Digest of Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval-Editor.]

The conference for religious understanding which will be held this month in Olivet, Mich., on the initiative of the Fellowship for a Christian Social Order and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, is regarded by the Chicago “Post” of Aug. 3 as ” a striking illustration of the progress which is being made in this country toward religious understanding.”

“It is the first conference of its kind to be projected,” the “Post” observes “Never before have representatives of the Christian and of the Jewish faith come together officially for the discussion of ethical problems in which they are mutually interested from the standpoint of religion. The fact that such a meeting of minds and of hearts can be planned, and can bring to the same program and the same platform conspicuous leaders in both groups, is most encouragingly significant.

“Race relations and the common ground of the two religions for cooperation in behalf of social justice and international peace will constitute the chief themes for consideration.”

CARUSO STUDIED JEWISH CANTORS

That Caruso frequently attended Jewish synagogues in order to listen to the cantors, from whom he learned many things, is the statement appearing in the Oneontha (N.Y.) “Star.”

The “Star” quotes Caruso himself as having stated:

“I have discovered that the Jewish chanters employ a peculiar method of intonation and vocalization in their service. They are unexcelled in the art of shifting the melody, of picking up a new key or modulating their ritual chant and of overcoming vocal difficulties that may occur in the words rather than in the melody itself. For this reason I visit Jewish synagogues whenever I have the opportunity.”

WARNS AGAINST INTRODUCING MISSIONARY SPIRIT INTO JUDAISM

Objection to any effort to introduce into Judaism the missionary spirit, is voiced by the “Jewish Ledger” of New Orleans, which remarks in its July 30 issue:

“A missionary Judaism might gain quantitatively, but it would lose qualitatively. Besides, an organized effort to convert others by cajoling them into our faith and fold is altogether out of keeping with the sense and spirit of Judaism. Mission presupposes the conviction that safety and salvation are in the exclusive possession of one particular sect or creed. But Judaism does not maintain that it alone can save. Judaism lays claims to no such monopoly on salvation. It does maintain that it has superior merits. It does lay claim to nobler doctrines to a purer theology, to a better system of ethics and to a truer philosophy of life. But these advantages cannot be gotten by anyone who joins our ranks through ###oaxing and cajoling.”