Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Prowda and Mrs. Muriel Wiseman contributed funds with which the Syracuse University Library purchased the first report of the American Society for Meliorating the Condition of the Jews (New York, 1823). This missionary organization, which included in its membership such distinguished Americans as John Quincy Adams, sought to convert Jews in America. Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Myers Jr. enabled the Library to buy Israel Vindicated (New York, 1820), the first American work to reject Christian efforts to evangelize the Jews. The book consists of letters discussing the injustice of the Christian claim to superiority over the Jews.
The missionary Bokum, representing the American Society for Meliorating the Condition of the Jews, visited Chambersburg during the month of March, 1843, to establish branch societies to act in connection with the parent society in New York.
Bokum repeatedly urged Lawrence Blumenthal of Chambersburg who held no office in the Jewish church, being a merchant, and pursuing an active business, to speak at the German Reformed Church, and assured him that it was the earnest wish of the majority of the clergy of Chambersburg that he should do so.
It was Bokum's plan to later discredit Blumenthal's address. That plan failed to materialize.
Mr. Blumenthal succeeded in stepping forward in time of need to defend by sound argument and the force of truth, the religion of our fathers.
Today, "Jews for Judaism" is playing the same role to defend our faith against "Jews for Jesus."
I extend credit to the 19th C. monthly periodical, The Occident and American Jewish Advocate, for much of the source material.
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