Three Americans Elected on Board of World, Union for Progressive Judaism

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Three Americans representing the Union of American Hebrew Congregations were elected on the governing board of the World Union for Progressive Judaism which concluded its second annual convention here Monday night at the Prussian House of Lords.

Dr. H. G. Enelow, Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El of New York and president of the Central Conference of American Rabbi, Dr. Julian Morgenstern, president of Hebrew Union College of Cincinnati and Mr. Leo Weil of Pittsburgh were elected to the Board. Dr. Claude G. Montefiore was re-elected president of the Union, Miss Lily Montague, honorary secretary, and Eric Turk of London, treasurer. Other members of the Board elected are Rabbi Israel I. Mattuck of London, Herr Heinrich Stern and Rabbis Elbogen and Seligmann of Germany.

The concluding addresses were delivered by Dr. David Philipson of Cincinnati and Herr Stern. The exchange of ideas and experiences, as well as the high level of the discussion were a valuable contribution toward the understanding of Liberal Judaism, it was emphasized.

Dr. Montefiore presented Herr Stern with an address of appreciation in behalf of the World Union to the leaders of Jewish Liberalism in Germany. In his closing address Dr. Montefiore urged the members of the World Union to “march on in the recruiting campaign to win the Jewish youth for Liberal Judaism.” The Jewish future belongs to the Liberals, the leader exclaimed.

The closing prayer was offered by Rabbi Mattuck and the sessions were ended as the delegates sang the religious hymn, “En K’cloheinu.”

During the Monday sessions a prolonged discussion took place on the differences of opinion prevailing between the traditionalists and the extreme Reformers within the Liberal movement. Rabbi Herman Vogelstein of Breslau, Rabbis Silverman, Mattuck, Gottschalk, Galliner, Norden, Seligmann, Wolff, participated. During the discussion the idea was brought forward that it was necessary to strive to establish a bridge of mutual understanding between the two wings.

Madame Ollendorf of Breslau paid tribute to the activities of the American Jewish women, members of the Liberal congregations and of the sisterhoods. In the United States the Jewish women frequently visit the Liberal synagogue and engage in extensive social service work through the sisterhoods. Synaggue attendance by women is not as frequent in Europe, she stated, urging European women to take their American sisters as an example.

Rabbi Samuel H Goldenson of Pittsburgh participated in the discussion, while Mr. Bernheim of Louisvile. Ky. proposed the establishment of a World Union of Liberal Religious Laymen.