Rabbinical Conventions Discuss Re-marriage of Women Whose Husbands Missing in Action

The problem of re-marriage by wives whose soldier husbands are reported missing in action, but of whose death there is no legal proof, was discussed today at two rabbinical conventions being held here – the annual convention of the Rabbinical Assembly of America and the annual convention of the Rabbinical Council of America.

The Committee on Jewish Law at the convention of the Rabbinical Assembly of America, held at the Jewish Theological Seminary, presented a report to its delegates urging the approval of a plan whereby any soldier could procure from his chaplain or rabbi a document, which would permit his wife to remarry within two years after the official termination of military hostilities, if he had been reported missing, and provided there was approval from the civil court as well as sanction of the religious authorities.

At the convention of the Rabbinical Council of America, a paper on this subject was presented today by Rabbi Mordecai Stern of Richmond Hill. The paper, which was the result of several months’ consultation between Rabbi Stern and leading orthodox rabbinical authorities, proposed the draft of a system by which the women might be allowed to remarry after a suitable period. Details of the plan, however, will not be divulged until it is approved by the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada.

At the opening session yesterday of the convention of the Rabbinical Council, it was announced that the Council had decided to merge with the Rabbinical Association of the Hebrew Union College in Chicago, which will make the Council the largest organization of orthodox English-speaking rabbis in the country. The convention was opened with special prayers for the United Nations delivered by Rabbi Bernard Drachman.