The 60th anniversary biennial convention of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America closed here tonight following the adoption of a resolution lauding the American electorate for “clearly indicating” in the recent national balloting that candidates were considered on the: “basis of their qualifications as individuals and not in terms of whether or not they were members of a minority religious group.” Moses I. Feuerstein was re-elected president of the UOJCA.
The 1,000 delegates also declared that the Government of Israel’s decision to allow its citizens to register as Jews on their own recognizance “makes a mockery of Jewish law and Jewish history.” Noting that they strive to avoid interference in internal affairs of Israel, the delegates “solemnly” declared that this is an area of Israel life “which does not and cannot stop at the borders of Israel.”
In his presidential report, Mr. Feuerstein predicted substantial expansion of Orthodox Jewish institutions in this country and Canada in the next decade, including doubling the number of the present 260 day schools, development of 1,000 new Orthodox synagogues and an increase from $101,000,000 a year for Orthodox Jewish education to $25,000,000 annually. He also expressed his belief that the end of the next decade would see a world union of Orthodox Jewish congregations functioning.
The need for a world union of Orthodox congregations is particularly pressing in South America, he said, where “we may lose a continent” if action is not soon taken to reverse the trend to assimilation which he characterized as “rampant.” He expressed fear of a yielding to the pressure of assimilation on the American scene and spoke of a “parallel danger” in Israel.
Last night, at a banquet session, Yaarov Herzog, Minister at the Israel Embassy in Washington, declared that the Jewish religious revival in the United States was a counterpart of the Jewish renaissance in Israel. “He who does not grasp the indissoluble bond between the two: is oblivious to a basic canon of Jewish belief and to the pulse of Jewish history, “Mr. Herzog declared. “Jewish unity in our age is of a significance and depth probably without parallel in the annals of our people.”
Dr. Samson R. Weisa, Union executive vice president, in an address, declared that Orthodox Judaism must reject demands for unity involving a kind of tolerance which is “tainted by the willingness to compromise principle for the sake of an outward appearance of harmony.” Replying to recurrent complaints that Orthodox Jewish groups place allegedly unreasonable barriers in the path of cooperation with other Jewish movements, Dr. Weiss said that “tolerance does not mean that we should be compelled to accept other views and to compromise our own principles.” This, he contended, was “exactly the opposite of true tolerance.”
A message from President Eisenhower expressed his “best wishes for a memorable convention,” adding: “Your historic faith has grown and prospered in our land for over three centuries. In this time, Judaism has enriched the lives of a great host of citizens and contributed much to the spirit of the national community. As you study ways to broaden and improve your many services I am sure your congregations will continue to advance in honor and high purpose.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
