2 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE CULTURAL CHANGES—ROSENTHAL 3 quent children, various health services which must be provided in every modern community, the organization of neighborhoods and community cen­ CULTURAL CHANGES IN AMERICAN JEWISH LIFE ters, and the education of our youth in the traditions of our people. All these are highly specialized fields in which we expect you to be the leaders and DURING THE TWENTIETH CENTURY to ask us to help only where we may properly be of help. I hope that your conferences in Boston will lead to even higher levels of A. W. ROSENTHAL professional standards and to the improvement of the scientific aspects of your work. While you are here, I hope you will also have some time for diversion. Considering the task allotted to a contemporary ex-pres­ A local committee, under the acting chairmanship_ of Mrs. I. K. E. Prager, ident, of writing the history of America in 500 words, I do has arranged a modest program of hospitality. If there is anything in addi­ not fare so badly when I am asked to describe in about 100 tion you would like to see or do, I am sure we will be only too glad to arrange it. words for each year the cultural changes in American To those of us who are concerned with the future of American Jewry, no Jewish life these past thirty years. subject of more vital importance could have been chosen for the discussion It may be of interest to mention that this is the 30th an­ this evening than the one that your committee has designated, namely, niversary of the first meeting of the National Conference of "The Social, Economic and Cultural Changes in American Jewish Life Jewish Charities in April, 1900. Perhaps, no other phase of During the Twentieth Century." We, the Jews of America, are confronted with a double responsibility. Jewish communal life in America has been as outstanding First, we must develop adequate programs for coping with the social prob­ in the past three decades as the cooperation of our charitable lems arising from the rapid changes in what is, perhaps, the most dynamic endeavors, their philanthropic insight and the solidarity country in the world. A great deal has been said in recent years about engendered thereby that has transcended religious dif­ the social and individual maladjustments arising from the ever-increasing ferences. mechanization of modern life. Some people contend that the machine has enslaved us; others, that it has eliminated drudgery from work and has If I have included data which has its rightful place in the made possible a richer life. Whatever may be the ultimate merits of mod­ papers of my colleagues, its repetition gives weight to the ern industrialism, it seems clear to all of us that its immediate effect has good judgment of my choice. I am sure that much more of been to create certain maladjustments. value which belongs in my presentation will be included in In the second place, we Jews in America have been catapulted by forces arising out of the Wo "Id War to the position of world leadership in Jewry. their offering. What is our responsibility as world leaders and how can we best discharge that responsibility with regard to programs of rehabilitation in Eastern II Europe and in Palestine? A discussion of what has happened in American Jewish life during the The work of a few leaders in any day or generation is not past thirty years should, at least, give some perspective as a basis of evalu­ ating trends and shaping policies for these two major responsibilities dur­ the estimate of the value of the contributions that a com­ ing the coming years of Jewish life in America. munity makes to the general weal. Labors of unnoted It is against an exceedingly romantic background that the speakers to­ hundreds and thousands make possible the achievement of night tell their stories. The stage of their play is the United States of the large results. Men and women of our faith have contributed twentieth century, the century which witnessed our coming of age as the to our country's art, drama, music, letters, journalism, leading industrial nation of the world; our transformation from a rural to an urban people; from an insular power to a world empire; from a debtor sciences, works of education, its benevolence, commerce, in­ nation to the creditor nation of the world, enjoying the largest home dustry, finance, jurisprudence and statesmanship. They market known in modern civilization and yet beginning to reach overseas have given their all to make enduring the virtue of liberty for outlets for a production that is rapidly surpassing the capacity of and the preservation of the Union. They have given their domestic consumption. It is against this background that the speakers to­ night will tell us what has been happening to a small segment of Ameri­ all to preserve for future generations the Hebraic and the cans—to four million Jews out of a total population of over one hundred American ideals of freedom, justice and equality. and twenty million. The first speaker is Mr. A. W. Rosenthal, President of the National Asso­ Ill ciation of Jewish Community Center Secretaries. He will discuss the "Cultural Changes in American Jewish Life During the Twentieth Cen­ Let us step back to the threshold of the 20th century and tury." Mr. Rosenthal. 