Orthodox Uproar Anticipated Us Reform, Conservatives in Quiet Talks Seek to Join WZO

The Union of American Hebrew Congregations of America and the United Synagogues of America, representing respectively the American Reform and Conservative movements, have put out feelers to the World Zionist Organization for membership, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency learned recently. The negotiations were confirmed today by Louis A. Pincus, WZO executive chairman. The JTA learned that the talks are in a very preliminary stage and are being conducted in secret between Pincus and officials of the UAHC and the United Synagogue.

Pincus made the confirmation in a carefully worded reaction in which he said that “while no formal representations have been made, there is an atmosphere of general interest — more so than in the past, particularly since other international Jewish bodies, such as Maccabi and the World Sephardic Union, have recently joined the WZO.” He said the entire matter was “at a very preliminary stage,” and he added that the WZO “has always aspired to be as broad-based as possible and to include all Jews.”

Pincus’ cautious reaction, it was indicated, might stem from the likelihood that the National Religious Party would probably raise a storm when it and its supporting Mizrachi organizations learned of the negotiations. The WZO executive, it was reported, has not yet learned about the talks. Reform and Conservative leaders have long protested the non-recognition of their rabbis in Israel. If the two American movements do enter the mainstream of Zionist life, via the WZO, they would be expected to bring pressure to bear to rectify that non-recognition.

Pincus contended that at present representatives of all three branches of American Judaism sit on the WZO executive in New York though in a personal capacity and not representing their movements. They are Rabbi Emanuel Rackman of the Orthodox movement, Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, a Conservative leader, and Reform Rabbi Richard Hirsch.