German Language Protestant Paper Here Prints Tribute to Jewish Philanthropist

As an answer to the wave of anti-Semitism which has swept over Germany, the Reverend William Weiler, pastor of the Ohio Methodist Church in Pittsburgh, has written an article entitled “And He Was a Jew,” published in the current issue of “Der Christliche Apologete”, a German language religious weekly, published in Cincinnati and circulated both in the United States and Germany. The article deals with the Jews of Pittsburgh and particularly with the story of Henry Kaufman, distinguished philanthropist of that city.

The Reverend Weiler states that he wrote the article in order to make a contribution toward the “eradication of prejudice against the Jewish people.” After discussing the attitude of Jesus, in pleading for tolerance for all, and noting that each generation of Christians is compelled to fight the evil of intolerance anew, Dr. Weiler disclaims any desire to appear as the champion of all the Jews. He praises the Jews of Pittsburgh for their charitableness and their generosity, not only to their own unfortunate, but also to all community welfare funds. Dr. Weiler calls attention to the fact that the Jews do not differ in any way from their fellow citizens of other nationalities and notes that the names of the richest people in Pittsburgh—Mellon, Carnegie, Frick and Schwab—have no Jewish ring.

“Henry Kaufman,” says Dr. Weiler, “came to the United States from Germany when he was 16 years old. He came to Pittsburgh to seek liberty and wealth. In the course of time he found both. He never forgot his youthful struggles and uses his wealth for all types of benevolent enterprises not only in Pittsburgh but all over the world.” In 1908 Mr. Kaufman founded the Irene Kaufman Settlement, in memory of his only daughter, with a gift of $200,000. This gift was followed by others from year to year for the erection of buildings and to meet expenses. The property value of this institution is rated at $800,000. In 1925 Mr. Kaufman gave the Settlement an endowment gift of $1,000,000. Even last year, “Uncle Henry”, as Mr. Kaufman is known, contributed some $46,000 toward the current expenses of the Settlement. Dr. Weiler estimates that Mr. Kaufman has given during his lifetime over $2,000,000 to various charitable enterprises. “What he gave by way of not letting his left hand know what his right hand is doing, the Lord only knows,” says Reverend Weiler, “And He Is a Jew.”