With nearly 200 orthodox rabbis from all parts of the United States and Canada in attendance, the annual convention of the Agudath Ha’Rabanim, or Union of Orthodox Rabbis, was opened here this afternoon.
Rabbi Eliazer Silver, president of the Agudah, opened the convention. The convention was greeted by Rabbi M. S. Margolies, Israel Rosenberg and A. D. Shapiro, Chief Rabbi of Kovno, Lithuania, who is now visiting in this country. A report of the past year’s activities of the Agudah was then rendered by Rabbi Selzer, secretary of the rabbis’ organization.
The convention will last three days. Among the problems which it will take up will be the situation of Judaism in the smaller towns of the United States and Canada; financial support for Yeshiboth (rabbinical seminaries) in this country; kashruth; family purity; Sabbath observance; plans for reforming the calendar; the situation of Jewry in Eastern Europe and Palestine; the Allied Jewish Campaign; and many other problems of vital concern to Jewry.
“Much has been done during the past year to strengthen Jewish orthodoxy in this country,” declared Rabbi Silver in his opening address. “Jewry in this country is more and more returning to the path of our traditions. Judaism is becoming ever more deeply rooted in American soil.”
Rabbi Israel Rosenberg, honorary president of the Agudah, spoke of the relief work conducted by orthodox rabbis in this country on behalf of their colleagues in Russia and other countries. The fund which was raised in America for this purpose, he said, saved many rabbis on the other side from death by starvation.
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