Union of Orthodox Congregations Asks Representation on Jewish Agency

Representatives of 260 Orthodox Jewish congregations throughout the country attended the three day sessions of the Union of Orthodox Congregations of America which opened on Saturday evening and concluded yesterday at the Yeshiva College, 186th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, New York City.

The sessions of the Convention were devoted to a discussion of means of strengthening the Union and of stemming the tide of irreligion which is swamping the younger generation.

Belief in a more intensive Orthodox Jewish training as the best means of stimulating Jewish youth, and the importance of all three groups, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox working toward that end was expressed by Nathan Straus. Addressing the Sunday morning session, Mr. Straus voiced his disappointment in the present generation of Reform Jewish youth. “I belong to one of the first Reform congregations in America. The second generation doesn’t come out to suit me. I am with you heart and soul,” he told the Convention.

That American civilization takes its spiritual and religious cue from the devotion to their faith of the Jewish people, was the statement made by Senator Simeon D. Fess of Ohio, guest of honor at the banquet at the Hotel Astor Sunday evening. He urged the Jews of America to maintain that “Jewish scholarship, religious devotion, great tradition and history of a great people,” lest American life be poorer without it.

A report on the year’s activities of the Union was delivered by Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein, President. The work of the National Board of Education of the Union was described by Dr. Moses Seidel, of Baltimore.

In his report, Rabbi Goldstein told of the work of the Union in initiating and causing the passage of the Kosher law in the State of New York, and its efforts to secure the eight-hour, five-day working week. As a result of its work, the National Industrial Conference has appropriated a fund to investigate the situation with a view toward propagating this plan, the report stated.

Rabbi Goldstein told of the efforts to interest the youth in Judaism, pointing to the chapters formed in various high schools in New York City where Jewish children meet at regular intervals to plan and participate in Jewish programs.

The organization of a Hebrew Teacher’s Training School and High School for Girls in New York, said to be the only orthodox institution of its kind in the United States, was announced by Dr. Seidel.

The Convention authorized the establishment of a Central Educational Council to promote the present activities and to establish parochial schools. It declared its intention to render support to (Continued on Page 4)

various Yeshivas in the United States requiring aid.

A resolution was adopted calling upon the Union, in conjunction with the Orthodox Rabbinical Council, to meet with rabbinical and business interests to standardize Schechitah and the sale of Kosher meat through a centralized administration.

The Convention also called for the establishment of a Commission, to act as an Arbitration Board on problems affecting synagogues and communities.

Following a heated discussion on Palestine, the Convention endorsed the proposed Jewish Agency, and demanded proportional representation in the Agency for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and for other Orthodox bodies. The organization of Orthodox groups in New York City was authorized.

Opposition to the proposed calendar reform was expressed in a resolution unanimously adopted. The Ort reconstruction work was endorsed.

Harry Roggen, Chairman of the National Convention Committee was the permanent chairman of the Convention.

Others who spoke during the sessions and at the banquet Sunday evening were Congressman Sol Bloom, Dr. Henry Moskowitz, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Ort, Mrs. Bernard Revel, Samuel H. Hofstadter, and former Congressman Isaac Siegel.

Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein was reelected president of the Union, and Arthur I. Levine, treasurer. Mrs. Herbert S. Goldstein was reelected president of the Women’s Branch.