Dr. Sigmund Freud, recognized throughout the world as the leading authority on psychology and psychoanalysis first announced his discoveries before the Vienna Lodge of the Independent Order B’nai B’rith of which he has been a member since 1897, a statement issued by the I. O. B. B. revealed.
“The B’nai Brith rostrum was the only one open to him at the time, the B’nai Brith lodge room the only oasis of welcome in a world which turned on him in hostility (though it has since done him homage) when first he enunciated his revolutionary discoveries of the operations of the human mind,” the statement declared.
In a letter to the Vienna Lodge of the Order, which arranged a celebration in honor of his seventieth birthday, Dr. Freud stated:
“I want to tell you how I became a Ben Brith and what I sought in your companionship.
“It was in 1895 that two strong impressions united within me, resulting in the same effect. On the one hand, I had gained the first insight into the human sensual life and had seen many things which might disenchant, perhaps even frighten one at first. On the other hand, the announcement of my unpleasant findings resulted in my losing the largest part of my human relations. I felt like one who is ostracized. In this loneliness there awoke within me the longing for a circle of select, high-minded men who would accept me in friendship in spite of my daring opinions. Your association was pointed out to me as the place where such men were to be found.
“The fact that you were Jews could be only desirable to me, for I myself was a Jew and I have always deemed it not only unworthy, but nonsensical to deny it. What bound me to Judaism was–I must confess it–not belief and not national pride, for I have always been an unbeliever and have been reared without religion, but not without the respect for those requirements of human culture called ‘ethical.’ Whatever national pride I have. I endeavor to suppress, considering it disastrous and unjust, frightened and warned as I am by the example of what national pride has brought to the nations among whom we Jews live.
“But there were other considerations which made the attractiveness of Judaism and Jews irresistible–many obscure forces of emotions, all the more powerful the less they were to be defined in words; and also the clear consciousness of an inner identity in common with yours, of a common construction of the soul.
“And soon there was added to this the knowledge that only to my Jewish nature did I owe the two qualities which had become indispensable to me on my hard road. Because 1 was a Jew 1 found myself free from many prejudices which limited others in the use of their intellect, and being a Jew, I was prepared to enter the opposition and to renounce the agreement with the ‘compact majority.’
“Thus, I became one of you, shared your charitable and national interests, won friends among you, and influenced those few friends who had remained with me to enter our organization.
“Of course, it was not a question of convincing you of my teachings, but at a time when nobody in Europe gave ear to me and I had not yet acquired disciples in Vienna, you gave me your kindly disposed attention. You were my first audience,” Dr. Freud declared.
SEES NO DENIAL IN RABBI KOOK’S STATEMENT
Sir:
Your issue of Sunday, July 18th, carries this headline followed by a long article: “Rabbi A. J. Kook Denies Statement Ascribed to Him by Agudah Leader.” But if you compare the two reports, you will find that there is no denial, nor any contradiction.
Mr. Jacob Rosenheim stated: “Rabbi Kook himself has authorized the statement that he could never urge orthodox Jews to support the Keren Hayesod.”
Rabbi Kook declared “that he never uttered a word against Orthodox Jews participating in the Keren Hayesod.”
You need but read the two sentences to see that they do not at all contradict each other.
Mr. Rosenheim based his statement on the message, which Dr. Moses Auerbach, a friend of Rabbi Kook’s, just returned from the land of Israel, had in his name brought to the Central Council of the Agudah. Rabbi Kook was right both times. He is a model logician and diplomat. He was right when telling Dr. Auerbach that he never urged Orthodox Jews to contribute: and again he told the truth when saying he never uttered a word against their participation in that fund.
Between his convictions, which do not seem to urge him to demand their cooperation, and the passion of Zionist leaders, who cannot stand nonconformity, he has found the via media.
Very truly yours, RABBI LEO JUNG.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine, 10th Ab, 5687.
JEWISH COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES
The Jewish Welfare Federation of Louisville, Ky., gave service to 130 families, totaling 650 individuals, during the first six months of 1926, according to the semiannual report made to the Community Chest by Mrs. Lula D. Krakaur, executive secretary of the Federation, which includes all Jewish charitable organizations in the city.
The Jewish Children’s Home, operated by the Federation, gave forty-two children 2,36? days of care during the last six months, the report stated. The Jewish Hospital Association gave twenty-six patients 429 days of service, which free service is paid for by the Federation. Workers of the organization made 1,055 visits into homes and institutions.
Following the close of the public schools the Jewish Welfare Federation had physical examination made for indigent children and aided in carrying out the recommendations of the physicians, Mrs. Krakaur said.
Congregation Beth Jacob Anshe Kroz of Chicago has purchased a building which will be used by the congregation as a synagogue.
Announcement of the winners in the Friedlander Essay Contest conducted by the Young People’s League of the United Synagogue of America was made yesterday.
The first prize of $25 in books was awarded to Irving Davidson, a member of the Young People’s League of Temple Ansche Chesed; the second prize to Miss Jeannette Becker, New York City and the third prize to Benjamin Hillson, New York City.
The judges in the contest were Doctor Jacob Kohn, Vice-President of the United Synagogue of America, Rabbi Israel Goldstein, President of the New York Board of Jewish Ministers and Honorary President of the Young People’s League, and Harry Schneiderman, Acting Secretary of the American Jewish Committee.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
