Convention of Reform Jews Opposes Question on Religion in U.S. Census

The 17th biennial convention of the National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods, the layman’s arm of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, concluded here today with a resolution calling for a campaign to remove from the 1960 U.S. census a question on religious affiliation. Another resolution urged Reform Jewry’s continued support for Israel. A thousand delegates representing 360 Brotherhoods, attended the convention.

The delegates also adopted a resolution suggesting that efforts be made to seek greater harmony between Reform Jewry and other Jewish religious groups on a community and national level. The convention decided to launch a drive to win into the Brotherhood ranks the 2,500,000 unaffiliated Jews in the United States and Canada. Other resolutions urge

1. Addition, within two years, of 100 new men’s clubs at the Reform temples to the existing roster of 360.

2. Full participation in social action committees within the synagogue to “translate the ethical principles of Judaism into active concern and action on American social problems.”

3. Organize extensive promotion campaigns to increase attendance at Sabbath worship services.

4. Initiate with the aid of its parent body, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, an adult education program, through the use of films and television kinescopes.

5. Raising of capital funds to build a network of youth camps for the education and spiritual nurturing of the thousands of teen-agers in the family of Reform Judaism.

6. Extend throughout the world the interfaith programs of its special educational project, the Jewish Chautauqua Society, by sending lecturers, pamphlets, books, motion pictures and special study courses to the far corners of the earth.

The next convention of the National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods will be held in Houston, Texas, in 1960.