4 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF JF-IVISH SOCIAL SERVICE CULTURAL CHANGES—ROSENTHAL 5 review its first year with Henrietta Szold, in the first issue The first American Jewish Year Book printed by the of the American Jewish Year Book. The old world, she Jewish Publication Society is edited by Dr. Cyrus Adler. writes in 1900, has for many years been setting the new Efforts are made to reach the scattered communities of world, especially its Jews, difficult problems to solve. She Jews in this country through the Chautauqua and by the states: "It is significant that the President of the Leghorn available texts. Miss Szold complains that our communities Community in Italy has to send a call to the United States show no disposition to employ regularly-trained and salaried for rabbinical candidates to present themselves or be re­ teachers. commended." Two books are issued by the Jewish Publication Society: The blood accusation is pervading Europe. Germany, "They That Walk in Darkness" by Zangwill, and a transla­ Austria, France and Russia are rife with anti-semitism. tion of "The Ethics of Judaism," in two volumes, by Moritz Jews are converted by the thousands. The lot of the Jew Lazarus. in Roumania is indescribable. Professor Masaryk is indicted The American Jewish Historical Society published docu­ for writing a pamphlet, discrediting the blood accusation, ments of the Mexican Inquisition. which is confiscated. The Orient, Turkey, Persia, all seethe Dr. Morris Jastrow's Talmudical Dictionary grows with oppression and injustice to the Jew. toward completion. Only England and America hold out some hope. To Eng­ Morris Dolitzky's book of Poems, puts the United States land has come the inspiration to form a Jewish Historical in the rank of countries producing literature in Hebrew. Society. Also, Jewish study circles have been organized, The Palestine colonies pass from the stage of a private whose paternity is traced to the Jewish Chautauqua. charity to a world-wide philanthropy, with the taking over The relation of the countries is a give and take relation. of the colonies established through the munificence of Ed­ England sends America four literary lights: Israel Zangwill, mund de Rothschild of the Jewish Colonization Association. with his play; Joseph Jacobs, for the Jewish Encyclopedia; Dr. Charles S. Bernheimer, in his article on "Jewish Samuel Gordon, with a novel for the Jewish Publication Organization" reports a total of 791 congregations in the Society; Miss Nina Davis, with a book of translations of United States. Hebrew poems. A more colorful picture drawn by Rebecca Kohut in her recent book: "As I Know Them" gives this description of the At the Bnai Brith Convention, it is decided that they ally East Side at the end of the 19th century: with the Jewish Chautauqua as an agency of enlightenment to its 30,000 members. "Cantor's sons full of music which permeated their sons become Isaac Mayer Wise passes into the Great Beyond, having composers and singers. Sons of rabbis become actors, prize­ fighters, lawyers and journalists. Tailors' sons and daughters be­ firmly established that which he most cherished—the come teachers, the baker's boy wins distinction as a University Hebrew Union College. athlete, his brother is a mammy singer. Their cousin, who had a I add here that two years later, in 1902, a grant of over newspaper route, winds up in a University Chair of Philosophy. . . . But there was plenty of vision and ambition amid squalor and $500,000. by the late Jacob H. Schiff insures for some time dirt, there was a fierce love of life, a relentless purpose to fight out the financial security of the Jewish Theological Seminary of it—and up." founded in 1886 by Dr. Sabato Morais. The Jewish programs of the Educational Alliance and IV Y. M. H. A.s of New York and Philadelphia are already in great favor. Hebrew free schools multiply. Yiddish news­ To compare and contrast, let us briefly review the year papers oppose the Rabbi as pastor and uphold him as scholar. 1929 with Harry Schneiderman in the American Jewish Year Jewish teachers form into a Union. Quarterlies are estab­ Book for 1929-30. There is mention of the blood libel in lished by the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Messina, New York, which was very effectively and ably Society of American Cantors. dealt with by the American Jewish Committee, through its late-lamented president and recognized world Jewish leader, 6 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE CULTURAL CHANGES—ROSENTHAL 7

