Jewish Assimilation and the Ghetto

Julius T. Loeb, “Jewish Assimilation and the Ghetto,” Washington Times (Washington, DC), Jan. 4, 1903. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026749/1903-01-04/ed-1/seq-22/

JEWISH ASSIMILATION AND THE GHETTO

By the Rev. JULIUS T. LOEB, Minister of Congregation Adath-Israel.

    Politically and socially we Jews are but a part of that nation in whose country we have for the time being made our home. It is a characteristic peculiar to the Jew quickly to adapt himself to existing conditions and to become an integral part of the people of his newly adopted home. This is particularly so in these United States of America, where he is not molested on account his religion; where full rights of citizenship are granted to him; where proper means are afforded for the education of his children, and where colleges and universities are open for the Jewish youth as well as for any other citizen of the land. 

    By reason of his bitter experiences in the lands of his oppression, the Jew knows how to appreciate the privileges enjoyed in this land of freedom, and knows, too, how to avail himself of the opportunities presented for his improvement and enlightenment. 

    If, however, many of the newly arrived prefer to remain in the congested district of the ghetto, it is simply because they are held there in the clutches of penury and helplessness. As strangers in a foreign land, their own kindred naturally affords a better means for gaining a livelihood. But it is a fact well worthy of note, that every Jew knows how to withdraw from the thickly-settled quarter and procure for himself and family an airy and comfortable home the moment he feels himself capable of so doing and as soon as he is assured that his means will warrant his so doing. 

    Though the ghetto may have its dark side—which is due to the pitiable plight of its denizens—it is not devoid of particular graces, which may command the respect of civilized humanity. One may well be surprised to find therein a most wonderful craving for knowledge; to see how its public schools and all its educational institutions are overfilled, and how often the children of the poor ghettoites excel their better circumstanced associates in every line of study. You will rarely find among any other class so many who begrudge themselves the last morsel of bread in order to pay their children’s college fee and provide for their necessary accomplishment; so many young people who live on next to nothing, while plodding their way through the higher institutions of learning. 

    No strain is too heavy for the ghetto student; neither want nor difficulty will deter his steps. To give a graphic description of the ways and means whereby the Jewish youth in Russia attain their secular education will take up more than a volume, and will arouse the sympathy of even the most cruel Jew baiter. And yet what bright minds, what wonderful talent will be discovered in those gloomy centers of wretched and outlawed humanity. 

    It would require a long list to specify the names of shining stars throughout the civilized world that arose from amidst the “children of the ghetto.” If the world needed a Joan de Block, a Rubinstein, an Outokolsky, and such others, the Jewish ghetto had to provide them. 

    With an air of condescension the rabbi of Temple Emanuel, New York, points to the ghetto of the lower East Side, and expresses his disgust at the dress and language of its inhabitants, which he himself knows to be the outcome of long years of persecution. But even these matters are not as black as they are painted. The larger majority of the people there dress in American style, and speak the American language, which the young go even too far in imitating non-Jewish and anti-Jewish customs. 

    The very jargon language so much abused and hated is nevertheless an expedient means for the elevation of the masses of immigrants. Many a one has become, through it, well posted in politics and worldly knowledge. Many a one has, through it, been caused to take up the study of other languages, especially the vernacular. Following the example of the “Jewish Daily News,” which was first to adopt this system, the several Jewish daily papers issued in New York city have each an English department appended, which is well calculated to Americanize the elders, and to draw the younger generation to a knowledge of, and interest in, Jewish concerns. 

    Thus it may be seen that all the necessary provision for the elevation of the masses is being made by ghettoites themselves, and the advice of the reformed rabbi for an adoption of new and enlightened methods in social and political life is quite superfluous. As to his sever attacks, made particularly against Zionism, Jacob de Haas, secretary of the Federation of American Zionists, has answered, explaining the object of Zionism, which is to provide a legal home for the millions of our less fortunate co-religionists; those who are still writhing under tyrannical sway, and suffering ostracism at the hands of dissenting nations. He proved the fact that the movement can never impair the patriotic feelings of American Jews, who do not themselves purpose to leave their present home for any place. But they cannot, and must not, remain indifferent to a movement which will better the condition of Jews all over the world, and open a new era in the life of Judaism.