Establish First Permanent Organization of Reformed Jews in the Southeast

The first permanent organization of Reform Jews in the southeastern part of the United States was affected at the first Southeastern Convenion of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, which closed its 2-day session here yesterday with the appointment of an executive committee. The convention marked the first attempt of the Union to establish sectional departments of its synagogues and school extension bureaus. The success of the southeastern experiment will be followed by organizing similar branches in all parts of the country.

The members of the Executive Committee which will cooperate with the Union’s department of synagogue and school extension in its program to promote Judaism in this section, are Harold Hirsch, Atlanta, chairman; Leon Schwartz, Mobile; J. Benjamin, Jacksonville; Martin Levy, Savannah; Lee Hart, Jackson, Miss.; Wendell Weil, Sumter, So. Car.; Lee Levinthal, Nashville, and Rabbi Gustav Faul, regional rabbi of the Southeastern Union of American Hebrew Congregations.

Ludwig Vogelstein of New York, chairman of the Union’s executive board, the principal speaker at the final session of the convention, discussed “The Why of the Union of Congregations.” Speakers at the first session were: Dr. Leo Franklin of Detroit, Julius Frieberg of Cincinnati, and Dr. Harry Ettleson. More than one hundred official delegates from southeastern congregations, temple sisterhoods and brotherhoods were in attendance.

The resolutions adopted accepted the organization of the southeastern congregations headed by an executive committee with one representative from each state, in addition to the chairman, Mr. Hirsh and the secretary, Mr. Falk. The members of the executive committee are to hold state meetings in the near future and are to report back to the committee on a program for promoting religious interest in the South.