Celebrate 275th Anniversary of First Jewish Settlement in U.S.

Boston Jews in thousands last night crowded the historic Faneuil Hall, “cradle of liberty,” to celebrate the two hundred and seventy fifth anniversary of the founding of the first Jewish settlement in the United States. An impressive array of distinguished guests, including rabbis and Christian ministers, men and women in the professional and educational fields and communal leaders, joined in greetings on this historic occasion.

PRAISES WORK OF JEWS

A special message from President Hoover to the meeting read as follows:

“The Jewish people have brought to this country both the treasure of their ancient tradition and the pioneer spirit that looks forward hopefully into the future. They have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the task of the nation’s upbuilding. In every national crisis they have shown their loyalty and devotion to the home of their choice and have made valuable contributions in every worthwhile field of endeavor. I felicitate the gathering of those who celebrate the passing of the 275th year of Jewish participation in American life.”

A message from Vice-President Curtis was also read at the meeting. Greetings were delivered by Congressman Sol Bloom of New York; Prof. Albert Bushnell Hart, eminent historian of Harvard University; Dr. Daniel Marsh, president of Boston University; Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, president of Columbia University; Louis Wiley of the New York Times; Rabbi David de Sola Pool of New York; Paul Wolman of Baltimore, National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mayor Curley of Boston; and Episcopalian and Catholic dignitaries.

All of them lauded Jewish achievements in this country and pointed out the three-fold significance of the occasion as follows: its historic value, its good-will spirit and its inspiration to Jews and non-Jews for future accomplishments.

TRIBUTE TO JEWS

Professor Nathan Isaacs of Harvard opened the celebration, introducing Alexander Brin, editor of the Jewish Advocate, chairman of the anniversary committee, who presided. The Rev. S. Parkes Cadman of New York, chairman of the Good-Will Committee of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, delivered a vigorous oration on the religion of the Jew, paying especial tribute to the Jewish prophets and sages of old.

Representative Bloom told how Governor Peter Stuyvesant admitted the first party of 23 Jews to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, which later became New York, in 1655 to form the first Jewish community in America, the vanguard of the 4,500,000 Jewish population of today. After recounting how Governor Stuyvesant admitted the first Jews, “provided the poor amongst them shall not be a burden to the community, but be supported by their own nation,” Congressman Bloom said:

“Have we fulfilled our contract made 275 years ago? To ask the question is to answer it. The Jewish system of charity has become the model for all sectarian charity in America. The genuine spirit of charity and philanthropy of the American Jew is recognized the world over. I, as an American, I, as a Jew, stand here and shout out with a justifiable pride that the Jew of America has kept the faith.”