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Proposes Reform Leaders Pilgrimage to Israel

June 24, 1952
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A proposal that Reform Jewish leaders make a pilgrimage to Israel in 1953 during the 3,000th anniversary celebrations in Jerusalem, as a means of promoting “spiritual rapport” between the American and Israel Jewish communities, was made here by Rabbi Maurice N. Eisendrath, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.

In his semi-annual report to the Union’s executive board, Rabbi Eisendrath said there was “far too much misunderstanding and far too little sympathetic communication between Israel and America.” He added that “the time is ripe for an earnest and energetic effort to establish a genuine Liberal Jewish religious movement in Israel.”

His report disclosed that the Union has had conferences with the United Synagogues of America and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations as well as with the Synagogue Council of America on proposals by Prof. Robert M. Maclver that the Union, with other national religious bodies, should conduct the community’s work in the interfaith area. He expressed confidence that the Maclver formula “is well within the realm of achievement.”

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