THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS — Friday, January 12, 1962 — 32
'Gelber Views 'Failure of American. Rabbi',
Publishes 'Program of Revitalization'
Freedom of Emigration
on Agenda of UN Group;
May Affect Soviet Jewry
Appealing for impressive the salesman -is the materialist
Michael Gelber, member of
one of the most prominent Jew- synagogual music, Gelber shows in the pulpit" who is "preoccu-
ish families in Canada, Colum- disappointment in the current pied with the q u a n t i t y of
bia University graduate who has cantorial positions. Referring to money you can make and the
been successful in business and the Hassidim "who revel in quantity he makes."
UNITED NATIONS, N.Y., international agreements "which
finance and who has, at the same song," he states that 'by corn-
Gelber also charges that (JTA)—A report that may point provide special protective meas-
time, devoted himself to United parison with the Hassidim, the many synagogues are becoming the way to United Nations action ures for ethnic, religious or lin-
Jewish Appeal campaigns in this Anglicans and the Scottish Pres- "secular institutions" and that that could result in asking the guistic groups." The report by
country and in Canada, now a byterians, we, of the Reform "rabbis are teaching people how Soviet Union to permit Jews to Ingles is expected to deal also
New York City resident, may and Conservative Jewish move- to play, instead of pray," and emigrate is being prepared here with the question of the protec-
have stirred up a hornet's nest ments, sound like unsure little he deplores the lack of leader- and will come up next week be- tion of minorities and with
with his book, "The Failure of children in a kindergarten sing- ship and the shortage of proper fore the UN's anti-bias group, a measures that should be taken
books dealing with the elemen- subcommission of the Commis- for the cessation of any advocacy
the American Rabbi," published ing class."
He criticizes the "physical tary approaches to Judaism. sion on Human Rights. of national, racial or religious
by Twayne (31 Union Sq., W.,
The anti-bias group, officially hostility. Concrete proposals are
structure of the modern syna- POinting to able rabbis who
N. Y. 3).
Subtitled "a program for the gogue, stating: "The Bimah used achieved proper goals, Gelber known as the Subcommission on expected to be formulated in the
revitalization of the American to stand in the center of the maintains that rabbis today Prevention of Discrimination and Ingles report for the elimination
rabbinate," this book _ already synagogue close to all the con- could impose discipline upon Protection of Minorities, will of these various forms of reli-
has received cominendations gregants. Now it has been re- congregants, that they "could open its 14th annual session gious, racial or ethnic discrimina-
from a number of the most dis- moved to a platform up in the use their united strength to here and will continue its tion.
There are 14 members on the
tinguished rabbis in this coun- front. . . . The people who came impose standards of excellence deliberations until at least Feb. 2.
A number of reports dealing subcommission, all appointed as
try. It is to be viewed, there- to a synagogue used to be a upon themselves as well as upon
fore, as much more application congregation. Now they have every congregation-that chooses with the elimination of bias in individual experts. The American
r
in the predicate than the sub- become an audience watching a to be affiliated with them."
various fields are on the sub- representative
is Judge Philip
ject—in the subtitle rather than performance of religious func-
'Gelber is especially hard on commission's agenda. One draft, Halpern of Buffalo, a well-known
being
completed
in
tentative
Jewish
leader
active
in national
the title—since it in the main tionaries. . . . The separation of the rabbi when he calls him "a
as
well
as
local
communal
affairs.
proposes improvements in syna- the congregation from its lead- mere publicity hound."
form, is of particular interest to
*
*
His program for revitalization Jewish groups concerned about
gogue procedures and rabbinical ers may be said to have existed
TEL AVIV, (JTA) — Jewish
actions, basing them upon short- before the days of Ezra and Ne- of the rabbinate is three-fold: the Soviet Union's closed-door immigrants
from 62 countries
comings in the Reform and Con- hemiah, for in ancient times pastoral care on the part of lay-
policy
in
regard
to
the
desire
continued
to
arrive in Israel at
priestly officials used to lead our men, attractive Jewish courses of Russian Jews to emigrate.
servative pulpits.
an increased rate during the past
The Orthodox are excluded ancestors in their forms of wor- for young and old and the crea- This draft, being prepared by nine
months, it was reported
from consideration. The author ship. But about the time of the tion of an engaging introductory Jose D. Ingles, of the Philip-
here
by Aaron Zisling, head of
states that he offers suggestions Babylonian captivity the ar- Jewish literature.
deals right
among
other issues
absorption
of the
He proposes the enhancing of pines,
with "the
of everyone
to the
Jewish
Agency department
in Jerusalem.
for the improvement of Conserv- rangements changed. Sacrifices
ative and Reform movement be- gave way to prayers of entreaty the training of rabbis, a few leave any country, including his
cause they "seem to have a • • • the laity took the place of more rabbinical schools, for "in own, and to return to his coun-
Hebrew Corner
future in our modern Jewish priests, prayer took the place • of competition there is a spark of try."
society." He expresses the view sacrifice, the word of the Torah incentive."
