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U.S. Agudah Convention Opposes Conscription of Women in Israel

July 1, 1953
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The three-day national convention of the Agudath Israel of America concluded here with a resolution calling upon the Israel Government to “immediately halt its plan to adopt a law regarding women’s conscription and the control of fund-raising by yeshivos and religious institutions.” The adoption of such “anti-religious measures and throttle-holds of religious institutions will bear dire consequences in the future relations between Israel and the American-Jewish community,” the resolution said.

The 700 delegates also adopted a resolution expressing “warmest approbation” of the independent religious educational system established by the Agudah in Israel, after withdrawing its network of 30,000 students from the official governmental school system because of the new school unity plan.

The convention also adopted a series of resolutions regarding “preserving the definite lines of demarcation which distinguish Orthodox Judaism from conservatism and reform.” The expansion of the activities amongst youth in the United States was mapped out in a blueprint of activity adopted by the conclave, at which Rabbi Itzhak Meir Lewin, former Israel Minister of Welfare and chairman of the world executive of the Agudas Israel Organization, was one of the principal speakers.

The convention closed with the election of the following slate of officers: Rabbi Eliezer Silver-of Cincinnati, Rabbi Elijah M. Bloch of Cleveland, Rabbi Jacob Kamenetzky of New York, Rabbi Mordechai S. Friedman of New York, and Mr. Louis J. Septimus of New York as a five-member presidium; Michael G. Tress, administrative president, and Rabbi Morris Sherer, executive vice-president.

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