A definite program of social justice in the synagogue is the best means for increasing its membership, according to an address by Louis J. Moss, delivered yesterday before the opening session of the Rabbinical Assembly convention in Rockaway Park. Close cooperation between rabbis and the United Synagogue, of which he is president, in formulating such a program, was advocated by the speaker.
Dr. Elias Margolis, president of the Assembly, stated that the body was strongly liberal and would welcome all liberal forces which will help Judaism but it will not tie up with any group that denies or combats religion.
The afternoon session, presided over by Dr. Julius Greenstone, was devoted to a symposium on the synagogue and contemporary social trends. Rabbi Milton Steinberg reported on the work done by the Social Justice Committee, condemning the New York State Legislature for the suppression of the Child Labor Amendment. His report also condemned the Senate for killing the Costigan-Wagner anti-lynching bill. Rabbi Steinberg reported that the Assembly is working with the Central Conference of American rabbis and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Rabbis in formulating a united Jewish stand on social justice.
Rabbi Max Gelb outlined a plan for a united Jewish community council to draw all forces in the community together, non-religious as well as religious, such as is now acting in Harrisburg.
Rabbi Benjamin Plotkin reported on the work of the International Relations Committee, advocating that every Jew become a propagandist for social justice.
The evening session, open to the public, was addressed by Dr. Cyrus Adler, who spoke on the life of Solomon Schechter; Dr. Abraham Neuman, who spoke on Maimonides, and Rabbi Louis Feinberg, who gave an address in Hebrew on Jewish law.
One hundred and fifty persons attended the opening day’s session and five hundred were present at the public meeting last night.
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.
