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World Union for Progressive Judaism Transfers Headquarters to U.S.

April 15, 1960
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The transfer of the headquarters of the World Union for Progressive Judaism from London to New York was announced at a press conference here today by Dr. Solomon B. Freehof, of Pittsburgh, president of the World Union. Dr. Freehof also announced the appointment of Rabbi Hugo Gryn as the new executive director of the international religious body which represents progressive synagogues in 25 countries. The largest segment is affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregation.

Dr. Freehof announced a World Union program of expansion of aid calling for the sending of rabbis, educators and educational materials to strengthen existing affiliated synagogues and bring progressive Judaism to isolated pockets of Jewish life in many lands. The program also calls for greater efforts on behalf of world liberal Jews through the United Nations and UNESCO.

Called for were: 1. Sending rabbis to serve congregations in New Zealand, South America, Israel, Ireland, England, Holland and West Germany; 2. Recruiting students throughout the world to be trained as rabbinic leaders or educators to serve the Jewish communities in their own countries; and 3. Translation of existing educational materials into Spanish, German, Portuguese, Hebrew and French. The World Union also announced the affiliation of a second synagogue in Israel, congregation Hugim Leyahaduth Mithkademeth in Jerusalem. Temple Beth-Israel in Haifa is already a member of the World Union.

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