Young Israel Holds Three Day Convention

At the Midwestern Conference of Young Israel organizations, held here December 23, 24 and 25, many factors dealing with traditional Judaism were discussed.

The Young Israel organization was lauded as one of the major forces in upholding orthodox Judaism in America by Rabbi Israel Porath of the Oheb Zedek Synagogue.

“Young Israel,” he said, “representing the American Jewish youth, is the most potent force in rebuilding orthodoxy and true Judaism in this country, and in the ranks of its organizations is the necessary strength to cope with the American problems of today.”

A concrete plan whereby Young Israel branches throughout the country may gain wider cooperation in the Young Israel movement was outlined by Jesse Kleve of New York, chairman of the National Council on Education, in his address at the Sunday afternoon session. He presented six important factors to boost Young Israel in the community, as follows:

To formulate a Bar Mitzvah Club in order to keep contact with the many bar mitzvahs occurring every week in the various synagogues and thereby interest a wider number of Jewish youth in remaining in the folds of orthodoxy; to stimulate more activity in Friday evening lectures; to establish a branch of the Sabbath Observers Employment Bureau in every city that has a Young Israel organization; to use more influence in stressing Sabbath observance in Jewish districts; to keep vigil on all matters of Kashruth in the community; to organize a central board of Orthodox Jewish Education for the purpose of teaching the youth.

More than 200 delegates attended all sessions of the Conference. Representatives from Young Israel branches in New York, Buffalo, Rochester, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati were present.

Many symposiums on “The Young Israel in Palestine” and “The Importance of Adult Jewish Education in the Curriculum of Young Israel” were held.