According to Ingles' tentative Library for Blind
He urges that the rabbi have findings, the rights of nationals
that "Orthodoxy, with its funda- began to be shared by rich and
a ear the recreation town, Natha-
mentalist assumptions, is an poor. . . . Conservatism and Re- more time for study, "for read- to return to their own countries tN
auto
„ on
narrow s st
road, the e o
anachronism the a p p e a 1 of form are tending to undo all ing and thinkihg and writing.v are "almost completely favorable, n drivers
that pass
(the road) ) no-
tpiecoea
sir
n
ho
"Drivv,,
r
a
*
caution,
bli
d
He
favors
a
rabbinical
ex-
which is limited." He then pro- this good work. By taking our
with few notable exceptions."
ceeds to show the shortcomings rabbis and cantors up to the change to encourage coopera- However, Ingles has found, as Pas on the that ot feel th
their
y
of the two movements to which front again, a long way off, the tion among ministers.
the help of a cane orfollOaw
regards the rights of a national with
ull ld og is a noo e every
d
day scene in
very ancient separation of our
In his proposal for greater to l ave his own country , the a hi bul
he addresses himself.
e o 1
m iri o
a that h :a
priestly days has been revived." participation of laymen in syna- situation is "far less favorable, dates a house
* * *
ighbr '
sign: "Central
Library
forBlind".
And so, Gelber believes that gogue life, he urges that they and indeed the general trend
Gelber on occasion contra-
Sw iss hceinielen
tiz
diets himself on the question of "Judaism is in trouble," that, should have a share in charit- over a period of many years has 73, that became
was
seven
years
old,
saw
the
purpose
of
Orthodoxy. At the very outset while Jews are well organized able work, in visiting the sick, been retrogressive."
his life to help the blind. He taught
he states that it "is nearly im- and generous, "Torah is far less reading to the blind, leading
the
blind
"Braille"
and
donated
Mentioning neither Russia nor
possible for a believing Jew. who important to a large measure of children's groups.
the,Russian Jews specifically, the twnnsy to build a library for the
He urges lay participation in report points out that "greater Many problems stand before the
is not of the Orthodox persua- Jewish leaders than the rewards
sion to find even one congrega- of organizational politics and advancing Jewish education, numbers of people are effec- pliebrrsaorniaptsvihof inthae holitreary. of blind
tion in the whole city (in Man- the annual tournament of fund- and he advocates the produc- tively confined behind their na- country can not reach pa
hbo rls
hattan) that provides a service raising. It seems that we are tion of popular books on Juda- tional boundaries today than in and etherefore othhee bygt
of prayer that is either moving ill, sometimes to the point of ism.
COM- problem is the large space that
previous
periods
of
history.
* * 4:
ta kes. As p an example: the
to the heart or engaging to the depravity, with honor-seeking.
aratively few countries," added Braille " Wa
um by
r
30
Peace"
mind." A. bit later he recognizes • • • Our religion and culture are Gelber goes so far as to pro- pand
Ingles, "appear to recognize, in Braille takes
there is also a
the
that there is something moving seriously threatened in our test against the discarding of either in their constitutions,
in Orthodox procedure, yet he time. Just look at the number of tephilin, urging its reintroduc- laws or administrative regula- their flan' hdrsaarTef ohrotelsdeherytivbelinedhotohg
,
feel "Braille". This library was
does not believe there is a fu- our local and national leaders in tion as a symbol for "the bind- tions, the right of a national to to
founded by Dr. Friedman, also a
ture for Orthodoxy in the U. S. the field of Judaism who are ing of the words of the Jewish leave the country."
blind man, that donated 50 tape-
that were distributed
In a foreword to the book, simply influential ignoramuses. confession upon the head and
Other reports to come before h recorders
n ete eer ar, e an-
d . Volunt
- luont
dr e c r o l yr d be
ohhce r s elderly
... Torah is on the decline. This heart, the affirmation of God's the subcommission will deal with among
stories
Prof.
Salo
W.
Baron,
Of
Colum-
Translation
of
Hebrew
text.
Pub-
bia University, welcomes the decline would not be serious if oneness in time and space."
discrimination in the field of
the Reform and Conservative
He is critical of the Friday political rights and with texts of yespuesda ebn3ir. Brith Ivrith Olamith,
work of an "informed layman
like Sholome Michael Gelber, so movements in Judaism could night synagogue services, stat-
counteract it. But they are far i ng "What we require is ex-
well informed indeed that he from meeitng the challenge of amples
from our religious lead-
might have chosen a rabbinical unenlightenment and indiffer- ers to make Friday night a fam-
career for himself," and he and- ence.... As religious denomina- ily night, so that in giving
lyzes Gelber's book as follows: tions they are simply not-stimu- sacredness to Time we combine
rri.11)'?
