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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/29505-8.txt b/29505-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a041f9 --- /dev/null +++ b/29505-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1344 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Suggestions to the Jews, by Unknown + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Suggestions to the Jews + for improvement in reference to their charities, education, + and general government + +Author: Unknown + +Release Date: July 25, 2009 [EBook #29505] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUGGESTIONS TO THE JEWS *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + * * * * * + + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. For | + | a complete list, please see the end of this document. | + | | + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + +SUGGESTIONS +TO +THE JEWS, +FOR +IMPROVEMENT IN REFERENCE +TO THEIR +CHARITIES, EDUCATION, +AND +GENERAL GOVERNMENT. + + +BY A JEW. + + +LONDON: +PRINTED BY JOHN WERTHEIMER AND CO., +CIRCUS PLACE, FINSBURY CIRCUS +AND MAY BE HAD OF +G. GALABIN, 91, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE. +1844. + + + + +SUGGESTIONS, + +ETC. + + "As the twelve tribes had many interests in + common, and, in some respects, formed but one + political body, the magistrates of all the tribes + met in general assemblies to consult for the good + of the nation." + _Jahn's History of the Hebrew Commonwealth._ + + +Whoever regards the state of our community in this country, must come +to the conclusion, that we have arrived at an important period, when +we can no longer defer the consideration of matters of vital interest, +if we would escape the well merited condemnation of the world at +large, or the just reproaches of conscience in ourselves. We stand in +a position where the past, the present, and the probable future are +alike presented to our view; the first to instruct and warn us, and +the two latter to furnish us with every motive to exertion which can +be gathered from the impulses of hope and fear, from a perception of +our own best interests and of those of our posterity. That the honour +and reputation of the Jewish body are and have been at stake, must be +granted by those who admit, as facts, the circumstances to which it is +the aim of this Pamphlet to draw the public attention. The great +majority of our poor are uneducated in the holy tenets of our +creed--in their duties as citizens--in the proper arts of life; while +poverty and distress abound in the dwellings of vast numbers of our +brethren, partially mitigated, indeed, not permanently provided for, +by the many excellent and worthy charitable societies which surround +us. These are truths which painfully arrest the attention of +individuals; and it becomes the duty of the whole, to seek the means +of meeting the difficulties of the case. In the ensuing pages I +venture to suggest some propositions for the purpose. + + +In all well constituted societies, it has been found necessary to have +a head, from which all government, laws and regulations, have +emanated. These governments have been formed either of one person or +more, the object being, "a means to an end," or more fully speaking, +"the production of the greatest possible amount of human happiness." +This fact is so universally admitted, that associations for every +object, whether religious or political, scientific or trading, have +recourse to a governing body for carrying out their particular views; +and, perhaps, I am not far wrong in stating, that the only exception +in Great Britain of an extensive religious community being without a +government is to be found amongst the Jews, not because the exigency +is less, but because, from their first establishment in this kingdom, +the want was never so much felt as at the present moment; their +position has now become matter of inquiry to every enlightened mind, +and many circumstances have recently shewn the disadvantages which a +want of system has entailed upon those who profess the Jewish religion +in this country--disadvantages which will be particularised as we +proceed. + +In the peculiar position of the Jewish people, I cannot find a term by +which to distinguish them, and must therefore apologise for adopting +those terms which are already in use. They are called _a nation_; and +I avail myself of the word: but in what consists their nationality? +They are termed _a body_: in what do they assimilate? They are +designated _the British Jews_: how are they identified with the title? +The phrase, "Members of a certain Synagogue," conveys to the mind the +only idea to which we can find any corresponding reality; for, in +truth, beyond what _it_ implies, the Jews are _not united_ for any +definite design or purpose; and while it would have been reasonable to +expect, _à priori_, that the votaries of a faith set apart from all +others, should have had some common bond of union in their affairs, we +are startled by the consideration that there exist at this moment in +London alone, a number of distinct Jewish Congregations, _independent_ +of each other, with separate wants and interests, having nothing in +common but their religion: and all the great and noble advantages to +be obtained by numbers, having a unity of purpose, are either +unrecognised, or merged and lost in that separation of interests which +makes the respective pecuniary benefit of each Congregation the +greatest, if not the only object of its existence. + +The provincial Congregations are precisely in the same injurious +position, and sensibly feel the want of a defined and constituted +authority--to decide upon many differences that arise--to interfere +for the extinction of animosities (trifling in themselves, but made +gigantic by continued contest) easy to be reconciled by a power to +which all would feel compelled to bow--yet as pregnant with important +consequences, if unchecked, as those causes which led for a period to +the downfall of monarchy in these realms. The evil appears, so far as +regards the Metropolitan Congregations, to have originated at, and +been continued from, the period of the second settlement of the +Israelites in this country. To the rapid increase of numbers and +wealth, during the absence of one efficient regulating power, we can +trace the successive formation of so many distinct communities. + +To those elements which ought to have contributed to our strength, we +thus owe our weakness, and that disorganisation and separation of +interests which characterises the various proceedings of our body, in +the formation of the necessary places of worship, and in other +affairs. Had our ancestors provided a government at the outset, or +placed us under the control of an adequate authority, no material +disagreements would have taken place. But the narrow policy which led +to the formation of parties, compelled them to _take_ what might have +been wisely and nobly given,--created feelings of aversion where the +affection of parent and offspring ought to have existed. The wealth of +the newer branches generated, on their part, a feeling of pride +equally to be deplored; and in losing sight of the necessity for +general co-operation, and for one common fund, every kindly feeling +gave way to mutual jealousy. The example once set, was soon followed, +and continues to be so on every opportunity: we blindly press onward +in the same irrational course, without staying to consider that we +impoverish the source, by continually increasing the number of the +streams. + +The same spirit of division (it cannot be called independence) enters +into the details of all the affairs of the Israelites in their +respective undertakings: it marks their general social position, and +leads to a universal separation of interests. Every charity is +encountered by another for similar purposes, in the east or west, as +the case may be, to be supported by private exertion, and by opposing +parties. One counteracts the other; both contend with all the force +and feelings of competitors for public favour. The strength which +would be tenfold if united, is wasted in petty rivalries, and in +endeavours after show, instead of being employed in seeking the +advantage of the objects to be benefited. Yet views of charity and +religion, which the Jews entertain in common, and the sympathy that +unites them, as it does individuals of every class possessing a +similarity of belief or feeling, render it desirable to resort to a +plan of centralisation and union, by which not alone the wholesome +_regulation_ of _charitable institutions would be effected_, but the +_education of the poor_, and the _intellectual advancement_ of the +_entire community_, would be accomplished. + + * * * * * + +The anxiety of the poor Jews for instruction,--of the trading classes +for moral improvement,--of the wealthy for a removal of civil +disabilities,--of the religious for some _alteration_ in the mode of +worship,--in short, of every portion and member of the Jewish +community, for an amendment of its social position, is so evident, +that the following suggestions are put forth in the hope and belief +that they contain the elements of a plan, which, if boldly and fully +carried out, will tend to elevate the Jews from their present degraded +and certainly unmerited position; and while it would improve _them_, +it would enable the Christian world to do that justice to their +talents and probity, for which at present, in an ignorance of their +true characteristics, little credit is given to them; not because +Englishmen are _now_ indisposed to act fairly or kindly to their +countrymen of a different religion, or from their indifference to the +wants of our co-religionists, but because (in the fear of thrusting +themselves before the public, where insult and contumely have too +frequently awaited them) the Jews have not collectively manifested any +desire for intellectual culture, nor attempted to disabuse the minds +of their neighbours from the prejudices of what, _as towards the +Jews_, may be termed _an illiberal and bigoted education_. As, +however, it forms no part of my plan to recapitulate the oppression of +the one party, or the quiet suffering of the other, nor to analyse the +causes, but to take the Jews as I find them, I will leave to others +the task of commenting upon the past, nor will I, by any invidious +remarks, prove that they have always been an ill-used body; yet I +cannot refrain from stating, that in no similar number of men in Great +Britain, labouring under the same social and political disadvantages +with themselves (unprovided for by the government, uninstructed, and +with very few attempts made, until recently, by their brethren, to +instruct them), will be found more humanity, kindness, honesty, and a +disinclination to heinous crimes, than in the body hitherto scornfully +designated _Jews_. + +Attempts at _extensive improvements_ are always _termed visionary_; +and every effort towards advancement has been always met by the +clamours of the ignorant and the interested. The general spread of +knowledge has had to contend with the opposition of party and personal +feelings; but these have never been enabled to stem the onward +progress of enlightenment with any strength: I would, therefore, +entreat those who with myself are seeking to carry out this scheme, +and to arrive at a better state of things, to persevere, nothing +daunted at the first repulse, but to continue their course, rising +superior to the paltry prejudices that may and will assail them, until +they have succeeded in procuring for their brethren, a name and a +station worthy of them in the ranks of society-- + + "For freedom's battle once begun, + Bequeath'd by _suff'ring_ sire to son, + Though baffl'd oft, is ever won!" + +Let us not forget, therefore, that it is our duty to enlist the +earnest co-operation of every individual that is to be benefited, and +in that designation is comprised every member of the community. As a +crime committed by a Jew, an illegal act, even an examination before a +magistrate upon suspicion, is made a disgrace to the race, and +reflects discredit upon the whole, the entire body--the very +religion--suffers from it. Every living Jew--the very memory of the +dead--demands justice; and as _individuals_ have it in their power to +contribute to the general _honour_ or _disgrace_, it is our duty to +implant the purpose that animates us in the hearts and understandings +of all our brethren. + +In a subsequent part of this pamphlet will be found, in brief detail, +a plan, which the necessity of the case itself seems to suggest as the +best means for ameliorating the condition of the Jewish body; and I +only refer to it shortly here, in order to state succinctly the +objects to be attained, and previously to an attempt, to show our +brethren of all classes and of every grade, how intimately the +interest of each is bound up with that of the whole. It is clearly +admitted that the children of the poor are not sufficiently educated, +or sufficiently instructed in the means of procuring their +subsistence, an evil which not only affects the present generation, +but spreads its baneful influence wide and deep into the future, and +may affect all the interests of our posterity. One great portion of +the plan, therefore, is to provide the means of education, to be +governed and guided according to rules which experience and +observation have proved to be the best, as selected from various +institutions and from Schools of Industry in this country. Another +principal feature of it is, to enlarge and strengthen the power of the +numerous charitable societies in existence, by providing a building +adapted to the whole, and which, by creating a unity of purpose and +management among the various administrations, will give a much larger +scope of action to the respective charities. A third portion of the +plan regards an adequate provision for an Anglo-Jewish press, which +will be found not only subsidiary to the objects already alluded to, +by publishing to our brethren every thing connected with those +objects, but will be seen to be in itself a most powerful instrument +for our mental advancement; and as it is requisite that such great and +important ends as these should be guided and controlled by one power, +so that each portion of this plan should lend to, and receive mutual +assistance from, the others, so that no differences of view should +intercept or mar the common benefit, it has been considered requisite +to provide for the constituting of a supervising committee or central +council, who would have the superintendence of all matters not +_ecclesiastical_. + +Let us contrast in our minds, for one moment, the present state of +things, with what an advantageous position we should hold, as a +community, if a plan like the above were in full and fair operation. +Let us "look upon this picture, and on that;" and who is there among +us that will not say, in the communings of his own soul, "This is a +concern in which it behoves me to exert every energy and power which +the Divine Author of our faith has bestowed upon me"? And while all +can bring their meed of power and energy to the task, to each, +according to his views, his feelings, or his rank in life, some +peculiar inducement appears for taking part in so laudable an +undertaking. + +I would ask the religious man, be he Jew or not, Is not a proper +observance of religion to be expected rather from the instructed than +the debased mind? Putting aside every high command to assist the +needy, is it not a duty to improve the worldly welfare of your fellow +man, giving him, at the same time, means which will develop his mental +faculties, and induce him to join you in prayer, and lead him to the +better observance of all his religious duties? To you, then, +worshipper of the Supreme Being, I appeal to join in this undertaking: +your future hopes, as well as your worldly welfare, are linked with +the fate of the poor and unenlightened Jews. Assist them--instruct +them--extend the provision for them in old age--let not the prejudices +which spring from worldly differences, or the rancour of sectarian +feeling, blind you to the great good you may achieve. Join early in +the glorious work--come even singly to combat with darkness and +disgrace. Every man may be the vanquisher of one illiterate spirit, +and bear him from ignorance and evil to knowledge and the brightness +of everlasting good. It is your duty especially, preachers of the word +of truth, to disseminate these principles from your high places; for +by opening the minds of the ignorant you teach them to laugh to scorn +the sophisms of conversionists, and enable them to judge better of +their religion and THEMSELVES. Unite yourselves then, ye pastors; cry +aloud, "There is a feeling of hope stirring among the Jews--they seek +for instruction, let us help them!" Address your exertions to inform +those who know less than yourselves--and you will have the inestimable +satisfaction of perceiving that the precepts of morality and virtue +will make their way with redoubled force to the hearts and +understandings of your hearers; that you will be enabled to impart to +all, whatever religion affords of hope and consolation and gladness; +cheering the afflicted in the hour of his adversity--proving to the +doubting spirit that "truth and good are one," and, in the exercise +of your sacred functions on _unclouded_ minds, + + "Allure to brighter worlds and lead the way." + + +In the prosecution of this scheme many advantages are offered, which +to the trader and mere man of the world are of considerable +importance, by bringing all our charities to a focus. Setting aside +the _great saving that could and would_ be effected _in the +management_ by united efforts, a much larger sum might be given to the +legitimate object of each charity, and a systematic and efficient +check upon each person receiving relief could be accomplished. + +The vast sums annually given to established charities and benevolent +institutions, form but a small item in the sum total of expenditure +for charity. Tradesmen, and indeed individuals of every class, are in +the habit of making continual donations to persons unknown, and +frequently unworthy. To those, then, whom these considerations +principally affect, I would say,--Put all your charities under a +salutary control, and, under a united management, sink for once the +mere desire to be chairman, committee-men, and managers. Act with +others, and not as if you only were _patrons_ and _founders_ of the +institutions you wish to see flourish. Unite for the purpose of doing +good, not for granting patronage. Assist in educating the poor and +needy, whether orphans or otherwise, and in afterwards placing them as +apprentices. As the honesty of their character, and the diligence with +which they exercise their calling become developed and known, so will +your reputation as honourable tradesmen increase. As _they_ will have +received the advantage of an education, in which religion and morality +will have been combined with whatever is necessary for their support +through life, no imputation of chicanery--no supposition of dishonesty +will attach itself to them, and _your_ word will be taken. When _their +religious_ observances are known, they will be appreciated; and _your_ +pledge of _honour_ as a _Jew_ will be guarantee for the quality of +your commodity. Thus everything is to be gained, and the +accomplishment is within your own power. Will you quietly sit by and +hear vituperation heaped upon your creed and upon yourselves, without +being roused to the slightest effort? I will readily admit that it is +only the prejudices of the ignorant and vulgar which draw the +distinction between yourself and the Christian: enlighten _him_ +therefore where requisite; associate as much as possible with him; let +your press address _him_; prove by _your_ acts, _your_ words and +dealings, the falseness of his assertions against you, and his sneer +loses all its sting from its inapplicability. Let the phrase, "_He is +a Jew in his dealings_," be an _honourable testimonial_, equally as +desirable to you as that "_He acts like a Christian_," is to our +fellow-citizens of the faith alluded to: and let those who think that +the only worth of the Jewish religion is to be measured by the +purchase-money offered for apostasy from it, find that the price they +pay is only a bribe for _seeming assent_ from the outcasts of society, +and that the very worst and lowest Jew is sufficiently informed to +know that he will not be raised by becoming a bad Christian, or an +infidel. It is equally clear that a bad Jew will never make a good +Christian: and I am not quite sure if we ought not to be thankful for +the removal of such an excrescence from our body. + + +In turning to those who are sometimes termed our aristocracy, that is +to say--the wealthy portion of the Jewish community, I