Jewish congregations throughout England today indicated approval of measures proclaimed by Chief Rabbi Hertz, jointly with the Beth Din of London, aimed at preventing Jews Married to non-Jewish women from exercising direct influence on Jewish communal affairs. The measures provide:
1. Jews married to non – Jewish women who are not converted to Judaism will henceforth not be eligible for membership in Jewish congregations.
2. Membership already acquired will remain valid, but the member involved will not be given any office in the congregations.
3. Children of mixed marriage, born of non-Jewish mothers who are not converted to Judaism, will not be regarded as Jews, even if their Jewich fathers have them circumcised in accordance with Jewish ritual.
A survey by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency of leading London Synagogues established that congregational leaders consider the measures to be “most timely.” They Claim that there is a danger that Jewish communal life in England will be disrupted by the growing influence of Jews involved in mixed marriages.
The London Jewish Chronicle, leading Anglo-Jewish publication, in an editorial today says: “The Jewish Community is not only entitled, but is sacred dutybound to defend itself against results of individual action, since the fatal spirit of religious laxity has crept into the community and is raising the question of sincerity of the office holders who are bringing discredit to the Jewish faith.”
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.
