The congregation of Mikveh Israel Synagogue, Spanish-Portuguese synagogue established here in 1740, has voted unanimously to a mend its constitution to eliminate a restriction that only men could be officers.
The congregation, which is the oldest in Philadelphia and is believed to be the second oldest in the United States, by this action made women members eligible for election to the board of managers of the synagogue and as officers of the congregation, including the presidency.
David Arons, president of Mikveh Israel, said in a statement that the amendment “in no way changes the religious custom of the congregation which according to Orthodox traditions permits men only to conduct services. ” He added that the congregation, “while guarding its historic and religious traditions has the flexibility to interpret these traditions to the significant facets of modern life.”
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.
