“There are no real universities left in Germany, because there can be no real university where there is no freedom of thought,” Judge Irving Lehman of the State Court of Appeals declared yesterday afternoon in his address before the organization meeting of the New York Society of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
Judge Lehman maintained that German Jews, who have for generations contributed to their country’s development materially, intellectually and spiritually, still love their country. Many of them, the speaker pointed out, don’t want to be Jews but they are told by the Nazis that they “must be Jews.”
“Since the tragedy of Germany and German Jews, Jews everywhere are readjusting themselves,” Judge Lehman continued. “They are asking themselves what their duty is to Judaism and to their country.”
The answer, as Judge Lehman sees it, is that “there can be no fair weather Jews and no foul weather Jews.” They are Jews at all times. “When we are faith less Jews, we are not serving our country. Our ancient Jewish ideals of peace, mercy and justice we must preserve.”
DR. ADLER GIVES REPORT
In his report to the board of directors Dr. Cyrus Adler, president of the seminary, called attention to the manifold activities of the institution, with its rabbinical department, the teachers institute, the college of Jewish studies, Israel Friedlander Classes, library, museum of Jewish ceremonial objects and the institute of Jewish affairs.
Dr. Adler said: “All these activities have been carried on with a budget less than half as large as that which are had at our disposal in 1929. In order to do this work we have had to practice the strictest economy in every direction.” He expressed hope that greater support will be forthcoming from those who appreciate the value and importance of the seminary.
Following a message of greetings delivered by Sol M. Stroock, chairman of the board of directors, Edgar J. Nathan Jr., rendered a report for the committee which has been organizing the New York Society of the seminary, and said that the purpose of the society is to bring the facilities of the institution to more people throughout the metropolitan area. Borough chairmen will be named who will set up committees in their respective territories.
The following officers were elected for the new society: Mr. Nathan, president; Mrs. Raphael Korn, vice-president; Arthur Oppenheimer, treasurer; Jacob Monsley, secretary, The executive committee consists of Hyman J. Reit, Bernard Bernstein, Jacob Friedman Jr., Samuel Minskoff, Jacob Holzman and Sol Mutterperl.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
