Baltimore Jewry Debate Orthodox-reform Holiday Dispute

A spokesman for the Baltimore Council of Orthodox Congregations has strongly denied Reform charges that Orthodox rabbis prevented a new Reform congregation from conducting both Sabbath and High Holy Day services in a local hall.

The charge was made in a Rosh Hashanah sermon delivered by a leading Reform rabbi, Morris Lieberman of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. The sermon, an editorial, and the Orthodox reply appeared in successive issues of the Baltimore Jewish Times.

According to Rabbi Lieberman, a caterer who had originally agreed to rent his premises to the new congregation later was forced to withdraw from the agreement because of Orthodox pressure.

The Jewish Times editorial said the situation pointed up the need “for a well functioning Court of Jewish Arbitration which could negotiate differences and prevent such arguments from becoming public and creating division among all Jews.”

The Orthodox reply, made by Gilbert Cummins, president of the Council of Orthodox. Congregations, asserted the charges contained a “number of misconceptions and misinformation.”

Mr. Cummins said that in March and April, some Reform rabbis asked the Baltimore Orthodox rabbinate “why the hall of a certain Kosher caterer was not available for religious services by a Reform congregation.”

The Orthodox leader said that letters were sent in reply to the Reform rabbis giving the reason in detail. These replies, Mr. Cummins declared, stressed “that what was involved was prior agreements and consideration for services rendered” and not any attempt to “stifle and crush contrary religious expression.”

Mr. Cummins reported that several months previously, the executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, apprised of the situation, asked the Orthodox Rabbinate for an explanation which he submitted to the Jewish Council with a statement “that he believed the explanation to be a satisfactory one.”