Central Conference of American Rabbis Ends Annual Convention

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

Dr. H. G. Enelow of New York was re-elected president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis at the concluding session held at the Hotel Shoreland here.

Dr. David Leikowitz of Dallas, Texas, was elected vice-president, Dr, Morris Newfield of Birmingham, Alabama, treasurer, Rabbi Joseph L. Fink of Buffalo, corresponding secretary. Rabbi Issac Marcosson of Macon, Georgia, was chosen recording secretary for the thirteenth year.

Members of the Executive Board chosen are Rabbi David Alexander of Akron. Ohio. Rabbi Lee M. Franklin of Detroit, Rabbi Solomon B. Freehof of Chicago, Rabbi Samuel M. Gub of Providence R. I. and Rabbi Eugence Menheimer of Des Moines, Iowa.

The Conference adopted a resolution protesting against the singing of sectarian hymns in the public schools of the United States because this is a phase of worship which offeds the principles of religious freedom. Another resolution deplored the sectarianization in the Boy Scout movement, manifested in the inauguration of a religious department for the purpose of forming troops on sectarian lines.

In a resolution adopted, the World Union for Progressive Judaism was invited to hold its next conference in America. The work of the Jewish Agency Commission was endorsed by the Conference.

Professor Jacob Z. Launtenbach of the Hebrew Union College, in his address before the assembly, urged that the ” hat on or off” belief should not separate Jews from Jews and not be made the cause of breaking up Jewish groups or dividing Jewish congregations, but that each should be allowed to carry out his belief as he sees fit. “The Bible or Talmud never prescribed any law for covering of the head for men entering a sanctuary or participating in religious services.” Prof. Launtenbach declared. “This practice is merely a custom that first appeared among the Jews in Babylon and in the course of time it spread to other countries and gradually became a custom among Orthodox Jews,” he stated.

In a resolution introduced by Dr. Joseph Stolz of Chicago. extending best wishes to the second World’s Fair in 1933. it was hoped another Parllament of Religion will be arranged as at the Columbian Exposition of 1893.