Scores Zionist Discord at 25th Annual Conference of Orthodox Rabbis’ Union

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

One hundred and fifty orthodox rabbis, members of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis in the United States and Canada gathered from all parts of the country to attend the twenty-fifth annual convention and to take stock in the present state of affairs in Orthodox Jewish life in America.

The convention was opened by Rabbi Israel Rosenberg of Brooklyn, chairman of the praesidium, in the Education Hall of Congregation Sons of Israel here.

The message of Rabbi Rosenberg expressed regret at the present note of discord in Jewish life in America. The speaker referred both to the quarrel within the ranks of the Zionist Organization and to the fight within the Jewish labor unions. With regard to the Zionist opposition, Rabbi Rosenberg expressed disagreement with the opposition methods of charging mismanagement through the public press. “Who knows whether a college professor or another gentleman may be better managers?” he asked.

Rabbi Rosenberg, in referring to the problems of Jewish education, declared that the greater number of Talmud Torahs are built through rabbinic initiative. He stated that the parochial school idea was first broached by them at a convention ten years ago. Looking ?o ward the forthcoming opening of the Yeshiva College, the speaker declared that then there will no longer be a Sabhath question for the student at school “Yeshiva first, college afterward”, he declared.

From eighty to ninety percent of the rabbis have always been active Zionists. Rabbi Rosenberg stated. They seek a Jewish Zion. non privately, but publicly, which is their right. A recommendation for the establishment of a “Vaad Hazdakah” for the support of the old settlements in Palestine was contained in his message.

A recommendation than a “White Book” to record marriages and divarees perfomed by accredited rabbis be ### to overcome the practice of performed ceremonies to be performed by persons who are not rabbis. The establishment of Jewish ritual harhs in American Jewish communities was also urged.

Rabbi Rusenberg reported progress in the five day week movement, which had been urged by the Union as early as 1918.

The progress made in the matter of Rashruth was also described. Much is jaft to be done he declared, despite the Game that twenty-eight states have Kashruth laws on their statutes.

An appeal on behalf of the Ezrath Torah, the fund to support rabbis and scholars abroad, was presented. While the fund sent over $700,000 abroad during the period of its existence, it now faces a deficit.

Rabbi Rosenberg declared that he would not be a candidate for office. Rabbis M. S. Margolies. B. I. Levinthai. O. L. Zarchi of Louisville, Ky., and I. Israelist of Chelsea addressed the convention.