"One need not agree with all lating enough to capture the it with a tribute to the home."
his strictures of the Reform popular imagination. . . . One In his appeal for the Sabbath
and Conservative rabbinates—he possible reason for the fact that service, he again urges a close-
omits Orthodoxy because he Reform and Conservatism are ness between congregants and
teOri in? "rt?
- ,rT'r)4
T
nnr.ltirT
sees no real future for it on the unequal to the challenge of the the officiating party, the build-
American scene—nor need one day, is that in the modern syna- ing of synagogues "in the round
ari4 tr'77r14 ;12
subscribe to all his recommen- gogue meditation and study and with a podium or bimah in the
rlitnn ► r ry'r4
in-rr
dations, although it is not easy the fellowship of God have center," so that congregants
to disagree with most of them, given way to what is called a should not be relegated to "an
:tttg4
snxtn
71. tr-111.7 ,rn-r;.”
in order to feel stimulated to program of activities.' . . . It audience of spectators." He rIppia
rethinking one's own position would be a greater service if urges that congregants should
wri
on some of these vital aspects of the synagogue concentrated on be well dressed for services and nrp-tp
American Jewish communal life. its pre-eminent calling, to pro- that there should be singing, nppri
?rr'? .o0r1
tz"1 1 1 . 17
trt417?r1
Both rabbis and lay leaders, vide a seat • for organized prayer chanting and intoning "with a
even the non-Jewish public, may and to prepare a table for reli- full heart." He asks for a
n . "11
/ 2t/? #b*ttil rir?r,3'?"
- tYin
indeed be induced by reading gious enlightenment." revival of Hebrew so that the
this little book reorient their
nrix
opin wri — xi-12 7in
Admitting that the rabbis are mood of prayer should not be 30 "7 7:5-1
own congregational contribu- "by no means the single cause lost.
tions toward a more vital and of the problem;" asserting that
,iT rTptt*)
If the rabbis try, Gelber con-
creative participation in the re- "they can lead us to a better eludes, "they can bring us to a rrnno" na natO, innz
,r14121.trl
vival of spiritual values."
- t1''r4tr? 11,n
state of affairs," that they are new phase of enlightenment .. .
* * *
.
the theological leaders who they can move us to make an in- n''1137'7 rrriari
:t%2tt,
,n1. 1 1 7P - r172 7 rrqvin
Gelber, while adhering to the "could conceivably re-Juclaize telligent commitment to those
view that there is no future for the Jews, "Gelber charges that godly values which have made "T1 'f
w.rr.
Orthodoxy in this country, they are missing their opportu- the creative continuity of Juda-
nutp.'? nits `14.").ttj
nevertheless asserts that it can nities, and that although their ism a humanizing force in the
4;7 5 iz? 1"1
not be denied "that when the intentions are good many "are world of men." .
'237
iT
1 :1.171)7tg ,73
rri7
Orthodox system of prayer is misplaced." Conceding that Prof. Baron concludes his 1"I
presented effectively, it provides there are rabbis who have foreword to this challenging niF.?
-1747 ,prrnn
rv-Itpn nitnzT l ,vntg 74
a great deal of inspiration to its shown strength — and he men- book by stating that "if only a
•
participants. ... When you pray tions some of the noteworthy few individuals in a number of
7
in the established forms of the leaders among them—he never- communities will feel the im- lr'?ritg "n"Illi7`1P'' 0" 50 r 'PP'? win •t7'1 1 17'
Jewish tradition, you often cap- less charges that "there are pact of Mr. Gelber's homily, I
r);
nri
tr4;.17..trIVVP. tz"n1.)'?
ture a mood, perhaps because many synagogues t h a t have am sure that we shall all be-
of the "magic' of the words, or chosen as their spiritual guides come its ultimate beneficiaries." '217 trIlnp tivorpri
rP.n,
because of the rhythmic intona- slick men with gimmicks to get It will be interesting to know
tions. . . . By introducing less- people to attend meetings, and whether many in the rabbinate
stz121r1
moving elements, Conservatism with sales techniques to increase will publicly discuss both the
and Reform are fast rendering the membership." criticisms and the proposals con-
the majestic service of a patri- Stating that there are many tained in Gelber's "The Failure
0-).7?t i ?iv
`)`,1•nr)PPri
archal faith into a state of examples of "inept preaching," of the American Rabbi."
—P. S.
Gelber writes that "worse than
impotence."
.
-
-
T •:
T:*.•
T: •
,