Merger of Brooklyn and Manhattan Jewish Federations Urged by Jonas

A merger of the New York and Brooklyn Federations for the Support of Jewish Charities was suggested by Nathan S. Jonas, president of the Manufacturers’ Trust Company, at a testimonial dinner given for him at the Biltmore Hotel Sunday night by leaders of the Brooklyn federation. Mr. Jonas’s suggestion was made to Sol Stroock, president of the New York federation, and Frederick Brown, leader of the recent fund-raising campaign.

A report read by Walter N. Rothschild, chairman of the Brooklyn campaign committee which is raising $2,500,000 to cover the next three years of charitable work, showed that $2,100,000 had been raised or pledged.

Mr. Jonas announced that he and his brother, Ralph Jonas, had pledged themselves jointly to raise before the end of this year an extra $100,000 so that the present goal might be extended to $3,000,000.

Supreme Court Justice Mitchell May, president of the Brooklyn federation, read messages and telegrams expressing appreciation for Mr. Jonas’s thirty years of charitable endeavor.

BISHOP SPEAKS AT PARK AVENUE SYNAGOGUE DEDICATION CEREMONIES

The three days’ dedicatory ceremonies of the new Park Avenue Synagogue were concluded Sunday afternoon. More than 2,000 persons were present at the exercises.

Assemblyman Maurice Bloch presided at the exercises, which opened with the presentation of a flag to the temple congregation. Rabbi Stephen S. Wise of the Free Synagogue made an address praising the industry and zeal of the members of the Park Avenue congregation in giving to New York one of its finest houses of worship.

Mayor Walker, in his speech, pointed out the example of Rabbi Gabriel Schulman, of the temple, seated on the platform next to Bishop William T. Manning, an Episcopalian, with himself, a Roman Catholic, addressing them and the Jewish congregation.

“No matter where else prejudice and intolerance may exist,” the Mayor said, “New York City, by unanimous consent, is not a place for bigotry of any sort. New York City is made better and its citizens gain an opportunity for better living by the erection of the Park Avenue Synagogue and every other house of God in its limits.”

“Israel may be busy building apartment houses on Park Avenue,” declared Rabbi Nathan Krass of Temple Emanu-El, “but it has not forgotten to build a house for God–not a house within which to enclose Him and His teachings but rather a tabernacle from which He may go forth and be among His people.”

Bishop Manning, in his episcopal robes, told the congregation that race and religious prejudice unfortunately still exists.

“But there is no place or sanction for it in the Christian religion,” he said. “Nothing could be more contrary to the teachings of Christ than a feeling of prejudice against one’s neighbor because he is a Jew.

“I say quite frankly, and I know I will not be misunderstood, that I would like to see all men Christians. I pray that the day may come when all of us Christians and Jews may more clearly see the light that is in Christ and walk together in that light. But even now let us stand together as brethren against the strange recrudescence of pagan unbelief, the materialism, the breaking down of the sacredness of marriage and the home and the flood of indecency and obscenity which is now menacing our life.”

Arthur Ochs, Chairman of the Building Committee of the temple, presented a key to the synagogue to Jacob Friedman. President of the congregation. Mr. Friedman traced the history of the congregation from 1879, when a few Jews gathered in a little hall at 18th Street and First Avenue to worship.

Other speakers were Rabbi Schulman and Supreme Court Justice Thomas C. T. Crain.

A protest at broadcasting the dedication services of the Park Avenue Synagogue over the municipal radio station, WNYC was sent to Mayor Walker Sunday by Joseph Lewis, President of the Freethinkers’ Society of New York.

Mr. Lewis said the broadcasting of the service by a city-owned station violated a section of the State Constitution, which prohibits the use of public property for sectarian purposes.

The letter concluded with a threat of “court action” in future, if notice of a contemplated violation came to the attention of the society in time.

The first forum-luncheon of the United Parents’ Association was held Saturday at the Hotel Commodore. Dr. Henry Noble Mac-Cracken, President of Vassar College, presided.

Dr. Stephen S. Wise made a plea for more freedom for youth.

Dr. Daniel A. Poling, President of the Greater New York Federation of Churches, and Father J. Elliott Ross of Columbia University, also addressed the gathering.

The discussion was led by Edwin Goldwasser.