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SUGGESTIONSTOTHE JEWS, FORIMPROVEMENT IN REFERENCETO THEIRCHARITIES, EDUCATION, ANDGENERAL GOVERNMENT. 

BY A JEW. 

LONDON:PRINTED BY JOHN WERTHEIMER AND CO. , CIRCUS PLACE, FINSBURY CIRCUSAND MAY BE HAD OFG. 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 cometo the conclusion, that we have arrived at an important period, whenwe can no longer defer the consideration of matters of vital interest, if we would escape the well merited condemnation of the world atlarge, or the just reproaches of conscience in ourselves. We stand ina position where the past, the present, and the probable future arealike presented to our view; the first to instruct and warn us, andthe two latter to furnish us with every motive to exertion which canbe gathered from the impulses of hope and fear, from a perception ofour own best interests and of those of our posterity. That the honourand reputation of the Jewish body are and have been at stake, must begranted by those who admit, as facts, the circumstances to which it isthe aim of this Pamphlet to draw the public attention. The greatmajority of our poor are uneducated in the holy tenets of ourcreed--in their duties as citizens--in the proper arts of life; whilepoverty and distress abound in the dwellings of vast numbers of ourbrethren, partially mitigated, indeed, not permanently provided for, by the many excellent and worthy charitable societies which surroundus. These are truths which painfully arrest the attention ofindividuals; and it becomes the duty of the whole, to seek the meansof meeting the difficulties of the case. In the ensuing pages Iventure to suggest some propositions for the purpose. 

In all well constituted societies, it has been found necessary to havea head, from which all government, laws and regulations, haveemanated. These governments have been formed either of one person ormore, 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 everyobject, whether religious or political, scientific or trading, haverecourse to a governing body for carrying out their particular views;and, perhaps, I am not far wrong in stating, that the only exceptionin Great Britain of an extensive religious community being without agovernment is to be found amongst the Jews, not because the exigencyis less, but because, from their first establishment in this kingdom, the want was never so much felt as at the present moment; theirposition has now become matter of inquiry to every enlightened mind, and many circumstances have recently shewn the disadvantages which awant of system has entailed upon those who profess the Jewish religionin this country--disadvantages which will be particularised as weproceed. 

In the peculiar position of the Jewish people, I cannot find a term bywhich to distinguish them, and must therefore apologise for adoptingthose terms which are already in use. They are called _a nation_; andI avail myself of the word: but in what consists their nationality?They are termed _a body_: in what do they assimilate? They aredesignated _the British Jews_: how are they identified with the title?The phrase, "Members of a certain Synagogue, " conveys to the mind theonly idea to which we can find any corresponding reality; for, intruth, beyond what _it_ implies, the Jews are _not united_ for anydefinite design or purpose; and while it would have been reasonable toexpect, _à priori_, that the votaries of a faith set apart from allothers, should have had some common bond of union in their affairs, weare startled by the consideration that there exist at this moment inLondon alone, a number of distinct Jewish Congregations, _independent_of each other, with separate wants and interests, having nothing incommon but their religion: and all the great and noble advantages tobe obtained by numbers, having a unity of purpose, are eitherunrecognised, or merged and lost in that separation of interests whichmakes the respective pecuniary benefit of each Congregation thegreatest, if not the only object of its existence. 

The provincial Congregations are precisely in the same injuriousposition, and sensibly feel the want of a defined and constitutedauthority--to decide upon many differences that arise--to interferefor the extinction of animosities (trifling in themselves, but madegigantic by continued contest) easy to be reconciled by a power towhich all would feel compelled to bow--yet as pregnant with importantconsequences, if unchecked, as those causes which led for a period tothe downfall of monarchy in these realms. The evil appears, so far asregards the Metropolitan Congregations, to have originated at, andbeen continued from, the period of the second settlement of theIsraelites in this country. To the rapid increase of numbers andwealth, during the absence of one efficient regulating power, we cantrace the successive formation of so many distinct communities. 

To those elements which ought to have contributed to our strength, wethus owe our weakness, and that disorganisation and separation ofinterests which characterises the various proceedings of our body, inthe formation of the necessary places of worship, and in otheraffairs. Had our ancestors provided a government at the outset, orplaced us under the control of an adequate authority, no materialdisagreements would have taken place. But the narrow policy which ledto the formation of parties, compelled them to _take_ what might havebeen wisely and nobly given, --created feelings of aversion where theaffection of parent and offspring ought to have existed. The wealth ofthe newer branches generated, on their part, a feeling of prideequally to be deplored; and in losing sight of the necessity forgeneral co-operation, and for one common fund, every kindly feelinggave way to mutual jealousy. The example once set, was soon followed, and continues to be so on every opportunity: we blindly press onwardin the same irrational course, without staying to consider that weimpoverish the source, by continually increasing the number of thestreams. 

