Liberal and Reform approaches to Judaism were denounced yesterday as dangerous to the integrity and continuity of the Jewish community at closing sessions of the European Conference of Orthodox Rabbis.
Chief Rabbi Aron Schuster of Amsterdam said that Reform rabbis often accepted non-Jewish women for conversion after Orthodox rabbis refused to accept them. He added he would never acknowledge such proselytes implying that Holland’s Orthodox rabbis would follow his lead.
Rabbi Israel Brodie, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, in his warning of the alleged dangers of Liberal forms of Judaism told a press conference that Orthodox rabbis considered Liberal Judaism a deviation from the traditional interpretation.
Chief Rabbi Milchior Marcus of Copenhagen reported that there was a “remarkable interest” in conversions to Judaism in Denmark and a similar interest was reported by Rabbi A. Holzer of Dortmund as existing in West Germany.
The delegates approved a resolution declaration that the restoration of the Jewish State in the Holy Land was a “clear token of the grace of God towards the Jewish people,” and that religion was the only lasting link between Jews in Israel and Jews outside of Israel.
It was announced that Chief Rabbi Yehuda Levin of Moscow, who had indicated he planned to attend the conference had been unable to do so because of “indisposition.”
The delegates discussed the serious shortage of rabbis and religious teachers affecting all European Jewry. Prayers were recited for the Dutch royal family and for the memory of the victims of Nazism.
The delegates were received by Queen Juliana at Soestdyk Palace. The closing session was held in the 300-year-old sephardic synagogue. Delegates noted to hold future conferences in Amsterdam.
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.
