The heads of two Orthodox Jewish organizations assailed the leaders of Reform Judaism this weekend for attempting to introduce “their interpretation of Judaism” into Israel.
Addressing the 55th annual convention of the Religious Zionists of America, Rabbi Israel Miller, president of the Rabbinical Council of America, said that “Reform Judaism is undermining the religious unity of Israel and its Chief Rabbinate by attempting to import the American brand of Reform Judaism into Israel.” Reform Judaism, he said, “will not strike roots in Israel, but can only serve as a divisive factor in endangering the unity of the State.”
Rabbi Mordecai Kirshblum, president of the RZA, charged Reform Jewish leaders with violating “their pledge to refrain from any campaign to introduce their interpretation of Judaism in Israel. They divide Israel along deeply emotional religious lines.”
At the concluding session of the convention today, the delegates elected a presidium of three members to head the organization for the coming year. They are Rabbi Hershel Schacter of the Bronx, chairman; Dr. Maurice S. Sage of New York; and Samson Krupnick of Chicago.
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