A summons to Israel to allow for growth, not dissemination, in its ranks, was served here at the first session of the Northeast Union Conference of American Reform Hebrew Congregations at Temple Society of Concord.
Delegates from Temple Beth Zion of Buffalo, Temple B’rith Kodesh of Rochester, Temple of the Society of Concord of Syracuse and Temple Beth El of Niagara Falls, together with members of the brotherhoods and sisterhoods of these congregations, attended the meeting to discuss their common spiritual and temporal problems.
Dr. Joseph L. Fink of Temple Beth Zion sounded the keynote when he called upon Jewry to awake to “the magnificient opportunity of teaching the life of brotherhood, righteousness, justice and peace among men.” Delivering the principal luncheon address, Rabbi Fink contrasted the views of British and continental Jews, pointing out the kinship of thought between members of the race in this country and in England.
“There are two interpretations of Jewish development,” he asserted. “One outlook is that of continental Jewry, and the other that of Jews of Britain. British Jewry worked hard to remove all Jewish disabilities. They were primarily British, equal to every Briton in the land in every respect, but at the same time were proud, conscientious and learned members of the Jewish faith. The continental Jewry, on the other hand, want to be different, racially, nationally and spiritually, from all the other people among whom they live.” Rabbi Fink pleaded for enlargement of the scope of congregational activity.
Other speakers included Rabbis Philip S. Bernstein, who made the closing address on “The Value of This Day,” Abba M. Fineberg and Benjamin Friedman, and Benjamin Stolz, president of the local temple. Discussion groups were led by Mrs. Jonas I. Oberdorfer, Sol J. Levy, Benjamin Goldstein, A. H. Finley and Isadore Belloff.
The Syracuse conference was called into session by Supreme Court Justice Samuel J. Harris of Buffalo.
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.
