only possible places to which the German Jews can emigrate.
In answer to Rabbi Samuel H. Goldenson’s statement at an earlier session that Judaism is a religion rather than a civilization, Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver of Cleveland tonight declared, “If we regard Israel as a religious community exclusively, there would be no room within its folds for myriads of our people who are non-religious and who can accept neither the theology of Judaism nor the code of religious observances, orthodox or reform, and who are yet very loyal and active Jews.”
SEES ROOM FOR ALL IN JUDAISM
“But being a people and not a religious community,” Dr. Silver continued, “there is room for those who do not wish to be Jews and who declare that we have no portion or inheritance in our father’s house. And these are being tragically reminded in some parts of the world today that even though they forsake their inheritance in their father’s house, they will not find tehir portion or inheritance anywhere else in the world.”
REJECT PEACE RESOLUTION
After a long and heated discussion, the delegates yesterday rejected a resolution drafted by the committee on international peace pledging its members not to support the war under any circumstances.
Instead, a committee was appointed to bring into this session a substitute resolution which would state the attitude of the Conference toward peace with particular reference to whether it was opposed to all forms of war.
An attempt by Rabbi Abraham J. Feldman of Hartford to attach to the original resolution an amendment, “except in case of invasion of continental United States,” failed.
BACK REFERENDUM ON WAR
Other recommendations of the committee, which were approved by the Conference, are:
1. Approval of a constitutional amendment requiring a national referendum to declare war, except in case of invasion.
2. That the Conference at the next convention devote an entire session to the question of war and peace.
3. That the United States join the League of Nations.
4. That the United States join the World Court.
5. That the United States persevere in efforts for disarmament.
6. That Congress support Senator Nye’s proposed legislation to “take the profits out of war.”
7. Opposition to compulsory military training in educational institutions.
8. Withdrawal of moving pictures that make war seem attractive.
9. Larger appropriations for the Department of State so that it can promote friendly international relations.
10. Repeal of the Chinese and Japanese exclusion acts.
REVALUE GOD CONCEPT
As a symposium on a revaluation of Reform Judaism which was opened by Rabbi David Philipson of Cincinnati, Dr. Felix A. Levy of Chicago, vice-president of the Conference, and Dr. Samuel C. Cohen, professor of theology at the Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, presented papers on a revaluation of the concept of God.
Dr. Levy, speaking from the standpoint of modern philosophy, laid down the principle that “Judaism is uncompromisingly theistic and Reform Judaism cannot be otherwise. Humanism and all other atheistic philosophies and Judaism are contradictions in terms.
“As Liberals we must take cognizance of all contributions that science and the increase of knowledge have made to the God idea. However, we do not have to change the God idea, but only deepen and widen the concept.”
Dr. Cohen, in his paper on “The Idea of God in Judaism Historically Considered,” said that the Jewish doctrine of ethical monotheism affirms (1) The reality of a living God; (2) God is best conceived as personal, not in the sense of anthropomorphism, but of individuality, intelligence and will; (3) He is the creative principle who called the universe into being and sustains it by his wisdom and might; (4) He makes not only for order in physical nature but also in the life of man.
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.
