The rough juxtaposition of the beginning of the First World War with Rosh Hashana (September 8, 1914) was the impetus for a sermon preached at the Dalston Synagogue (in the Borough of Islington, in North London). This was reported upon in the Chronicle on September 25.
The duration and nature of World War One – alas, as in any war, really – was the inevitable context for reflection and sermons throughout remainder of the conflict. Many such pieces appeared in the Chronicle throughout the rest of the war – even into 1919. The thought behind such writings was directly motivated by or emanated from military aspects of the war itself, or, spurred on events, conditions, and changes – both within the United Kingdom and beyond – that affected the Jewish people, and, the world as a whole.
The same – and much, much more – could be said for items in the Jewish press during the Second World War.
And, was. (Hopefully, more of that in future posts.)
Reverend Wasserzug expressed optimism on two levels: That the heroism exemplified by the Russian Jewish soldier Osnas (mentioned in a prior Chronicle article) – and other Russian Jewish soldiers like him – would elicit freedom and (seemingly) acceptance for current and future generations of Russian Jews. And, that the war, “…like a storm [would] cleanse the European air of the moral atmosphere which has infected it.”
Alas, as we now know in hindsight – as was known decades ago – the currents of history would in time proceed towards opposite destinations.
(The “gap” in the middle of the item, ending with the syllable “sed” (!), is due to poor legibility of the original microfilm from which this item was copied.)
____________________
THE WAR AND THE NEW YEAR
The Jewish Chronicle
September 25, 1914
Preaching on the first day of Rosh Hashana at the Dalston Synagogue, the Rev. D. Wasserzug dealt with the lessons of the War. Taking his text from the second chapter of Isaiah I, the preacher pointed out the remarkable parallelism that existed in the political conditions of Judah, under Ahab and Europe in our own time. Both ages had enjoyed great material prosperity, both were animated by a coarse vain glory, and in the intoxication of their pride both fell under the temptation of forgetting God and ascribing their successes to their own skill and prowess. And having deposed the God of Righteousness from his throne, they set up in his place a new god, a hideous monster bolstered up by spear and cannon. Right wars superseded by might, meekness was regarded as weakness, brute force alone was triumphant. And as in those remote days, so now they _____sed what this exaltation of force led to. But out of the mad welter of fire and blood and ruin that stormed around them, was there no sign that they might carry with them into the New Year, that might inspire them with hope for the dawning of a brighter and better day for mankind? In the first place, the truth will be brought home to the hearts of men that the corner stone of their national life is not the sword and cannon, but the worship of God, and the practice of righteousness. They will now learn with ever growing clearness and force that what is morally wrong, cannot be politically right, and that whatsoever nations violate the laws of righteousness, shall surely be overtaken by shame and remorse. They will now learn that the truest form of culture is loyalty to God and his precepts. And the Jewish community too, might draw some hope from the situation, too. Just as the pistol shot of the retched young Serbian student at Sarajevo fired the train which has exploded in blood and ruin over the whole continent, so the heroism of the young Russian Jewish student – Osnas – may yet, under Providence, herald the dawn of a happier and more liberal era for our Russian brethren. His bravery, as well as the undoubted enthusiasm of the Russian Jews for their country’s cause, has touched the hearts and impressed the imagination of the Russian people as they have never before been touched and impressed, so that the blood which our brothers were shedding so prodigally for Russia may yet be the seed of a rich and noble harvest of freedom, of which their children may enjoy. Affection has never been a stronger spiritual agent than prosperity, and like a storm, this war may yet cleanse the European air of the moral atmosphere which has infected it.