Reform Temple Changes Policy to Conform with Orthodoxy

The unusual step of changing its policy of worship from the Reform—a ritual which it has utilized for the past twenty-five years—to the Conservative, has definitely been taken here by Temple Beth-El.

To further make definite its swing back to the traditional mode in Judaism, the congregation has retained an Orthodox cantor, Abraham Berman, and a choir, for the High Holidays and thereafter. However, Rabbi Maurice Thorner, an alumnus of Hebrew Union College, who for the past twenty-two years has been serving as spiritual leader for the congregation, will continue in that capacity.

The congregation, which has been in existence for forty-eight years, is now headed by Dr. B. S. Pollak, communal leader. During its first twenty-three years of existence, it worshipped in accordance with the orthodox ritual.

The announced change has been under consideration for some time. In verifying the change, Assistant County Prosecutor Atwood C. Wolf, chairman of the Temple executive board, said:

“There is no room at present for Reform Judaism in Hudson County, and a certain number of members of the temple decided that a change was imperative. I feel that coming generations of Jews in the county are still strongly attached to the religious principles of their fathers. Nevertheless, while they dislike the rigors and restrictions of orthodoxy, at the same time they cannot persuade themselves to take such drastic steps as going in for Reform Judaism. For that reason, a number of the members feel that the future of Jewish religion in America lies along the conservative lines, through which we hope successfully to pursue a ‘back – to – the – synagogue’ movement.”

The initial conservative type of service, it is announced, will be held at the services August 31, when the cantor and choir will be installed.