Friday, March 27, 1 964 THE DE TROIT JEWISH NEWS 40
Reform Rabbis and. Intermarriage
By ROBERT APPEL
Not long ago, the Orthodox
Rabbinical Council of America
issued an appeal to Reform rab-
bis not to perform marriages
between Jews and non-Jews.
They coupled the appeal with a
warning that such marriages,
usually termed intermarriages.
were a grave threat to the con-
tinuity of the Jewish group.
One phase of the debate is
the known fact that a large
number of such marriages are
performed under secular aus-
pices. Since justices of the peace
are not required by law to
record the religious adherence,
if any, of couples coming to
them for their service, there is
no reliable information on how
many mixed marriages are per-
formed by them, just as there
is little trustworthy informa-
tion on the total number of
A Seder Meal for Shabbat
mixed marriages taking place
in the American society.
Estimates of the number
of marriages of American
Jews to non-Jews, without
conversion to Judaism, range
from ten per cent to four
times that figure, but the fact
is that no one really knows
the dimensions of the situa-
tion.
Obviously some of these mar-
! riages are performed by rabbis
and just as obviously Orthodox
and Conservative rabbis refuse
to perform them and some Re-
form rabbis do not refuse.
All this makes the indictment
of such rabbis by a Reform rabbi
of more than passing interest,
Rabbi Joseph Klein, a leading
figure in the Reform rabbinate,
not only has accused his fellow
Reform rabbis of aiding in the
growth of such marriages but
has also appealed to the Jewish
layman to take action to stop
•••••••••••••••••••••• the practice.
•
•
Rabbi Klein was one of the
•
Happy Passover to
• speakers at a symposium on the
• Our Friends and Patrons • • problem in New York City spon-
0
by the American Jewish
: Dorothy Bennett • • • sored
Congress. Conceding he had no
•
•: statistical information to prove
•
Beauty Salon
• the point. Rabbi Klein neverthe-
• • • 10705 W. 7 Mile UN 4-9408•
• less expressed his belief that "in
•
*0•••••••••••••••••••0 those communities where there
are rabbis who will officiate at
FLUFFY MATZO MEAL
By Mildred Grosberg Bellin
KNEIDLACH
at intermarriage, the rate of
(Copyright, 1964, Jewish
2 eggs
Telegraphic
Agency,
Inc.)
intermarriage is considerably
1 /4 teaspoon salt
When the first Seder takes
teaspoon ground ginger or
higher than in those com-
1/16 nutmeg
munities where no rabbi will place on Friday evening, as it
1 teaspoon minced parsley
does this year, our service and
4 teaspoons Passover oil
officiate."
3 tablespoons cold water
our meal have a double signifi-
1/2
cup matzo meal
He cited a case of a couple cance, for we welcome the Sab-
Beat the eggs, salt, ginger or nut-
that had managed to induce bath, our most treasured holi- meg, and parsley until light and
their son to break off with a day, as we celebrate our deliv- thick. Stir in the oil and water.
Gradually beat in the matzo meal
non-Jewish girl. However, the erance from bondage. And until thoroughly blended. Let stand
girl, who worked in Washing- when the first Seder meal in- ; for a few minutes, until the batter
becomes thick enough to handle.
ton, D.C., found a rabbi who cludes dishes traditionally asso- : With
a wet spoon, shape the mix-
agreed to a wedding without ciated with both holidays, the ture into 6 balls and set them on
a damp plate. Refrigerate at least a
conversion. Rabbi Klein com- entire menu seems almost to half-hour. Fill a 4-quart saucepan
mented: "The son's argument plan itself. A Friday evening 2 A3 full of water, and bring to a
boil. Dip a tablespoon into
was that if a rabbi was willing dinner without gefilte fish, rapid
the water then use it to lift a ball
to officiate at an intermarri- roast chicken, kugel, and tzim- into the water. Repeat. Wet the
before lifting each ball. Cover
age, that there could be noth- mes would be for many of us spoon
the saucepan and cook over medium
ing wrong with it from the like not observing the Sabbath heat for 30 minutes. The kneidlach
more than double in size an cl
point of view of Judaism and quite properly; and without I l will
become very light and fluffy. Re-
he could not understand why matzo meal kneidlach or maca- move them with a slotted spoon,
and serve in soup. These kneidlach
his parents, who were far from roons the Seder would
lose keep their fluffiness even when they
being the most pious of Jews, some of its special fun.
