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Rabbis in Canada Affected by Change in U.s.nationality Law

October 10, 1941
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Concern has been caused among some of the religious leaders of Canada as a result of the ruling of the U.S.Department of Justice, made public here today, that naturalized American citizens who have lived abroad for some years must return to the United States by October 13, 1941, if they wish to retain their American citizenship.

Rabbis are particularly hit by the new ruling, as Canada, not having any rabbinical schools, draws on the United States for many of its rabbis, and in quite a number of instances naturalised Americans come to Canada to accept posts in different Jewish temples or synagogues.

One prominent rabbi in Montreal, who pointed out that he was born in Lithuania and later was naturalized in the United States, said he hoped a way would be found to obtain exemption for such persons as himself, who had established himself in Canada now and yet did not want to lose his American citizenship and revert to his former nationality.

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