would ask, Are +you contented that the stigma which unjustly presses on the Jewish +name should longer continue? I am free to admit that the Christians +rather than the Jews require to be enlightened upon this point; but +have you attempted this? What has been done by you for the elevation +of your brethren? But let all that is practicable in this respect be +attained, and you will ascend with them; as the majority become +refined in their manners, talented in their professions, known in +their dealings, so will you, always the most conspicuous, be exalted +with them. Honour will emanate from the people and be reflected upon +the leaders. Every onward movement of the middle and lower orders must +press you, the more advanced, into higher eminence: and it is +therefore necessary on your parts to procure for the body of which you +are a portion, the means of making its members of every class useful +and excellent citizens. While the poor are left to obloquy--no matter +who the rich may be--all will be designated by one common term of +reproach. + +While the great mass of the population is progressing in intellectual +power, the Jews cannot stand still and be at the same time respected. +The aristocratic class of the Jews is formed of men of wealth--of +wealth honourably acquired, and thus open to every man: but unless the +strictest regard be had to the education of our co-religionists, we +shall have that class, noted only for its money and its ignorance, +shamed into an unenviable notoriety by an indifference to the wants of +the majority, and dragged downwards with them into one general +obscurity. As wealth is within the attainment of poorer orders, the +requisite education should be at once provided for them--the +characters of all formed upon honest principles--the minds of all +cultivated and embued with useful knowledge--and the manners, so far +as is practicable, trained with a view to what is decorous and proper +in social life. Punish by your frowns, by public scorn and private +avoidance, the wretch who would cast dishonour on you by the +dishonesty of his dealings. The poorest youth of character may justly +aspire in this country to the honours of every station, and he will be +the more honoured and sought as his fair fame expands itself--an +example to his fellows--an ornament to his friends--an honour to his +country. One false step in early life (which, had he possessed that +education we contend for, might have been avoided), and he not only +closes the portals of distinction on himself--not to be reopened by +golden keys--but he becomes a source of injury to all his race. + +I should but imperfectly fulfil my task, if I omitted to address the +fairer portion of our community for their aid in this noble +undertaking. To those who know the deep extent of their influence, +although exerted within the limited sphere of the hallowed precincts +of home, I need not say one word in vindication of an appeal to them: +and who among us, either as husband, son, or brother, does not possess +a knowledge of this influence? Glorious hereditary traits distinguish, +in the eyes of every Israelite, the daughters of his race. The pure +affection that characterises them inspires all their actions, and +repays _him_, in the hours spent in the bosom of his family, for the +toils, the trials, and the hardships of the world. From an influence +so founded, what may not be expected from her who is entrusted with +the formation of the mind at that period when it is susceptible of +every impression for good or ill: nearly everything we possess of the +better and purer feelings of our nature, we can trace to the hours of +childhood, when all is subjected to the maternal sway. + +Even the tales with which she lulls to sleep may lead to pursuits of +honour; for as we find a prejudice firmly imprinted on the memory from +nursery stories, so may nobler views of men and actions be lessons +from the cradle never to be eradicated, but strengthened by subsequent +tuition. + +In after-age, woman controls and influences the stronger passions of +our nature: and no shape, no circumstance of life can occur, but +where, directly or indirectly, the relation in which she stands to us +affects every occurrence, and retards or gives an impulse to the +current of our lives; and as surely as her support is sought for by +her offspring, and her affection relied upon by her husband, so is she +capable of achieving all that is desirable in her family. Looking then +to each family among us for some support for this undertaking, we may +hope to have done something towards its fulfilment, when the mothers +and daughters of Israel shall become acquainted and penetrated with +its aim and tendency. _They_ can improve the condition of their +race--to _their_ understandings no suggestion is necessary as to what +course to pursue--to their hearts no stimulus required as an +inducement to assist in a course which concerns the intellectual +advancement and the happiness of their people. Where ends like these +are to be gained, they will be the first to perceive how much of what +is purely domestic, and within their own immediate sphere, may derive +advantage from their participation and advocacy. + +The humbler portion of my brethren, in whose _direct_ and more +especial interest a part of this undertaking has been contemplated, +will, it is to be hoped and expected, give it that assistance which +the case demands from them. Their welfare is the great object sought; +and I implore them, for whom so much is desired, not to meet with +coldness these efforts on their behalf--I implore them to be advised, +taught, guided and improved by those who only seek their own advantage +in common with that of the poor themselves. + +To smooth the rugged path of their toils--to elevate them above the +occasional frowns and ill-temper of those whom fortune has more highly +favoured--to alleviate their misery--to provide for their wants--to +recognise their claims--to prove that they are the objects of +solicitude to their true friends among the richer Jews--will be the +great result, as it is the great purpose, of this plan: but how can +their condition be improved, unless with an earnest disposition on +their own part towards it? Is obtaining occasional charity, that +relieves them only for a short period, the sole aim of their lives? Is +not the welfare of their children an all-powerful feeling with them? +Does the destitution of old age never occur to their thoughts, until +the moment that it commences, when helpless infirmity assails them? Is +not the thought of an hereafter sometimes present to their minds? If +their answers, their opinions upon these subjects, are what they +should be, and what must naturally be expected, I am sure they will +add, that they are prepared to go with me in the scheme for their +improvement and welfare; they will remove their children from the +contamination of vice--allow them to be taught honest trades as they +grow up--let them become men of use to the community, their cheerers +and supporters in affliction and age; and when not blessed with +offspring, there will still be a reward for the uprightness and +integrity of their conduct in that Asylum, which I hope we shall soon +see erected for their reception, when their strength and powers of +exertion shall be exhausted, where their labours shall cease, and +where the doors shall be opened for their future ease, without the +interference of private friends or their personal solicitations to a +patron. + + * * * * * + +Having somewhat concisely shewn the advantages to be gained by +adopting a scheme to be founded on the foregoing hints, I would +solicit the co-operation of all friends to my views, to commence +forthwith the formation of a General Committee or Council, consisting, +in the _first instance_, of those who are disposed to give their +personal or pecuniary assistance; and afterwards, during the operation +of the project, also of members selected by the public and popular +election of the Jews in all parts of Great Britain. The ultimate aim +of this Committee or Council should be to become (as they would, by +their superior knowledge and management) the governing body of the +Jews in this country in all secular matters. They should possess the +confidence of the community from their numbers, education, wealth, and +footing in society. From their public elections--from their ready +compliance to entertain and adjudicate upon all matters coming before +them--from their _public_ deliberations and well-weighed judgments in +general assembly from all parts, at stated periods, their position +would be independent, yet subject to the wholesome control of the +press and the opinions of their constituents. + +The necessity for such a governing body becomes daily more apparent; +and the advantages that would arise from it are incalculable. Without +giving any opinion on the merits of the question in the recent dispute +at Liverpool, if a government had been in existence, would the +unpleasant result of the establishment of a fresh congregation, +another independent and irresponsible party, have arisen, with all its +expensive appurtenances and its future jealousies, to say nothing of +the fact of another disagreement among the Jews, being trumpeted forth +by those who watch for opportunities to defame us. + +The truth is so apparent, that we think it requires little argument to +prove to the minds of those who will give the subject some +consideration, the propriety of immediately forming a Council, vested +with powers alike for the control and supervision of old +congregations, as for the supporting of new ones--for proposing and +carrying out laws and regulations in furtherance of the philanthropic +and educational portions of this scheme, and for assimilating all +Jewish arrangements, either provincial or metropolitan. + +The Society of Friends (whose social constitutions and government must +be the theme of praise even to the most casual observer) I would in +this as in many other details take as my model; for they are spread +over as large a surface as the Jews--consist, like them, of merchants +and traders--similar in numbers--superior in education, (although not +in mental capacity)--with a well-ordered and responsible +government--and we consequently hear of no distress or disorganization +among them; yet it is not to be doubted that as many causes for +interference occur in that body as in our own, but education, +discipline, and a well-regulated system for their poor enable them to +grapple with every question of good or evil, whether of retrogression +or advancement as it arises. + +The same advantages would so soon shew themselves in our own case, +that all the Jews would gladly accord with the arrangement, and as the +Council would have an ultimate influence on the management of the +funds, and have an opportunity of investigating into and advising upon +their distribution, an efficient system of relief would be formed--the +aged would be provided for--the ignorant instructed--and, as a general +consequence, the character of the Jew regarded with the homage that +every man pays to excellence under _every denomination_. + +Not to enter fully into further particulars upon the various subjects +within the immediate province of the Council, there is yet one of +_great_ importance, hitherto wholly disregarded, but intimately +connected with any extended plan of education and philanthropy, which +might be well submitted to their supervision. By a registration of the +names of every man, woman, and child of the Jewish persuasion, a large +amount of statistical information would be obtained, and the +concentration of the community facilitated--no claimant for any +purpose of education or charity, could or would be recognised, unless +upon the register--thus offering an inducement for every member of the +Jewish body to enter his or her name upon it; for this registration a +small charge, say one shilling, should be made, which would produce an +annual amount of about £1500 to be added to the general funds, for the +benefit of all; affording material assistance to the objects now +contemplated; and, while giving an interest to each person in the +public concerns, the required sum would be very trifling to the +poorest, when considered as giving them defined claims as recognised +members of a community. + +That the various Synagogues have the means of largely assisting a +liberal and progressive policy, not the most prejudiced upholder of +the present state will deny--nor will it be urged that they have +contributed to their fullest extent towards the education and +enlightenment of the rising generation. In a pecuniary point of view, +they could and would gain largely by adopting fully the views now +advocated; for they would transfer from their funds to those of the +Jewish public, all their pensioners: but they ought to be the leaders +in encouraging the objects, from a desire of improvement, instead of +mere pecuniary gain. In proposing the instruction of all the Jewish +children, therefore, and in taking charge of all the offspring of the +poor, I take from them all the claim generally resorted to for the +charitable interference of the Synagogues; as the poor will have very +little difficulty in maintaining themselves, if we maintain all their +children, to do which, it would be necessary to remove them to a +suitable establishment, properly provided and superintended, in +connection with a school of industry, in which all the trades and +useful arts of life should be inculcated. The school (Aubin's) at +Norwood gives the system as far as it can be properly acted upon; or a +new system, if necessary, could be arranged, having for its object the +instruction of the younger children, and the making artizans of the +more advanced in age. The expences of this arrangement would be much +less than generally imagined, and a considerable part of them could be +defrayed by the industry of the pupils; and the schools of the Society +of Friends at Ackworth, Sidcoat, &c. should likewise be our examples, +but accommodated to the necessary differences of the case. + +In conjunction with this establishment, I would recommend the +formation of a superior school for a limited number of boys in the +neighbourhood of the London University, where the most talented of the +scholars from the former school should be placed, at the public +charge, under the tuition of Hebrew, French, and German classical +teachers. The expenditure for board and lodging, and for attending the +classes during the term at the University school, and at the +University, should be defrayed out of the general fund; and some of +these youths might and should be trained to all the offices and duties +of our clergy, others to the professions of law and medicine, and all +other superior attainments of education. Accommodation should be +afforded at this place for a number of private or paying pupils, to +have the advantages of all the means of instruction provided, and of +the general management of the house, with the privilege of attending +the University, and of having their studies likewise superintended at +the house by the professors engaged. The fees for their admission and +support would considerably lessen the expences of the whole +establishment, and enable the younger branches of the Jews to receive +a sound, religious, and classical education. This would give an +opportunity for the development of all the higher attributes of the +mind; and as the youth assembled there would be all of the best +instructed of the rising and future generations, every province in +England and the Colonies would naturally come there for its tutors and +clergy. Inducements thus held out for the cultivation of talent in all +classes, would be gradually to render the whole body of the Jews well +informed. + +It is unnecessary to say more here upon this subject. The minor +points, being for the consideration of the Council, shall be +forthcoming at the proper time: but I believe the removal of the young +from the old, at an early age, very desirable; for, the contamination +of evil example, of vicious and dishonourable pursuits, tends to undo +the instruction they receive at present, and is the cause of so small +a number attending the places already provided for their instruction. +The object must be, therefore, to make the school attractive to the +children, and an advantage to the parents. + + * * * * * + +By the amalgamation of the Jewish charities is not to be understood +the depriving of any of the present institutions of their funds, or of +their control over them, nor do I wish to divert legacies or the +accumulations of years from their legitimate channels, but to secure +an efficient centralisation, with wholesome and necessary control; for +it must be admitted that, independent of the money so liberally +bestowed by the wealthy portion of the Jews, the humblest as well as +the most distinguished give continually large sums in proportion to +their incomes. + +Not a Sunday, and scarcely a day, passes, but contributions are +solicited from the poorer traders of the Jews, to which the most +indigent add their pence, with the _true_ feelings of Jewish +benevolence, in the hope of mitigating the poignant sufferings of the +applicants. "The charity which plenty gives to poverty is human and +earthly, but it becomes divine and heavenly when poverty gives to +want." + +The great sums distributed in known or public charities are more than +doubled by the continual call upon the purses of the donors; and being +so well answered, it is impossible to calculate the amount. + +The wealthy are daily subjected to these visitations, and in few +instances is the immediate pecuniary relief refused. It is scarcely +necessary to point out the expensiveness of this mode of relief, it +being self-evident; but that is a very small portion of the evil it +entails. If it ended here, I would say, Send not a mendicant, no +matter what his creed or country, from you unrelieved; as the very +necessity that induces the application is sufficient reason for +relief, should even the applicant be thought unworthy: but the +mischief STOPS not here; it is only the _commencement_--it encourages, +instead of checking, mendicity--it produces beggars where it should +make artizans--it encourages consumers instead of helping +producers--it assists idlers when its object is and should be to +support the industrious.