The feelings of Orthodox Jews affiliated with the Agudath Israel in relation to the recent events in Palestine were expressed in of the last sessions of the Kenesiah Geof the last sessions ofs the Knesiah Gedolah, the Agudath Israel world congress, which concluded its sessions here yesterday.
The first resolution expressed the thanks of the congress to the foreign consuls’ corps in Jerusalem and in particular to Titus Zzyszewski, Polish Consul General, for their energetic intervention with the Palestine government for the rescue of Palestine Jews.
A second resolution expressed the deep sorrow and grief of the congress over the events and protested against the “criminals and against those coguilty by reason of their failure to fulfill their duty.”
The third resolution protested against “all attempts to curtail the ancient rights of the Jewish people to the Kotel Maaravi, the Wailing Wall.
The fourth resolution declared that “demonstrations and acts of violence will never curtail or deprive the Jewish people of its God given historic rights to Palestine, which should not become the object of political combinations.” The fifth resolution urged the British government to set up a non-partisan investigation, which should aim at the punishment of those who are guilty, directly or indirectly. The resolution further states that it is taken for granted that it is the duty of the British government to pay full compensation for losses and damages.
Concerning the situation of Russian Jewry, the Agudath Israel congress adopted a resolution invoking divine aid for the rescue of Russian Jewry which is exposed to religious persecution. The resolution authorized the Executive Committee to carry on negotiations with the Soviet government for the purpose of easing the conditions and also to obtain an undertaking that Orthodox Jews, who feel bound because of their conscience to emigrate to countries where they may exercise their religion, be permitted to leave Russia.
The congress also dealt with social and economic questions and a committee to arbitrate in problems affecting the relations between employer and employee, as well as to guard the application of the Torah principles concerning social justice was set up. During the discussion on this subject, delegates representing workers groups complained that there were among the delegates employers who permit their plants to function on Saturday through the device of a “Shtar Mechirah” (fictions selling to a non-Jew), whereby Orthodox Jewish workers are compelled
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The social question and economic problems occupied a considerable part of the proceedings of the congress, particularly the question of securing employment for Orthodox workers and the taking of steps to prevent the exploitation of these workers. Particular emphasis was laid on charges made that Jewish employers discriminate against Jewish workers. Proposals for religious measures stamping out such discrimination were discussed, as well as the establishment of cooperatives.
A special feature of the congress was the conference of Agudath Israel women’s auxiliaries in various countries. One hundred and fifty women delegates attended this conference, including Mrs. Alter, the wife of the Gerer Rebbe.
When the congress opened last week in the presence of several hundred rabbis and lay delegates, the second world congress of the organization listened to a description of the Jewish situation throughout the world by Dr. Pinchas Kohn, president. Dr. Nathan Birnbaum, Jacob Rosenheim of Frankfort and other leaders. The Chassidic rabbis of Gora Kalwarja, Poland, and Czortkow blessed the assembly. Dr. Birnbaum read a paper on “Israel and the Present Religious Crisis of Humanity.” Rabbi Isaac Meir Lewin of Poland welcomed the assembly in behalf of the Rabbinical Council.
The main questions on the agenda were proposals for strengthening religious observances among the Jews, the Palestine events and the situation of Russian Jewry for which “Jewish heretics,” referring to the Jewish section of the Communist party, were blamed.
The assembly was in tears when the Palestine events were described and discussed. The death of rabbis and the Hebron Yeshiva students was mourned and the dispute over the Jewish right of access to the Kotel Maaravi was deplored. The Western Wall is no longer a relic of the past glory of Israel, but a symbol for the beginning of “complete redemption.” Mr. Rosenheim in his report emphasized the Agudah principle of the unity of Israel and the Torah. He urged greater interest in the Palestine work. Dr. Pinchas Kohn in his address described the situation of Jewish communities in Eastern Europe and uttered words of praise for the present governments of Poland and Roumania. He was in particular laudatory of the present Roumanian government, where, he stated. Orthodox Jewry enjoys autonomy in religious affairs.
AGENCY QUESTION HEATEDLY DEBATED
The question of the Jewish Agency was one of the most heatedly discussed at the congress. A special committee of the Rabbinical Council was in session on this matter and it is understood that a heated debate took place, in which Dr. Leo Jung, New York rabbi, fought for the Agudah joining the Jewish Agency.
Reports on the situation of Judaism in various countries were submitted at the sessions of the congress.
Rabbi Kahane of New York in describing the present state of affairs in American Jewry declared American Jews are financially in a position to support their religious institutions, which they are doing, but that there is “all too little Judaism” in Jewish life in America.
Other speakers criticized the Agudah leadership for insufficient activity to strengthen religious observance, to which Mr. Rosenheim replied that the Agudah movement is growing, but it is suffering from lack of financial support. During the debate delegates from Poland. Roumania and Lithuania took the floor to complain against the “Apikorsic” (heretical) newspapers. They appealed to the rabbis to prohibit their Chassidim from subscribing to non-Orthodox Yiddish newspapers.
TAKES UP ANTI-SCHECHITA AGITATION
The anti-schechita agitation which has been renewed in some countries in Europe has come up before the Congress. The Congress adopted a number of resolutions protesting against anti-schechita legislation.
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.
