ITACK UTMBX IMT.UCATIONS OF Till; 109 of Jewish lateral^ Societies. 354 IK UNION OF JEWISH LITERACY 1 1 SOCIETIES OF GERMANY. BY DR. GUSTAV KARPELES. PAPER READ AT THE CONFERENCE OF JEWISH LITERARY SOCIETIES, JUNE 29, 1902. LONDON: 1902. PUBLICATIONS OF THE "Union of 3cwt0b literary Societies. ii. THE UNION OF JEWISH LITERARY SOCIETIES OF GERMANY. BY DR. GUSTAV KARPELES. PAPER READ AT THE CONFERENCE OF JEWISH LITERARY SOCIETIES, JUNE 29, 1902. LONDON: 1902. THE UNION OF JEWISH LITERARY SOCIETIES OF GERMANY THE great majority of the Jewish Historical and Liter- ary Societies in Germany have practically the same organisation. They hold meetings for public lectures by local or visiting speakers, and in addition set aside evenings for debate, in which some theme is introduced and discussed. A record is also kept of questions pro- posed for consideration. Of course the organisation is modified according to the means of the various Societies. The larger Societies, such as Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Frankfort-on-Main, Breslau, Hamburg, &c., have for the most part six public lectures during the session, and as many evenings are devoted to debates. The smallest Societies unite with the more serious aims also social gatherings for purposes of entertainment ; and we can hardly blame them for this, as in many isolated congregations the Literary Society is the only centre for the Jews who live there. Most of the Societies possess a Library, and a few, such as Berlin, Stettin, Essen, and one or two others, run Con- tinuation Classes for the teaching of Hebrew, Jewish History, Literature, and Religion to adults. Lately some of the Societies (of course the larger ones) have introduced courses of lectures. This innovation has firmly established itself here. Some of the other Societies also have held four to six lectures on History, Literature, the Philosophy of Religion, Bible Exegesis, &c., with very good results. Some of the Societies own lecture halls. 2107705 4 UNION OF JEWISH LITERARY SOCIETIES OF GERMANY The result of the work of these Societies, which I do not wish to exaggerate, is also, from an objective point of view, very satisfactory. Until about twelve years ago the greater number of Jews in Germany had but a vague idea of their history, and knew still less of their literature. That to-day a rudimentary knowledge of these subjects has become more general, that a certain reverence for our history and literature has taken possession of our people, that our members even purchase or read Jewish books, is entirely due to the Literary Societies. But they have accomplished still more. They have helped to strengthen the spirit of religion, and in young congregations especially they have done much towards overcoming indifference. In sober fact, I might with truth assert that the Literary Society is the only link which binds to Judaism many Jews who had ceased to participate in the Synagogue service ; and further, that the Society has not infrequently become the bridge to the Synagogue. In Westphalia, and in some other provinces, the entire resurrection of religious life, which had sunk to the lowest ebb, is due to the Literary Societies. In similar Societies I have often lectured to an audience which consisted largely of those who did not even go to Synagogue on the day of Atone- ment, and it has happened that people who had not only cut themselves oft' entirely from Judaism, but had serious thoughts of conversion both for themselves and their children, have been won back to Judaism by means of our Societies. In the face of such desirable results, any loss caused by the popularisation of knowledge seems but small. The fear of half education, resulting from such efforts, is in my opinion unjustified ; better a little know- ledge than none at all. It stands to reason that not all the lectures are of equal value, and that a certain dilet- UNION OF JEWISH LITERARY SOCIETIES OF GERMANY 5 tantism is fostered ; but I ask, is it not better if a Jewish merchant or physician who has never before concerned himself with these matters feels impelled under the influence of his local Literary Society to study the secondary sources available, and on the basis of these sources to deliver a lecture on the ethics of the Talmud or medicine among the Jews ? I believe the answer can be no difficult one to any impartial thinker, with the exception perhaps of the small circle of those who, with Moritz Steinschneider, think that Jewish science should be treated in a more esoteric manner. The Union of Literary Societies has been in existence about eight years. Most, but not all, the Societies have joined it. But the organisation is at present not very rigid, and I hope that we shall learn much in this matter from the way in which the practical English will form their Union. The aim and organisation of our Union are set forth in the accompanying statutes. In these statutes four points are enumerated under paragraph two with regard to the aim of the Union. I. Establishment of a Lecture Organisation. This goal, I regret to say, we have not yet reached. Hitherto we have only been able to publish several lists of speakers, and at the desire of individual societies or lecturers the lists supply either single lectures or whole courses. In this direction much could still be done, and I have set this on the road in that I have promoted the formation of District Unions, of which six already are in existence, and which are, as a general rule, served in common by the same lecturers. The fee to non-local speakers is from 50 to loo marks (2, IDS. to 5); Berlin, Munich, Cologne, 6 UNION OF JEWISH LITERARY SOCIETIES OF GERMANY Frankfort-on-Main, Ntlrnberg, Hamburg, and a few others pay from 150 to 200 marks (7, ios. to 10). Local speakers, for the most part, unless they are professional lecturers, give their lectures gratis. II. Common Publications. Such is our Year Book, with which you are probably acquainted. Up to the present, five volumes have appeared, and it is unquestion- ably of great value. It is probably the first publication of its kind in Germany, and we circulate over 5000 copies annually. We sell this very presentable volume, bound, to our members at the rate of 75 pf. (9d.) per copy, while the bookseller demands 2 to 3 marks for it. Some of the Societies order a certain number of the book for all their members, and give it to them gratis, others form a sub- scription list among their members and order as many copies of the book as they need. Our other publications we have either published ourselves, or had this done for us; for example, the translation of the " Divan " of Jehuda Halevi, my own " Harp of Zion," the writings of Sulzbach, Lewin, Buck, &c. III. We have a permanent Secretary, M. Albert Katz, whose duty it is to give information to any member of a Society asking for learned material for lectures, or for other information. IV. The propaganda for the founding of new Societies is directly carried on by myself, and I may truly say in a very energetic manner. At the present moment there are 150 Jewish Literary Societies in Germany, and it is I that have stood godfather to most of them. The three or four large congregations which have not yet joined our union, UNION OF JEWISH LITERARY SOCIETIES OF GERMANY 7 I harangue so continually with letters and admonitions, that it is to be hoped they will next winter form Societies of their own and join us. The institution of travelling speakers, which is fully described in the statutes, is still young, but capable of development, and worthy of imitation. This institution sends from its central office suitable lecturers to the large or small places in the Diaspora, where so few Jews live that they are unable to have a teacher, or to Societies which are too small to be able to engage a lecturer. Some of my friends and well-wishers celebrated my fiftieth birthday by founding a fund for this object. The governing body has twice summoned to a con- ference various Societies, not necessarily those who belong to the Union. The first took place in Hanover, the second in Berlin, and the third we shall hold this Christmas again in Berlin. This is all that I can tell you of our organisation, but in addition you can consult our Mitteilungen, lists of lecturers, the Statutes of the Berlin Society, and the Statutes of the Union. You can extract all information from them. Should I have failed to make everything clear to you, I shall be delighted to answer immediately any question you may put to me. And now you have my sincerest wishes for all good fortune in your work. I hope that it may succeed, and that it may be the means of carrying love and enthusiasm for our sacred inheritance into the large circle of our English co-religionists. Printed by BALLANTYNB, HANSON &* Co. Edinburgh &> London