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Newark Jews Seek to Tramp Underfoot Mushroom Synagogue

September 3, 1933
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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The Newark orthodox Jewish community is more hopeful now than at any other time that the mushroom synagogue will be eradicated this season. The basis of optimism is founded upon the action taken by the Hebrew Orphans Sheltering Home, of which Max Harmelin, a well known insurance man, is president, and Mayor Ellenstein, treasurer. This institution, faced with financial obligations, had planned upon conducting High Holy Day services under its auspices and had already proceeded so far as to obtain the free use of a theatre.

However, when heads of several leading edifices conferred with the orphanage heads, the latter decided to call off their plans and co-operate with the synagogues. Reciprocally, the latter pledged the orphanage precedence in the matter of High Holy Day appeals.

A FAVORABLE REACTION

The action taken by the orphanage has met with favorable response and accordingly created a psychological antipathy to the possible development of mushroom edifices of which in previous years there were a considerable number.

Current NRA discussion recalls that three Jewish citizens are among those taking an active interest in the President’s recovery program in New Jersey. J. Lester Eisner, prominent manufacturer of Red Bank, and a colonel on Governor Moore’s staff, heads the recovery administration in this state. Mayor Ellenstein personally is at the helm of the activity in this city. He designated Dr. Leon Mones, well known educator and author, to head the educational committee and the latter has proceeded to propagandize the recovery project in an effective way in English and other languages, Yiddish included.

TO AID JEWISH PAGEANT

The forthcoming pageant, “The Romance of a Peaple,” which is to be produced in New York, Sept. 14, has also awakened considerable interest among non-Jewish as well as Jewish citizens. A special local committee of sponsors has been organized with the mayor as honorary chairman and Michael A. Stavitsky, vice-president of the N. J. Federation of Y.M.-Y.W.H.A.’s as the active chairman. It is interesting to note that one of the two committee vice-chairmen is John A. Matthews, prominent lawyer of the Roman Catholic faith, Mrs. L. M. Abrahams, head of the Council of Jewish Women, is the other vice-chairman.

There are twenty Jewish citizens, including several rabbis, serving on the committee, as well as the following non-Jews: Rev. Dr. W. H. Foulkes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church; Deputy Mayor Denis F. Kelly, and City Commissioners Duffy, Franklin, Minisi and Parnell.

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