(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Liberal Judaism will have to come to a clear understanding regarding the teaching of Christ. This was the contention made by Mr. Claude Montefiore, leader of Liberal Judaism in England, in an address at the final session of the International Conference of Liberal Jews here, in the course of which Mr. Montefiore warned against too reconciliatory an attitude on the part of Liberal Judaism toward Orthodoxy.
Addressing the conference during the discussion which took place before the closing of the session, Mr. Montefiore declared: “We need to be warned against the danger of being too reconciliatory to Orthodoxy. If I had not felt that there was a profound difference between Liberalism and Orthodoxy I would not have given my whole life for Liberalism.
“I recognize the greatness of Orthodoxy in the same way that I recognize the greatness of Buddism and Mohammedanism,” Mr. Montefiore said.
Concerning his attitude to Christianity, Mr. Montefiore stated, “I am considered a heretic, even in my own movement, regarding my opinions on Christianity. But I believe that ultimately, Liberal Judaism will have to come to a clear understanding regarding the teaching of Christ.”
The changes brought about in Jewish life by the return of the Jews to agriculture were discussed by Dr. Maurice Harris of New York, who also spoke at the final session of the Conference. Describing the back-to-the-land movement among the Jews in the United States, Russia Argentine, Palestine and other countries, Dr. Harris urged the need of cooperation between the Orthodox and Liberal Jews for the purpose of strengthening the religious spirit and raising the Jewish ethical standard.
The modification or substitution of ceremonials in Judaism without defeating its essential power was urged by Dr. Rosenau.
“Ceremonials come and go, but Judaism remains,” Dr. Rosenau stated. “Many ceremonies in the Jewish religion are primarily not Jewish but Babylonian and Persian and also bear the impress of the influence of the Catholic Church. We Liberals insist on the modification or substitution of those ceremonies which lost their pristine power, provided this process does not defeat Jewish aims,” he concluded.
Funeral services were held Tuesday for Mrs. Rebecca Eiseman, 76 years old, mother of Dr. Aaron Eiseman, rabbi of Mount Neboh Temple, New York City.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