Mr. Louis Marshall, as well as by Dr. Stephen S. Wise, Agency for Palestine by the inclusion of representatives of representing The American Jewish Congress. non-Zionist elements makes world history. There is also mention of the Freiburg Passion Play There threatens a tremendous set-back to the progress of produced by Mr. Morris Gest. Palestine by the anti-Jewish uprisings on the part of the There is a more or less organized movement to cultivate Arab population. good will between Jews and Christians, inaugurated by the Federation of the Churches of Christ, about five years ago, V the most recent of such meetings taking place last month m St. Louis, when Protestants, Catholics and Jews met to dis­ Important as Dr. H. S. Linfield's comprehensive recent cuss methods of reaching a better understanding. It is the study of the statistics of religious bodies, educational organ­ third seminar of its kind, one having been held at Columbia izations, cultural organizations are to this paper, limitation and another at Harvard Universities. Among the questions of time makes possible the mention of only a few so-called which the Seminar will discuss is: "Are the Jews to preserve high spots. Dr. Linfield estimates that there are at present their cultural differences in philosophy, religion, art and about 4,300,000 Jews in this country. In 1900, there were folk ways, or are they to be assimilated in the American about 1,000,000; in 1907, 1,700,000 Jews; in 1917, 3,200,000. 'melting pot' conception?" He estimates that at the end of 1926 there were 2,948 con­ Mushroom synagogues are still troublesome. gregations. In 1916, a similar investigation yielded only The Union of American Hebrew Congregation endeavors 1,700 congregations. Only 56% of the country's congrega­ to ascertain the religious habits and proclivities of members tions have rabbis. The same census brought forth a net of its congregations in eleven cities with over 50,000 Jews. work for elementary Jewish education, a few institutions for The results of their tabulations of over 2,200 questionnaires secondary education, a limited number for commercial and are pertinent. Emphasis on Hebrew is decreasing and Jew­ technical education, five for the training of rabbis and one ish History is increasing in their religious schools. One out for social workers, and one, the Dropsie College, for Higher of every four children of school age attends their religious Learning. This does not include the net work of institutions schools. Attendance at Jewish High Schools is increasing. known as YMHAs, YWHAs, Jewish Centers, Young People's Only 50% of the families light Chanukah candles, conduct a Institutes. Seder, or fast on Yom Kippur, though the ceremonials of It is estimated that a total of 249,109 pupils are enrolled lighting the candles on the Sabbath, during Chanukah and in our Jewish elementary schools. at the home Seder on Passover is increasing. The member­ For every 400 congregations in this country there are 29 ship opposes increasing the Hebrew content of ritual and is youth societies, 13 affiliated with the congregation, 14 strongly in favor of revising the Prayer Book. It opposes the Zionist and 2 others. increase of sessions at Hebrew Schools to twice a week. 97 of our communities have institutions such as: The There is a demand for adult classes, for instruction in YMHAs, YWHAs, Centers, Institutes, Educational Alliances, Judaism. Settlements, etc., for the carrying on of a varied program of The Temple in Cleveland, Ohio, decides to be solely a re­ athletics, games, dramatics, music, dancing, debates, lec­ ligious influence and does not consider itself performing its tures, clubs, arts and crafts, Hebrew Schools, communal proper function by attracting large numbers to a gym­ holiday celebrations and summer camps. In every one of nasium, dance hall, swimming pool, etc. our 11 communities of 50,000 Jews and over, there are at least four such organizations. These organizations, having The Yeshivah College of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Sem­ a total membership of 286,000 are served by one central inary moves into its new building, establishing the first body, the Jewish Welfare Board, which assists in the organ­ liberal college by a Jewish denomination in this country. ization of the activities and stimulates the development of The consummation of the enlargement of the Jewiah adequate facilities and programs. 8 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE CULTURAL CHANGES—ROSENTHAL 9

In 1927, there were reported a total of 502 Jewish student in 1920, and the Jewish Association of Arts and Sciences in societies in 139 universities. There were 25 national Jewish 1927. groups of Hebrew Letter Fraternities and 401 branch so­ The American Jewish Historical Society organized in cieties with a combined membership of nearly 25,000 1892 is still the outstanding organization for research in the students located in 114 universities. history of the Jews in the United States and in other Amer­ ican countries. The Jewish Chautauqua Society has 4,000 members. There is only one organization devoted to research of The Inter-collegiate Menorah Association is active philanthropic and social activities: the Bureau of Jewish through its Journal and through its inter-collegiate Menorah Social Research in New York City. Societies at the various colleges. In the libraries of Dropsie and the Jewish Theological The Avukah and the American Student Zionist Federation Seminary there is a total of 228,000 books and 8,500 manu­ promote Zionism among college students. scripts. Since 