The merger of the Orthodox and modern Jewish communities in Hungary took place officially here today at the opening of a three-day conference attended by 234 representatives of both groups from all parts of the country. No Zionists were among the delegates.
The conference, which is to adopt a constitution for the united Jewish community, elected Dr. Lajos Stoeckler president of the merged congregations. Thanking the Minister of Education, Gyula Ortutay, who was present at the opening session, Dr. Stoeckler reviewed the present situation of the Jews in Hungary and emphasized that the government is willing to maintain religious liberty. He hailed the merger of the two communities and assured the Orthodox delegates that their religious requirements will be respected and that they will also enjoy a certain amount of autonomy within the union.
Rabbi Kahan-Frankl, president of the Orthodox community, appealed to the representatives of the modern community — which from the majority in the merger — to respect the wishes of the Orthodox elements in the community. He said that the observance of the Sabbath is essential to Jewish religious life and read a declaration on behalf of the Orthodox community accepting the union.
The merger of the two communities became necessary as a result of the fact that the number of Jews in Hungary is dwindling and Hungarian Jewry can no longer afford to be split into two sects. The government order separating the state from the church has also made it imperative for the two separats Jewish communities to merge.
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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.