The same spirit of division (it cannot be called independence) entersinto the details of all the affairs of the Israelites in theirrespective undertakings: it marks their general social position, andleads to a universal separation of interests. Every charity isencountered by another for similar purposes, in the east or west, asthe case may be, to be supported by private exertion, and by opposingparties. One counteracts the other; both contend with all the forceand feelings of competitors for public favour. The strength whichwould be tenfold if united, is wasted in petty rivalries, and inendeavours after show, instead of being employed in seeking theadvantage of the objects to be benefited. Yet views of charity andreligion, which the Jews entertain in common, and the sympathy thatunites them, as it does individuals of every class possessing asimilarity of belief or feeling, render it desirable to resort to aplan 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. 

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The anxiety of the poor Jews for instruction, --of the trading classesfor moral improvement, --of the wealthy for a removal of civildisabilities, --of the religious for some _alteration_ in the mode ofworship, --in short, of every portion and member of the Jewishcommunity, for an amendment of its social position, is so evident, that the following suggestions are put forth in the hope and beliefthat they contain the elements of a plan, which, if boldly and fullycarried out, will tend to elevate the Jews from their present degradedand certainly unmerited position; and while it would improve _them_, it would enable the Christian world to do that justice to theirtalents and probity, for which at present, in an ignorance of theirtrue characteristics, little credit is given to them; not becauseEnglishmen are _now_ indisposed to act fairly or kindly to theircountrymen of a different religion, or from their indifference to thewants of our co-religionists, but because (in the fear of thrustingthemselves before the public, where insult and contumely have toofrequently awaited them) the Jews have not collectively manifested anydesire for intellectual culture, nor attempted to disabuse the mindsof their neighbours from the prejudices of what, _as towards theJews_, may be termed _an illiberal and bigoted education_. As, however, it forms no part of my plan to recapitulate the oppression ofthe one party, or the quiet suffering of the other, nor to analyse thecauses, but to take the Jews as I find them, I will leave to othersthe task of commenting upon the past, nor will I, by any invidiousremarks, prove that they have always been an ill-used body; yet Icannot refrain from stating, that in no similar number of men in GreatBritain, labouring under the same social and political disadvantageswith themselves (unprovided for by the government, uninstructed, andwith very few attempts made, until recently, by their brethren, toinstruct them), will be found more humanity, kindness, honesty, and adisinclination to heinous crimes, than in the body hitherto scornfullydesignated _Jews_. 

Attempts at _extensive improvements_ are always _termed visionary_;and every effort towards advancement has been always met by theclamours of the ignorant and the interested. The general spread ofknowledge has had to contend with the opposition of party and personalfeelings; but these have never been enabled to stem the onwardprogress 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, nothingdaunted at the first repulse, but to continue their course, risingsuperior to the paltry prejudices that may and will assail them, untilthey have succeeded in procuring for their brethren, a name and astation 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 theearnest co-operation of every individual that is to be benefited, andin that designation is comprised every member of the community. As acrime committed by a Jew, an illegal act, even an examination before amagistrate upon suspicion, is made a disgrace to the race, andreflects discredit upon the whole, the entire body--the veryreligion--suffers from it. Every living Jew--the very memory of thedead--demands justice; and as _individuals_ have it in their power tocontribute to the general _honour_ or _disgrace_, it is our duty toimplant the purpose that animates us in the hearts and understandingsof 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 thebest means for ameliorating the condition of the Jewish body; and Ionly refer to it shortly here, in order to state succinctly theobjects to be attained, and previously to an attempt, to show ourbrethren of all classes and of every grade, how intimately theinterest of each is bound up with that of the whole. It is clearlyadmitted that the children of the poor are not sufficiently educated, or sufficiently instructed in the means of procuring theirsubsistence, an evil which not only affects the present generation, but spreads its baneful influence wide and deep into the future, andmay affect all the interests of our posterity. One great portion ofthe plan, therefore, is to provide the means of education, to begoverned and guided according to rules which experience andobservation have proved to be the best, as selected from variousinstitutions and from Schools of Industry in this country. Anotherprincipal feature of it is, to enlarge and strengthen the power of thenumerous charitable societies in existence, by providing a buildingadapted to the whole, and which, by creating a unity of purpose andmanagement among the various administrations, will give a much largerscope of action to the respective charities. A third portion of theplan regards an adequate provision for an Anglo-Jewish press, whichwill be found not only subsidiary to the objects already alluded to, by publishing to our brethren every thing connected with thoseobjects, but will be seen to be in itself a most powerful instrumentfor our mental advancement; and as it is requisite that such great andimportant ends as these should be guided and controlled by one power, so that each portion of this plan should lend to, and receive mutualassistance from, the others, so that no differences of view shouldintercept or mar the common benefit, it has been considered requisiteto provide for the constituting of a supervising committee or centralcouncil, who would have the superintendence of all matters not_ecclesiastical_. 

