Communities Bill Objected to by Jewish Leaders Becomes Law

The bill, changing the regulations governing the organization of Jewish communities in Greater Roumania, sponsored and championed by the Maniu government despite the protests of Roumanian Jewish leaders, became a law when the Roumanian Parliament followed the action of the Senate, in passing the bill.

The House passed the measure by a majority of 216 against 34. The new law gives any Jewish group the right to form a religious congregation. The congregational system now enacted into law substitutes the principle of the unity of the Jewish community, adhered to hitherto. Under the old law only one Jewish community, with as many houses of worship, according to the respective rituals required, could exist. Jewish leaders, opposing the new measure, contended that the new law would bring chaos into Jewish communal life and disrupt its unity.