A three-day conference on “Judaism and American Democracy” opened here today marking the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Hebrew Union College. Leading representatives of every section of the American Jewish community are attending the gathering which is the first in a series of special events to be held throughout the current academic year in connection with the College’s anniversary.
Addressing the opening session, Rabbi Samuel Wohl, chairman of the conference planning committee, indicated that on the basis of the discussions which will take place at the conference a positive program will be formulated “to chart the course of future Jewish participation in the fulfilment of the American democratic ideal.”
Outlining the scope of the conference, Rabbi Wohl said: “Judaism today points to American democracy as the one method of salvation for mankind. It is neccessary now to forge the weapons for peace, to mobilize the energies of men for justice. It is our task at this historic moment to contribute the best that is within us toward the creation of a brotherhood of man in united world.”
The opening session of the conference was presided over by Mr. Lester A. Jaffe of Cincinnati. The afternoon session, devoted to a discussion of democratic principles in Judaism from biblical days to the present, was addressed by Prof. Salo Buron, Dr. Jacob Marcus and Dr. Bernard Bamberger.
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