Let us contrast in our minds, for one moment, the present state ofthings, with what an advantageous position we should hold, as acommunity, 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 amongus that will not say, in the communings of his own soul, "This is aconcern in which it behoves me to exert every energy and power whichthe Divine Author of our faith has bestowed upon me"? And while allcan bring their meed of power and energy to the task, to each, according to his views, his feelings, or his rank in life, somepeculiar inducement appears for taking part in so laudable anundertaking. 

I would ask the religious man, be he Jew or not, Is not a properobservance of religion to be expected rather from the instructed thanthe debased mind? Putting aside every high command to assist theneedy, is it not a duty to improve the worldly welfare of your fellowman, giving him, at the same time, means which will develop his mentalfaculties, and induce him to join you in prayer, and lead him to thebetter 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 withthe fate of the poor and unenlightened Jews. Assist them--instructthem--extend the provision for them in old age--let not the prejudiceswhich spring from worldly differences, or the rancour of sectarianfeeling, blind you to the great good you may achieve. Join early inthe glorious work--come even singly to combat with darkness anddisgrace. Every man may be the vanquisher of one illiterate spirit, and bear him from ignorance and evil to knowledge and the brightnessof everlasting good. It is your duty especially, preachers of the wordof truth, to disseminate these principles from your high places; forby opening the minds of the ignorant you teach them to laugh to scornthe sophisms of conversionists, and enable them to judge better oftheir religion and THEMSELVES. Unite yourselves then, ye pastors; cryaloud, "There is a feeling of hope stirring among the Jews--they seekfor instruction, let us help them!" Address your exertions to informthose who know less than yourselves--and you will have the inestimablesatisfaction of perceiving that the precepts of morality and virtuewill make their way with redoubled force to the hearts andunderstandings of your hearers; that you will be enabled to impart toall, whatever religion affords of hope and consolation and gladness;cheering the afflicted in the hour of his adversity--proving to thedoubting spirit that "truth and good are one, " and, in the exerciseof your sacred functions on _unclouded_ minds, "Allure to brighter worlds and lead the way. "

In the prosecution of this scheme many advantages are offered, whichto the trader and mere man of the world are of considerableimportance, by bringing all our charities to a focus. Setting asidethe _great saving that could and would_ be effected _in themanagement_ by united efforts, a much larger sum might be given to thelegitimate object of each charity, and a systematic and efficientcheck upon each person receiving relief could be accomplished. 

The vast sums annually given to established charities and benevolentinstitutions, form but a small item in the sum total of expenditurefor charity. Tradesmen, and indeed individuals of every class, are inthe habit of making continual donations to persons unknown, andfrequently unworthy. To those, then, whom these considerationsprincipally affect, I would say, --Put all your charities under asalutary control, and, under a united management, sink for once themere desire to be chairman, committee-men, and managers. Act withothers, and not as if you only were _patrons_ and _founders_ of theinstitutions you wish to see flourish. Unite for the purpose of doinggood, not for granting patronage. Assist in educating the poor andneedy, whether orphans or otherwise, and in afterwards placing them asapprentices. As the honesty of their character, and the diligence withwhich they exercise their calling become developed and known, so willyour reputation as honourable tradesmen increase. As _they_ will havereceived the advantage of an education, in which religion and moralitywill have been combined with whatever is necessary for their supportthrough life, no imputation of chicanery--no supposition of dishonestywill attach itself to them, and _your_ word will be taken. When _theirreligious_ observances are known, they will be appreciated; and _your_pledge of _honour_ as a _Jew_ will be guarantee for the quality ofyour commodity. Thus everything is to be gained, and theaccomplishment is within your own power. Will you quietly sit by andhear vituperation heaped upon your creed and upon yourselves, withoutbeing roused to the slightest effort? I will readily admit that it isonly the prejudices of the ignorant and vulgar which draw thedistinction between yourself and the Christian: enlighten _him_therefore where requisite; associate as much as possible with him; letyour press address _him_; prove by _your_ acts, _your_ words anddealings, the falseness of his assertions against you, and his sneerloses all its sting from its inapplicability. Let the phrase, "_He isa Jew in his dealings_, " be an _honourable testimonial_, equally asdesirable to you as that "_He acts like a Christian_, " is to ourfellow-citizens of the faith alluded to: and let those who think thatthe only worth of the Jewish religion is to be measured by thepurchase-money offered for apostasy from it, find that the price theypay is only a bribe for _seeming assent_ from the outcasts of society, and that the very worst and lowest Jew is sufficiently informed toknow that he will not be raised by becoming a bad Christian, or aninfidel. It is equally clear that a bad Jew will never make a goodChristian: and I am not quite sure if we ought not to be thankful forthe removal of such an excrescence from our body. 

