Communication to the Editor

Sir:

Dr. Wise’s attention was called to the fact that Prof Julian J. Obermann of the Jewish Institute of Religion is described as a former professor at Columbia University in counection with a visit paid by him to the Emir of Transjordania. He stated, “Professor Obermann has for the past seven years been a member of the faculty of the Jewish Institute of Religion and, as far as I know, has never taught at Columbia. It may be that he is to become a teacher at Columbia University, but I have no notice as yet of his withdrawal from the teaching staff of the Institute.”

Very truly yours,

Gertrude Adelstein,

Secretary, Jewish Institute of Religion.

New York, March 29, 1929.

Plans for a campaign to raise funds with which to erect a new synagogue for Beth Israel Congregation, Philadelphia, Pa., were discussed at a meeting held at the Locust Club.

A contribution of $150,000 toward the project has been made by Mrs. Hannah Morris, on the condition that a similar sum be raised by the congregation.

Organized ninety years ago, the congregation is one of the oldest in Philadelphia. According to tentative plans, the new building will be on Broad Street, though the exact site has not been decided upon, and will include the synagogue, a school and a community centre.

Rabbi Marvin Nathan was the principal speaker at the meeting, which was attended by more than seventy-five members of the Beth Israel Alumni, who have volunteered as workers in the campaign. Emanuel Sacks, chairman of the alumni campaign committee, presided.

For the eighth consecutive time Harry Lehman was re-elected president of the Dayton Jewish Federation for Social Service. The entire board of directors who served during the last year were re-elected. These include Samuel H. Thal, first vice-president; Charles Rosenbloof, second vice-president; Jacob Margolis, treasurer and Harry Potasky, recording secretary. On the board of directors are: Sidney G. Kusworm, Dr. Leo Schram, A. M. Childs, Nathan Sanders, A. W. Schulman, Sam Harris, Joseph Thal, Max Israel, Joseph G. Lehmand and Rabbi Louis Witt.

The administrators of the estate of the late J.E. Bamberger, prominent Jewish industrialist of Salt Lake Gity, Utah, have added a further contribution of $25,000 to the fund established by Mr. Bamberger not long before his death for the poor children of Utah, regardless of creed or color. It is expected that an institution for education and maintenance of the children with a hospital department will be constructed.