Head of New Philadelphia Liberal Temple is Well Known in Perth Amboy

Rabbi J. Gerson Brenner, who, according to a recent Jewish Telegraphic Agency dispatch, is to assume the leadership of the Liberal Temple in Philadelphia, is well known in this city, having served as pastor of the Temple Beth Mordecai from 1925 to 1929. His father, Nathan Brenner, is an orthodox rabbi and resides in Philadelphia, where the Liberal Temple, “a non-denomination institution dedicated to Youth” will, according to the announcement, “preach but one day a week and practice during the other six.”

At the dedication ceremonies of the new Temple Beth Mordecai on April 19, 1927, at which Rabbi J. Gerson Brenner presided, Rabbi Nathan Brenner pleaded with the Jewish people to continue to practice the Jewish traditions and customs. The late Louis Marshall, who was the principal speaker on that occasion, delivered a fiery address during the course of which he said, “The Jews have to live their Judaism. It should be on their lips three hundred and sixty-five days in the year and it should be taught to their children in the homes.”

Although affiliated with a conservative temple here, Rabbi Brenner was considered to be extremely liberal and un-orthodox both in his views and religious practices. He was greatly interested in the Red Cross, Boy Scouts and other civic organizations, and is an eloquent speaker.

Since leaving here he has served as Rabbi of Temple Emanuel at Spokane, Washington, a Reform temple, and has visited Palestine. More recently he has been devoting his time to the lecture platform, his favorite topics being “Jehovah, Allah and Christ in the Holy Land,” “Crime Against Criminals” and “Has Religion Failed?”