[A] + +All indiscriminate charity must therefore be an evil to the body, an +injury to the community: it begets a class of persons that spend the +easily obtained funds as improperly as they were procured--it degrades +the minds of the recipients, while the wealthy donors look more +frequently with disgust than compassion on the receiver; in short, no +persons can become more debased in mind and body than habitual beggars, +of which a very large number exists among the Jews--uncontrolled, +unchecked, and unprovided for--in spite of all the efforts of the +"charities" and Synagogue funds, nearly all of which are casual. The +sums thus distributed should, and would, suffice to maintain all the +paupers of the Jews; but the inefficiency of the administration permits +them to devote their entire time in successfully preventing one +charitable institution from arriving at the knowledge of what they +receive from another, and to extort from private sources as much as +possible. + +These are facts known to us all: but, in the charitableness of our +hearts, we fear to come boldly forward and provide at once entirely +for all these mendicants, who should be properly taken care of, +clothed, fed, and housed; and the expenditures of the present day +would be sufficient, if carefully arranged. + +By the withdrawal from the public eye of all these unfortunate beings, +a great improvement would appear, and certainly be very soon effected. +The pernicious example would be unknown to the young; and the idly +disposed would find the fee simple of their present estates devoted to +the purchase of useful, industrious, and honest means of procuring +them their subsistence. + +Through the want of a well-regulated system of relief, under check and +control, every beggar is an independent member of the Jewish +commonwealth, employed in seeking, the entire day, whom to devour, +considering himself entirely at liberty, morally and physically, to +devote his entire time to the readiest way of getting money--honestly +if he can, that is, by persevering importunity, but frequently by +false representations, and other more disreputable means, of which the +law takes no immediate cognizance. + +_We_ continually see the state to which this reduces him, but HE feels +not the degradation to which he has become familiar, habit reconciling +and making attractive his course of life, whatever may have been his +feelings at the commencement of it. The persons who condemn are those +who have driven him to this base means of existence; the facility with +which money is obtained from those who give (through the habit of +doing so from having seen their parents do it, or because they believe +the distressed is a poor Jew and has _no recognised_ refuge), induces +an opinion that this is the proper and legitimate mode of Jewish +charity: but no really laudable feeling enters the mind of either; nor +does the giver always think he is conferring a benefit: he treats the +applicant for relief generally as "a fugitive and vagabond on the +earth," forgetting entirely that the debasement of this mind, the +ignorance of this man, the slur that is cast upon the Jews by this +individual, is entirely their own act. They, the wealthy, the honored, +the enlightened, the pride of the people, are the culprits--not the +poor, the ignorant, the destitute. Cheerfully might these be induced +to regard the means of supporting themselves by their own industry. +How gladly would they avail themselves of a reputable institution to +receive them,--a house to shelter them--a supervision to protect, an +asylum to support them! But have the leaders attended to this? + +It is true, and honourable, and worthy of the highest praise, that +many sources of relief exist, founded by the thoughtful, supported by +the charitable, governed by the indefatigable; but many of these even, +it is reported, have been commenced by those who are but little +elevated above poverty in the neighbourhood where the distress has +been most evident, and maintained subsequently by the personal +interference of individuals, and the stringent appeals of private +friends, which could not have been refused if wished, which dared not +be neglected. An exception, the Jews' Hospital, was the emanation of a +noble mind, and, backed by disinterested perseverance, induced all to +contribute to so bold an undertaking, commencing from the highest: its +sphere of benefit is, however, very limited. Unfortunately, few among +us investigate whether any good, or what, is achieved by other +societies to which all are ready and willing contributors. But the +time has come, hastened by the Anglo-Jewish press, when we all see the +necessity for action to the purpose, and immediate. We can do it well, +at less expense; with less trouble, with more dignity to ourselves, +and with more honour to our successors, than any class of +conversionists can do it for us; and certainly much more effectually +when we commence, as years of ineffectual effort on their part have +proved. + +_Our_ motives cannot be impugned; the object being the purest and +holiest command "to honour and succour the aged;" persons unknown to +us, unconnected in every way with us except by their adoration and +worship of the Creator by the same means, forms, and language. + +I would suggest to all the charities as at present constituted, while +their usefulness must be admitted, that their government, although it +is to a limited extent good, does not answer many of the purposes that +are desirable; nor does it prevent an individual obtaining from _all_ +sources the donations they distribute; nor do the present methods +provide _entirely_ for the object to be benefited. + +Let, then, the present _funds_ of all the charities be united, with +grants from the congregations, and gifts or loans from private +individuals. These will amount, in a very short time, to a sum +sufficiently large to build one house for the reception of the aged +decayed, the blind, the deaf and dumb, the idiotic, the helpless, and +the temporarily destitute: the really destitute only to be admissible. +Relief from all other quarters should be withheld, or a proper officer +for the distribution of charity appointed; but if the friends of any +of the inmates can contribute to their maintenance, they should do so +to the general fund. This building should be divided into wards, each +separate ward to be under the control, and supplied by the funds of +the charity to which it at present approximates nearest: the objects +of their solicitude would thus be under their immediate observation, +and deriving much greater advantages than it is possible now to give. +The existing committees would receive the voluntary subscriptions as +at present, and devote them to the same purposes; but the infirm and +poor would be entirely provided with every necessary, and a home. The +details, however, must be left until the rules for general management +are arranged: but it should be a fundamental principle, that every +member of each committee should be a member of the general board; and +a part of the details, that the beds in wards for the aged should be +fitted as those at Greenwich Hospital; and that every committee man +should have the power to inspect _every_ ward. For the purpose of +example, let us suppose the ward for the aged destitute established; +the society whose object approaches nearest should take the +management, and subscribe towards the general fund according to its +means, say £1000. + +Their subsequent annual contribution must be arranged in proportion to +its revenue: for if their present income is £150 per annum, they can +now only disburse £100, the remainder being swallowed up for various +expenses. It would be desirable and easy for them to devote the larger +sum, or nearly their entire means, to the purposes of the ward. + +The same system adopted throughout the house would be ample for its +support; and each charity would be carrying out to its greatest extent +the object of its formation. In every ward there should be a tablet +with the names of the Founders, Committee, and Subscribers above a +certain sum. A portion of the expences of the establishment would be +yielded by itself; the money now expended in managements would be +produced by the registration; and any other deficiency, by the general +fund. + +The Society of Friends have a general register; and every member +contributes to the local funds, these again to the general: thus +sufficient sums are obtained for all proper and legitimate purposes. A +somewhat similar _modus operandi_ I would advocate for our adoption: +the country congregations, being relieved from all expences except +those of a religious or congregational character, would be enabled to +support with more honour and better remuneration the clergy--who, +feeling themselves (as their education should command) independent of +obligation to their auditory, would preach the noblest and highest +precepts of their creed, and urge a better worldly bearing. + +To this advantage, which would be an indirect although certain result +of a proper administration of the funds, would be added a beneficial +influence on the head of the clergy--who, being the leader of highly +educated gentlemen, would find it impossible to govern, unless +possessing the same learning and acquirements; and thus we should +ensure an elevated clergy, to which the most wealthy might with honour +aspire. + +In the execution of a scheme which depends greatly upon the majority +of the community, for whom it is intended, taking not only a clear and +comprehensive view of their present position, but upon their becoming +deeply, and daily more deeply, interested in the amelioration of that +position--which relies upon extending to all the feelings of a part, +and will be successful in the highest degree whenever anything like +this unanimity of feeling prevails--the power of a well-directed press +must be admitted not only to be great, but the necessity of it in a +measure to be indispensable. What has been effected for mankind at all +periods, since it has become within possibility to move the springs of +feeling and of volition by this more than electric force, after having +illuminated the mind by floods of light from the concentration of +opinions, the wisest and most just, is matter of notoriety to all: and +it cannot be necessary, at this time of day, to enumerate those great +events, whose earliest origin being traced to some important want of +the human race, or to some one of the great and abiding principles of +our nature, yet owe their consummation wholly to the facility by which +mind communicates with mind, enabling the truth of those principles to +be tested by the universality of their reception, and by which the +objections of prejudice and ignorance being destroyed, truth and +justice themselves are at last brought into action-- + + "Immutable, immaculate, immortal." + +With an Anglo-Jewish press devoted to the propositions here advocated, +and to the general cause of Judaism--prepared to vindicate the Jews at +all times from the aspersions of interested and prejudiced writers, +enabling all of us to understand the wants of our community--capable +by the force of its reasoning or the keenness of its satire, of +improving the manners, tastes, habits, and pursuits of all--placing us +before the eyes of our Christian fellow-countrymen in our own just +characters, to correct the false impressions they may have +received--with a power such as this pressing upon the general +consideration, a large and liberal scheme of charity and education, +and enforcing the wise decisions of our central Council--with such a +press might we not reasonably hope that a few short years would +behold-- + + "The Jew an honored name!" + +A journal to subserve such purposes ought necessarily to be placed on +an independent footing: and it would, therefore, become the immediate +duty of the Council, on its formation, to look to its establishment or +to its support. It is admitted that a journal exists; but the apathy +which meets the efforts of individuals among the Jews to benefit their +brethren, has extended itself to this: but it still might be made +available for all the ends we seek, by means within the powers of the +Council, which would yet leave the press perfectly unfettered. + +It cannot come within the province of this pamphlet to state at length +what the contents of such a journal ought to be; but, besides those +general objects already stated, it might be made the vehicle for +affording a large amount of statistical information on the numbers, +callings, and education of the Jews--the incomes and expenditures of +charitable societies and Synagogues. It should, by extracts from our +authentic historians, etc. make us better acquainted with the +knowledge of the past, and at all times, by researches into the +constitutional principles of this nation, and by asserting the just +right of human kind, convince Englishmen that we are _their_ +COUNTRYMEN, and that, by birth, we are as much entitled to the +privileges of our country as the proudest noble who traces his +pedigree from the Conquest. + + * * * * * + +I cannot conclude without imploring the Jews to shake off that +terrible apathy and coldness which have from time immemorial grown +upon them, which have hitherto depressed their energies, and left +them the sport and passive creatures of circumstance. If they have +sunk into a state of listlessness, in the first place, from the +oppression which their ancestors endured in past times--and if they +have continued in that state, from a variety of causes, some of which +are faintly shadowed forth in the preceding pages, I yet hope, and +most devoutly hope, that the hour and the day are arrived for the +first step towards regeneration to be taken. The mists of prejudice, +it is indeed evident, are slowly giving way before the power of truth; +and it remains for our own exertions, well directed, under the +blessing of the Deity, to enable us to stand forth before the world at +large, in the clear noon-day light, in the possession of intelligence +and virtue, and honoured and respected accordingly; demonstrating that +in England, integrity, patriotism, and good conduct, meet their +reward, when known, under whatever creed they present themselves. + + + * * * * * + + + *** As the object of the writer of this pamphlet is to ensure + the co-operation of all those Members of the Jewish community + who agree with him in the desire of attaining the objects + suggested, he solicits their communications to be addressed F., + at G. Galabin's, Printer, 91, Bartholomew Close. + + _London, March, 29th, 1844._ + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] "By false compassion we injure the community: industry will go to +ruin; sloth will predominate; men will no longer depend on themselves, +but, having from their own conduct nothing to hope or fear, they will +look to their neighbours for support; they will first abandon their +duty, and then be a burden on the public."--_Tacitus._ + + +J. Wertheimer & Co., Printers, Circus Place, Finsbury Circus. + + + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + | Typographical errors corrected in text: | + | | + | Page 28: supppose replaced with suppose | + | | + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Suggestions to the Jews, by Unknown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUGGESTIONS TO THE JEWS *** + +***** This file should be named 29505-8.txt or 29505-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/5/0/29505/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Suggestions to the Jews + for improvement in reference to their charities, education, + and general government + +Author: Unknown + +Release Date: July 25, 2009 [EBook #29505] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUGGESTIONS TO THE JEWS *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="cen" style="font-weight: bold;">Transcriber's Note:</p> +<br /> +<p class="noin" style="text-align: left;">Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. +For a complete list, please see the <span style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="#TN">end of this document</a>.</span></p> +</div> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<h2>SUGGESTIONS</h2> + +<h4>TO</h4> + +<h1>THE JEWS,</h1> + +<h4>FOR</h4> + +<h3>IMPROVEMENT IN REFERENCE<br /> +TO THEIR<br /> +CHARITIES, EDUCATION,</h3> + +<h4>AND</h4> + +<h3>GENERAL GOVERNMENT.</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h3>BY A JEW.</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h5>LONDON:<br /> +PRINTED BY JOHN WERTHEIMER AND CO.,<br /> +CIRCUS PLACE, FINSBURY CIRCUS<br /> +AND MAY BE HAD OF<br /> +G. GALABIN, 91, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.<br /> +1844.</h5> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span><br /> + +<h2>SUGGESTIONS,</h2> + +<h4>ETC.</h4> + +<div class="block2"><p>"As the twelve tribes had many interests in +common, and, in some respects, formed but one +political body, the magistrates of all the tribes +met in general assemblies to consult for the good +of the nation."</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Jahn's History of the Hebrew Commonwealth.</i></p></div> +<br /> + +<p>Whoever regards the state of our community in this country, must come +to the conclusion, that we have arrived at an important period, when we +can no longer defer the consideration of matters of vital interest, if +we would escape the well merited condemnation of the world at large, or +the just reproaches of conscience in ourselves. We stand in a position +where the past, the present, and the probable future are alike +presented to our view; the first to instruct and warn us, and the two +latter to furnish us with every motive to exertion which can be +gathered from the impulses of hope and fear, from a perception of our +own best interests and of those of our posterity. That the honour and +reputation of the Jewish body are and have been at stake, must be +granted by those who admit, as facts, the circumstances to which it is +the aim of this Pamphlet to draw the public attention. The great +majority of our poor are uneducated in the holy tenets of our creed—in +their duties as citizens—in the proper arts of life; while poverty and +distress abound in the dwellings of vast numbers of our brethren, +partially mitigated, indeed, not permanently provided for, by the many +excellent and worthy charitable societies which surround us. These are +truths which painfully arrest the attention of individuals; and it +becomes the duty of the whole, to seek the means of meeting the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>difficulties of the case. In the ensuing pages I venture to suggest +some propositions for the purpose.</p> + +<br /> + +<p>In all well constituted societies, it has been found necessary to have +a head, from which all government, laws and regulations, have emanated. +These governments have been formed either of one person or more, the +object being, "a means to an end," or more fully speaking, "the +production of the greatest possible amount of human happiness." This +fact is so universally admitted, that associations for every object, +whether religious or political, scientific or trading, have recourse to +a governing body for carrying out their particular views; and, perhaps, +I am not far wrong in stating, that the only exception in Great Britain +of an extensive religious community being without a government is to be +found amongst the Jews, not because the exigency is less, but because, +from their first establishment in this kingdom, the want was never so +much felt as at the present moment; their position has now become +matter of inquiry to every enlightened mind, and many circumstances +have recently shewn the disadvantages which a want of system has +entailed upon those who profess the Jewish religion in this +country—disadvantages which will be particularised as we proceed.</p> + +<p>In the peculiar position of the Jewish people, I cannot find a term by +which to distinguish them, and must therefore apologise for adopting +those terms which are already in use. They are called <i>a nation</i>; and I +avail myself of the word: but in what consists their nationality? They +are termed <i>a body</i>: in what do they assimilate? They are designated +<i>the British Jews</i>: how are they identified with the title? The phrase, +"Members of a certain Synagogue," conveys <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>to the mind the only idea to +which we can find any corresponding reality; for, in truth, beyond what +<i>it</i> implies, the Jews are <i>not united</i> for any definite design or +purpose; and while it would have been reasonable to expect, <i>à priori</i>, +that the votaries of a faith set apart from all others, should have had +some common bond of union in their affairs, we are startled by the +consideration that there exist at this moment in London alone, a number +of distinct Jewish Congregations, <i>independent</i> of each other, with +separate wants and interests, having nothing in common but their +religion: and all the great and noble advantages to be obtained by +numbers, having a unity of purpose, are either unrecognised, or merged +and lost in that separation of interests which makes the respective +pecuniary benefit of each Congregation the greatest, if not the only +object of its existence.</p> + +<p>The provincial Congregations are precisely in the same injurious +position, and sensibly feel the want of a defined and constituted +authority—to decide upon many differences that arise—to interfere for +the extinction of animosities (trifling in themselves, but made +gigantic by continued contest) easy to be reconciled by a power to +which all would feel compelled to bow—yet as pregnant with important +consequences, if unchecked, as those causes which led for a period to +the downfall of monarchy in these realms. The evil appears, so far as +regards the Metropolitan Congregations, to have originated at, and been +continued from, the period of the second settlement of the Israelites +in this country. To the rapid increase of numbers and wealth, during +the absence of one efficient regulating power, we can trace the +successive formation of so many distinct communities.</p> + +<p>To those elements which ought to have contributed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>to our strength, we +thus owe our weakness, and that disorganisation and separation of +interests which characterises the various proceedings of our body, in +the formation of the necessary places of worship, and in other affairs. +Had our ancestors provided a government at the outset, or placed us +under the control of an adequate authority, no material disagreements +would have taken place. But the narrow policy which led to the +formation of parties, compelled them to <i>take</i> what might have been +wisely and nobly given,—created feelings of aversion where the +affection of parent and offspring ought to have existed. The wealth of +the newer branches generated, on their part, a feeling of pride equally +to be deplored; and in losing sight of the necessity for general +co-operation, and for one common fund, every kindly feeling gave way to +mutual jealousy. The example once set, was soon followed, and continues +to be so on every opportunity: we blindly press onward in the same +irrational course, without staying to consider that we impoverish the +source, by continually increasing the number of the streams.