In turning to those who are sometimes termed our aristocracy, that isto say--the wealthy portion of the Jewish community, I would ask, Areyou contented that the stigma which unjustly presses on the Jewishname should longer continue? I am free to admit that the Christiansrather than the Jews require to be enlightened upon this point; buthave you attempted this? What has been done by you for the elevationof your brethren? But let all that is practicable in this respect beattained, and you will ascend with them; as the majority becomerefined in their manners, talented in their professions, known intheir dealings, so will you, always the most conspicuous, be exaltedwith them. Honour will emanate from the people and be reflected uponthe leaders. Every onward movement of the middle and lower orders mustpress you, the more advanced, into higher eminence: and it istherefore necessary on your parts to procure for the body of which youare a portion, the means of making its members of every class usefuland excellent citizens. While the poor are left to obloquy--no matterwho the rich may be--all will be designated by one common term ofreproach. 

While the great mass of the population is progressing in intellectualpower, the Jews cannot stand still and be at the same time respected. The aristocratic class of the Jews is formed of men of wealth--ofwealth honourably acquired, and thus open to every man: but unless thestrictest regard be had to the education of our co-religionists, weshall have that class, noted only for its money and its ignorance, shamed into an unenviable notoriety by an indifference to the wants ofthe majority, and dragged downwards with them into one generalobscurity. As wealth is within the attainment of poorer orders, therequisite education should be at once provided for them--thecharacters of all formed upon honest principles--the minds of allcultivated and embued with useful knowledge--and the manners, so faras is practicable, trained with a view to what is decorous and properin social life. Punish by your frowns, by public scorn and privateavoidance, the wretch who would cast dishonour on you by thedishonesty of his dealings. The poorest youth of character may justlyaspire in this country to the honours of every station, and he will bethe more honoured and sought as his fair fame expands itself--anexample to his fellows--an ornament to his friends--an honour to hiscountry. One false step in early life (which, had he possessed thateducation we contend for, might have been avoided), and he not onlycloses the portals of distinction on himself--not to be reopened bygolden keys--but he becomes a source of injury to all his race. 

I should but imperfectly fulfil my task, if I omitted to address thefairer portion of our community for their aid in this nobleundertaking. To those who know the deep extent of their influence, although exerted within the limited sphere of the hallowed precinctsof 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 possessa knowledge of this influence? Glorious hereditary traits distinguish, in the eyes of every Israelite, the daughters of his race. The pureaffection that characterises them inspires all their actions, andrepays _him_, in the hours spent in the bosom of his family, for thetoils, the trials, and the hardships of the world. From an influenceso founded, what may not be expected from her who is entrusted withthe formation of the mind at that period when it is susceptible ofevery impression for good or ill: nearly everything we possess of thebetter and purer feelings of our nature, we can trace to the hours ofchildhood, when all is subjected to the maternal sway. 

Even the tales with which she lulls to sleep may lead to pursuits ofhonour; for as we find a prejudice firmly imprinted on the memory fromnursery stories, so may nobler views of men and actions be lessonsfrom the cradle never to be eradicated, but strengthened by subsequenttuition. 

In after-age, woman controls and influences the stronger passions ofour nature: and no shape, no circumstance of life can occur, butwhere, directly or indirectly, the relation in which she stands to usaffects every occurrence, and retards or gives an impulse to thecurrent of our lives; and as surely as her support is sought for byher offspring, and her affection relied upon by her husband, so is shecapable of achieving all that is desirable in her family. Looking thento each family among us for some support for this undertaking, we mayhope to have done something towards its fulfilment, when the mothersand daughters of Israel shall become acquainted and penetrated withits aim and tendency. _They_ can improve the condition of theirrace--to _their_ understandings no suggestion is necessary as to whatcourse to pursue--to their hearts no stimulus required as aninducement to assist in a course which concerns the intellectualadvancement and the happiness of their people. Where ends like theseare to be gained, they will be the first to perceive how much of whatis purely domestic, and within their own immediate sphere, may deriveadvantage from their participation and advocacy. 

The humbler portion of my brethren, in whose _direct_ and moreespecial interest a part of this undertaking has been contemplated, will, it is to be hoped and expected, give it that assistance whichthe case demands from them. Their welfare is the great object sought;and I implore them, for whom so much is desired, not to meet withcoldness these efforts on their behalf--I implore them to be advised, taught, guided and improved by those who only seek their own advantagein common with that of the poor themselves. 

