Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Moss Calls for Youth Activity in Synagogue

February 12, 1934
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Too much destructive criticism. has been bandied about in the synagogues, declared Harry E. Goebel, president of the Young People’s League of the United Synagogue of America, at the society’s tenth annual convention yesterday at the Hotel Pennsyl vania.

Reviewing the past year of his administration, Goebel emphasized that “Jewish youth is interested primarily in the message to which “he rabbi should really devote himself.” He cautioned the spiritual leaders of the Jewish people against divorcing Jewish youth from the synagogue.

In his greeting to the represen tatives of more than 250 youth or ganizations, Louis J. Moss, presidnet of the United Synagogue of America, told them them that “With your future still before you, in spired by a will to achieve, you can do much to revitalize the synagogue, strengthen your religion, and help the cause of the Jew in America.”

The convention was opened by Jules Backman, chairman of the convention committee, and Irwin I, Hyman, chairman of the educational committee, led the opening prayer, Greetings were brought. b– Mrs Samuel Spiegel, president. of the Women’s League of the United Synagogue, and Theodore Charnas, president of the National Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs of the United Synagogue.

DISCUSS TOPICS OF DAY

Current problems of Jewish youth were discussed during the afternoon session of the convention, and reports on eight topics were presented. A seminar on”The Youth Movement in Religious Life” led by Eli A. Bhnen, reported that as religion becomes more interested in social justice, the problem of the Jew becomes more complex than it is for the Christian. It the Jew is to espouses the cause of social justice be iscertain to be accused of radicalism and even of treason. The youg Jew must face reality and must decide whether Judaism shall ally itself with progressive thought and take the consequences of whenther it shall take the path of least resistance and become rotarian in its outlook.”

Other seminars discussed “The Activities of the Group,” “Technique for Building Programs,” “The Function of Young People’s Organizations in the Synagogue,” “Cooperation between Leagues in Regions.” “The Relation of the National Organization to the Individual League,” and “The Attitude of the jewish College Student to Religion.”

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement