack from the pulpit against
the Associated Waist and Dress
Manufacturers for refusing to ar
bitrate. Many of its members who
were in his congregation threat
ened to resign, whereupon Rabbi
Wise cordially invited them to
do so.
For he would brook no limita-
tions on his freedom to proclaim
the truth as he saw it. And he felt
only contempt for a pulpit which
"never provokes dissent because il
is cautious rather than courageous
peace-loving rather than prophetic
time-serving rather tn a right
serving"
POLITICIANS FLED -.
"When Rabbi Wise attacks a poll.
tician, steamship bu s ness te
Europe improves Immediately" de.
clared the late Fiorello La Guardis
15 years ago; and in truth
Stephen Wise's m became
synonymous with the struggle fol
social justice which was part OF
the Jewish as we'll as the American
heritage. >
ZIONIST LEADER His
leonine, rugged head, burning eyes
and cello-like voice made him 6
well-known and well-loved figure
throughout the United States. But
his leadership in the Zionist move
ment gained him world esteem. He
had been one of the few American
Jews to attend the first WorlC
Zionist Congress called by Herzl ir
1897, and a year later he helped
found the Zionist Organization o1
America. From that time on he
gave tirelessly of his energy to,
ward the establishment of Jew
ish State.
Yet he found the time to organ
ize the American and World Jew
ish Congresses and to establish the
Jewish Institute of Religion, where
young American Jews were trained
for the Reform rabbinate.
|
A TRIBUTE FROM THE
IRISH The fact that he wa'
born on March II apparently made
DR.. Wise eligible for the distinc
tion bestowed upon him by a groul
of his non-Jewish admirers, wher
he was given honorary membership
in the Friendly Sons of st. Patricl
of Bridgeport, Conn.
American Jewry has lost be
loved leader, whose long and use
full life was truly sanctificatiol
of Gods name.
Soy you saw II advertised In