To smooth the rugged path of their toils--to elevate them above theoccasional frowns and ill-temper of those whom fortune has more highlyfavoured--to alleviate their misery--to provide for their wants--torecognise their claims--to prove that they are the objects ofsolicitude to their true friends among the richer Jews--will be thegreat result, as it is the great purpose, of this plan: but how cantheir condition be improved, unless with an earnest disposition ontheir own part towards it? Is obtaining occasional charity, thatrelieves them only for a short period, the sole aim of their lives? Isnot the welfare of their children an all-powerful feeling with them?Does the destitution of old age never occur to their thoughts, untilthe moment that it commences, when helpless infirmity assails them? Isnot the thought of an hereafter sometimes present to their minds? Iftheir answers, their opinions upon these subjects, are what theyshould be, and what must naturally be expected, I am sure they willadd, that they are prepared to go with me in the scheme for theirimprovement and welfare; they will remove their children from thecontamination of vice--allow them to be taught honest trades as theygrow up--let them become men of use to the community, their cheerersand supporters in affliction and age; and when not blessed withoffspring, there will still be a reward for the uprightness andintegrity of their conduct in that Asylum, which I hope we shall soonsee erected for their reception, when their strength and powers ofexertion shall be exhausted, where their labours shall cease, andwhere the doors shall be opened for their future ease, without theinterference of private friends or their personal solicitations to apatron. 

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Having somewhat concisely shewn the advantages to be gained byadopting a scheme to be founded on the foregoing hints, I wouldsolicit the co-operation of all friends to my views, to commenceforthwith the formation of a General Committee or Council, consisting, in the _first instance_, of those who are disposed to give theirpersonal or pecuniary assistance; and afterwards, during the operationof the project, also of members selected by the public and popularelection of the Jews in all parts of Great Britain. The ultimate aimof this Committee or Council should be to become (as they would, bytheir superior knowledge and management) the governing body of theJews in this country in all secular matters. They should possess theconfidence of the community from their numbers, education, wealth, andfooting in society. From their public elections--from their readycompliance to entertain and adjudicate upon all matters coming beforethem--from their _public_ deliberations and well-weighed judgments ingeneral assembly from all parts, at stated periods, their positionwould be independent, yet subject to the wholesome control of thepress 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. Withoutgiving any opinion on the merits of the question in the recent disputeat Liverpool, if a government had been in existence, would theunpleasant result of the establishment of a fresh congregation, another independent and irresponsible party, have arisen, with all itsexpensive appurtenances and its future jealousies, to say nothing ofthe fact of another disagreement among the Jews, being trumpeted forthby those who watch for opportunities to defame us. 

The truth is so apparent, that we think it requires little argument toprove to the minds of those who will give the subject someconsideration, the propriety of immediately forming a Council, vestedwith powers alike for the control and supervision of oldcongregations, as for the supporting of new ones--for proposing andcarrying out laws and regulations in furtherance of the philanthropicand educational portions of this scheme, and for assimilating allJewish arrangements, either provincial or metropolitan. 

The Society of Friends (whose social constitutions and government mustbe the theme of praise even to the most casual observer) I would inthis as in many other details take as my model; for they are spreadover as large a surface as the Jews--consist, like them, of merchantsand traders--similar in numbers--superior in education, (although notin mental capacity)--with a well-ordered and responsiblegovernment--and we consequently hear of no distress or disorganizationamong them; yet it is not to be doubted that as many causes forinterference occur in that body as in our own, but education, discipline, and a well-regulated system for their poor enable them tograpple with every question of good or evil, whether of retrogressionor 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 theCouncil would have an ultimate influence on the management of thefunds, and have an opportunity of investigating into and advising upontheir distribution, an efficient system of relief would be formed--theaged would be provided for--the ignorant instructed--and, as a generalconsequence, the character of the Jew regarded with the homage thatevery man pays to excellence under _every denomination_. 

Not to enter fully into further particulars upon the various subjectswithin the immediate province of the Council, there is yet one of_great_ importance, hitherto wholly disregarded, but intimatelyconnected with any extended plan of education and philanthropy, whichmight be well submitted to their supervision. By a registration of thenames of every man, woman, and child of the Jewish persuasion, a largeamount of statistical information would be obtained, and theconcentration of the community facilitated--no claimant for anypurpose of education or charity, could or would be recognised, unlessupon the register--thus offering an inducement for every member of theJewish body to enter his or her name upon it; for this registration asmall charge, say one shilling, should be made, which would produce anannual amount of about £1500 to be added to the general funds, for thebenefit of all; affording material assistance to the objects nowcontemplated; and, while giving an interest to each person in thepublic concerns, the required sum would be very trifling to thepoorest, when considered as giving them defined claims as recognisedmembers of a community. 