I are refrigerated and re-heated. The
recipe may be doubled or tripled
should raise such a storm of
At every Seder, as part of the I as needed.
objection."
POTATO KUGELACH
ritual, we partake of wine and PASSOVER
6 medium-sized potatoes
A particularly disturbing fact, the symbolic foods which em-
4 tablespoons melted chicken
fat or butter
Rabbi Klein said, was that once phasize the meaning of the serv-
1 medium-sized onion, grated
a rabbi solemnizes an intermar- ice, the matzo, haroset, bitter
2 eggs separated
4 tablespoons matzo meal
riage, he becomes "trapped" for herbs, parsley, and hard cooked
1 teaspoon salt
the rest of his rabbinic career. eggs. The eggs, either whole or
1 ,4 teaspoon black pepper
Even if he wants to end his cut up, are served as the first
Peel the potatoes and grate fine.
in a strainer and run cold
participation in such marriages, course of our meal. Because Place
water through them. Drain thor-
he finds it impossible to do, if this Seder takes place after the oughly and press out the excess
In a small saucepan place 2
he stays in the same community. Sabbath has begun and all food liquid.
tablespoons of the shortening—use
chicken
fat for the Seder and other
for
the
dinner
is
cooked
before
Rabbi Klein raised the ques-
meat meals, and the butter for a
tion as to why some of his rab- Isundown, it will add to the en- dairy meal. Add the onion and stir
medium heat until the onion
binical colleagues do officiate joyment of the meal if recipes over
begins to brown. Add to the grated
at such marriages, starting with for all hot dishes are selected potato, together with the egg yolks,
matzo meal, salt, and pepper. Mix
GREETINGS
GREETINGS
the fact that the Central Con- which enable them to be kept thoroughly.
the egg whites stiff
hot without becoming dried out and fold in. Beat
ference
of
American
Rabbis
Grease 8 large custard
Bud's Northend
Pastor Company
cups or cup cake tins very gener-:
does not bar its members from or overdone.
ously, and press in the potato mix-
Shell Service
To facilitate serving. and also ture. Spoon the remaining shorten-
officiating, though it does dis-
Michigan's Most Complete
Lube - Tires - Batteries
Cleaning - Free Estimates
to keep the chicken moist and ing evenly over the top of each one.
approve of such marriages.
Accessories - Road Service
Bake at 375 degs. F. from" 45 min-
19971 Jos. Couzens
One reason, he said, was tender, it could be cut up be- lutes to one hour, depending on the
LI 5-9403
degree of crustiness preferred. The
342-4300
fore
it
is
cooked,
then
baked
21601 Coolidge, Oak Park 5 that sometimes tremendous
kugelach will be a delicate brown
pressure is put on a Reform with a little liquid in a covered and soft in texture at 45 minutes.
For the Seder, bake them the mini-
rabbi to do so, pressure he pan. The carrot tzimmes, thick- mum
time, then keep them warm
■
cannot resist. Another is that ened for this occasion with po-
a very cool oven, 250 degs. F.,
I
until
needed. They will become
tato
starch,
can
also
be
kept
Rabbis "sincerely believe that
A JOyous Passover
more crusty as they wait. Allow one
•I
by doing so, they are prevent- warm in a very slow oven. By or two kugelach for each portion.
to Al.! My Friends
•
ing the couple from develop- request, the recipe for the pota-
FRIENDSHIP
• • HENRY BURSTON
••
♦
■
■
•.
ing a hostile attitude toward to kugel is included in the form
•
of
the
little
kugelach
which
Passover
Best
Wishes
MATERIALS,
Inc.
Judaism."
