Satisfaction was expressed by Max J. Schneider, president of the Bronx Federation of Jewish Congregations, over a warning issued by District Attorney Samuel J. Foley against attending holy day services in “mushroom synagogues.”
Schneider, who has been active in combatting racketeers who represent themselves as rabbis before the holidays and who conduct services in movie theaters and dance halls, told The Bulletin yesterday that “the Bronx Federation will push this thing to the limit.”
HOPES FOR PROSECUTION
Schneider revealed that he has been presenting the matter to district attorneys of all five boroughs and he hopes they will prosecute these racketeers to the limit. Foley appointed Assistant District Attorney Martin Kraus to investigate reports that these dance hall synagogues are being opened.
The campaign against these synagogues was given impetus by the bill introduced by State Senator Lazarus Joseph in Albany on April 20 of this year and subsequently signed by Governor Lehman, making it a misdemeanor to sell tickets to services in “non-legitimate places of worship.” This law is Section 925-B of the Penal Code.
Manning H. Bleich, executive secretary of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, said, “It is certainly a commendable measure,” when told of the Joseph Law and the Foley warning.
PLAN AUXILIARY TEMPLES
Concerning the possible lack of accommodation in the regular synagogues for those who wish to attend holiday services, Schneider declared that in those localities in the Bronx where the local synagogues cannot accommodate all the people, the Bronx Federation of Jewish Congregations will set up special synagogues under careful religious supervision.
He also said that all who desire to attend services, whether they can pay or not, will be able to do so.
Assistant District Attorney Kraus is prepared to receive all complaints and to prosecute if necessary.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