</p> + +<p>The same spirit of division (it cannot be called independence) enters +into the details of all the affairs of the Israelites in their +respective undertakings: it marks their general social position, and +leads to a universal separation of interests. Every charity is +encountered by another for similar purposes, in the east or west, as +the case may be, to be supported by private exertion, and by opposing +parties. One counteracts the other; both contend with all the force and +feelings of competitors for public favour. The strength which would be +tenfold if united, is wasted in petty rivalries, and in endeavours +after show, instead of being employed in seeking the advantage of the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>objects to be benefited. Yet views of charity and religion, which the +Jews entertain in common, and the sympathy that unites them, as it does +individuals of every class possessing a similarity of belief or +feeling, render it desirable to resort to a plan of centralisation and +union, by which not alone the wholesome <i>regulation</i> of <i>charitable +institutions would be effected</i>, but the <i>education of the poor</i>, and +the <i>intellectual advancement</i> of the <i>entire community</i>, would be +accomplished.</p> + +<br /> +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> +<br /> + +<p>The anxiety of the poor Jews for instruction,—of the trading classes +for moral improvement,—of the wealthy for a removal of civil +disabilities,—of the religious for some <i>alteration</i> in the mode of +worship,—in short, of every portion and member of the Jewish +community, for an amendment of its social position, is so evident, that +the following suggestions are put forth in the hope and belief that +they contain the elements of a plan, which, if boldly and fully carried +out, will tend to elevate the Jews from their present degraded and +certainly unmerited position; and while it would improve <i>them</i>, it +would enable the Christian world to do that justice to their talents +and probity, for which at present, in an ignorance of their true +characteristics, little credit is given to them; not because Englishmen +are <i>now</i> indisposed to act fairly or kindly to their countrymen of a +different religion, or from their indifference to the wants of our +co-religionists, but because (in the fear of thrusting themselves +before the public, where insult and contumely have too frequently +awaited them) the Jews have not collectively manifested any desire for +intellectual culture, nor attempted to disabuse the minds <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>of their +neighbours from the prejudices of what, <i>as towards the Jews</i>, may be +termed <i>an illiberal and bigoted education</i>. As, however, it forms no +part of my plan to recapitulate the oppression of the one party, or the +quiet suffering of the other, nor to analyse the causes, but to take +the Jews as I find them, I will leave to others the task of commenting +upon the past, nor will I, by any invidious remarks, prove that they +have always been an ill-used body; yet I cannot refrain from stating, +that in no similar number of men in Great Britain, labouring under the +same social and political disadvantages with themselves (unprovided for +by the government, uninstructed, and with very few attempts made, until +recently, by their brethren, to instruct them), will be found more +humanity, kindness, honesty, and a disinclination to heinous crimes, +than in the body hitherto scornfully designated <i>Jews</i>.</p> + +<p>Attempts at <i>extensive improvements</i> are always <i>termed visionary</i>; and +every effort towards advancement has been always met by the clamours of +the ignorant and the interested. The general spread of knowledge has +had to contend with the opposition of party and personal feelings; but +these have never been enabled to stem the onward progress of +enlightenment with any strength: I would, therefore, entreat those who +with myself are seeking to carry out this scheme, and to arrive at a +better state of things, to persevere, nothing daunted at the first +repulse, but to continue their course, rising superior to the paltry +prejudices that may and will assail them, until they have succeeded in +procuring for their brethren, a name and a station worthy of them in +the ranks of society—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"For freedom's battle once begun,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bequeath'd by <i>suff'ring</i> sire to son,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Though baffl'd oft, is ever won!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>Let us not forget, therefore, that it is our duty to enlist the earnest +co-operation of every individual that is to be benefited, and in that +designation is comprised every member of the community. As a crime +committed by a Jew, an illegal act, even an examination before a +magistrate upon suspicion, is made a disgrace to the race, and reflects +discredit upon the whole, the entire body—the very religion—suffers +from it. Every living Jew—the very memory of the dead—demands +justice; and as <i>individuals</i> have it in their power to contribute to +the general <i>honour</i> or <i>disgrace</i>, it is our duty to implant the +purpose that animates us in the hearts and understandings of all our +brethren.</p> + +<p>In a subsequent part of this pamphlet will be found, in brief detail, a +plan, which the necessity of the case itself seems to suggest as the +best means for ameliorating the condition of the Jewish body; and I +only refer to it shortly here, in order to state succinctly the objects +to be attained, and previously to an attempt, to show our brethren of +all classes and of every grade, how intimately the interest of each is +bound up with that of the whole. It is clearly admitted that the +children of the poor are not sufficiently educated, or sufficiently +instructed in the means of procuring their subsistence, an evil which +not only affects the present generation, but spreads its baneful +influence wide and deep into the future, and may affect all the +interests of our posterity. One great portion of the plan, therefore, +is to provide the means of education, to be governed and guided +according to rules which experience and observation have proved to be +the best, as selected from various institutions and from Schools of +Industry in this country. Another principal feature of it is, to +enlarge and strengthen the power of the numerous charitable societies +in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>existence, by providing a building adapted to the whole, and which, +by creating a unity of purpose and management among the various +administrations, will give a much larger scope of action to the +respective charities. A third portion of the plan regards an adequate +provision for an Anglo-Jewish press, which will be found not only +subsidiary to the objects already alluded to, by publishing to our +brethren every thing connected with those objects, but will be seen to +be in itself a most powerful instrument for our mental advancement; and +as it is requisite that such great and important ends as these should +be guided and controlled by one power, so that each portion of this +plan should lend to, and receive mutual assistance from, the others, so +that no differences of view should intercept or mar the common benefit, +it has been considered requisite to provide for the constituting of a +supervising committee or central council, who would have the +superintendence of all matters not <i>ecclesiastical</i>.</p> + +<p>Let us contrast in our minds, for one moment, the present state of +things, with what an advantageous position we should hold, as a +community, if a plan like the above were in full and fair operation. +Let us "look upon this picture, and on that;" and who is there among us +that will not say, in the communings of his own soul, "This is a +concern in which it behoves me to exert every energy and power which +the Divine Author of our faith has bestowed upon me"? And while all can +bring their meed of power and energy to the task, to each, according to +his views, his feelings, or his rank in life, some peculiar inducement +appears for taking part in so laudable an undertaking.</p> + +<p>I would ask the religious man, be he Jew or not, Is not a proper +observance of religion to be expected rather from the instructed than +the debased mind? <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>Putting aside every high command to assist the +needy, is it not a duty to improve the worldly welfare of your fellow +man, giving him, at the same time, means which will develop his mental +faculties, and induce him to join you in prayer, and lead him to the +better observance of all his religious duties? To you, then, worshipper +of the Supreme Being, I appeal to join in this undertaking: your future +hopes, as well as your worldly welfare, are linked with the fate of the +poor and unenlightened Jews. Assist them—instruct them—extend the +provision for them in old age—let not the prejudices which spring from +worldly differences, or the rancour of sectarian feeling, blind you to +the great good you may achieve. Join early in the glorious work—come +even singly to combat with darkness and disgrace. Every man may be the +vanquisher of one illiterate spirit, and bear him from ignorance and +evil to knowledge and the brightness of everlasting good. It is your +duty especially, preachers of the word of truth, to disseminate these +principles from your high places; for by opening the minds of the +ignorant you teach them to laugh to scorn the sophisms of +conversionists, and enable them to judge better of their religion and +<span class="fakesc">THEMSELVES</span>. Unite yourselves then, ye pastors; cry aloud, +"There is a feeling of hope stirring among the Jews—they seek for +instruction, let us help them!" Address your exertions to inform those +who know less than yourselves—and you will have the inestimable +satisfaction of perceiving that the precepts of morality and virtue +will make their way with redoubled force to the hearts and +understandings of your hearers; that you will be enabled to impart to +all, whatever religion affords of hope and consolation and gladness; +cheering the afflicted in the hour of his adversity—proving to the +doubting spirit that "truth <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>and good are one," and, in the exercise of +your sacred functions on <i>unclouded</i> minds,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Allure to brighter worlds and lead the way."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<br /> + +<p>In the prosecution of this scheme many advantages are offered, which to +the trader and mere man of the world are of considerable importance, by +bringing all our charities to a focus. Setting aside the <i>great saving +that could and would</i> be effected <i>in the management</i> by united +efforts, a much larger sum might be given to the legitimate object of +each charity, and a systematic and efficient check upon each person +receiving relief could be accomplished.</p> + +<p>The vast sums annually given to established charities and benevolent +institutions, form but a small item in the sum total of expenditure for +charity. Tradesmen, and indeed individuals of every class, are in the +habit of making continual donations to persons unknown, and frequently +unworthy. To those, then, whom these considerations principally affect, +I would say,—Put all your charities under a salutary control, and, +under a united management, sink for once the mere desire to be +chairman, committee-men, and managers. Act with others, and not as if +you only were <i>patrons</i> and <i>founders</i> of the institutions you wish to +see flourish. Unite for the purpose of doing good, not for granting +patronage. Assist in educating the poor and needy, whether orphans or +otherwise, and in afterwards placing them as apprentices. As the +honesty of their character, and the diligence with which they exercise +their calling become developed and known, so will your reputation as +honourable tradesmen increase. As <i>they</i> will have received the +advantage of an education, in which religion and morality will have +been combined with whatever is necessary for their <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>support through +life, no imputation of chicanery—no supposition of dishonesty will +attach itself to them, and <i>your</i> word will be taken. When <i>their +religious</i> observances are known, they will be appreciated; and <i>your</i> +pledge of <i>honour</i> as a <i>Jew</i> will be guarantee for the quality of your +commodity. Thus everything is to be gained, and the accomplishment is +within your own power. Will you quietly sit by and hear vituperation +heaped upon your creed and upon yourselves, without being roused to the +slightest effort? I will readily admit that it is only the prejudices +of the ignorant and vulgar which draw the distinction between yourself +and the Christian: enlighten <i>him</i> therefore where requisite; associate +as much as possible with him; let your press address <i>him</i>; prove by +<i>your</i> acts, <i>your</i> words and dealings, the falseness of his assertions +against you, and his sneer loses all its sting from its +inapplicability. Let the phrase, "<i>He is a Jew in his dealings</i>," be an +<i>honourable testimonial</i>, equally as desirable to you as that "<i>He acts +like a Christian</i>," is to our fellow-citizens of the faith alluded to: +and let those who think that the only worth of the Jewish religion is +to be measured by the purchase-money offered for apostasy from it, find +that the price they pay is only a bribe for <i>seeming assent</i> from the +outcasts of society, and that the very worst and lowest Jew is +sufficiently informed to know that he will not be raised by becoming a +bad Christian, or an infidel. It is equally clear that a bad Jew will +never make a good Christian: and I am not quite sure if we ought not to +be thankful for the removal of such an excrescence from our body.</p> + +<br /> + +<p>In turning to those who are sometimes termed our aristocracy, that is +to say—the wealthy portion of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>Jewish community, I would ask, Are +you contented that the stigma which unjustly presses on the Jewish name +should longer continue? I am free to admit that the Christians rather +than the Jews require to be enlightened upon this point; but have you +attempted this? What has been done by you for the elevation of your +brethren? But let all that is practicable in this respect be attained, +and you will ascend with them; as the majority become refined in their +manners, talented in their professions, known in their dealings, so +will you, always the most conspicuous, be exalted with them. Honour +will emanate from the people and be reflected upon the leaders. Every +onward movement of the middle and lower orders must press you, the more +advanced, into higher eminence: and it is therefore necessary on your +parts to procure for the body of which you are a portion, the means of +making its members of every class useful and excellent citizens. While +the poor are left to obloquy—no matter who the rich may be—all will +be designated by one common term of reproach.</p> + +<p>While the great mass of the population is progressing in intellectual +power, the Jews cannot stand still and be at the same time respected. +The aristocratic class of the Jews is formed of men of wealth—of +wealth honourably acquired, and thus open to every man: but unless the +strictest regard be had to the education of our co-religionists, we +shall have that class, noted only for its money and its ignorance, +shamed into an unenviable notoriety by an indifference to the wants of +the majority, and dragged downwards with them into one general +obscurity. As wealth is within the attainment of poorer orders, the +requisite education should be at once provided for them—the characters +of all formed upon honest principles—the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>minds of all cultivated and +embued with useful knowledge—and the manners, so far as is +practicable, trained with a view to what is decorous and proper in +social life. Punish by your frowns, by public scorn and private +avoidance, the wretch who would cast dishonour on you by the dishonesty +of his dealings. The poorest youth of character may justly aspire in +this country to the honours of every station, and he will be the more +honoured and sought as his fair fame expands itself—an example to his +fellows—an ornament to his friends—an honour to his country. One +false step in early life (which, had he possessed that education we +contend for, might have been avoided), and he not only closes the +portals of distinction on himself—not to be reopened by golden +keys—but he becomes a source of injury to all his race.</p> + +<p>I should but imperfectly fulfil my task, if I omitted to address the +fairer portion of our community for their aid in this noble +undertaking. To those who know the deep extent of their influence, +although exerted within the limited sphere of the hallowed precincts of +home, I need not say one word in vindication of an appeal to them: and +who among us, either as husband, son, or brother, does not possess a +knowledge of this influence? Glorious hereditary traits distinguish, in +the eyes of every Israelite, the daughters of his race. The pure +affection that characterises them inspires all their actions, and +repays <i>him</i>, in the hours spent in the bosom of his family, for the +toils, the trials, and the hardships of the world. From an influence so +founded, what may not be expected from her who is entrusted with the +formation of the mind at that period when it is susceptible of every +impression for good or ill: nearly everything we possess of the better +and purer feelings <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>of our nature, we can trace to the hours of +childhood, when all is subjected to the maternal sway.</p> + +<p>Even the tales with which she lulls to sleep may lead to pursuits of +honour; for as we find a prejudice firmly imprinted on the memory from +nursery stories, so may nobler views of men and actions be lessons from +the cradle never to be eradicated, but strengthened by subsequent +tuition.</p> + +<p>In after-age, woman controls and influences the stronger passions of +our nature: and no shape, no circumstance of life can occur, but where, +directly or indirectly, the relation in which she stands to us affects +every occurrence, and retards or gives an impulse to the current of our +lives; and as surely as her support is sought for by her offspring, and +her affection relied upon by her husband, so is she capable of +achieving all that is desirable in her family. Looking then to each +family among us for some support for this undertaking, we may hope to +have done something towards its fulfilment, when the mothers and +daughters of Israel shall become acquainted and penetrated with its aim +and tendency. <i>They</i> can improve the condition of their race—to +<i>their</i> understandings no suggestion is necessary as to what course to +pursue—to their hearts no stimulus required as an inducement to assist +in a course which concerns the intellectual advancement and the +happiness of their people. Where ends like these are to be gained, they +will be the first to perceive how much of what is purely domestic, and +within their own immediate sphere, may derive advantage from their +participation and advocacy.</p> + +<p>The humbler portion of my brethren, in whose <i>direct</i> and more especial +interest a part of this undertaking has been contemplated, will, it is +to be hoped <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>and expected, give it that assistance which the case +demands from them. Their welfare is the great object sought; and I +implore them, for whom so much is desired, not to meet with coldness +these efforts on their behalf—I implore them to be advised, taught, +guided and improved by those who only seek their own advantage in +common with that of the poor themselves.</p> + +<p>To smooth the rugged path of their toils—to elevate them above the +occasional frowns and ill-temper of those whom fortune has more highly +favoured—to alleviate their misery—to provide for their wants—to +recognise their claims—to prove that they are the objects of +solicitude to their true friends among the richer Jews—will be the +great result, as it is the great purpose, of this plan: but how can +their condition be improved, unless with an earnest disposition on +their own part towards it? Is obtaining occasional charity, that +relieves them only for a short period, the sole aim of their lives? Is +not the welfare of their children an all-powerful feeling with them? +Does the destitution of old age never occur to their thoughts, until +the moment that it commences, when helpless infirmity assails them? Is +not the thought of an hereafter sometimes present to their minds? If +their answers, their opinions upon these subjects, are what they should +be, and what must naturally be expected, I am sure they will add, that +they are prepared to go with me in the scheme for their improvement and +welfare; they will remove their children from the contamination of +vice—allow them to be taught honest trades as they grow up—let them +become men of use to the community, their cheerers and supporters in +affliction and age; and when not blessed with offspring, there will +still be a reward for the uprightness and integrity of their conduct in +that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>Asylum, which I hope we shall soon see erected for their +reception, when their strength and powers of exertion shall be +exhausted, where their labours shall cease, and where the doors shall +be opened for their future ease, without the interference of private +friends or their personal solicitations to a patron.</p> + +<br /> +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> +<br /> + +<p>Having somewhat concisely shewn the advantages to be gained by adopting +a scheme to be founded on the foregoing hints, I would solicit the +co-operation of all friends to my views, to commence forthwith the +formation of a General Committee or Council, consisting, in the <i>first +instance</i>, of those who are disposed to give their personal or +pecuniary assistance; and afterwards, during the operation of the +project, also of members selected by the public and popular election of +the Jews in all parts of Great Britain. The ultimate aim of this +Committee or Council should be to become (as they would, by their +superior knowledge and management) the governing body of the Jews in +this country in all secular matters. They should possess the confidence +of the community from their numbers, education, wealth, and footing in +society. From their public elections—from their ready compliance to +entertain and adjudicate upon all matters coming before them—from +their <i>public</i> deliberations and well-weighed judgments in general +assembly from all parts, at stated periods, their position would be +independent, yet subject to the wholesome control of the press and the +opinions of their constituents.</p> + +<p>The necessity for such a governing body becomes daily more apparent; +and the advantages that would arise from it are incalculable. Without +giving any opinion on the merits of the question in the recent dispute +at Liverpool, if a government had been in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>existence, would the +unpleasant result of the establishment of a fresh congregation, another +independent and irresponsible party, have arisen, with all its +expensive appurtenances and its future jealousies, to say nothing of +the fact of another disagreement among the Jews, being trumpeted forth +by those who watch for opportunities to defame us.</p> + +<p>The truth is so apparent, that we think it requires little argument to +prove to the minds of those who will give the subject some +consideration, the propriety of immediately forming a Council, vested +with powers alike for the control and supervision of old congregations, +as for the supporting of new ones—for proposing and carrying out laws +and regulations in furtherance of the philanthropic and educational +portions of this scheme, and for assimilating all Jewish arrangements, +either provincial or metropolitan.</p> + +<p>The Society of Friends (whose social constitutions and government must +be the theme of praise even to the most casual observer) I would in +this as in many other details take as my model; for they are spread +over as large a surface as the Jews—consist, like them, of merchants +and traders—similar in numbers—superior in education, (although not +in mental capacity)—with a well-ordered and responsible +government—and we consequently hear of no distress or disorganization +among them; yet it is not to be doubted that as many causes for +interference occur in that body as in our own, but education, +discipline, and a well-regulated system for their poor enable them to +grapple with every question of good or evil, whether of retrogression +or advancement as it arises.</p> + +<p>The same advantages would so soon shew themselves in our own case, that +all the Jews would gladly accord with the arrangement, and as the +Council <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>would have an ultimate influence on the management of the +funds, and have an opportunity of investigating into and advising upon +their distribution, an efficient system of relief would be formed—the +aged would be provided for—the ignorant instructed—and, as a general +consequence, the character of the Jew regarded with the homage that +every man pays to excellence under <i>every denomination</i>.</p> + +<p>Not to enter fully into further particulars upon the various subjects +within the immediate province of the Council, there is yet one of +<i>great</i> importance, hitherto wholly disregarded, but intimately +connected with any extended plan of education and philanthropy, which +might be well submitted to their supervision. By a registration of the +names of every man, woman, and child of the Jewish persuasion, a large +amount of statistical information would be obtained, and the +concentration of the community facilitated—no claimant for any purpose +of education or charity, could or would be recognised, unless upon the +register—thus offering an inducement for every member of the Jewish +body to enter his or her name upon it; for this registration a small +charge, say one shilling, should be made, which would produce an annual +amount of about £1500 to be added to the general funds, for the benefit +of all; affording material assistance to the objects now contemplated; +and, while giving an interest to each person in the public concerns, +the required sum would be very trifling to the poorest, when considered +as giving them defined claims as recognised members of a community.</p> + +<p>That the various Synagogues have the means of largely assisting a +liberal and progressive policy, not the most prejudiced upholder of the +present state will deny—nor will it be urged that they have +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>contributed to their fullest extent towards the education and +enlightenment of the rising generation. In a pecuniary point of view, +they could and would gain largely by adopting fully the views now +advocated; for they would transfer from their funds to those of the +Jewish public, all their pensioners: but they ought to be the leaders +in encouraging the objects, from a desire of improvement, instead of +mere pecuniary gain. In proposing the instruction of all the Jewish +children, therefore, and in taking charge of all the offspring of the +poor, I take from them all the claim generally resorted to for the +charitable interference of the Synagogues; as the poor will have very +little difficulty in maintaining themselves, if we maintain all their +children, to do which, it would be necessary to remove them to a +suitable establishment, properly provided and superintended, in +connection with a school of industry, in which all the trades and +useful arts of life should be inculcated. The school (Aubin's) at +Norwood gives the system as far as it can be properly acted upon; or a +new system, if necessary, could be arranged, having for its object the +instruction of the younger children, and the making artizans of the +more advanced in age. The expences of this arrangement would be much +less than generally imagined, and a considerable part of them could be +defrayed by the industry of the pupils; and the schools of the Society +of Friends at Ackworth, Sidcoat, &c. should likewise be our examples, +but accommodated to the necessary differences of the case.</p> + +<p>In conjunction with this establishment, I would recommend the formation +of a superior school for a limited number of boys in the neighbourhood +of the London University, where the most talented of the scholars from +the former school should be placed, at <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>the public charge, under the +tuition of Hebrew, French, and German classical teachers. The +expenditure for board and lodging, and for attending the classes during +the term at the University school, and at the University, should be +defrayed out of the general fund; and some of these youths might and +should be trained to all the offices and duties of our clergy, others +to the professions of law and medicine, and all other superior +attainments of education. Accommodation should be afforded at this +place for a number of private or paying pupils, to have the advantages +of all the means of instruction provided, and of the general management +of the house, with the privilege of attending the University, and of +having their studies likewise superintended at the house by the +professors engaged. The fees for their admission and support would +considerably lessen the expences of the whole establishment, and enable +the younger branches of the Jews to receive a sound, religious, and +classical education. This would give an opportunity for the development +of all the higher attributes of the mind; and as the youth assembled +there would be all of the best instructed of the rising and future +generations, every province in England and the Colonies would naturally +come there for its tutors and clergy. Inducements thus held out for the +cultivation of talent in all classes, would be gradually to render the +whole body of the Jews well informed.</p> + +<p>It is unnecessary to say more here upon this subject. The minor points, +being for the consideration of the Council, shall be forthcoming at the +proper time: but I believe the removal of the young from the old, at an +early age, very desirable; for, the contamination of evil example, of +vicious and dishonourable pursuits, tends to undo the instruction they +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>receive at present, and is the cause of so small a number attending the +places already provided for their instruction. The object must be, +therefore, to make the school attractive to the children, and an +advantage to the parents.</p> + +<br /> +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> +<br /> + +<p>By the amalgamation of the Jewish charities is not to be understood the +depriving of any of the present institutions of their funds, or of +their control over them, nor do I wish to divert legacies or the +accumulations of years from their legitimate channels, but to secure an +efficient centralisation, with wholesome and necessary control; for it +must be admitted that, independent of the money so liberally bestowed +by the wealthy portion of the Jews, the humblest as well as the most +distinguished give continually large sums in proportion to their +incomes.</p> + +<p>Not a Sunday, and scarcely a day, passes, but contributions are +solicited from the poorer traders of the Jews, to which the most +indigent add their pence, with the <i>true</i> feelings of Jewish +benevolence, in the hope of mitigating the poignant sufferings of the +applicants. "The charity which plenty gives to poverty is human and +earthly, but it becomes divine and heavenly when poverty gives to +want."</p> + +<p>The great sums distributed in known or public charities are more than +doubled by the continual call upon the purses of the donors; and being +so well answered, it is impossible to calculate the amount.</p> + +<p>The wealthy are daily subjected to these visitations, and in few +instances is the immediate pecuniary relief refused. It is scarcely +necessary to point out the expensiveness of this mode of relief, it +being self-evident; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>but that is a very small portion of the evil it +entails. If it ended here, I would say, Send not a mendicant, no matter +what his creed or country, from you unrelieved; as the very necessity +that induces the application is sufficient reason for relief, should +even the applicant be thought unworthy: but the mischief STOPS not +here; it is only the <i>commencement</i>—it encourages, instead of +checking, mendicity—it produces beggars where it should make +artizans—it encourages consumers instead of helping producers—it +assists idlers when its object is and should be to support the +industrious.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> + +<p>All indiscriminate charity must therefore be an evil to the body, an +injury to the community: it begets a class of persons that spend the +easily obtained funds as improperly as they were procured—it degrades +the minds of the recipients, while the wealthy donors look more +frequently with disgust than compassion on the receiver; in short, no +persons can become more debased in mind and body than habitual beggars, +of which a very large number exists among the Jews—uncontrolled, +unchecked, and unprovided for—in spite of all the efforts of the +"charities" and Synagogue funds, nearly all of which are casual. The +sums thus distributed should, and would, suffice to maintain all the +paupers of the Jews; but the inefficiency of the administration permits +them to devote their entire time in successfully preventing one +charitable institution from arriving at the knowledge of what they +receive from another, and to extort from private sources as much as +possible.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>These are facts known to us all: but, in the charitableness of our +hearts, we fear to come boldly forward and provide at once entirely for +all these mendicants, who should be properly taken care of, clothed, +fed, and housed; and the expenditures of the present day would be +sufficient, if carefully arranged.</p> + +<p>By the withdrawal from the public eye of all these unfortunate beings, +a great improvement would appear, and certainly be very soon effected. +The pernicious example would be unknown to the young; and the idly +disposed would find the fee simple of their present estates devoted to +the purchase of useful, industrious, and honest means of procuring them +their subsistence.</p> + +<p>Through the want of a well-regulated system of relief, under check and +control, every beggar is an independent member of the Jewish +commonwealth, employed in seeking, the entire day, whom to devour, +considering himself entirely at liberty, morally and physically, to +devote his entire time to the readiest way of getting money—honestly +if he can, that is, by persevering importunity, but frequently by false +representations, and other more disreputable means, of which the law +takes no immediate cognizance.</p> + +<p><i>We</i> continually see the state to which this reduces him, but +<span class="fakesc">HE</span> feels not the degradation to which he has become familiar, +habit reconciling and making attractive his course of life, whatever +may have been his feelings at the commencement of it. The persons who +condemn are those who have driven him to this base means of existence; +the facility with which money is obtained from those who give (through +the habit of doing so from having seen their parents do it, or because +they believe the distressed is a poor Jew and has <i>no recognised</i> +refuge), induces an opinion that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>this is the proper and legitimate +mode of Jewish charity: but no really laudable feeling enters the mind +of either; nor does the giver always think he is conferring a benefit: +he treats the applicant for relief generally as "a fugitive and +vagabond on the earth," forgetting entirely that the debasement of this +mind, the ignorance of this man, the slur that is cast upon the Jews by +this individual, is entirely their own act. They, the wealthy, the +honored, the enlightened, the pride of the people, are the +culprits—not the poor, the ignorant, the destitute. Cheerfully might +these be induced to regard the means of supporting themselves by their +own industry. How gladly would they avail themselves of a reputable +institution to receive them,—a house to shelter them—a supervision to +protect, an asylum to support them! But have the leaders attended to +this?</p> + +<p>It is true, and honourable, and worthy of the highest praise, that many +sources of relief exist, founded by the thoughtful, supported by the +charitable, governed by the indefatigable; but many of these even, it +is reported, have been commenced by those who are but little elevated +above poverty in the neighbourhood where the distress has been most +evident, and maintained subsequently by the personal interference of +individuals, and the stringent appeals of private friends, which could +not have been refused if wished, which dared not be neglected. An +exception, the Jews' Hospital, was the emanation of a noble mind, and, +backed by disinterested perseverance, induced all to contribute to so +bold an undertaking, commencing from the highest: its sphere of benefit +is, however, very limited. Unfortunately, few among us investigate +whether any good, or what, is achieved by other societies to which all +are ready and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>willing contributors. But the time has come, hastened by +the Anglo-Jewish press, when we all see the necessity for action to the +purpose, and immediate. We can do it well, at less expense; with less +trouble, with more dignity to ourselves, and with more honour to our +successors, than any class of conversionists can do it for us; and +certainly much more effectually when we commence, as years of +ineffectual effort on their part have proved.</p> + +<p><i>Our</i> motives cannot be impugned; the object being the purest and +holiest command "to honour and succour the aged;" persons unknown to +us, unconnected in every way with us except by their adoration and +worship of the Creator by the same means, forms, and language.</p> + +<p>I would suggest to all the charities as at present constituted, while +their usefulness must be admitted, that their government, although it +is to a limited extent good, does not answer many of the purposes that +are desirable; nor does it prevent an individual obtaining from <i>all</i> +sources the donations they distribute; nor do the present methods +provide <i>entirely</i> for the object to be benefited.</p> + +<p>Let, then, the present <i>funds</i> of all the charities be united, with +grants from the congregations, and gifts or loans from private +individuals. These will amount, in a very short time, to a sum +sufficiently large to build one house for the reception of the aged +decayed, the blind, the deaf and dumb, the idiotic, the helpless, and +the temporarily destitute: the really destitute only to be admissible. +Relief from all other quarters should be withheld, or a proper officer +for the distribution of charity appointed; but if the friends of any of +the inmates can contribute to their maintenance, they should do so to +the general fund. This building <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>should be divided into wards, each +separate ward to be under the control, and supplied by the funds of the +charity to which it at present approximates nearest: the objects of +their solicitude would thus be under their immediate observation, and +deriving much greater advantages than it is possible now to give. The +existing committees would receive the voluntary subscriptions as at +present, and devote them to the same purposes; but the infirm and poor +would be entirely provided with every necessary, and a home. The +details, however, must be left until the rules for general management +are arranged: but it should be a fundamental principle, that every +member of each committee should be a member of the general board; and a +part of the details, that the beds in wards for the aged should be +fitted as those at Greenwich Hospital; and that every committee man +should have the power to inspect <i>every</i> ward. For the purpose of +example, let us suppose the ward for the aged destitute established; +the society whose object approaches nearest should take the management, +and subscribe towards the general fund according to its means, say +£1000.</p> + +<p>Their subsequent annual contribution must be arranged in proportion to +its revenue: for if their present income is £150 per annum, they can +now only disburse £100, the remainder being swallowed up for various +expenses. It would be desirable and easy for them to devote the larger +sum, or nearly their entire means, to the purposes of the ward.