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601 nnil is now pri-SLTvcd in Vistniiusttr Abbey. Somewhat inconsistently, llie juoiiliecy that the anaanites shoukl tiouble Israel (Num. ...iii. 55, .losh. x.xiii. VJ} is aii|)lieil to the Irish. The land of Arzareth, to which the Israelites were transplanted (II Esd. .xiii. 4"i), is identitied with Ireland by dividing the former name into two |)arls, the former of which is iivz, or " laud " the latter, Ar. or " Ire." Philology, of a somewhat primitive kind, is also brought in to support the theory: the many Biblical

England, <



(|uasi-.Iewish names borne by Knglishmen are held to prove their Israel-

and

Philological Arguments.

itish origin (H. K. Nicholls,

"Surnames

of the English People "). An attempt has been made to derive the English language itself from Hebrew (K. Govell. "English

Derived from Hebrew "). Thus, " Iniiru " is derived from bur (" son "), " berry" from jicri (" fruit "), " garden " from r/edtii; "kid" from r/eili, "scale" from flifk-tl, and "kitten" from f/iiiUm (katou =" little").

The

termination

" ish " is identitied

with the

Hebrew

tW(("man"); "Spanish" means ".Spain-man"; while "British" is identitied with Beril -hh ("nM of the covenant "). I'erhaps the most euriousof these [iliilological identitiealions is that of "jig" with chi'j {htif/

=" festival ").

l)y the application of wild guesswork aiMiut historical origins and philological analogies, and by a slavishly literal interpretation of selected l)hra.ses of pro|)hecy, a case was made out for the ideiititication of the British race with the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel sutlicient to satisfy uncritical ))ersons desirous of finding their pride of race confirmed by Holy Scripture. The whole theory rests upon an identification of the word "isles" in the English version of the Bible unjtistified by modern philology, which identifies the original word with

Altogether,

"coasts" or "distant lands" without any implication of their being surrounded liy the .sea. Jlodern ethnogniphy does not confirm in any way the identification of the Irish with a Semitic people; while the English can be traced back to the Scandinavians, of whom there is no traci- in Mesopotiimia at any period of history. English isa branch of the .ryan stock of languages, and has no connection with Hebrew. The whole movement is chiefiy interesting as a reil'irlio ml itlmirdiim of too literal an interpretation of the prophecies. The Anglo-Israelite theory has of recent _vears been coimected with the persecutions of the Jews, in which the Anglo-Israelites see further confirmation of their position by thi' carrying out of the threats prophesied against Judah. This .side of the sibject has l>e(n dealt with bv T. H. Howlett in " Anirlo-Israel Jewish Problem," Philadelphia, Wvi; supplement, 1804. BIIU.IOOIIAI'MV wiiirees

fmin



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works mpntlnniHl

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has lieen ciniwn

Thr lirilMi yttfinu htfutiUfil with IsTl, anil W. II. Pciole. Atiiiti>-IsrfU-l,

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QuiKliiiiie irorirnli. Itnme. IHSO. Murli lliforniation Is iilso eontjilniil 111 the JoiirniilH Amilit-ltfrnil Hlid lliinnrr ut /wrfir/, Ixitli |)uMl.<ndnii. anIlslii' t( wi;., anJ the Church QuiirIrrltt lii'Vit tl xvll. 'M fl

.•**(.

J.

ANGLO- JEWISH ASSOCIATION



An

or

gani/.ation formed by Jews of the British empire having for it.sobjects the)iromotioii of social, moral, and intelleclunl progress among the Jews; and the obtaining of iirotectiou for those who may suller in

consequence of being Jews. Some far seeing and large-minded men, among them the late Dr. Beuisch anil the Kev. Dr. A. Lowy (late secretary of the as.sociatioii), had many years before its establishment conceived the idea of forming a society on lines similar to those of the Alliance Israelite Universelle in Paris; but it was not until after the Franco-(}ermun war of 1ST(»-71 that an oii]iortunitj' presented

it.self

for

the realization of their idea.

Grave apprehensions were entertained that the work of the Alliance, interrupted by the war, wouhl suller through want of means; that the unhappy feud, which had estranged the two i)owerful nations of France and Germany, would, for some time to come at least, prevent the Jews in both countries from cooperating even in works of philanthropy, and that unless help came from withont. disorganization, if not dis.solution, must be the inevitable result. It was thought also that it was time a body so prosperous, infiuential, and .sympathetic as the English Jews should tjike its stand by the side of the other sections of Jewry, and share in a movement full of promise for the welfare of the Jewish race: and at the sjime time should give the best conceivable evidence of their .sympathy with their brethren in France. These were the objects which guided the iiromot^TS of the Anglo Jewish Association; but taking into consideration the position occupied by Great Britain, it was from the outset thought desirable that the right of inde])endent action should be reserved to the new society. While it works in the utmost harmony with the Alliance Israelite Univcrselle, this right has ever since been maintained. A large number of prominent members of the Jewish community in Loudon gave their adhesion to the movement, and the AngloFounda- Jewish Association was formally contion. stitut<'d at a jiublic meeting held on July 2. 1871. ElTorts were made at once to obtain members throughout the United Kingdom and in the Britisli colonies, and within the first year branches were formed in Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham, and promises of support were received from Cape Colimyand .some of the Australian colonies. That these promises were kept, and that the work of the Anglo-Jewish Association has since then enlisted thir sympathy of Jews in

(juarlers of the globe, may be inferred from the fact that in 1000 the society had 3(i branches; viz.. 21 in the I'niled Kingdom, 14 in the Colonies, British selllenienls. and foreign countries, and in India. In this respect the Anglo-Jewish Association forms a powerful link between the Jews in all parts of the British dominions, for there is no other Jewish body in the rniled Kingdom with such extensive ramifications. The late Prfes.sor Jacob Waley was elected the first i)residcnt of the association; the vice-presidents were Dr. Benisch. Sir Francis II. Goldsmid. Mr. (afterward Sir) Julian (Joldsmid, Sir George Jessel (then .soliciinr-gciicnilK Sir David Salomons, Mr. Heiiben D. Sa.ssoon. and Sir John Df these gentlemen (then Mr. Serjeant) Simon. (five of whom were at the time members of Parliament) only .Mr. Sas,soon survives, and his name still appears in the list of vice-presidents. After the first year Profes.sor Wah'V was compelled by ill health to resign the ofiice of presidenl. The vacancv was filled by the election of Baron Henry di' Vonns who held tin' ofiice for four(now Lord Pirbrii.'ht>. On his resignation in 188ti. Sir Julian teen years. (ioldsmid was electi-d pnsideiit and continued in ofiice until the latter part of 180."i. when the state of his health necessitateil his n'signation. and Mr. Claude G. Montefiore was then electiil his successor.

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