April 5, 1929
From an item titled “Jewish Justice” in the “Open Forum” column
A novel Jewish institution has been established in the community! Novel to both Jews and Gentiles in this Christian environment. It is a court of law for the settlement of difficulties, from simple assault to property intricacies, in which the litigants, attorneys, judges, bailiffs and reporters will be Jewish.
The Hebrew Free Loan Association, which is philanthropic in character, has sought to extend the scope of its utility, by the creation of the court at its present locality. It is not absurd in its pretensions, or usurping in its operations. It seeks to adjust tempests between Jews who cannot do so themselves, have not the means to venture into litigation, or who shun the notoriety of an open court proceeding.
It cannot be denied such a court has its limitations. It will not have the support of tradition, dignity or force that are characteristic of the regular judicial tribunals, although its judgments can be enforced. There will be no general drift of Jews towards it. But its existence will be justified and meritorious, if it can assist the perturbed and needy, however small their number may be.
What brought this institution into existence? Not a popular need or Biblical inspiration. It is true that the rabbi was the high authority in ancient days, not only in person disputes, but in the whole life of Israel. But this is an age where Christian life, institutions and impressions are upon us in every direction, and the restoration of rabbinical authority is not part of our pulse.
An untoward event moved the association to give shape to and try the experiment. About two years ago, two borrowers of money from the association had a quarrel, and finding it futile to reach an understanding, one of them murdered the other and then committed suicide.
While the spread of education has oriented the Jew to his environment, so that his adaptability has been consummate, still there are a group who have not had the opportunity for schooling and who still strongly feel European influences in their blood. For this group, the Jewish court should prove helpful and beneficent.
April 4, 1969
From an editorial “Adults React to Criticism of Youth”
Adult leadership in American Jewish life has not turned a deaf ear to the severe criticism of “the establishment,” voiced recently by a representative group of college students attending a conference called by the Bnai Brith Hillel Commission and attended by representatives of many Jewish organizations.
It will be recalled that the young people, gathered from a number of campuses, complained that they were being “disenfranchised” in Jewish affairs and that they were “disaffected” by the Judaism of their elders, particularly by the latter’s “failure” to take a more active and aggressive position against poverty, racism, Vietnam, and other “ethical issues.”
While many who listened to this criticism disagreed as to its validity, especially in the civil rights field, all concluded that the young people were entitled to more of a voice in Jewish affairs. Accordingly, the national commission of Bnai Brith Hillel Foundation reacted by voting to include student participation with “full participatory rights” on the commission, and to establish a student advisory board for “day to day” contact and consultation with Hillel’s national director and staff.