Modernized education and scholarship for the survival of Judaism, but
survival toward what end? Schiff generally ignored questions of theology,
but on one occasion he supplied an answer in line with classical Reform’s
concept of the Jewish mission: Providence had dispersed the Jews among
the nations so that they might labor for universal acceptance of the unity of
God and brotherhood of man. To achieve that mission its bearers needed a
sound knowledge of Jewish history and a loyalty to the Jewish religion,
conditions that would permit the continuity of the religious heritage. “If
we, as American Jews,. .. have really the wish to take up the work... and
carry forward the mission for which Providence appears to have destined
us, our first and never ceasing effort must be to promote among the mem-
bers of our race a thorough knowledge of its history that the foundations of
our faith... may... be kept alive and handed down to our children and to
coming generations.”^117 That formulation validated the importance of
Jewish education and Schiff’s ideal of a religiously and culturally vibrant
American Judaism. Since he explained Judaism only in those terms: (i.e.,
religious and cultural), he comfortably squared his Jewish and American
loyalties.
Leadership and Philanthropy 81