Leo N. Levi, President of B’nai B’rith 1900-1904

[ukhudshanskiy]

“The distinctive character of the Jew does not arise solely from his religion. It is true that his race and religion are indissolubly connected, . . . . but whatever be the cause of this junction of the race idea with the religion, it is very certain that the religion alone does not constitute the people. A believer in the Jewish faith does not by reason of that fact become a Jew. On the other hand, however, a Jew by birth remains a Jew, even though he abjures his religion.”