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We are pleased that “the Call to Israelites” in our
last, has attracted the attention which the subject more than our words
demands; and we have already received various letters, two of which
being intended for the public eye, we give them insertion without delay.
It will be seen that in Cincinnati a plan has been started to appoint
congregational delegates, one which we should greatly prefer to a
self-constituted body, no matter how great and endowed the individuals
thereof may be.—We also learn from another source, that an idea is
entertained in that city to address the congregations in other places by
means of a circular, inviting their co-operation, and requesting them to
appoint dele<<509>>gates to attend the meeting to be convened as above. The
only objection to this procedure would be the delay it might cause; it
is always difficult to bring masses into action, no matter how
individuals may feel on the subject.
But we shall offer no objections of any sort, to
any plan of action which may finally be adopted, convinced that any
union will be better than the utter state of isolation now prevailing.
We therefore forbear offering any suggestions of our own the present
month, and merely content ourselves with giving the letters of the
reverend Messrs. Isaacs and Gutheim, just as we have received them. We
have no doubt that they will be attentively perused by all our readers
who feel for the welfare of Israel, and trust that good will result from
agitating the subject in all its bearings, if even the meeting should
have to be postponed to a later date than at first suggested by Dr.
Wise.
Whilst on the subject, we may as well notice the
objections contained in a letter received from one of our valued friends
and an occasional correspondent for the Occident, on whose aid we firmly
relied, and whose presence at the meeting we took for granted. As far as
we know the Assembly is not to be on the pattern of that of the German
Rabbis, against which we were one of the first, if not the very first
journalist to protest with energy and effect; no legislative action is
to be attempted with our consent; all resolves are to be merely
advisory, neither obligatory on the members themselves nor the
congregations they represent; it is to retard the spirit of wild reform
with which many individuals from abroad and at home, are imbued, and to
give, as far as a united effort can succeed in so doing, the spirit of
the age a wholesome direction. No one will call “the raven permitted or
the dove prohibited,” or will be authorized in the least to touch any of
the dogmas or practices of the Synagogues; but all reforms should be
established on legal principles, and be within the limits of our
received opinions.
It must not be lost sight of that we are not now
circumstanced as we were a hundred years ago; there are positions
inimical to Judaism and all positive religion, to be met and conquered,
if we wish not to let our blessed religion sink through our supineness
in the minds of its adherents, or rather those born to its observance.
It is true that the שלחן ערוך is an
excellent compendium of laws, and a good bond of union among all
Israelites; but is it known to many? is it observed by all? By its
decisions all profess to be governed; it is only necessary to diffuse
the knowledge of its contents among the community. How is this to be
done? is it by taking no steps to diffuse intelligence? is it by letting
all abuses alone, and allowing them to take root when and how they
please? We fancy that this would not
<<510>>strengthen religion; this course
would not convert the sinners, nor confirm the wavering. Our learned
men, nay the very learned gentleman who writes us in objection to our
plan, are known only with few exceptions in the place where they live;
and were it not for the means of the public press which we control, it
would be difficult for them to find access to the public ear at all.
Is this right? Evidently not. Those who are endowed
with knowledge of religion should and must be brought forward; they
should and must become the guides of the people; the community demands
light and instruction; and they, whom God has endowed with wisdom,
cannot be allowed any longer to rust away, like a cast off blade, their
brightness dimmed in an obscure corner. We want union to glorify the
law; we want it to elevate the character of Judaism; but should our
project be made use of to work injury to the good cause, we pledge our
word before its consummation, that we will oppose it with all the energy
which we are capable of, and stand aloof from all union with those who
would bring evil and dissension into the assembly of God-fearing
Israelites.
But we fear no such result. The effects of
ill-digested reforms, as carried out in Europe are before us; and that
person must be fool-hardy indeed, who would try to transplant to America
the poisonous weeds which are already becoming loathsome to those who
formerly scattered the seed thereof. Besides, we can assure our reverend
friend that the ultra reformers will not join us; they wish to stand
aloof for fear of being overwhelmed by the popular vote; we trust,
therefore, that we shall not, on the other hand, have to encounter the
opposition of an ultra orthodox movement, which cannot produce any good
results by standing alone as opposed to a combination of honest men for
the furtherance of Jewish principles and education in this country.
