National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods Holds Session in Chicago

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

The Executive Board of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods began a two-day meeting here today. Mrs. J. Walter Freiberg, of Cincinnati, where headquarters of the Federation is located, presided. Sixty-eight members of the Board, from all parts of the country attended.

Mrs. Freiberg, in her presidential report, sketched the activities of the various committees of the Federation during the past year. She was encouraged by the results of the religious and social work and expressed hope that efforts would be increased during the coming year.

Contributions of $32,179.30 by 317 sisterhoods towards the maintenance of the Hebrew Union College dormitory during the past year, were reported by Mrs. Alfred Rosenstein, Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee on Hebrew Union College Scholarships and Dormitory Maintenance. The dormitory, recently built at a cost of $250,000, was the gift of the Sisterhoods.

Fifty-one individual scholarships for Hebrew Union College students were contributed by 43 Sisterhoods, it was reported. They totaled $20,121 and ranged from $300 to $500 each.

Cooperation of the Sisterhoods with the religious work of synagogues was reported by Mrs. Leon Goodman, of Louisville, Ky., as chairman of the Committee on Religion. Public celebrations of religious festivals are arranged by Sisterhoods in various communities. Prayer books are distributed. Attendance of the young at Friday evening services is encouraged by parties which are given by Sisterhoods following the service.

Lecture courses, study circles and Bible classes are encouraged by Sisterhoods. In several cases, representatives of the Sisterhoods communicated with State Legislators and have helped to defeat school Bible reading bills.

The report of the Committee on Peace, which at the last meeting of the Executive Board became a regular standing committee of the National Federation, was given by Mrs. Joseph Wiesenfeld of Baltimore.

Mrs. Wiesenfeld urged the Sisterhoods to join enthusiastically in observance of Peace Day. She advised that local organizations communicate with their Senators urging them to give impetus to America’s entrance into the World Court Mrs. Wiesenfeld recommended that Sisterhoods join other peace organizations and enter upon a definite program of disseminating World Court propaganda.

The formation of many Parent-Teachers Associations in connection with religious schools during the past year, was discussed by Mrs. Henry Nathan of Buffalo, chairman of the Religious School Committee.

The custom of “Children’s Sabbath” held monthly by many congregations, is becoming more popular due to Sisterhoods’ efforts, Mrs. Nathan reported. Children act as ushers and assist in the reading of services.

Mrs. Nathan told how State Federations of Temple Sisterhoods are aiding in the establishment of religious schools. West Virginia workers canvassed the entire state and arranged for religious education of children in isolated towns. Louisiana, and the Federation comprising Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia also have done work in rural communities.

A new undertaking of the Religious School Committee, Mrs. Nathan reported, is the organizing of Jewish Child Study Circles, which supplement the work of the Sunday schools. Many cities already have such groups.

The National Committee on Student Welfare Work during the past year distributed the names of 1484 college students among Sisterhoods, Mrs. Victor Hexter, of Dallas, Tex, reported. Receiving these names, the Sisterhoods form contacts with the students who are away from home, thus helping to keep them in touch with Jewish life.

Due to the efforts of Sisterhoods, the students are brought to Temple services and to special religious classes. The St. Louis Sisterhood visits sick students, lends financial aid and secures part time work for students desiring it.

Mrs. Hexter urged that agencies in every city which are interested in student welfare work unite in their efforts.

Mrs. Cornelia N. Mayer, of Kansas City, as chairman of the Committee on Propaganda, reported the enrollment of seven new sisterhoods to the Federation, bringing the total to 317. These are in Austin, Tex, Cumberland, Md., Houston, Tex., Indianola, Miss., Morgan City, La., San Francisc, Cal., and Terre Haute, Ind.

Other reports delivered were by Mrs. Hennie F. Liebman, Brookline, Mass., on Committee on Cooperation, which brings the individual Sisterhoods into closer relationship; the Committee on State Federation, which organizes district groups of Sisterhoods and the Committee on Union Museums, by Mrs. Sallie Kubie Glauber, New York, dealing with museums of Jewish ceremonial objects maintained by Sisterhoods.