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65
sion could not a<^fc|ve. But
freedom, of course,not, in
:t:.elf, the cause of this assimi-
lationist trend. We know that
jews enjoyed a great measure
of freedom in Spain in the
Middle Ages—yet this was one
0 f the most productive periods
it, our history. Jewish poets,
theologians, physicians and
statesmen flourished.
Although there were cordial
m ations between Jewish and
Moorish scholars, and Jewish
financial experts and physi
cians were called upon to serve
the Arab rulers, the Jewish
community, as a whole; was
not tempted to surrender its
religion, its unique culture, or
its folkways.
What - this indicates — and
many other examples could be
given—is that no generalities
are possible concerning Jewish
prospects for survival. We have
somehow endured in "the most
unlikely places—and have
withered away in the most
hospitable soil; and we have
been destroyed by tyranny and
have prospered spiritually and
intellectually in freedom.
Our American future is not
foreclosed—but neither is it
guaranteed. History is helpful,
but its lessons are often con
tradictory. What we do know
is this: studies in several Am
erican cities indicate a disturb
ingly high rate of intermarri
age; in some areas, as high as
30 percent of all marriages in
volving Jews.
"THE REA£ THREAT"
Of course, not all intermar
riages result in the desertion
of Judaism; there are instan
ces, too, of conversion in the
opposite direction. A number
of proselytes enter our ranks
every year—but hardly enough
to make up for the departures.
But, perhaps, even this is
not the main threat. Along with
those who cut themselves off
from us completely, there are
an indeterminate number who
almost inperceptibly cast them
selves adrift from Judaism
through indifference, ignorance
and the attraction of other in
terests. These may even in
clude people who routinely at
tend synagogue—but who fail
to involve themselves in Juda
ism itself.
They may be listening to
sermons—but Judaism does not
penetrate their hearts. They
slip into a kind of limbo, re
moved from Jewish concerns,
altho, for awhile, they may go
through the motions of mem
bership in the Jewish com
munity.
These are the spiritual sleep
walkers—and their rtumbers
numbers are legion. This is the
group whom we should first
seek to reach, for this is the
group likeliest to succumb, in
time, to total assimilation. And
we can only reach them with
a Judaism and Jewish institu-'
tions that breathe a sense of
vitality, drama and purpose,
qualities we are in danger of
losing.
These are the Jews whom
we must “convert” to Judaism-
And then we will be certain
that Elijah will attend all our
future Feasts of Freedom!
Treasures
Continued from page 38
considered as the second dated
Hebrew book in existence.
The British Museum has al
ways led the way in catalogue
publications. In 1867 it pub
lished a catalogue of the He
brew printed books bv Joseph
Zedner. In 1894 Van Straalen
published a Supplement in
which he cited 4,650 books ac
quired during the years 1862-
1892. George Margoliouth. who
in 1891 succeeded Reinhardt
1' >erning as assistant keeper
in the Ofienta'l Department,
c anpiled the-^Catalogue of the
Hebrew and Samaritan Manu
scripts of the British Museum.
1 'us comprehensrve work, is-
• !l "d in three volumes, de-
sicibes 1,206 manuscripts. A
' urth volume of the same
Southern Israelite
catalogue, by Jacob Leveen.
was issued in 1935 and deals
with nearly 150 manuscripts
not treated in the earlier parts.
With regard to its sizeable col
lection of. Hebrew books, the
Museum has lagged behind.
No Hebrew printed catalogue
has been published since 1894.
The Oriental Room has a card
index of the Hebrew books ac
quired only since 1953; but for
the Hebrew books acquired be
tween 1894 tJk-1953 there is not
even a card index. A new
printed catalogue or at least an
up-to-date index of the ac
quisitions of the ha'f century
is now some fifty years over
due. The Oriental- Department
may well take to heart the
words of Ismar Elbogen: ’“A
library without a printed cata
logue resembles a locked treas-
u.e chamber to which the keys
are wanting.”
Happy Passover
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