Liberal Judaism Makes Progress in U.s., England and Germany, World Conference Hears

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Liberal Judaism, more widely known as Reform Judaism, the movement within the Synagogue to readjust the teachings and practices of Judaism to modern conditions, was subjected to a scrutiny and discussion by its own spokesmen and leaders in the country where the movement was born about eighty years ago.

With the American group constituting the largest delegation, eighty delegates of Liberal Jewish congregations in Germany, France, England, India, Sweden, Belgium. Austria and Czechoslovakia gathered today in what was formerly the Prussian House of Lords, Leipziger Strasse 3, to attend the opening session of the International Conference of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Dr. Claude G. Montefiore. Leader of Liberal Jewry in Great Britain presided at the opening session tonight. In the morning Sabbath services were held for the guests and delegates at the. Neue Synagoge on Oranienhurger Strasse, where Dr. Seliginann of Frankfurt, president of the Federation of Liberal Rabbis of Germany welcomed the delegations it Liberal Judaism’s birthplace. At four o’clock this afternoon a reception was given the delegates at the home of Frau Rosa Sachs.

A report on the progress of Reform Judaism in America was presented by Dr. H. G. Enelow, Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, New York City, and president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

“Some affirm that Reform Judaism in America has gone backwards in recent years,” Dr. Enelow stated. “However, this gloomy, view is incorrect. Reform congregations are multiplying and extending their work and membership, although it is ture that they are not as conspicuous on the American horizon as twenty years ago.

“Many new temples are being built and new congregations are springing up. Even the so-called Conservative group is molding its program to the Reform pattern. Orthodox Judaism in America is also affected by the ideals and the energy of the Reform. The religious schools of Reform congregations have thousands of pupils, some schools living several hundred each,” Dr. Enelow declared.

Eight thousand members of 37 societies compose the Association for Liberal Judaism in Germany, Rabbi Herman Vogelstein of Breslan stated. reporting on the status of Liberal Judaism in Germany. There are, five Jewish Liberal youth associations and the Association of Liberal Rabbis, he stated.

Rabbi Vogelstein gave and historical survey of the development of Liberal Judaism during the periods of nationalism, romanticism and materialism. He emphasized the necessity of providing a theological background for the principles of Liberal Judaism in order to avoid the danger in which Liberal Judaism would find itself because of lack of clarity.

Kabbi Vogelstein demanded that Litieral Jews define their attitude toward the Zionist movement. “This should not be done by newspapers and polemics, but through scientific objectivity, because Ziefismfi. by offering a tangible ideal in-our materialistic age, exercises great attraction for the Jewish youth,” he declared.

Rabbi Israel 1. Mattuck reported on Liberal Judaism in England. The numberical growth of the Liberal movement continues, he stated. “Official opposition seemingly having subsided, there is no more hostility from those who sincerely believe that Liberal Judaism is dangerous. Opportunities for cooperation with other sections of the community are increasing.” he stated.

Rabbi Mattuck presented the problem of intermarriage. “Social relations with non-Jews leads to intermarriage, where the non-Jew of the union often becomes a Jew, proving himself or herself deeply loyal to Judaism. In other cases, the result is not so happy. Therefore, proselytism is the real problem.”

The stagnation of the development of Liberal Judaism in Sweden is caused by the increased number of intermarriages, declared Henrik Wolf, reporting on the status of Liberal Judaism in Sweden.

According to Swedish laws, unless a written agreement is made before marriage to the contrary, the children of inter-marriage must be educated in the religion of the Swedish state church. Because many, either through ignorance or delicacy, omitted to conclude such an agreement, many children are reared as Christians, he stated.

A large number of Jews who immigrated to Sweden during and since the war and who entered the kehillahs, have been unable, despite various attempts, to weaken Liberalism, Mr. Wolf declared, citing a demand formulated recently by Erik Stave, professor of theology at Upsala, for a “new, unfalsified translation of the Bible.”