Nissim Elias Benjamin Ezra

“ Experience teaches us so and the earlier they throw off sailing under false colours the better it will be for Judaism in general and the Jews in particular. As of old, Jewish champions of True Judaism are not wanting in Israel and to-day the faithful followers of the "old path", fired with the spirit of Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremaiah and others are valiantly struggling against the "new" spirit, the spirit of deformed Judaism that has set in in the free soil of America.
Now, a word on the position and influence of Zionism in the United States. ”

“ This rabbi, (mind you I do not say Jewish rabbi) has fathered the reform movement with all his might and has carried the campaign so far as to deliberately alter the Decalogue Sabbath into the first day of the week. With characterestic energy this modern apostle of new-fangled Judaism has officiated at a marriage ceremony between Jews and Gentiles. His "radicalism" is so extreme that he is hardly to be distinguished from a Christian clergyman. ”

“ In bringing this paper to a close I desire to point out that notwithstanding the differences of opinions and beliefs which some of our brethren have introduced in the course of the development of Judaism in America, we have setting aside all our pre-conceived notions, yet to learn much from either their failures or success. ”

“ The religious problem of the Jew is agitating the mind of every thinking Jew and it becomes difficult of any solution when a leader in Israel is wanted. Our neighbours in America are doing their share of duty and by means of Jewish publications and Jewish colleges they have contributed largely towards altering the gloomy aspect of Judaism amongst its followers. ”

“ The male child of a Jewish mother is by the fact of its birth, just as much as the female child, a member of the Jewish community, even without circumcision.
With the lapse of time, men begin to grow more thirsty and hungry for changes and reform. ”

“ They have likewise contributed largely by their wisdom, broad-mindedness and public-spirited actions towards destroying to a great extent public prejudices towards them, and to-day they live on terms of perfect equality, harmony and brotherhood with their fellow-citizens of other creeds. To-day the Jews are represented in America in every walk of life, professional, commercial, educational, industrial and financial. ”

“ Speaking generally about the Jews in America, my opinion is that, taken all in all, they are a force and an element of usefulness to their brethren all over the world. They have always been to the fore in any endeavour which tended to raise the status and ameliorating the position of the persecuted Jews abroad. ”

“ Art. 3 welcomes the result of natural science as the best help to the understanding of the working of divine Law in the world, the Bible serving as guide to illustrate the Divine Power working within us. ”

“ No one will question their right to commemorate this historical event, inasmuch as they have been a powerful factor in aiding in the development of the various cities in which Providence has thrown their lot, and contributed largely towards maintaining the philanthropic institutions of the different places in which they have settled. ”

“ Furthermore, they have practically demonstrated their loyalty to the land of their adoption by shedding their blood on the battlefields, and in various other ways, until, they are at present, second to none in their patriotism and zeal to their Motherland. ”