1917, 286 rabbis have been graduated from our American Jewish seminaries. VI We have 19 institutions for the training of religious teachers. They have a total enrollment of 2,455 students, What is significant of the foregoing high spot summaries 1,261 being trained in the city of New York. of the years 1900 and 1930 ? Basically, life changes slowly. We have only one school for the training of Jewish Social The Old World still gives us difficult problems to solve. Our Workers conducted for the supervision and management of sons and daughters have much the same aspirations and institutions devoted to youth and adult education and for achieve the same ambitions. There is much less squalor, the care of dependents. Since its organization in 1925, from less spoken Yiddish and more high school and college gradu­ an examination of the graduates' thesis, the Training ates with fraternity pins seeking jobs. School more and more effectively is relating Jewish culture There have been, however, some very fundamental to the general field of Jewish social work. changes, especially marked during the past 15 years. We We still have only one communal organization for the dis­ have grown in numbers and in societies. We have chevras, semination of Jewish literature—the Jewish Publication congregations, orders, benevolent lodges, fraternities, soro­ Society of America. Since 1888, it has issued each year two rities, clubs, war veteran legions, Federations, Institutes and or more publications. It has distributed 120,000 copies of Centers. These have drawn our people together in small its translation of the Bible. common-interest groups. The War, the plight of our breth­ The Yiddish and Anglo-Jewish press consists of 111 ren in Eastern Europe, anti-Semitism, restricted immigra­ periodicals. tion, the philanthropic Federations and the hope of a na­ In 1919, all of the 8 dailies were published in Yiddish. They tional homeland for Jews in Palestine have cut across Jewish reached a peak circulation of 575,000. The Yiddish journals sectionalism, welding American Jewry into a cohesive, uni­ in 1900, 5 in number, had a combined circulation of 62,000. fied whole. Witness the present Allied Jewish Campaign. In 1927, one of the 9 dailies appeared in English. Witness the remarkable growth of the Jewish Center Move­ Three of our seminaries maintain Departments for Jewish ment, distinctly an American contribution of a well-rounded Music and the training of Chazzanim. cultural program for our Jewish youth. Their success is We have 24 Yiddish theatres in this country. largely attributable to the manner in which it administers Higher Jewish learning in America is promoted by the its program and supplements the American public educa­ Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning, the Jew­ tional system. ish Theological Seminary, the Hebrew Union College, the Israel Cohen in his book "The Jew in Modern Times" Yeshivah and two other seminaries. In addition, there has states: "The scope of Jewish culture is not merely spiritual been organized the American Academy for Jewish Research in character. It embraces all other aspects and manifesta- 10 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE CULTURAL CHANCES—ROSENTHAL 11 tions of intellectual activity. Although deprived of its land policies. The natural outcome is the replacement of Yid­ for nearly two thousand years, the Jewish people has not dish dailies by the English newspapers and Anglo-Jewish only preserved the literary treasures that it created on its press. The Jewish Daily Bulletin and the founding of 63 own soil, but continued to give literary expression in its own English periodicals of specifically Jewish content since 1919 language to its thoughts, ideals and emotions in all the lands are significant sign posts. A stemming influence may be the of its dispersions down to the present day." Sholem Aleichem Schools which maintain an annual total We have had our poets, dramatists, philosophers, moral­ enrollment of 1,500 children in their elementary and high ists, historians, chroniclers, fabulists, romancers, satirists, schools. Another, the Yiddish Kultur Societies radiating humorists and a wealth of folk lore and proverbs. The bulk from Wilna. The Yiddish Press, Dr. Soltes tells me, still of this literature was produced in the national language, maintains a circulation close to 500,000. More than any Hebrew, never exclusively the language of prayer. In addi­ other foreign language paper, or any of the English dailies, tion, those not using Hebrew as a literary medium have writ­ its content is cultural. 