That the various Synagogues have the means of largely assisting aliberal and progressive policy, not the most prejudiced upholder ofthe present state will deny--nor will it be urged that they havecontributed to their fullest extent towards the education andenlightenment of the rising generation. In a pecuniary point of view, they could and would gain largely by adopting fully the views nowadvocated; for they would transfer from their funds to those of theJewish public, all their pensioners: but they ought to be the leadersin encouraging the objects, from a desire of improvement, instead ofmere pecuniary gain. In proposing the instruction of all the Jewishchildren, therefore, and in taking charge of all the offspring of thepoor, I take from them all the claim generally resorted to for thecharitable interference of the Synagogues; as the poor will have verylittle difficulty in maintaining themselves, if we maintain all theirchildren, to do which, it would be necessary to remove them to asuitable establishment, properly provided and superintended, inconnection with a school of industry, in which all the trades anduseful arts of life should be inculcated. The school (Aubin's) atNorwood gives the system as far as it can be properly acted upon; or anew system, if necessary, could be arranged, having for its object theinstruction of the younger children, and the making artizans of themore advanced in age. The expences of this arrangement would be muchless than generally imagined, and a considerable part of them could bedefrayed by the industry of the pupils; and the schools of the Societyof 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 theformation of a superior school for a limited number of boys in theneighbourhood of the London University, where the most talented of thescholars from the former school should be placed, at the publiccharge, under the tuition of Hebrew, French, and German classicalteachers. The expenditure for board and lodging, and for attending theclasses during the term at the University school, and at theUniversity, should be defrayed out of the general fund; and some ofthese youths might and should be trained to all the offices and dutiesof our clergy, others to the professions of law and medicine, and allother superior attainments of education. Accommodation should beafforded at this place for a number of private or paying pupils, tohave the advantages of all the means of instruction provided, and ofthe general management of the house, with the privilege of attendingthe University, and of having their studies likewise superintended atthe house by the professors engaged. The fees for their admission andsupport would considerably lessen the expences of the wholeestablishment, and enable the younger branches of the Jews to receivea sound, religious, and classical education. This would give anopportunity for the development of all the higher attributes of themind; and as the youth assembled there would be all of the bestinstructed of the rising and future generations, every province inEngland and the Colonies would naturally come there for its tutors andclergy. Inducements thus held out for the cultivation of talent in allclasses, would be gradually to render the whole body of the Jews wellinformed. 

It is unnecessary to say more here upon this subject. The minorpoints, being for the consideration of the Council, shall beforthcoming at the proper time: but I believe the removal of the youngfrom the old, at an early age, very desirable; for, the contaminationof evil example, of vicious and dishonourable pursuits, tends to undothe instruction they receive at present, and is the cause of so smalla number attending the places already provided for their instruction. The object must be, therefore, to make the school attractive to thechildren, and an advantage to the parents. 

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By the amalgamation of the Jewish charities is not to be understoodthe depriving of any of the present institutions of their funds, or oftheir control over them, nor do I wish to divert legacies or theaccumulations of years from their legitimate channels, but to securean efficient centralisation, with wholesome and necessary control; forit must be admitted that, independent of the money so liberallybestowed by the wealthy portion of the Jews, the humblest as well asthe most distinguished give continually large sums in proportion totheir incomes. 

Not a Sunday, and scarcely a day, passes, but contributions aresolicited from the poorer traders of the Jews, to which the mostindigent add their pence, with the _true_ feelings of Jewishbenevolence, in the hope of mitigating the poignant sufferings of theapplicants. "The charity which plenty gives to poverty is human andearthly, but it becomes divine and heavenly when poverty gives towant. "

The great sums distributed in known or public charities are more thandoubled by the continual call upon the purses of the donors; and beingso well answered, it is impossible to calculate the amount. 

The wealthy are daily subjected to these visitations, and in fewinstances is the immediate pecuniary relief refused. It is scarcelynecessary to point out the expensiveness of this mode of relief, itbeing self-evident; but that is a very small portion of the evil itentails. If it ended here, I would say, Send not a mendicant, nomatter what his creed or country, from you unrelieved; as the verynecessity that induces the application is sufficient reason forrelief, should even the applicant be thought unworthy: but themischief STOPS not here; it is only the _commencement_--it encourages, instead of checking, mendicity--it produces beggars where it shouldmake artizans--it encourages consumers instead of helpingproducers--it assists idlers when its object is and should be tosupport the industrious. [A]

All indiscriminate charity must therefore be an evil to the body, aninjury to the community: it begets a class of persons that spend theeasily obtained funds as improperly as they were procured--it degradesthe minds of the recipients, while the wealthy donors look morefrequently with disgust than compassion on the receiver; in short, nopersons 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. Thesums thus distributed should, and would, suffice to maintain all thepaupers of the Jews; but the inefficiency of the administration permitsthem to devote their entire time in successfully preventing onecharitable institution from arriving at the knowledge of what theyreceive from another, and to extort from private sources as much aspossible. 

