United Synagogue Holds Rabbis Must Espouse Social Economic Justice

A resolution expressing the view that discussion of social and economic problems properly belongs within the synagogue was adopted by the biennial convention of the United Synagogue of America, which closed last night. It added that it was not only the right but the duty of the clergy and laity to espouse all causes which, in their opinion, further the ends of social and economic justice.

The convention urged synagogues, in another resolution, to discourage distinctions based upon social differences among its members and encourage the laboring masses to enter the synagogue and participate in the management of its affairs.

The Rabbinical Assembly’s proposed reform of marriage regulations in an effort to solve the problem of the “agunah,” or deserted wife, was hailed as “a measure calculated to preserve in modern life the spirit of fairness and equality in the relation between husband and wife to enhance reverence for Jewish law and obedience to its precepts.” The organization pledged cooperation with the assembly in giving effect to the reform.

Further resolutions were adopted protesting the projected prohibition of shechita in Poland, this protest to be forwarded to the Polish Embassy, and endorsing the campaigns of United Palestine Appeal, the Joint Distribution Committee and the HIAS.

War was condemned as a means of settling international disputes and further appropriations for increased military forces opposed. The convention supported the Wagner-Costigan Anti-Lynching Bill in another resolution.

The Executive council was instructed to appoint a committee to plan a twenty-fifth anniversary celebration to be held in 1936 at which the memory of Professor Solomon Schechter, founder of the United Synagogue, would be honored.