52% of its printed matter, in a ten in the vernacular. Like Maimonides, Menassah ben Is­ recent study, was classified as cultural. rael, Zunz and Graetz, Geiger and Zangwill, Schechter and Dubnow, who wrote in the vernacular of their respective VIII lands on Jewish matters, present day writers in the ver­ nacular may be considered in their various ways also con­ The propagation of the national idea during the last fifty tributors to Jewish culture. years and especially during the last quarter of a century has given a powerful impetus, intensified since the Balfour VII Declaration, to the use of Hebrew both as a literary and spoken tongue not only in Palestine but in America as well. The rise, development and present status of Yiddish Asher Guinzburg, better known as Achad HaAm; Chaim literature is one of the striking phenomena in the annals of Nachman Bialik and their writings are well known to the the Jewish people. Yiddish forms the principal medium of students of Hebrew High Schools and Teachers' Training intercourse of more than 600,000 of our people. The works Schools in this country. Although composed in an ancient of Solomon Jacob Abramowitch, known as "Mendele the tongue, our Hebrew literature has a modern impress, for Book-Seller," are still read in many of the homes of those its makers have all imbibed the modern cultures. who have come from abroad to settle in America. In addition to literature, Yiddish drama, founded by Ab­ The treasury of Yiddish literature has been greatly en­ raham Goldfaden, has been further developed in America by riched by many writers in the United States, of whom the Jacob Gordon and by such able playwrights as David Pinski most notable are the novelists: Sholom Asch and Joseph and Peretz Hirshbein. The Yiddish Art Theatre in New York, Opotashu; the playwrights: Harry Sadder and Peretz under the able direction of Maurice Schwartz, has raised the Hirschbein; the poets, Rosenfeld and Blumgarten, and Yiddish drama to a high level. Similar praise has been a splendid Yiddish translation of the Bible. All the great achieved for the drama in Hebrew by the Habima Players. writers of European literature from Shakespeare through The better equipped Jewish Centers in the larger Jewish Victor Hugo and Tolstoi, besides most of the popular modern communities of Chicago, Pittsburgh, Newark and New plays, have been translated into Yiddish. York are presenting acceptable plays translated from the The Yiddish press rendered important service to the im­ Yiddish and Hebrew. migrant during the transition period. That many of them now possess a reading knowledge of English is evidenced by IX the majority of the Yiddish newspapers having introduced an English column or page. There is every likelihood that Art is universal in its appeal. Our philanthropic leaders the United States will continue its restrictive immigration have been acclaimed for their collections of the masters, his- 12 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE CULTURAL CHANGES—ROSENTHAL 13 torical prints, etchings, illuminated manuscripts eventually- in a modern language with Jewish themes are a regular bequeathed to the American public. The artistic genius of feature of our modern literature and, perhaps, most effective our people has found an outlet in more popular channels than with the masses. We have had best sellers by Edna Ferber, the canvas and marble. Structural architecture, magazine Fannie Hurst, Lester Cohen, Lewis Browne, Ludwig Lewi- illustration and cartooning, wearing apparel design, com­ sohn, Maurice Samuels, who have popularized some of the mercial advertising, stage and scenic design and the artistry better cultural aspects of changing Jewish life in America. of the cinema have given them fortune and sometimes fame. We have poems and prose by Waldo Frank, Maxwell Boden- Like the Damrosches, Rothafel, Isaacsons and Gershwins heim, Louis Untermeyer, Emma Lazarus and fiction Bible and our great instrumentalists on the violin and piano bring stories and plays for juveniles by Elma Ehrlich Levinger, to the American public the best in music, they have brought Emily Solis Cohen, Samuel S. Grossman, Judith Ish Kishor, to it the best in the Arts. Jesse Sampter and others. We have still to create a distinctive Jewish Art. Raskin, A more complete list can be gleaned from the General Pilichowsky, Krasnow and Bender devoted themselves to Judaica by the Bloch Publishing Company, listing over 1,200 Jewish subjects on canvas. The late Ezekiel and our con­ available books in English of special Jewish interest, includ­ temporary Jo Davidson are acclaimed for their works in ing fiction, poetry and drama. There are also special cata­ marble. The growing school of artists as observed from in­ logues, listing books, songs and playlets for various festival serts in past and current issues of the Menorah Journal are holidays and a brochure for religious schools of teaching still followers of schools of artistry rather than creators of instruments and texts. a distinctly Jewish Art. The most considerable piece of scholarly work in Amer­ ica has been the publication of the Jewish Encyclopedia in X 1906, the collective project of 600 scholars, for the dissemin­ ation of our literary works, both old and new. Jewish music, apart from that of the Synagogue, has had its distinct effect in a fusion of oriental motifs with the pathos of exile. There has been a growing collection of opera songs and ballads which have found expression in XII Ernest Bloch's Symphony "Israel," recently presented in New York, and in the compositions by Maurice Ravel. Added Since 1909, 13 Jews in various countries have been impetus is being given by the Choral