</p> + +<p>The same system adopted throughout the house would be ample for its +support; and each charity would be carrying out to its greatest extent +the object of its formation. In every ward there should be a tablet +with the names of the Founders, Committee, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>Subscribers above a +certain sum. A portion of the expences of the establishment would be +yielded by itself; the money now expended in managements would be +produced by the registration; and any other deficiency, by the general +fund.</p> + +<p>The Society of Friends have a general register; and every member +contributes to the local funds, these again to the general: thus +sufficient sums are obtained for all proper and legitimate purposes. A +somewhat similar <i>modus operandi</i> I would advocate for our adoption: +the country congregations, being relieved from all expences except +those of a religious or congregational character, would be enabled to +support with more honour and better remuneration the clergy—who, +feeling themselves (as their education should command) independent of +obligation to their auditory, would preach the noblest and highest +precepts of their creed, and urge a better worldly bearing.</p> + +<p>To this advantage, which would be an indirect although certain result +of a proper administration of the funds, would be added a beneficial +influence on the head of the clergy—who, being the leader of highly +educated gentlemen, would find it impossible to govern, unless +possessing the same learning and acquirements; and thus we should +ensure an elevated clergy, to which the most wealthy might with honour +aspire.</p> + +<p>In the execution of a scheme which depends greatly upon the majority of +the community, for whom it is intended, taking not only a clear and +comprehensive view of their present position, but upon their becoming +deeply, and daily more deeply, interested in the amelioration of that +position—which relies upon extending to all the feelings of a part, +and will be successful in the highest degree whenever anything like +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>this unanimity of feeling prevails—the power of a well-directed press +must be admitted not only to be great, but the necessity of it in a +measure to be indispensable. What has been effected for mankind at all +periods, since it has become within possibility to move the springs of +feeling and of volition by this more than electric force, after having +illuminated the mind by floods of light from the concentration of +opinions, the wisest and most just, is matter of notoriety to all: and +it cannot be necessary, at this time of day, to enumerate those great +events, whose earliest origin being traced to some important want of +the human race, or to some one of the great and abiding principles of +our nature, yet owe their consummation wholly to the facility by which +mind communicates with mind, enabling the truth of those principles to +be tested by the universality of their reception, and by which the +objections of prejudice and ignorance being destroyed, truth and +justice themselves are at last brought into action—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Immutable, immaculate, immortal."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>With an Anglo-Jewish press devoted to the propositions here advocated, +and to the general cause of Judaism—prepared to vindicate the Jews at +all times from the aspersions of interested and prejudiced writers, +enabling all of us to understand the wants of our community—capable by +the force of its reasoning or the keenness of its satire, of improving +the manners, tastes, habits, and pursuits of all—placing us before the +eyes of our Christian fellow-countrymen in our own just characters, to +correct the false impressions they may have received—with a power such +as this pressing upon the general consideration, a large and liberal +scheme of charity and education, and enforcing the wise decisions of +our central Council—with such a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>press might we not reasonably hope +that a few short years would behold—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The Jew an honored name!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>A journal to subserve such purposes ought necessarily to be placed on +an independent footing: and it would, therefore, become the immediate +duty of the Council, on its formation, to look to its establishment or +to its support. It is admitted that a journal exists; but the apathy +which meets the efforts of individuals among the Jews to benefit their +brethren, has extended itself to this: but it still might be made +available for all the ends we seek, by means within the powers of the +Council, which would yet leave the press perfectly unfettered.</p> + +<p>It cannot come within the province of this pamphlet to state at length +what the contents of such a journal ought to be; but, besides those +general objects already stated, it might be made the vehicle for +affording a large amount of statistical information on the numbers, +callings, and education of the Jews—the incomes and expenditures of +charitable societies and Synagogues. It should, by extracts from our +authentic historians, etc. make us better acquainted with the knowledge +of the past, and at all times, by researches into the constitutional +principles of this nation, and by asserting the just right of human +kind, convince Englishmen that we are <i>their</i> <span class="fakesc">COUNTRYMEN</span>, and +that, by birth, we are as much entitled to the privileges of our +country as the proudest noble who traces his pedigree from the +Conquest.</p> + +<br /> +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> +<br /> + +<p>I cannot conclude without imploring the Jews to shake off that terrible +apathy and coldness which have from time immemorial grown upon them, +which have <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>hitherto depressed their energies, and left them the sport +and passive creatures of circumstance. If they have sunk into a state +of listlessness, in the first place, from the oppression which their +ancestors endured in past times—and if they have continued in that +state, from a variety of causes, some of which are faintly shadowed +forth in the preceding pages, I yet hope, and most devoutly hope, that +the hour and the day are arrived for the first step towards +regeneration to be taken. The mists of prejudice, it is indeed evident, +are slowly giving way before the power of truth; and it remains for our +own exertions, well directed, under the blessing of the Deity, to +enable us to stand forth before the world at large, in the clear +noon-day light, in the possession of intelligence and virtue, and +honoured and respected accordingly; demonstrating that in England, +integrity, patriotism, and good conduct, meet their reward, when known, +under whatever creed they present themselves.</p> + +<br /> +<hr style="height: 5px; color: black;" /> +<br /> + +<div class="block"><p>⁂ As the object of the writer of this pamphlet is to ensure +the co-operation of all those Members of the Jewish community +who agree with him in the desire of attaining the objects +suggested, he solicits their communications to be addressed F., +at G. Galabin's, Printer, 91, Bartholomew Close.</p> + +<p><i>London, March, 29th, 1844.</i></p></div> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> "By false compassion we injure the community: industry +will go to ruin; sloth will predominate; men will no longer depend on +themselves, but, having from their own conduct nothing to hope or fear, +they will look to their neighbours for support; they will first abandon +their duty, and then be a burden on the public."—<i>Tacitus.</i></p></div> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<h4>J. Wertheimer & Co., Printers, Circus Place, Finsbury Circus.</h4> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="cen"><a name="TN" id="TN"></a>Typographical errors corrected in text:</p> +<br /> +Page 28: supppose replaced with suppose<br /> +</div> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Suggestions to the Jews, by Unknown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUGGESTIONS TO THE JEWS *** + +***** This file should be named 29505-h.htm or 29505-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/5/0/29505/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Suggestions to the Jews + for improvement in reference to their charities, education, + and general government + +Author: Unknown + +Release Date: July 25, 2009 [EBook #29505] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUGGESTIONS TO THE JEWS *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + * * * * * + + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. For | + | a complete list, please see the end of this document. | + | | + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + +SUGGESTIONS +TO +THE JEWS, +FOR +IMPROVEMENT IN REFERENCE +TO THEIR +CHARITIES, EDUCATION, +AND +GENERAL GOVERNMENT. + + +BY A JEW. + + +LONDON: +PRINTED BY JOHN WERTHEIMER AND CO., +CIRCUS PLACE, FINSBURY CIRCUS +AND MAY BE HAD OF +G. GALABIN, 91, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE. +1844. + + + + +SUGGESTIONS, + +ETC. + + "As the twelve tribes had many interests in + common, and, in some respects, formed but one + political body, the magistrates of all the tribes + met in general assemblies to consult for the good + of the nation." + _Jahn's History of the Hebrew Commonwealth._ + + +Whoever regards the state of our community in this country, must come +to the conclusion, that we have arrived at an important period, when +we can no longer defer the consideration of matters of vital interest, +if we would escape the well merited condemnation of the world at +large, or the just reproaches of conscience in ourselves. We stand in +a position where the past, the present, and the probable future are +alike presented to our view; the first to instruct and warn us, and +the two latter to furnish us with every motive to exertion which can +be gathered from the impulses of hope and fear, from a perception of +our own best interests and of those of our posterity. That the honour +and reputation of the Jewish body are and have been at stake, must be +granted by those who admit, as facts, the circumstances to which it is +the aim of this Pamphlet to draw the public attention. The great +majority of our poor are uneducated in the holy tenets of our +creed--in their duties as citizens--in the proper arts of life; while +poverty and distress abound in the dwellings of vast numbers of our +brethren, partially mitigated, indeed, not permanently provided for, +by the many excellent and worthy charitable societies which surround +us. These are truths which painfully arrest the attention of +individuals; and it becomes the duty of the whole, to seek the means +of meeting the difficulties of the case. In the ensuing pages I +venture to suggest some propositions for the purpose. + + +In all well constituted societies, it has been found necessary to have +a head, from which all government, laws and regulations, have +emanated. These governments have been formed either of one person or +more, the object being, "a means to an end," or more fully speaking, +"the production of the greatest possible amount of human happiness." +This fact is so universally admitted, that associations for every +object, whether religious or political, scientific or trading, have +recourse to a governing body for carrying out their particular views; +and, perhaps, I am not far wrong in stating, that the only exception +in Great Britain of an extensive religious community being without a +government is to be found amongst the Jews, not because the exigency +is less, but because, from their first establishment in this kingdom, +the want was never so much felt as at the present moment; their +position has now become matter of inquiry to every enlightened mind, +and many circumstances have recently shewn the disadvantages which a +want of system has entailed upon those who profess the Jewish religion +in this country--disadvantages which will be particularised as we +proceed. + +In the peculiar position of the Jewish people, I cannot find a term by +which to distinguish them, and must therefore apologise for adopting +those terms which are already in use. They are called _a nation_; and +I avail myself of the word: but in what consists their nationality? +They are termed _a body_: in what do they assimilate? They are +designated _the British Jews_: how are they identified with the title? +The phrase, "Members of a certain Synagogue," conveys to the mind the +only idea to which we can find any corresponding reality; for, in +truth, beyond what _it_ implies, the Jews are _not united_ for any +definite design or purpose; and while it would have been reasonable to +expect, _a priori_, that the votaries of a faith set apart from all +others, should have had some common bond of union in their affairs, we +are startled by the consideration that there exist at this moment in +London alone, a number of distinct Jewish Congregations, _independent_ +of each other, with separate wants and interests, having nothing in +common but their religion: and all the great and noble advantages to +be obtained by numbers, having a unity of purpose, are either +unrecognised, or merged and lost in that separation of interests which +makes the respective pecuniary benefit of each Congregation the +greatest, if not the only object of its existence. + +The provincial Congregations are precisely in the same injurious +position, and sensibly feel the want of a defined and constituted +authority--to decide upon many differences that arise--to interfere +for the extinction of animosities (trifling in themselves, but made +gigantic by continued contest) easy to be reconciled by a power to +which all would feel compelled to bow--yet as pregnant with important +consequences, if unchecked, as those causes which led for a period to +the downfall of monarchy in these realms. The evil appears, so far as +regards the Metropolitan Congregations, to have originated at, and +been continued from, the period of the second settlement of the +Israelites in this country. To the rapid increase of numbers and +wealth, during the absence of one efficient regulating power, we can +trace the successive formation of so many distinct communities. + +To those elements which ought to have contributed to our strength, we +thus owe our weakness, and that disorganisation and separation of +interests which characterises the various proceedings of our body, in +the formation of the necessary places of worship, and in other +affairs. Had our ancestors provided a government at the outset, or +placed us under the control of an adequate authority, no material +disagreements would have taken place. But the narrow policy which led +to the formation of parties, compelled them to _take_ what might have +been wisely and nobly given,--created feelings of aversion where the +affection of parent and offspring ought to have existed. The wealth of +the newer branches generated, on their part, a feeling of pride +equally to be deplored; and in losing sight of the necessity for +general co-operation, and for one common fund, every kindly feeling +gave way to mutual jealousy. The example once set, was soon followed, +and continues to be so on every opportunity: we blindly press onward +in the same irrational course, without staying to consider that we +impoverish the source, by continually increasing the number of the +streams. + +The same spirit of division (it cannot be called independence) enters +into the details of all the affairs of the Israelites in their +respective undertakings: it marks their general social position, and +leads to a universal separation of interests. Every charity is +encountered by another for similar purposes, in the east or west, as +the case may be, to be supported by private exertion, and by opposing +parties. One counteracts the other; both contend with all the force +and feelings of competitors for public favour. The strength which +would be tenfold if united, is wasted in petty rivalries, and in +endeavours after show, instead of being employed in seeking the +advantage of the objects to be benefited. Yet views of charity and +religion, which the Jews entertain in common, and the sympathy that +unites them, as it does individuals of every class possessing a +similarity of belief or feeling, render it desirable to resort to a +plan of centralisation and union, by which not alone the wholesome +_regulation_ of _charitable institutions would be effected_, but the +_education of the poor_, and the _intellectual advancement_ of the +_entire community_, would be accomplished. + + * * * * * + +The anxiety of the poor Jews for instruction,--of the trading classes +for moral improvement,--of the wealthy for a removal of civil +disabilities,--of the religious for some _alteration_ in the mode of +worship,--in short, of every portion and member of the Jewish +community, for an amendment of its social position, is so evident, +that the following suggestions are put forth in the hope and belief +that they contain the elements of a plan, which, if boldly and fully +carried out, will tend to elevate the Jews from their present degraded +and certainly unmerited position; and while it would improve _them_, +it would enable the Christian world to do that justice to their +talents and probity, for which at present, in an ignorance of their +true characteristics, little credit is given to them; not because +Englishmen are _now_ indisposed to act fairly or kindly to their +countrymen of a different religion, or from their indifference to the +wants of our co-religionists, but because (in the fear of thrusting +themselves before the public, where insult and contumely have too +frequently awaited them) the Jews have not collectively manifested any +desire for intellectual culture, nor attempted to disabuse the minds +of their neighbours from the prejudices of what, _as towards the +Jews_, may be termed _an illiberal and bigoted education_. As, +however, it forms no part of my plan to recapitulate the oppression of +the one party, or the quiet suffering of the other, nor to analyse the +causes, but to take the Jews as I find them, I will leave to others +the task of commenting upon the past, nor will I, by any invidious +remarks, prove that they have always been an ill-used body; yet I +cannot refrain from stating, that in no similar number of men in Great +Britain, labouring under the same social and political disadvantages +with themselves (unprovided for by the government, uninstructed, and +with very few attempts made, until recently, by their brethren, to +instruct them), will be found more humanity, kindness, honesty, and a +disinclination to heinous crimes, than in the body hitherto scornfully +designated _Jews_. + +Attempts at _extensive improvements_ are always _termed visionary_; +and every effort towards advancement has been always met by the +clamours of the ignorant and the interested. The general spread of +knowledge has had to contend with the opposition of party and personal +feelings; but these have never been enabled to stem the onward +progress of enlightenment with any strength: I would, therefore, +entreat those who with myself are seeking to carry out this scheme, +and to arrive at a better state of things, to persevere, nothing +daunted at the first repulse, but to continue their course, rising +superior to the paltry prejudices that may and will assail them, until +they have succeeded in procuring for their brethren, a name and a +station worthy of them in the ranks of society-- + + "For freedom's battle once begun, + Bequeath'd by _suff'ring_ sire to son, + Though baffl'd oft, is ever won!" + +Let us not forget, therefore, that it is our duty to enlist the +earnest co-operation of every individual that is to be benefited, and +in that designation is comprised every member of the community. As a +crime committed by a Jew, an illegal act, even an examination before a +magistrate upon suspicion, is made a disgrace to the race, and +reflects discredit upon the whole, the entire body--the very +religion--suffers from it. Every living Jew--the very memory of the +dead--demands justice; and as _individuals_ have it in their power to +contribute to the general _honour_ or _disgrace_, it is our duty to +implant the purpose that animates us in the hearts and understandings +of all our brethren. + +In a subsequent part of this pamphlet will be found, in brief detail, +a plan, which the necessity of the case itself seems to suggest as the +best means for ameliorating the condition of the Jewish body; and I +only refer to it shortly here, in order to state succinctly the +objects to be attained, and previously to an attempt, to show our +brethren of all classes and of every grade, how intimately the +interest of each is bound up with that of the whole. It is clearly +admitted that the children of the poor are not sufficiently educated, +or sufficiently