(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mail Service)
Final steps to create a Federation of Jewish Communities in Germany were taken at Munich yesterday, at a meeting of the special commission appointed by the Conference of the Jewish organizations of the respective German States for the purpose of deciding finally on the Constitution of the new unified Federation.
A vigorous debate took place on the question of the objects of the new Federation. It was decided that the Federation should unite the various Jewish federations in the German States for the promotion of the feeling of one-ness of the German Jews and of their common interests. It will represent within the bounds of its Constitution the German Jews and their organizations in matters where they have to be represented to the State or general public opinion, leaving, however, the individual federations and communities completely independent in matters of religious organization, rites, and education. The Federation will have to promote the general interests of the Jewish religious community especially in the social field, establish, maintain, and further institutions intended for the Jews of the whole of the German Republic or of several of the German States, arrange for conferences between the separate State federations in matters which they have in common. set up an arbitration organ to decide questions in dispute between the separate State federations or between one or more of the federations and the United Federation of German Jews, to represent any of the affiliated federations if they require it, in order to safeguard common Jewish interests in the respective States and to engage in other activities when asked to do so by one of the affiliated State federations if it is agreed by the United Federation.
The discussion grew heated over a draft proposal providing for the representation of the German Jews in regard to the Jews abroad and their organizations.
Herr Blau urged the Committee to declare that this clause should apply only to the religious and social organizations of the Jews of other, countries. Dr. Klee opposed this view, saying that there were a number of countries in which the Jews have their own political organizations which deal with religious and social affairs and with which the statutes must leave a way open for cooperation. He mentioned in this respect the Jewish situation in Lithuania and other East European countries and the position of organizations like the American Jewish Congress and the Anglo-Jewish Association.
The clause was finally adopted without alteration, except the addition of the words “within the limits of the Constitution.”
In the matter of organization, Dr. Klee put a resolution for the establishment of the Federation on a democratic basis, by means of general, equal, direct, secret and proportional right of voting for all German Jews and Jewesses over the age of 20. The representatives of Wuerttemburg, Baden, Bavaria and Hesse took the view that the Federation should be limited to representatives appointed to it by the respective State federations.
Dr. Klee’s resolution on being put to the vote was rejected by nine votes to three.
It was decided that in matters of vital importance to German Jewry the Council of the Federation should have the power to summon a general conference of all members of the State Assemblies and of the Councils of all the State Federation. These conferences are, however, to be exclusively of a demonstrative character.
A request made by the orthodox representatives for assurances that the institutions to be maintained by the United Federation will be conducted according to the Jewish religious laws was agreed to unanimously, all the speakers declaring that this was obvious.
The danger of prohibition of Shechita in Bavaria was discussed, and a resolution was adopted unanimously protesting that this would be a violation of the principle of freedom of conscience.
BREVITIES
The campaign on behalf of Gustayus A. Rogers for the Democratic nomination for United States Senator was formally launched last night at a dinner and dance in the Ritz Carlton given in Mr. Roger’s honor by Paul W. Arnold. About 200 of Mr. Roger’s friends attended.
Rabbi Moses Batoway, Religious Director of the Y. M. H. A. at 92nd Street, New York, died suddenly at his home at the age of 32.
Rabbi Baroway was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on February 3, 1894. He was the son of Solomon Baroway, well-known in Jewish life in Baltimore. He graduated from the Johns Hopkins University and entered the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1915. In 1918 he was given a leave of absence from the Seminary in order to go to Palestine as a member of the Zionist Medical Unit of which Doctor I. S. Hirsch was the director. On his return from Palestine in 1919 he received the Degree of Rabbi from the Jewish Theo. logical Seminary and became Rabbi of Congregation Anshe Emes in Akron, Ohio. He had, however, while in Palestine, undertaken a study of the history of the Jews in Palestine during the centuries of Arabic control. In order to pursue these studies further he resigned from the congregation in Akron, Ohio, and came to New York where he was appointed Director of the West Side Y.M.H.A., then situated at 35th Street and Seventh Avenue. When the Y.M.H.A. on 35th Street was sold, he was appointed Religious Director of the Y.M.H.A. on 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue.
Throughout his life Rabbi Baroway revealed a profound love for his people and a devotion to the cause of making clear its history to native American Jews. He was everywhere successful in imbuing young men and women with the need of a spiritual life.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