•
•
INSURANCE
•
To the latter argument., Rabbi have become so deservedly well
• •
14395 Schaefer
•
McNICHOLS
7616
Wyoming, at Thatcher
••
Klein retorted that "there is no liked. For this Seder, bake them
VE 8-6000
UN 3-2900
the
minimum
time
suggested
in
•
HARDWARE
evidence to prove that most
•
mixed couples who are married I the recipe. They will continue
Nick Photsios
by rabbis eventually cast their I to brown and become more
re.
13320 W. McNichols
I
crusty
as
they
are
kept
hot
lot with Judaism and the Jew-
Best Wishes to our
HAPPY PASSOVER
UN 3-0838
ish people." In his own corn-1 while waiting to be served.
Friends and Patrons
111
FINE'S CORSET
munity, he reported, he knows1 Beets are a good selection as
Pollak's Custom
of several such couples who be- . I they can be kept warm without
SHOP
came
affiliated with churches, I losing any of their goodness.
Perfect Fittings
Dress Making
while.
on the other hand, "there The greens selected for the
Holiday Greetings
Coolidge-Nine Mile
19490 Livernois
are at least a half-dozen couples, I salad can be whichever are best
Next to Post Office
864-7766
not married by rabbis, ivho have I in the market at the time we
LI 7-5590
KAR NUT CO.
joined my congregation and are go to purchase them.
TRADITIONAL MENU FOR A
rearing their children in the I
1525 Wanda
FRIDAY NIGHT SEDER
Jewish faith."
During the service wine, three
JO 4-6990
perfect matzoth, haroset, parsley,
As for the key question, j and
bitter herbs.
"What is to be done about it?"1 Hard cooked eggs in salt water
G-efillte fish with horseradish
Rabbi Klein reported a con-
to
Extra matzoth
versation at a convention in
Fluffy matzo meal kneidlach
PASSOVER GREETINGS
in chicken soup
Chicago with a friend who was
Roast chicken
Apple sauce
the president of a suburban
Potato kugelach
Carrot tzimmes
Beets
congregation in a large eastern
Salad of greens with
INTERIOR DECORATORS
community. The rabbi of the
Passover dressing
Draperies - Furniture
Fruit compote
congregation was known to of-
Re-Upholstering - Slip Covers
24220 Mound, Warren, Michigan
Coconut-walnut Passover macaroons
ficiate at intermarriages. In the l
Passover sponge cake
3143 W. McNichols Rd,
Tea
conversation, said Rabbi- Klein,'
UN 1-7100
J Efferson 6-6230
he was informed that the rabbi
was no longer with that con- I
Happy Passover to Our
I gregation and he asked why.
Friends and Patrons
The friend told him: "We were
MIDWEST FIRE
petrified and terrified and that
is why he is no longed with us.
HI-LO
ADJUSTERS,
INC.
This man was performing 40 to
Consolidation of the
HAMBURGERS
50 intermarriages a year and
MACKEY CO. and
we were greatly alarmed over
JACOBSON-LEVIN CO.
17501 W. 7 Mile Rd.
the damage this would do to
14744 FENKELL
KE 7-7210
BRoadway 3-9450
the Jewish attitudes and loyal-
ties of our children."
Rabbi Klein's prescription was
Passover Greetings
that "the best thing that could
HOLIDAY GOOD CHEER
happen would be for laymen to
Northland Building
recognize the danger and start
CARTER & SON
Maintenance Inc.
raising a howl, in much the
LANDSCAPING
same way as the congregation
General Cleaning Contractors
Day & Night -Janitorial Service
Complete Landscaping Service
did when the people recognized
We Carry Compensation and
Public Libality Insurance
the peril of a rabbi who allowed
20500 Monte Vista
himself to perform mixed mar-
7600 Fenkell
864-4811
DI 1-1319
riages on a wholesale scale."
!
•
•••••••••••••••••••••
• • • Holiday Greetings from • •
1•04.11
0411•1111,1111•••01••••11
111.01Mi'l ••
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i••••••••••••••••o
I
gloppy _C--6assover
COBURN STUDIO
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Season's Greetings
EDW. C. LEVY
SLAG CO.
*1,10!17!1)!0 0011,!0!1)10
Wishes
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
A HEALTHY AND HAPPY
PASSOVER
SHALOM
SHALOM
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GREETINGS ON PASSOVER
cLe o
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