instructed in the means of procuring their +subsistence, an evil which not only affects the present generation, +but spreads its baneful influence wide and deep into the future, and +may affect all the interests of our posterity. One great portion of +the plan, therefore, is to provide the means of education, to be +governed and guided according to rules which experience and +observation have proved to be the best, as selected from various +institutions and from Schools of Industry in this country. Another +principal feature of it is, to enlarge and strengthen the power of the +numerous charitable societies in existence, by providing a building +adapted to the whole, and which, by creating a unity of purpose and +management among the various administrations, will give a much larger +scope of action to the respective charities. A third portion of the +plan regards an adequate provision for an Anglo-Jewish press, which +will be found not only subsidiary to the objects already alluded to, +by publishing to our brethren every thing connected with those +objects, but will be seen to be in itself a most powerful instrument +for our mental advancement; and as it is requisite that such great and +important ends as these should be guided and controlled by one power, +so that each portion of this plan should lend to, and receive mutual +assistance from, the others, so that no differences of view should +intercept or mar the common benefit, it has been considered requisite +to provide for the constituting of a supervising committee or central +council, who would have the superintendence of all matters not +_ecclesiastical_. + +Let us contrast in our minds, for one moment, the present state of +things, with what an advantageous position we should hold, as a +community, if a plan like the above were in full and fair operation. +Let us "look upon this picture, and on that;" and who is there among +us that will not say, in the communings of his own soul, "This is a +concern in which it behoves me to exert every energy and power which +the Divine Author of our faith has bestowed upon me"? And while all +can bring their meed of power and energy to the task, to each, +according to his views, his feelings, or his rank in life, some +peculiar inducement appears for taking part in so laudable an +undertaking. + +I would ask the religious man, be he Jew or not, Is not a proper +observance of religion to be expected rather from the instructed than +the debased mind? Putting aside every high command to assist the +needy, is it not a duty to improve the worldly welfare of your fellow +man, giving him, at the same time, means which will develop his mental +faculties, and induce him to join you in prayer, and lead him to the +better observance of all his religious duties? To you, then, +worshipper of the Supreme Being, I appeal to join in this undertaking: +your future hopes, as well as your worldly welfare, are linked with +the fate of the poor and unenlightened Jews. Assist them--instruct +them--extend the provision for them in old age--let not the prejudices +which spring from worldly differences, or the rancour of sectarian +feeling, blind you to the great good you may achieve. Join early in +the glorious work--come even singly to combat with darkness and +disgrace. Every man may be the vanquisher of one illiterate spirit, +and bear him from ignorance and evil to knowledge and the brightness +of everlasting good. It is your duty especially, preachers of the word +of truth, to disseminate these principles from your high places; for +by opening the minds of the ignorant you teach them to laugh to scorn +the sophisms of conversionists, and enable them to judge better of +their religion and THEMSELVES. Unite yourselves then, ye pastors; cry +aloud, "There is a feeling of hope stirring among the Jews--they seek +for instruction, let us help them!" Address your exertions to inform +those who know less than yourselves--and you will have the inestimable +satisfaction of perceiving that the precepts of morality and virtue +will make their way with redoubled force to the hearts and +understandings of your hearers; that you will be enabled to impart to +all, whatever religion affords of hope and consolation and gladness; +cheering the afflicted in the hour of his adversity--proving to the +doubting spirit that "truth and good are one," and, in the exercise +of your sacred functions on _unclouded_ minds, + + "Allure to brighter worlds and lead the way." + + +In the prosecution of this scheme many advantages are offered, which +to the trader and mere man of the world are of considerable +importance, by bringing all our charities to a focus. Setting aside +the _great saving that could and would_ be effected _in the +management_ by united efforts, a much larger sum might be given to the +legitimate object of each charity, and a systematic and efficient +check upon each person receiving relief could be accomplished. + +The vast sums annually given to established charities and benevolent +institutions, form but a small item in the sum total of expenditure +for charity. Tradesmen, and indeed individuals of every class, are in +the habit of making continual donations to persons unknown, and +frequently unworthy. To those, then, whom these considerations +principally affect, I would say,--Put all your charities under a +salutary control, and, under a united management, sink for once the +mere desire to be chairman, committee-men, and managers. Act with +others, and not as if you only were _patrons_ and _founders_ of the +institutions you wish to see flourish. Unite for the purpose of doing +good, not for granting patronage. Assist in educating the poor and +needy, whether orphans or otherwise, and in afterwards placing them as +apprentices. As the honesty of their character, and the diligence with +which they exercise their calling become developed and known, so will +your reputation as honourable tradesmen increase. As _they_ will have +received the advantage of an education, in which religion and morality +will have been combined with whatever is necessary for their support +through life, no imputation of chicanery--no supposition of dishonesty +will attach itself to them, and _your_ word will be taken. When _their +religious_ observances are known, they will be appreciated; and _your_ +pledge of _honour_ as a _Jew_ will be guarantee for the quality of +your commodity. Thus everything is to be gained, and the +accomplishment is within your own power. Will you quietly sit by and +hear vituperation heaped upon your creed and upon yourselves, without +being roused to the slightest effort? I will readily admit that it is +only the prejudices of the ignorant and vulgar which draw the +distinction between yourself and the Christian: enlighten _him_ +therefore where requisite; associate as much as possible with him; let +your press address _him_; prove by _your_ acts, _your_ words and +dealings, the falseness of his assertions against you, and his sneer +loses all its sting from its inapplicability. Let the phrase, "_He is +a Jew in his dealings_," be an _honourable testimonial_, equally as +desirable to you as that "_He acts like a Christian_," is to our +fellow-citizens of the faith alluded to: and let those who think that +the only worth of the Jewish religion is to be measured by the +purchase-money offered for apostasy from it, find that the price they +pay is only a bribe for _seeming assent_ from the outcasts of society, +and that the very worst and lowest Jew is sufficiently informed to +know that he will not be raised by becoming a bad Christian, or an +infidel. It is equally clear that a bad Jew will never make a good +Christian: and I am not quite sure if we ought not to be thankful for +the removal of such an excrescence from our body. + + +In turning to those who are sometimes termed our aristocracy, that is +to say--the wealthy portion of the Jewish community, I would ask, Are +you contented that the stigma which unjustly presses on the Jewish +name should longer continue? I am free to admit that the Christians +rather than the Jews require to be enlightened upon this point; but +have you attempted this? What has been done by you for the elevation +of your brethren? But let all that is practicable in this respect be +attained, and you will ascend with them; as the majority become +refined in their manners, talented in their professions, known in +their dealings, so will you, always the most conspicuous, be exalted +with them. Honour will emanate from the people and be reflected upon +the leaders. Every onward movement of the middle and lower orders must +press you, the more advanced, into higher eminence: and it is +therefore necessary on your parts to procure for the body of which you +are a portion, the means of making its members of every class useful +and excellent citizens. While the poor are left to obloquy--no matter +who the rich may be--all will be designated by one common term of +reproach. + +While the great mass of the population is progressing in intellectual +power, the Jews cannot stand still and be at the same time respected. +The aristocratic class of the Jews is formed of men of wealth--of +wealth honourably acquired, and thus open to every man: but unless the +strictest regard be had to the education of our co-religionists, we +shall have that class, noted only for its money and its ignorance, +shamed into an unenviable notoriety by an indifference to the wants of +the majority, and dragged downwards with them into one general +obscurity. As wealth is within the attainment of poorer orders, the +requisite education should be at once provided for them--the +characters of all formed upon honest principles--the minds of all +cultivated and embued with useful knowledge--and the manners, so far +as is practicable, trained with a view to what is decorous and proper +in social life. Punish by your frowns, by public scorn and private +avoidance, the wretch who would cast dishonour on you by the +dishonesty of his dealings. The poorest youth of character may justly +aspire in this country to the honours of every station, and he will be +the more honoured and sought as his fair fame expands itself--an +example to his fellows--an ornament to his friends--an honour to his +country. One false step in early life (which, had he possessed that +education we contend for, might have been avoided), and he not only +closes the portals of distinction on himself--not to be reopened by +golden keys--but he becomes a source of injury to all his race. + +I should but imperfectly fulfil my task, if I omitted to address the +fairer portion of our community for their aid in this noble +undertaking. To those who know the deep extent of their influence, +although exerted within the limited sphere of the hallowed precincts +of home, I need not say one word in vindication of an appeal to them: +and who among us, either as husband, son, or brother, does not possess +a knowledge of this influence? Glorious hereditary traits distinguish, +in the eyes of every Israelite, the daughters of his race. The pure +affection that characterises them inspires all their actions, and +repays _him_, in the hours spent in the bosom of his family, for the +toils, the trials, and the hardships of the world. From an influence +so founded, what may not be expected from her who is entrusted with +the formation of the mind at that period when it is susceptible of +every impression for good or ill: nearly everything we possess of the +better and purer feelings of our nature, we can trace to the hours of +childhood, when all is subjected to the maternal sway. + +Even the tales with which she lulls to sleep may lead to pursuits of +honour; for as we find a prejudice firmly imprinted on the memory from +nursery stories, so may nobler views of men and actions be lessons +from the cradle never to be eradicated, but strengthened by subsequent +tuition. + +In after-age, woman controls and influences the stronger passions of +our nature: and no shape, no circumstance of life can occur, but +where, directly or indirectly, the relation in which she stands to us +affects every occurrence, and retards or gives an impulse to the +current of our lives; and as surely as her support is sought for by +her offspring, and her affection relied upon by her husband, so is she +capable of achieving all that is desirable in her family. Looking then +to each family among us for some support for this undertaking, we may +hope to have done something towards its fulfilment, when the mothers +and daughters of Israel shall become acquainted and penetrated with +its aim and tendency. _They_ can improve the condition of their +race--to _their_ understandings no suggestion is necessary as to what +course to pursue--to their hearts no stimulus required as an +inducement to assist in a course which concerns the intellectual +advancement and the happiness of their people. Where ends like these +are to be gained, they will be the first to perceive how much of what +is purely domestic, and within their own immediate sphere, may derive +advantage from their participation and advocacy. + +The humbler portion of my brethren, in whose _direct_ and more +especial interest a part of this undertaking has been contemplated, +will, it is to be hoped and expected, give it that assistance which +the case demands from them. Their welfare is the great object sought; +and I implore them, for whom so much is desired, not to meet with +coldness these efforts on their behalf--I implore them to be advised, +taught, guided and improved by those who only seek their own advantage +in common with that of the poor themselves. + +To smooth the rugged path of their toils--to elevate them above the +occasional frowns and ill-temper of those whom fortune has more highly +favoured--to alleviate their misery--to provide for their wants--to +recognise their claims--to prove that they are the objects of +solicitude to their true friends among the richer Jews--will be the +great result, as it is the great purpose, of this plan: but how can +their condition be improved, unless with an earnest disposition on +their own part towards it? Is obtaining occasional charity, that +relieves them only for a short period, the sole aim of their lives? Is +not the welfare of their children an all-powerful feeling with them? +Does the destitution of old age never occur to their thoughts, until +the moment that it commences, when helpless infirmity assails them? Is +not the thought of an hereafter sometimes present to their minds? If +their answers, their opinions upon these subjects, are what they +should be, and what must naturally be expected, I am sure they will +add, that they are prepared to go with me in the scheme for their +improvement and welfare; they will remove their children from the +contamination of vice--allow them to be taught honest trades as they +grow up--let them become men of use to the community, their cheerers +and supporters in affliction and age; and when not blessed with +offspring, there will still be a reward for the uprightness and +integrity of their conduct in that Asylum, which I hope we shall soon +see erected for their reception, when their strength and powers of +exertion shall be exhausted, where their labours shall cease, and +where the doors shall be opened for their future ease, without the +interference of private friends or their personal solicitations to a +patron. + + * * * * * + +Having somewhat concisely shewn the advantages to be gained by +adopting a scheme to be founded on the foregoing hints, I would +solicit the co-operation of all friends to my views, to commence +forthwith the formation of a General Committee or Council, consisting, +in the _first instance_, of those who are disposed to give their +personal or pecuniary assistance; and afterwards, during the operation +of the project, also of members selected by the public and popular +election of the Jews in all parts of Great Britain. The ultimate aim +of this Committee or Council should be to become (as they would, by +their superior knowledge and management) the governing body of the +Jews in this country in all secular matters. They should possess the +confidence of the community from their numbers, education, wealth, and +footing in society. From their public elections--from their ready +compliance to entertain and adjudicate upon all matters coming before +them--from their _public_ deliberations and well-weighed judgments in +general assembly from all parts, at stated periods, their position +would be independent, yet subject to the wholesome control of the +press and the opinions of their constituents. + +The necessity for such a governing body becomes daily more apparent; +and the advantages that would arise from it are incalculable. Without +giving any opinion on the merits of the question in the recent dispute +at Liverpool, if a government had been in existence, would the +unpleasant result of the establishment of a fresh congregation, +another independent and irresponsible party, have arisen, with all its +expensive appurtenances and its future jealousies, to say nothing of +the fact of another disagreement among the Jews, being trumpeted forth +by those who watch for opportunities to defame us. + +The truth is so apparent, that we think it requires little argument to +prove to the minds of those who will give the subject some +consideration, the propriety of immediately forming a Council, vested +with powers alike for the control and supervision of old +congregations, as for the supporting of new ones--for proposing and +carrying out laws and regulations in furtherance of the philanthropic +and educational portions of this scheme, and for assimilating all +Jewish arrangements, either provincial or metropolitan. + +The Society of Friends (whose social constitutions and government must +be the theme of praise even to the most casual observer) I would in +this as in many other details take as my model; for they are spread +over as large a surface as the Jews--consist, like them, of merchants +and traders--similar in numbers--superior in education, (although not +in mental capacity)--with a well-ordered and responsible +government--and we consequently hear of no distress or disorganization +among them; yet it is not to be doubted that as many causes for +interference occur in that body as in our own, but education, +discipline, and a well-regulated system for their poor enable them to +grapple with every question of good or evil, whether of retrogression +or advancement as it arises. + +The same advantages would so soon shew themselves in our own case, +that all the Jews would gladly accord with the arrangement, and as the +Council would have an ultimate influence on the management of the +funds, and have an opportunity of investigating into and advising upon +their distribution, an efficient system of relief would be formed--the +aged would be provided for--the ignorant instructed--and, as a general +consequence, the character of the Jew regarded with the homage that +every man pays to excellence under _every denomination_. + +Not to enter fully into further particulars upon the various subjects +within the immediate province of the Council, there is yet one of +_great_ importance, hitherto wholly disregarded, but intimately +connected with any extended plan of education and philanthropy, which +might be well submitted to their supervision. By a registration of the +names of every man, woman, and child of the Jewish persuasion, a large +amount of statistical information would be obtained, and the +concentration of the community facilitated--no claimant for any +purpose of education or charity, could or would be recognised, unless +upon the register--thus offering an inducement for every member of the +Jewish body to enter his or her name upon it; for this registration a +small charge, say one shilling, should be made, which would produce an +annual amount of about L1500 to be added to the general funds, for the +benefit of all; affording material assistance to the objects now +contemplated; and, while giving an interest to each person in the +public concerns, the required sum would be very trifling to the +poorest, when considered as giving them defined claims as recognised +members of a community. + +That the various Synagogues have the means of largely assisting a +liberal and progressive policy, not the most prejudiced upholder of +the present state will deny--nor will it be urged that they have +contributed to their fullest extent towards the education and +enlightenment of the rising generation. In a pecuniary point of view, +they could and would gain largely by adopting fully the views now +advocated; for they would transfer from their funds to those of the +Jewish public, all their pensioners: but they ought to be the leaders +in encouraging the objects, from a desire of improvement, instead of +mere pecuniary gain. In proposing the instruction of all the Jewish +children, therefore, and in taking charge of all the offspring