The Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada announced today its adherence to the program of the American Jewish Congress and participation in the Congress elections and referendum this month. Rabbi Joseph Konvitz, president of the organization, who said the decision had been reached unanimously at a special meeting held at the Broadway Central Hotel, declared that this was the organization’s first association with the Congress.
The leaders of the union were moved to change “their hitherto passive attitude,” Rabbi Konvitz stated, because of communications received from prominent rabbis in Europe affirming the necessity of establishing unity within Jewish ranks. He cited a promise by the Congress that it would not interfere in religious matters nor raise any Jewish cultural problems regarding which religious Jews have their own viewpoints.
The decision of the rabbis was in conflict with the stand of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, representing orthodox laity, which adopted a resolution at its convention in New York last month opposing the Congress referendum.
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