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News Brief

November 22, 1957
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IS AGAINST RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS

The resolution opposing religious symbols in public parks or in city halls and other government buildings or premises also declared the practice to be a violation of the principle of church-state separation, since public money is spent for religious. “It is unfair to restrict or exclude the use of such premises by the presence of religious statues or symbols,” the resolution says, adding that experience has shown this invariably divides the community along religious lines and brings with it inter-religious disharmony and acrimony.”

The resolution on education asked the establishment of a national network of day schools to be named for the founder of the United Synagogue, the late Dr. Solomon Schechter, and urged all affiliated congregations to establish high school departments in their religious schools.

The convention hailed Israel on its tenth anniversary, stated its conviction that the interests of America and those of Israel are “in all major respects parallel,” prayed for peace in the Middle East during the coming year. The organization promised to continue efforts to create a “spiritual bridge” between the United States and Israel and urged its member congregations to support this program.

In another resolution, the Arab economic boycott of Israel was assailed along with the pressure of the Arab states on governments and business firms to halt operations in Israel. The convention also inducted new officers at its closing session. Elected president was Bernath L. Jacobs of Philadelphia, succeeding Charles Rosengarten of Waterbury, Conn.

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