of the +poor, I take from them all the claim generally resorted to for the +charitable interference of the Synagogues; as the poor will have very +little difficulty in maintaining themselves, if we maintain all their +children, to do which, it would be necessary to remove them to a +suitable establishment, properly provided and superintended, in +connection with a school of industry, in which all the trades and +useful arts of life should be inculcated. The school (Aubin's) at +Norwood gives the system as far as it can be properly acted upon; or a +new system, if necessary, could be arranged, having for its object the +instruction of the younger children, and the making artizans of the +more advanced in age. The expences of this arrangement would be much +less than generally imagined, and a considerable part of them could be +defrayed by the industry of the pupils; and the schools of the Society +of Friends at Ackworth, Sidcoat, &c. should likewise be our examples, +but accommodated to the necessary differences of the case. + +In conjunction with this establishment, I would recommend the +formation of a superior school for a limited number of boys in the +neighbourhood of the London University, where the most talented of the +scholars from the former school should be placed, at the public +charge, under the tuition of Hebrew, French, and German classical +teachers. The expenditure for board and lodging, and for attending the +classes during the term at the University school, and at the +University, should be defrayed out of the general fund; and some of +these youths might and should be trained to all the offices and duties +of our clergy, others to the professions of law and medicine, and all +other superior attainments of education. Accommodation should be +afforded at this place for a number of private or paying pupils, to +have the advantages of all the means of instruction provided, and of +the general management of the house, with the privilege of attending +the University, and of having their studies likewise superintended at +the house by the professors engaged. The fees for their admission and +support would considerably lessen the expences of the whole +establishment, and enable the younger branches of the Jews to receive +a sound, religious, and classical education. This would give an +opportunity for the development of all the higher attributes of the +mind; and as the youth assembled there would be all of the best +instructed of the rising and future generations, every province in +England and the Colonies would naturally come there for its tutors and +clergy. Inducements thus held out for the cultivation of talent in all +classes, would be gradually to render the whole body of the Jews well +informed. + +It is unnecessary to say more here upon this subject. The minor +points, being for the consideration of the Council, shall be +forthcoming at the proper time: but I believe the removal of the young +from the old, at an early age, very desirable; for, the contamination +of evil example, of vicious and dishonourable pursuits, tends to undo +the instruction they receive at present, and is the cause of so small +a number attending the places already provided for their instruction. +The object must be, therefore, to make the school attractive to the +children, and an advantage to the parents. + + * * * * * + +By the amalgamation of the Jewish charities is not to be understood +the depriving of any of the present institutions of their funds, or of +their control over them, nor do I wish to divert legacies or the +accumulations of years from their legitimate channels, but to secure +an efficient centralisation, with wholesome and necessary control; for +it must be admitted that, independent of the money so liberally +bestowed by the wealthy portion of the Jews, the humblest as well as +the most distinguished give continually large sums in proportion to +their incomes. + +Not a Sunday, and scarcely a day, passes, but contributions are +solicited from the poorer traders of the Jews, to which the most +indigent add their pence, with the _true_ feelings of Jewish +benevolence, in the hope of mitigating the poignant sufferings of the +applicants. "The charity which plenty gives to poverty is human and +earthly, but it becomes divine and heavenly when poverty gives to +want." + +The great sums distributed in known or public charities are more than +doubled by the continual call upon the purses of the donors; and being +so well answered, it is impossible to calculate the amount. + +The wealthy are daily subjected to these visitations, and in few +instances is the immediate pecuniary relief refused. It is scarcely +necessary to point out the expensiveness of this mode of relief, it +being self-evident; but that is a very small portion of the evil it +entails. If it ended here, I would say, Send not a mendicant, no +matter what his creed or country, from you unrelieved; as the very +necessity that induces the application is sufficient reason for +relief, should even the applicant be thought unworthy: but the +mischief STOPS not here; it is only the _commencement_--it encourages, +instead of checking, mendicity--it produces beggars where it should +make artizans--it encourages consumers instead of helping +producers--it assists idlers when its object is and should be to +support the industrious.[A] + +All indiscriminate charity must therefore be an evil to the body, an +injury to the community: it begets a class of persons that spend the +easily obtained funds as improperly as they were procured--it degrades +the minds of the recipients, while the wealthy donors look more +frequently with disgust than compassion on the receiver; in short, no +persons can become more debased in mind and body than habitual beggars, +of which a very large number exists among the Jews--uncontrolled, +unchecked, and unprovided for--in spite of all the efforts of the +"charities" and Synagogue funds, nearly all of which are casual. The +sums thus distributed should, and would, suffice to maintain all the +paupers of the Jews; but the inefficiency of the administration permits +them to devote their entire time in successfully preventing one +charitable institution from arriving at the knowledge of what they +receive from another, and to extort from private sources as much as +possible. + +These are facts known to us all: but, in the charitableness of our +hearts, we fear to come boldly forward and provide at once entirely +for all these mendicants, who should be properly taken care of, +clothed, fed, and housed; and the expenditures of the present day +would be sufficient, if carefully arranged. + +By the withdrawal from the public eye of all these unfortunate beings, +a great improvement would appear, and certainly be very soon effected. +The pernicious example would be unknown to the young; and the idly +disposed would find the fee simple of their present estates devoted to +the purchase of useful, industrious, and honest means of procuring +them their subsistence. + +Through the want of a well-regulated system of relief, under check and +control, every beggar is an independent member of the Jewish +commonwealth, employed in seeking, the entire day, whom to devour, +considering himself entirely at liberty, morally and physically, to +devote his entire time to the readiest way of getting money--honestly +if he can, that is, by persevering importunity, but frequently by +false representations, and other more disreputable means, of which the +law takes no immediate cognizance. + +_We_ continually see the state to which this reduces him, but HE feels +not the degradation to which he has become familiar, habit reconciling +and making attractive his course of life, whatever may have been his +feelings at the commencement of it. The persons who condemn are those +who have driven him to this base means of existence; the facility with +which money is obtained from those who give (through the habit of +doing so from having seen their parents do it, or because they believe +the distressed is a poor Jew and has _no recognised_ refuge), induces +an opinion that this is the proper and legitimate mode of Jewish +charity: but no really laudable feeling enters the mind of either; nor +does the giver always think he is conferring a benefit: he treats the +applicant for relief generally as "a fugitive and vagabond on the +earth," forgetting entirely that the debasement of this mind, the +ignorance of this man, the slur that is cast upon the Jews by this +individual, is entirely their own act. They, the wealthy, the honored, +the enlightened, the pride of the people, are the culprits--not the +poor, the ignorant, the destitute. Cheerfully might these be induced +to regard the means of supporting themselves by their own industry. +How gladly would they avail themselves of a reputable institution to +receive them,--a house to shelter them--a supervision to protect, an +asylum to support them! But have the leaders attended to this? + +It is true, and honourable, and worthy of the highest praise, that +many sources of relief exist, founded by the thoughtful, supported by +the charitable, governed by the indefatigable; but many of these even, +it is reported, have been commenced by those who are but little +elevated above poverty in the neighbourhood where the distress has +been most evident, and maintained subsequently by the personal +interference of individuals, and the stringent appeals of private +friends, which could not have been refused if wished, which dared not +be neglected. An exception, the Jews' Hospital, was the emanation of a +noble mind, and, backed by disinterested perseverance, induced all to +contribute to so bold an undertaking, commencing from the highest: its +sphere of benefit is, however, very limited. Unfortunately, few among +us investigate whether any good, or what, is achieved by other +societies to which all are ready and willing contributors. But the +time has come, hastened by the Anglo-Jewish press, when we all see the +necessity for action to the purpose, and immediate. We can do it well, +at less expense; with less trouble, with more dignity to ourselves, +and with more honour to our successors, than any class of +conversionists can do it for us; and certainly much more effectually +when we commence, as years of ineffectual effort on their part have +proved. + +_Our_ motives cannot be impugned; the object being the purest and +holiest command "to honour and succour the aged;" persons unknown to +us, unconnected in every way with us except by their adoration and +worship of the Creator by the same means, forms, and language. + +I would suggest to all the charities as at present constituted, while +their usefulness must be admitted, that their government, although it +is to a limited extent good, does not answer many of the purposes that +are desirable; nor does it prevent an individual obtaining from _all_ +sources the donations they distribute; nor do the present methods +provide _entirely_ for the object to be benefited. + +Let, then, the present _funds_ of all the charities be united, with +grants from the congregations, and gifts or loans from private +individuals. These will amount, in a very short time, to a sum +sufficiently large to build one house for the reception of the aged +decayed, the blind, the deaf and dumb, the idiotic, the helpless, and +the temporarily destitute: the really destitute only to be admissible. +Relief from all other quarters should be withheld, or a proper officer +for the distribution of charity appointed; but if the friends of any +of the inmates can contribute to their maintenance, they should do so +to the general fund. This building should be divided into wards, each +separate ward to be under the control, and supplied by the funds of +the charity to which it at present approximates nearest: the objects +of their solicitude would thus be under their immediate observation, +and deriving much greater advantages than it is possible now to give. +The existing committees would receive the voluntary subscriptions as +at present, and devote them to the same purposes; but the infirm and +poor would be entirely provided with every necessary, and a home. The +details, however, must be left until the rules for general management +are arranged: but it should be a fundamental principle, that every +member of each committee should be a member of the general board; and +a part of the details, that the beds in wards for the aged should be +fitted as those at Greenwich Hospital; and that every committee man +should have the power to inspect _every_ ward. For the purpose of +example, let us suppose the ward for the aged destitute established; +the society whose object approaches nearest should take the +management, and subscribe towards the general fund according to its +means, say L1000. + +Their subsequent annual contribution must be arranged in proportion to +its revenue: for if their present income is L150 per annum, they can +now only disburse L100, the remainder being swallowed up for various +expenses. It would be desirable and easy for them to devote the larger +sum, or nearly their entire means, to the purposes of the ward. + +The same system adopted throughout the house would be ample for its +support; and each charity would be carrying out to its greatest extent +the object of its formation. In every ward there should be a tablet +with the names of the Founders, Committee, and Subscribers above a +certain sum. A portion of the expences of the establishment would be +yielded by itself; the money now expended in managements would be +produced by the registration; and any other deficiency, by the general +fund. + +The Society of Friends have a general register; and every member +contributes to the local funds, these again to the general: thus +sufficient sums are obtained for all proper and legitimate purposes. A +somewhat similar _modus operandi_ I would advocate for our adoption: +the country congregations, being relieved from all expences except +those of a religious or congregational character, would be enabled to +support with more honour and better remuneration the clergy--who, +feeling themselves (as their education should command) independent of +obligation to their auditory, would preach the noblest and highest +precepts of their creed, and urge a better worldly bearing. + +To this advantage, which would be an indirect although certain result +of a proper administration of the funds, would be added a beneficial +influence on the head of the clergy--who, being the leader of highly +educated gentlemen, would find it impossible to govern, unless +possessing the same learning and acquirements; and thus we should +ensure an elevated clergy, to which the most wealthy might with honour +aspire. + +In the execution of a scheme which depends greatly upon the majority +of the community, for whom it is intended, taking not only a clear and +comprehensive view of their present position, but upon their becoming +deeply, and daily more deeply, interested in the amelioration of that +position--which relies upon extending to all the feelings of a part, +and will be successful in the highest degree whenever anything like +this unanimity of feeling prevails--the power of a well-directed press +must be admitted not only to be great, but the necessity of it in a +measure to be indispensable. What has been effected for mankind at all +periods, since it has become within possibility to move the springs of +feeling and of volition by this more than electric force, after having +illuminated the mind by floods of light from the concentration of +opinions, the wisest and most just, is matter of notoriety to all: and +it cannot be necessary, at this time of day, to enumerate those great +events, whose earliest origin being traced to some important want of +the human race, or to some one of the great and abiding principles of +our nature, yet owe their consummation wholly to the facility by which +mind communicates with mind, enabling the truth of those principles to +be tested by the universality of their reception, and by which the +objections of prejudice and ignorance being destroyed, truth and +justice themselves are at last brought into action-- + + "Immutable, immaculate, immortal." + +With an Anglo-Jewish press devoted to the propositions here advocated, +and to the general cause of Judaism--prepared to vindicate the Jews at +all times from the aspersions of interested and prejudiced writers, +enabling all of us to understand the wants of our community--capable +by the force of its reasoning or the keenness of its satire, of +improving the manners, tastes, habits, and pursuits of all--placing us +before the eyes of our Christian fellow-countrymen in our own just +characters, to correct the false impressions they may have +received--with a power such as this pressing upon the general +consideration, a large and liberal scheme of charity and education, +and enforcing the wise decisions of our central Council--with such a +press might we not reasonably hope that a few short years would +behold-- + + "The Jew an honored name!" + +A journal to subserve such purposes ought necessarily to be placed on +an independent footing: and it would, therefore, become the immediate +duty of the Council, on its formation, to look to its establishment or +to its support. It is admitted that a journal exists; but the apathy +which meets the efforts of individuals among the Jews to benefit their +brethren, has extended itself to this: but it still might be made +available for all the ends we seek, by means within the powers of the +Council, which would yet leave the press perfectly unfettered. + +It cannot come within the province of this pamphlet to state at length +what the contents of such a journal ought to be; but, besides those +general objects already stated, it might be made the vehicle for +affording a large amount of statistical information on the numbers, +callings, and education of the Jews--the incomes and expenditures of +charitable societies and Synagogues. It should, by extracts from our +authentic historians, etc. make us better acquainted with the +knowledge of the past, and at all times, by researches into the +constitutional principles of this nation, and by asserting the just +right of human kind, convince Englishmen that we are _their_ +COUNTRYMEN, and that, by birth, we are as much entitled to the +privileges of our country as the proudest noble who traces his +pedigree from the Conquest. + + * * * * * + +I cannot conclude without imploring the Jews to shake off that +terrible apathy and coldness which have from time immemorial grown +upon them, which have hitherto depressed their energies, and left +them the sport and passive creatures of circumstance. If they have +sunk into a state of listlessness, in the first place, from the +oppression which their ancestors endured in past times--and if they +have continued in that state, from a variety of causes, some of which +are faintly shadowed forth in the preceding pages, I yet hope, and +most devoutly hope, that the hour and the day are arrived for the +first step towards regeneration to be taken. The mists of prejudice, +it is indeed evident, are slowly giving way before the power of truth; +and it remains for our own exertions, well directed, under the +blessing of the Deity, to enable us to stand forth before the world at +large, in the clear noon-day light, in the possession of intelligence +and virtue, and honoured and respected accordingly; demonstrating that +in England, integrity, patriotism, and good conduct, meet their +reward, when known, under whatever creed they present themselves. + + + * * * * * + + + *** As the object of the writer of this pamphlet is to ensure + the co-operation of all those Members of the Jewish community + who agree with him in the desire of attaining the objects + suggested, he solicits their communications to be addressed F., + at G. Galabin's, Printer, 91, Bartholomew Close. + + _London, March, 29th, 1844._ + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] "By false compassion we injure the community: industry will go to +ruin; sloth will predominate; men will no longer depend on themselves, +but, having from their own conduct nothing to hope or fear, they will +look to their neighbours for support; they will first abandon their +duty, and then be a burden on the public."--_Tacitus._ + + +J. Wertheimer & Co., Printers, Circus Place, Finsbury Circus. + + + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + | Typographical errors corrected in text: | + | | + | Page 28: supppose replaced with suppose | + | | + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Suggestions to the Jews, by Unknown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUGGESTIONS TO THE JEWS *** + +***** This file should be named 29505.txt or 29505.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/5/0/29505/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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