These are facts known to us all: but, in the charitableness of ourhearts, we fear to come boldly forward and provide at once entirelyfor all these mendicants, who should be properly taken care of, clothed, fed, and housed; and the expenditures of the present daywould 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 idlydisposed would find the fee simple of their present estates devoted tothe purchase of useful, industrious, and honest means of procuringthem their subsistence. 

Through the want of a well-regulated system of relief, under check andcontrol, every beggar is an independent member of the Jewishcommonwealth, employed in seeking, the entire day, whom to devour, considering himself entirely at liberty, morally and physically, todevote his entire time to the readiest way of getting money--honestlyif he can, that is, by persevering importunity, but frequently byfalse representations, and other more disreputable means, of which thelaw takes no immediate cognizance. 

_We_ continually see the state to which this reduces him, but HE feelsnot the degradation to which he has become familiar, habit reconcilingand making attractive his course of life, whatever may have been hisfeelings at the commencement of it. The persons who condemn are thosewho have driven him to this base means of existence; the facility withwhich money is obtained from those who give (through the habit ofdoing so from having seen their parents do it, or because they believethe distressed is a poor Jew and has _no recognised_ refuge), inducesan opinion that this is the proper and legitimate mode of Jewishcharity: but no really laudable feeling enters the mind of either; nordoes the giver always think he is conferring a benefit: he treats theapplicant for relief generally as "a fugitive and vagabond on theearth, " forgetting entirely that the debasement of this mind, theignorance of this man, the slur that is cast upon the Jews by thisindividual, is entirely their own act. They, the wealthy, the honored, the enlightened, the pride of the people, are the culprits--not thepoor, the ignorant, the destitute. Cheerfully might these be inducedto regard the means of supporting themselves by their own industry. How gladly would they avail themselves of a reputable institution toreceive them, --a house to shelter them--a supervision to protect, anasylum to support them! But have the leaders attended to this?

It is true, and honourable, and worthy of the highest praise, thatmany sources of relief exist, founded by the thoughtful, supported bythe charitable, governed by the indefatigable; but many of these even, it is reported, have been commenced by those who are but littleelevated above poverty in the neighbourhood where the distress hasbeen most evident, and maintained subsequently by the personalinterference of individuals, and the stringent appeals of privatefriends, which could not have been refused if wished, which dared notbe neglected. An exception, the Jews' Hospital, was the emanation of anoble mind, and, backed by disinterested perseverance, induced all tocontribute to so bold an undertaking, commencing from the highest: itssphere of benefit is, however, very limited. Unfortunately, few amongus investigate whether any good, or what, is achieved by othersocieties to which all are ready and willing contributors. But thetime has come, hastened by the Anglo-Jewish press, when we all see thenecessity 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 ofconversionists can do it for us; and certainly much more effectuallywhen we commence, as years of ineffectual effort on their part haveproved. 

_Our_ motives cannot be impugned; the object being the purest andholiest command "to honour and succour the aged;" persons unknown tous, unconnected in every way with us except by their adoration andworship of the Creator by the same means, forms, and language. 

I would suggest to all the charities as at present constituted, whiletheir usefulness must be admitted, that their government, although itis to a limited extent good, does not answer many of the purposes thatare desirable; nor does it prevent an individual obtaining from _all_sources the donations they distribute; nor do the present methodsprovide _entirely_ for the object to be benefited. 

Let, then, the present _funds_ of all the charities be united, withgrants from the congregations, and gifts or loans from privateindividuals. These will amount, in a very short time, to a sumsufficiently large to build one house for the reception of the ageddecayed, the blind, the deaf and dumb, the idiotic, the helpless, andthe temporarily destitute: the really destitute only to be admissible. Relief from all other quarters should be withheld, or a proper officerfor the distribution of charity appointed; but if the friends of anyof the inmates can contribute to their maintenance, they should do soto the general fund. This building should be divided into wards, eachseparate ward to be under the control, and supplied by the funds ofthe charity to which it at present approximates nearest: the objectsof 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 asat present, and devote them to the same purposes; but the infirm andpoor would be entirely provided with every necessary, and a home. Thedetails, however, must be left until the rules for general managementare arranged: but it should be a fundamental principle, that everymember of each committee should be a member of the general board; anda part of the details, that the beds in wards for the aged should befitted as those at Greenwich Hospital; and that every committee manshould have the power to inspect _every_ ward. For the purpose ofexample, let us suppose the ward for the aged destitute established;the society whose object approaches nearest should take themanagement, and subscribe towards the general fund according to itsmeans, say £1000. 

Their subsequent annual contribution must be arranged in proportion toits revenue: for if their present income is £150 per annum, they cannow only disburse £100, the remainder being swallowed up for variousexpenses. It would be desirable and easy for them to devote the largersum, or nearly their entire means, to the purposes of the ward. 

