Letter to the Editor

Editor, Jewish Daily Bulletin,

I note in this morning’s “Jewish Daily Bulletin” a reference to the omission by the “Herald-Tribune” of the Saturday morning religious advertisement of my discourse on the theme: “Is Walter Lippmann a ‘Leading Jew’?” The presence of Mr. Lippmann’s name in the list of America’s “ten leading Jews” prompted me to this query.

I made it in no invidious spirit, inasmuch as a man so conspicuous and so notable as Mr. Lippmann must expect to have his opinions carefully scrutinized. I need scarcely say that I have utmost admiration for Mr. Lippmann, and agree with James Truslow Adams in his comment in the January 7th issue of the “Saturday Review of Literature”: “What happens to (Walter) Lippman in the next decade may be of greater interest than what happens to any other single figure now on the American scene.”

Mr. Lippmann’s approach to American and world problems is truly in keeping with the traditions of the Prophets. But I have carefully perused “A Preface to Morals” and other writings by Mr. Lippmann to discover references to the Bible and Jewish thinkers which demonstrate any sense on the part of Mr. Lippmann of “Schicksals-Gemeinschaft” with the Jewish people. The inclusion of Mr. Lippmann by Jewish editors in the list of the ten greatest American Jews gives evidence once more of the readiness of Jews to recognize among their number one concerning whose attachment to Jewish interests there has been a question for a long time. Perhaps the declination by the authorities of the “Herald-Tribune” to publish any sermon topic which by inference even raises a query as to Mr. Lippmann’s Jewishness may prove that they consider him one, and even perhaps that he likewise accepts with satisfaction the honor which has been conferred upon him. Free-ranging spirits may not welcome an invitation to stand up and be counted, but the Jewish people’s very interest in the degree and quality of Mr. Lippmann’s Jewish attachment must convince him that he ought make his position clear. An article on Jews or Judaism, acceptance of an invitation to speak for a Jewish organization, attendance at a Jewish community gathering or a contribution to Jewish philanthropies would be at least one token of his sense of identity with Jewish life.

The Jewish people have always held the door open to those who wish to enter actively into its aspirations. We trust that the day is not distant when Mr. Lippmann will effectively dispel any doubt as to his attitude regarding the people whose traditions and historic spirit form the background of his contributions to contemporary thought.

Sincerely yours,

Louis I. Newman.

January 11, 1933.