We know there is danger in everything; the best
laid schemes are liable to abuse; but we trust in the Lord that we may
all be guided by his spirit, and only resolve on that which is for the
benefit of all. We say candidly that we have no plan of our own to
offer; but if Israelites from all parts of the country do assemble for
mutual consultation, it cannot be otherwise than that something good
will be brought forward, which will prove beneficial to the good and
holy cause which is entrusted to our keeping. America is destined to be
a great refuge to Israel; let us be the pioneers of those who are to
come hereafter; let us pave the way for the establishment of a sound
religious system, sound religious schools, and the appointment of
learned, pious, and honest ministers. More than this is not for the few
as yet here to accomplish; but to do this is our bounden duty, or else,
we conceive, that we should be recreant to our trust, and unworthy of
<<511>>the privilege of speaking and acting freely as Jews, as freemen, as men
who acknowledge no sovereign beside the great and eternal King. We close
for the present.—Ed. Oc.
To the Editor of the Occident,
In the last number of your work, I perused your
article, a “Call to Israelites,” and Rabbi Wise’s address on the same
subject. Perceiving that the Rabbi calls on me and others, not to let
our voices be heard last, I at once, in compliance with his wish, and in
consonance with my own inclination, give in my adhesion to the proposed
meeting, and promise to support the cause with my purse and person. To
enter at present into the duties that will devolve on the expected
meeting אין
כאן מקומו; let it suffice
to be observed that our vital interests require, and the voice of
posterity demands that some steps should be taken to “raise the drooping
vine,” that we should unitedly exert ourselves to promote the welfare of
the common cause, to demonstrate to the world that our faith is not a
sterile belief of incomprehensibilities, but a creed based on the solid
rock of ages. And I know of no better plan to expedite that event than
that we should meet to discuss the best means that can be adopted to
improve our religious polity, to elevate our coreligionists to the
standard they are destined to occupy, to train an efficient ministry, to
have public instruction in every Synagogue, to educate our children, in
fine, on orthodox grounds to devise ways and means to bring the forms
and ceremonies of Judaism to the state of perfection enjoyed by the
parent stem. No doubt from the large body that we expect to assemble,
differences will exist, as they do even now, (for I and many others
would with you prefer the place of meeting to be in our city, to which
she is fairly entitled); but let us hope that animated by the pure
principles of our holy religion, all our differences shall merge into
fellowship, and be instrumental in bringing about that glorious day
foretold by various prophets.
S. M. Isaacs.
190 Prince St., New York,
Kislev 19th, 5609.
Cincinnati, Dec. 12th. 5609.
Rev. and Dear Sir,—
The Call of Dr. Wise, and your prefixed and
appended remarks have attracted the attention of the Jewish community of
this city. The question of a Jewish convention is being laid before the
three congregations. A preliminary meeting has been held by a number of
gentle<<512>>men who are keenly alive to the importance of such a measure, and
sanguine of salutary results that are likely to grow from such a union.
It must strike one, however, that the meeting proposed can only be of
practical use if it be composed of accredited delegates from the
different congregations of the United States. A meeting of individuals,
be they ministers or laymen, in their individual capacity, a
self-constituted convention assuming even but a recommendatory
character, can be of very little effect; whereas the concerted action of
congregational representatives will have a priori the sanction of the
respective congregations represented, who nevertheless may be at liberty
to reject or acquiesce in, any proposed measure. Would it not therefore
be well to recommend a representative convention, and urge the election
of congregational representatives?
Anxious to have the subjoined report published in
this month’s Occident, no time is left me for farther illustrating this
suggestion, but I hope that it may be duly considered.
J. K. G.
A meeting of several gentlemen for the purpose of
devising a plan of action with regard to “The Call to Ministers and
Laymen,” by the Rev. Dr. Wise, published in the Occident for December,
was held on Monday evening, the 11th of December. The meeting was
organized by Mr. Elias Mayer, being elected chairman, and James K.
Gutheim, Secretary.
The chair having stated in brief and appropriate
terms the object of the meeting, and the importance of the cause
involved, the subjoined preamble was offered by Mr. Lewis Abraham, the
appended resolutions by various gentlemen present, and after a
lengthened and interesting debate, the preamble and resolutions were
adopted as follows:
Whereas, approving of the sentiments expressed in
the letter of Dr. Wise, and the remarks of Rev. Isaac Leeser thereon,
and being anxious to form a proper system of representation, in order to
bring about a unity and consolidation of action among all the Jewish
congregations of this country, be it therefore
Resolved, to recommend to the three congregations
of this city the expediency and utility to convene a meeting of their
respective members for the purpose of maturing the best mode of
proceeding with regard to the matter above referred to.
Resolved, that the presidents of the three
congregations be requested to communicate to the chairman of this
meeting, the action they may be pleased to take.
Resolved, that the Secretary be instructed to
transmit a copy of the <<513>>proceedings of this meeting to the Editor of the
Occident, for publication.
Resolved, that we do not adjourn sine die, but that
the Chairman have power to reconvene this meeting at pleasure.
After which it was moved to adjourn.
Elias Mayer, Pres’t.
James K. Gutheim, Sec’y.
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