Societies in the larger awarded Nobel prizes in chemistry, physics, medicine, ad­ Jewish Centers towards a revival of Jewish folk music. vancement of peace, and literature. The creative imagination During the period of adjustment, there has been possibil­ which formerly revealed itself in passionate "odes to Zion" ity for little spiritual creation. Jewish music as it exists in finds its inspiration nearer at hand in its national traditions, the Synagogue has become a borrowing process from opera, political struggles and intellectual aspirations. With im­ chazzonuth, organists' compositions and oratorios. Pro­ proved modes of travel and communication, Jews who are fessor I. Z. Idelsohn's recent book, "Jewish Music" is a dis­ acclaimed in any other part of the world—whether they be tinctive contribution to the history of Jewish liturgical music an Einstein, a Reinhart, a Weitzman, a Rothschild, a Lud­ in America. wig, or an Adler—find their way to America and make their There are hopeful signs from such composers as A. W. impress on the citizens of this country and the Jews in part­ Binder, the Goidfarb brothers and others who are doing icular. pioneer work towards a folk lore Jewish music in America. Dr. Cyrus Adler in his greeting in the first issue of the "Menorah Journal," in 1915, wrote: XI "We are now a population of nearly 3,000,000 souls. That such Novels, essays, poems and plays by Jewish authors dealing a vast body should be lost to Judaism, or should maintain a Juda­ ism ignorant of its language, its literature, or its tradition is almost 14 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE CULTURAL CHANGES—ROSENTHAL 15

unthinkable. Conditions abroad may shift the center of gravity of Joseph Abrahams, Richard Gottheil to the "Menorah," the Judaism and of Jewish learning to the American Continent." official organ of the Independent Order Bnai Brith, in 1889, do we sense very much the same spirit of inquiry and desire Dr. Adler wrote with prophetic vision. Out of the recent for cultural advancement, and a little more piety and rever­ war has arisen new hopes for World Jewry, as well as bitter ence than in our up-to-date Menorah Journal. problems. Jewish objectives are in a whirl in Central Europe. In Russia, in addition to the struggles for economic survival, the Jews are being hard-pressed to change reli­ XIV gious and traditional culture to satisfy the Soviets. There have been fundamental changes these past thirty years, but they have been largely in educational process, XIII rather than in fundamental philosophy, in individual adap­ tion, in rise and stability of existing institutions. The Semi­ It was American Jewry that was sufficiently united to narists now speak of tradition, the Culturists of the colorful urge with other minority groups the inclusion in the Peace life, the Zionists are popular and the Jewish Educators Treaties of certain clauses guaranteeing them fundamental teach Jewish civilization to the growing generation. rights. It was from America that funds and workers of the From our seminaries, as heretofore will emanate our type of Professor Israel Friedlaender, of blessed memory, scholarly and in time our cultural leaders. poured into Eastern Europe to salvage a well nigh an­ Dr. Frederick de Sola Mendes, in the Jewish Encyclo­ nihilated and despairing people. It is a united Jewry in pedia, wrote: America that is endeavoring to make Palestine a spiritual and cultural fountain-head for the Jews in the Diaspora. "As concerns its future course (writing of Judaism in America), The center of gravity for Jewish solidarity and influence it seems destined by its numbers and vigor to be a prominent fac­ has shifted to America. Has it also become the Center of tor in the development of the Judaism of the world. Any future addition of qualifying elements can come only from the Orthodox Jewish learning, scholarship and esthetics? groups, who have been arriving in more numbers since 1882. These It will be some time before Palestine becomes the spiritual members will in all probability after a generation or two in their center of the scattered Jewish people. At present, it remains new surroundings, conform themselves to the Mean between ex­ a land in the Diaspora, dominated by the influence of the treme Orientalism and extreme Reform. It is to this Mean that American Judaism as a whole is tending." rest of Jewry, through the Jewish Agency. "It may be that one spiritual center, even if it be in the land of our fathers, How well Dr. Mendes and other Jewish scholars foresaw will not suffice to stay the process of decay and ultimate dis­ this trend is pointedly or indirectly signalized by some of appearance." Is it significant that Dr. Judah Magnes comes the most recent developments in Zionism, among the so- from America to become the Chancellor of the Hebrew Uni­ called Culturists and some of the progressive members versity in Palestine; that Dr. Berkson takes a leave of ab­ among the Rabbinate. sence from duties here to reorganize Jewish Education in The Zionists hold the center of the stage. Despite the Palestine; that Hadassah, the Strauses and Warburgs es­ great number