Enlisting Jewish Youth in Jewish Work Urged at Union Convention

“Judaism and the youth of Today” was the topic discussed today during the symposium on “Judaism and the Modern World” conducted by the thirty-first biennial convention of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in session here. Dr. David W. Edelman of Los Angeles presided and Dr. Edward N. Calisch of Richmond, Va., delivered the key address.

Pleading for a sympathetic attitude toward modern youth, Dr. Calish urged an effort to create a deeper Jewish consciousness in the young people. He asked that the youth be considered as “fellow voyagers with their elders upon the roadway of life.” Referring to the growing spirit of intellectual freedom and frankness in thought and action, Dr. Calisch said that the same spirit should color religious life.

“This generation must have the vision and the courage of Isaac M. Wise. The youth of today has its right to help create its own philosophy of life, to break away from obsolete conceptions, to go pioneering on new paths. Youth has high aspirations of achievement. Let Judaism place before youth, as the highest ideal of human achievement, service for God and man. Let Judaism say to the youth of today: You have full freedom of thought, of interpretation, of expression, of life. But you have also no less an obligation of service. This is the native demand of your humanity and this is the call of your spiritual ancestry.”

Rabbi James Heller of Cincinnati, spoke on “Judaism and the Implications of the Newer Psychological Conceptions of Man.” The real conflict, he said, is not between science and religion. “Life is not amenable to science. It resists its methods of treatment. The real dualism is between thought and action. This new mentality is unmindful of its own origins, therefore our age turns upon religion as the first and easiest prey.”

In a reply to the attack of Dr. Sigmund Freud on religion in a recent (Continued on Page 4)

The sum of $75,000 was added to the Hebrew Union College Endowment Fund in contributions from the floor of the convention following the report of Adolph S. Ochs, chairman of the Fund, that nearly $3,000,000 had been raised.

Mr. Ochs stated that on his way to San Francisco, while he and Mr. Morgenthau visited Detroit, they met Henry Ford. “I did not ask him for a contribution to the Hebrew Union College Endowment Fund, but if we are short, we may do so,” Mr. Ochs said.

Dr. Lee K. Frankel of New York submitted a report of the Committee on Research at today’s session. Rabbi Irving F. Reichert of New York City pronounced the invocation at today’s session. At the evening session, presided over by Mrs. M. C. Sloss of San Francisco. Rabbi Morris M. F. Erlicht of Indianapolis, president of the Hebrew Union College Alumni Association, spoke on “Judaism and Personal Religion.”

During the visit of the delegates to the University of California yesterday. Dean Monroe E. Deutsch delivered an address of welcome on behalf of President W. W. Campbell.