(Communication to the Editor)
Sir:
In today’s issue of the “Bulletin” appears an article by Rabbi Newman, of San Francisco, in which he blames the Zionist Organization for the failure of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations to take action favorable to Palestine reconstruction. In the course of his article Rabbi Newman says: “But the action of the Z. O. A. within the last few years has driven out of active service those Reform Rabbis who have been militant and unflinching in their preachment of Zionism, etc. Moreover the fatuous policy of the Z. O. A. has created a ‘hush-hush’ mood which has nullified movements of organization, education and resolution among the non-Zionists. The Administration Reform Rabbis are constantly softpedalling.”
I beg to differ with Rabbi Newman. The Z. O. A. has not driven any Reform Rabbis out of the movement, either directly or indirectly. The truth of the matter is, that some zealots of the Z. O. A. have been defeated in the Zionist Convention in their efforts to pass by force some of their own fatuous policies and are not democratic enough to take their defeat gracefully. They are carrying on an internecine warfare and underhanded opposition against the Z. O. A. Administration. This procedure, of which I have positive proof, is unworthy of any Zionist, be he of the Reform or Orthodox camp, and is certainly treacherous to the cause.
The real reason why no action was taken with regard to Palestine reconstruction at the recent convention of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in San Francisco is, that such action was not on the agenda of the said convention. The Union was organized for the sake of furthering Reform Judaism, the interests of its constituent members, and the Hebrew Union College, and for no other reason. The conventions of the Union have hitherto held aloof from registering themselves either favorably or unfavorably with regard to any movement that was not in keeping with its agenda.
Very truly yours,
JOSEPH SILVERMAN,
Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Emanu-El. New York, April 1, 1929.
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.
