The theological controversy between Reform and Orthodox Judaism in America is probably a dead issue and it is generally conceded that no new generation will grow up in America with adherence to tefillim (phylacteries) and kashruth, declared Ludwig Vogelstein, chairman, of the executive board of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, in responding to addresses of welcome today at the second conference of the World Union for Progressive Judaism which is meeting in the Liberal Jewish Synagogue and the West London Liberal Synagogue.
Pointing out that “the fast moving American panorama inclines us to question the wisdom of attaching too much value to religious slogans,” Mr. Vogelstein said that “our Reform synagogues are gracefully yielding to a beneficent invasion by the sons and daughters of orthodox parents. But these sons and daughters are not making our synagogues orthodox.” This, Mr. Vogelstein said, indicated that the “vast army of American Jews is marching toward reform.”
Paying tribute to the late Isaac Mayer Wise for his labors in establishing Reform Judaism in America, Mr. Vogelstein observed that “Reform Judaism, by espousing the cause of scientific truth at its very outset, probably saved a whole generation for our faith.”
Nevertheless Mr. Vogelstein told the Conference that perfection had not been achieved in America. He said that Judaism in America had many grave problems peculiar to the American scene, among them the philanthropic Jews, and the racial, cultural and national Jews. Earnest efforts were being made, he said, to enlist the interest of these backsliders.
SESSIONS OPENED
The Conference, which has for its discussion the thesis, “Progressive Judaism and Some Aspects of Modern Thought” was opened this morning with services at the West London Synagogue, and an address by Rabbi David Lefkowitz of Dallas, Texas, president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
In the evening Claude G. Montefiore, president of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, welcomed the delegates, and opening prayers were said by Rabbis Isaac Marcuson of Macon, Georgia, Nathan Stern of New York and Henry J. Stern of Montreal. In response to Mr. Montefiore’s greeting Mr. Vogelstein spoke on behalf of the American delegation and Rabbi L. Germain Levy and Heinrich Stern for the French and German delegations respectively.
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