p. 11 | The Jewish Council

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 10, 1909

The Jewish Council.

THE Philadelphia papers of January 20 and 21 give quite full accounts of the great Jewish Council which was held in that city. It was attended by leading rabbis and lay members from all parts of the country. Reviewing the thirty-five years' work in America, since the founding of the American Hebrew congregations, it was felt necessary to emphasize the need of a revival of Jewish traditions and of greater enthusiasm in instructing the younger generation. They deplored the fact that many Jews were allured by Christian Science teaching; that the only justification for the Jew in the world was in his religion; and that he ought to hold to that religion. But there was a protest against the teaching of religion in the public schools; that the Jew demanded his Constitutional right of freedom from such teaching; that the decision of the Supreme Court that this was a Christian nation, was not true; in fact, that a book ought to be prepared for general circulation showing that this is not a Christian nation. There was great division of opinion, however, upon this, and some thought it was speaking disrespectfully of the Supreme Court to in any wise antagonize the decision of 1892 written by Justice Brewer.

It was decided unanimously that indorsement should be given to a plan to conduct a campaign in every state of the Union to secure to the Hebrews the right to celebrate the seventh day of the week for worship, and keep their stores open on the first day of the week. Very loose ideas, however, in regard to this were presented. They ask the civil authorities to provide purely civic Sunday laws without mentioning any religious terms in them; just as tho that would alter the substance of the law. It was also thought best to publish some literature upon this, and unite with others who were opposed to religious legislation. One of the great difficulties with the Jews at the present time is that they have so little real conviction over the actual observance of the Sabbath itself, that their testimony or protest amounts to very little against Sunday legislation.