of Zionist adherents since the Balfour Declar­ tablish health, medical, recreational and educational centers ation and more recently since the formation of the Jewish in Palestine? How fundamental are these influences and Agency, uncertain progress towards a national Jewish how lasting? Homeland will strengthen existing Jewish cultural en­ Is it possible that here in America has been developed deavors. More recently, Zionism has been a potent unifying Jewish leadership imbued with both the scientific and tradi­ force in this country and throughout the world. It has given tional spirit to meet the demands of a dynamic society? renewed vigor to the study of the Hebrew language, our When we read the articles contributed by Drs. Cyrus Adler, literature, music, art, history and Palestine as a spiritual Bernard Drachman, Alexander Kohut, Kaufman Kohler, center, as an alternative to nationalistic aspirations. More 16 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE CULTURAL CHANGES—ROSENTHAL 17 than any other happening, it has furnished our youth with culated expression and the most concretely embodied revi­ a world vision of Jewish hopes and aspirations. sion of Judaism," he merely feels that Professor Kaplan seems to be closest to a practical application of modern prin­ ciples of educational psychology to the problem of develop­ XV ing an affirmative attitude to the esthetics of Jewish life and the endeavor to arrive at a satisfactory adjustment be­ The Culturists, not the clearest appellation, have a channel tween folk and personal religious beliefs. of expression through the Menorah Journal. It has afforded When Jewish educators, many the disciples of Drs. Mag- our rabbis, scholars, students, writers, artists, laymen and nes, Friedlander, Kaplan and Benderley, practice what Pro­ women an opportunity to present in print their prose and fessor Kaplan preaches, it is merely giving assent to a train­ poetry, their drawings and essays, their politics and philo­ ing received at Teachers' College, Columbia University— sophy. Mr. Hurwitz, in the Menorah Journal for January, the seat for applying John Dewey's philosophy and the 1929, states: "Jewish culture now faces the dangers of James-Thorndykeian psychology. Their contact with Pro­ popularity." He gives notice of the establishment of the fessor Kaplan as principal of the Teachers' Institute of the Menorah Association to be endowed by the Menorah Founda­ Jewish Theological Seminary has had its results. These tion. The Association will comprise a union of scholars, men have assumed positions of leadership in the adminis­ students, writers, artists, men and women responsible for tration and teaching of Jewish Education in every Jewish the genuine creative expression in thought and learning, in community of any size in Palestine. Their influence is the arts and in Jewish life. Because our rabbis, scholars, spread from the Kindergarten through the University. They artists, statesmen and writers utilize the medium of the reach our young people through Jewish Centers, Hebrew Menorah Journal to present their works or views, does not Schools, Summer Camps, Extension Programs, Teachers' mean that the journal and Inter-collegiate Menorah Societies Training Classes. Their writings, texts and personal con­ need take the responsibilities for the training, accomplish­ tacts are developing a new generation of teachers, ready to ments and views of its contributors. We are in agreement emulate and follow their precepts. They have the advantage that the Menorah Journal deserves a place in the front ranks of being native to the American soil, close kin to the more of Jewish cultural achievements in America. Its pages have recently arrived East European immigrant, fashioned by been acclaimed as a most liberal forum for the study and our public educational system, and able to put into practice achievement of Jewish culture and ideals. More power to what the shepherds preach. Hebrew by the Ivris b'lvris Menorah as a forum. May it never grow into a cult for the method, Palestine, the source of innumerable Kilpatrickian cultured! projects, Jewish music, art, drama and decorations, Jewish history from the present related to the past, research in XVI Jewish education related to character development, modern facilities, well qualified, better-paid teachers, have all been Civilizationists may not be the happiest term for our distinctive American contributions to a well-rounded Jewish Jewish educators, self-emancipationists and members of the educational program. More and more in the larger cities is Society for the Advancement of Judaism. It is acceptable there being developed a communal program for Jewish edu­ for the present as a term for the crystallization of recent cation, which has as its objective adult adherence to a trends in Jewish philosophy, religion and education that is Judaistic civilization. attracting larger numbers, is growing in influence and is already well entrenched. It differs from reform practice in XVII distinguishing personal worship from folk religion without severing them. When Dr. Horace Kallen agrees that Pro­ It has been a vast, fast-moving