The same system adopted throughout the house would be ample for itssupport; and each charity would be carrying out to its greatest extentthe object of its formation. In every ward there should be a tabletwith the names of the Founders, Committee, and Subscribers above acertain sum. A portion of the expences of the establishment would beyielded by itself; the money now expended in managements would beproduced by the registration; and any other deficiency, by the generalfund. 

The Society of Friends have a general register; and every membercontributes to the local funds, these again to the general: thussufficient sums are obtained for all proper and legitimate purposes. Asomewhat similar _modus operandi_ I would advocate for our adoption:the country congregations, being relieved from all expences exceptthose of a religious or congregational character, would be enabled tosupport with more honour and better remuneration the clergy--who, feeling themselves (as their education should command) independent ofobligation to their auditory, would preach the noblest and highestprecepts of their creed, and urge a better worldly bearing. 

To this advantage, which would be an indirect although certain resultof a proper administration of the funds, would be added a beneficialinfluence on the head of the clergy--who, being the leader of highlyeducated gentlemen, would find it impossible to govern, unlesspossessing the same learning and acquirements; and thus we shouldensure an elevated clergy, to which the most wealthy might with honouraspire. 

In the execution of a scheme which depends greatly upon the majorityof the community, for whom it is intended, taking not only a clear andcomprehensive view of their present position, but upon their becomingdeeply, and daily more deeply, interested in the amelioration of thatposition--which relies upon extending to all the feelings of a part, and will be successful in the highest degree whenever anything likethis unanimity of feeling prevails--the power of a well-directed pressmust be admitted not only to be great, but the necessity of it in ameasure to be indispensable. What has been effected for mankind at allperiods, since it has become within possibility to move the springs offeeling and of volition by this more than electric force, after havingilluminated the mind by floods of light from the concentration ofopinions, the wisest and most just, is matter of notoriety to all: andit cannot be necessary, at this time of day, to enumerate those greatevents, whose earliest origin being traced to some important want ofthe human race, or to some one of the great and abiding principles ofour nature, yet owe their consummation wholly to the facility by whichmind communicates with mind, enabling the truth of those principles tobe tested by the universality of their reception, and by which theobjections of prejudice and ignorance being destroyed, truth andjustice 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 atall times from the aspersions of interested and prejudiced writers, enabling all of us to understand the wants of our community--capableby the force of its reasoning or the keenness of its satire, ofimproving the manners, tastes, habits, and pursuits of all--placing usbefore the eyes of our Christian fellow-countrymen in our own justcharacters, to correct the false impressions they may havereceived--with a power such as this pressing upon the generalconsideration, a large and liberal scheme of charity and education, and enforcing the wise decisions of our central Council--with such apress might we not reasonably hope that a few short years wouldbehold--

 "The Jew an honored name!"

A journal to subserve such purposes ought necessarily to be placed onan independent footing: and it would, therefore, become the immediateduty of the Council, on its formation, to look to its establishment orto its support. It is admitted that a journal exists; but the apathywhich meets the efforts of individuals among the Jews to benefit theirbrethren, has extended itself to this: but it still might be madeavailable for all the ends we seek, by means within the powers of theCouncil, which would yet leave the press perfectly unfettered. 

It cannot come within the province of this pamphlet to state at lengthwhat the contents of such a journal ought to be; but, besides thosegeneral objects already stated, it might be made the vehicle foraffording a large amount of statistical information on the numbers, callings, and education of the Jews--the incomes and expenditures ofcharitable societies and Synagogues. It should, by extracts from ourauthentic historians, etc. Make us better acquainted with theknowledge of the past, and at all times, by researches into theconstitutional principles of this nation, and by asserting the justright of human kind, convince Englishmen that we are _their_COUNTRYMEN, and that, by birth, we are as much entitled to theprivileges of our country as the proudest noble who traces hispedigree from the Conquest. 

 * * * * *

I cannot conclude without imploring the Jews to shake off thatterrible apathy and coldness which have from time immemorial grownupon them, which have hitherto depressed their energies, and leftthem the sport and passive creatures of circumstance. If they havesunk into a state of listlessness, in the first place, from theoppression which their ancestors endured in past times--and if theyhave continued in that state, from a variety of causes, some of whichare faintly shadowed forth in the preceding pages, I yet hope, andmost devoutly hope, that the hour and the day are arrived for thefirst 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 theblessing of the Deity, to enable us to stand forth before the world atlarge, in the clear noon-day light, in the possession of intelligenceand virtue, and honoured and respected accordingly; demonstrating thatin England, integrity, patriotism, and good conduct, meet theirreward, 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 toruin; sloth will predominate; men will no longer depend on themselves, but, having from their own conduct nothing to hope or fear, they willlook to their neighbours for support; they will first abandon theirduty, and then be a burden on the public. "--_Tacitus. _

J. Wertheimer & Co. , Printers, Circus Place, Finsbury Circus. 

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