and engrossing epic—this fessor Kaplan presents the "most matured, the most arti- past quarter of a century. Those deserving mention are 18 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE ECONOMIC CHANGES—SELEKMAN 19 legion; one cannot name institutions, for we live in an era of Governor Allen that I deem iua great pleasure to bring to you tonight his rapidly shifting values; one cannot mention the orders for welcome and his hoping that you are going to have most successful sessions even the history of the Bnai Brith would fill volumes. and a most hearty welcome wherever you go in Massachusetts. Thank you. Dr. Solomon Solis Cohen, upon the occasion of the 250th THE CHAIRMAN: The next speaker is our own Dr. Ben M. Selekman, anniversary of the settlement of the Jews in America stated: Director of the Associated Jewish Philanthropies of Boston, who will dis­ "America has been a meeting place for Jews, representative cuss, "Economic Changes in American Jewish Life During the Twentieth Century." Dr. Selekman. of all the countries and customs. Thus, it has given oppor­ tunity for fusion and recasting of the Jewish character. Local prejudices and un-Jewish accretions are in process of removal. Essentials are becoming clearer to perception. ECONOMIC CHANGES IN AMERICAN JEWISH LIFE From the mingling of the various elements may emerge a DURING THE TWENTIETH CENTURY tvpe representing the best of our modern and the best of ancient Israel. Israel in America is becoming stronger, BEN M. SELEKMAN wiser, more beautiful as German vigor for both learning and practicality and Russian idealism, enthusiasm and capacity for spiritual development are fused with the loyalty, stead­ Rarely has any era in Jewish economic history been as fastness, Jewish pride, simple dignity and intelligent regard glamorous as the three decades of American Jewish life be­ for olden things that have characterized the Sephardim." ginning with 1900. And yet rarely, too, has any other period of 30 years seen such economic contrasts. The Jews have given much to America and America has Thus some two million Jews poured into this country given much to the Jews. "In every country, even unto the since 1900. Yet this same period also witnessed the virtual giving of your life," taught Jeremiah, "be men of your coun­ closing down of America's gates. try; and at the same time be Jews; consecrate to each one Within these same 30 years the epic of the needle trades of your countries the human treasure which you have re­ unfolded. From sweatshops and slums scores of thousands ceived from Israel; and the peace of your countries shall be of poor immigrant East-European Jews lifted themselves to your peace, and the peace of mankind shall be your peace." decent and creative industrial citizenship. Yet of this epic, Thus did Jeremiah teach Israel its duty, and for Israel in too, we are now perhaps witnessing the twilight. America it seems destined of fulfillment. During these 30 years, also, we saw America change from THE CHAIRMAN : I am happy to announce that we are honored by the a land of almost untrammeled opportunity for Jews in presence of our friend, the Honorable Mrs. Julius Andrews, who is here to extend greetings from His Excellency, the Honorable Frank G. Allen, industry, trade and professions to one where prejudice and the Governor of the Commonwealth. discrimination have become increasingly menacing factors. MRS. JULIUS ANDREWS: Mr. Chairman, and Members of the Na­ We saw individual Jews achieve wealth and fortune on an tional Conference of Jewish Social Service: It is with a great deal of regret unprecedented scale; at the same time masses of Jews find that I announce that His Excellency is at the present time in Chicago, but themselves inevitably shadowed by the proletarian insecur­ he had expressed to me a few days ago that in attending this Conference I should be sure to bring to you his greetings and welcome you to the ities of an industrial age—unemployment, displacement, State of Massachusetts. tightening economic opportunities. At any time, it would be a great privilege to bring the greetings of a We saw the field of trade and distribution, always a parti­ Governor of this old Commonwealth, but because it is the greetings of the cular province of the Jew, emerge to economic preeminence present Governor, Frank G. Allen, I feel it is particularly appropriate to bring to you social workers this word from him. among the domains of industry; and by that very fact the On the first of January in 1929 and again on January 1st, 1930, the small store, first rung on the ladder of advancement for so greater part of his" message was devoted to the advancement of human­ many Jews, seriously weakened by chain, mail order and de­ itarian service. It was a most remarkable message in both years. I partment stores. rarely remember anv Governor in any State expressing himself with so much emphasis and keen interest in the welfare of the unfortunate, and Would that we had accurate data to outline the exact so it is because of that great humanitarian kindness in the heart of our detail of these currents and crosscurrents in American