Conservative and Reform Spokesmen Rabbi Stollman to Be Honored for 40 Years of Detroit Service Join to Repudiate Orthodox Attack The heads of the rabbinic and congregational wings of American Conservative and Reform Judaism sharply denounced as "intemper- ate and distorted" statements by Orthodox Jewish leaders which at- tacked attempts by these branches to aid the development of non- Orthodox Judaism in the state of Israel. The statement took issue with the remarks of Dr. Zerah Wahr- haftig, Israel minister of religion, who aated at last week's conven- tion of the Rabbinical Council of America (Orthodox rabbinic asso- ciation) that "complete, uninhi- bited and unrestrained religious liberty exists in Israel." The response of the Conserva- tive and Reform leaders called Dr. Wahrhaftig's assertion "a complete, uninhibited and unre- strained figment of his imagina- tion. . . The simple truth is that religion in Israel is totally controlled by the Orthodox rab- binate. Non-Orthodox rabbis are denied the right to conduct wed- dings, officiate at funerals or grant divorces and have been harassed by the Orthodox rab- binate in Israel at every step in their efforts to establish non- Orthodox synagogues anywhere in Israel." The statement was signed by Rabbi Leon I. Feuer, Toledo, president of the Central Confer- ence of American Rabbis (Reform rabbinic association); Rabbi Max 3. Routtenberg, Rockville Center, president, Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative rabbinic associa- tion); Rabbi Maurice N. Eisen- drath, New York, president of the Union of American Hebrew Con- gregations (Reform congregational body) and George Maislen, New York, president of the United Synagogues (Consevative congrega- tional body). The statement was endorsed by Rabbi Jacob K. Shankman, New Rochelle, president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, representing international Reform, Liberal or Progressive congrega- tions throughout the world. At the convention of the Rabbini- cal Council of America in Falls- burg, N.Y., two leaders of Ortho- dox Judaism. Moses I. Feuerstein, president of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, and Rabbi Israel Miller, president of the Rab- binical Council, joined Dr. Wahr- haftig in attacks on Conservative and Reform Judaism. The state- ment responding to these attacks expressed sadness at the fact that "Orthodox organizations in Amer- ica turn their annual conventions into sounding-boards for polemical denunciations of Reform and Con- servative Judaism." &WEN! The statement said that "non- Orthodox Judaism is growing steadily in Israel, as large num- bers of Israelis seek more visible options than a choice between rigid Orthodoxy and nothing." It said that "Israelis hunger for an opportunity to develop their spir- itual selves in the modern spirit unencumbered by an Orthodoxy which, because of its ability to control the political situation, seeks to deny any and all other forms of Judaism an opportunity to grow." The statement said, "In Israel there are hundreds of thousands of Jews who are religious but not Orthodox. The overwhelming majority of Jews, in Israel or the United States, whatever their religious commitment, support the basic position or separation of Church and State, freedom of religious belief, and practice and instruction for all." It added "The overwhelming majority of Jews oppose any attempt by governmental author- ity, in the United States or in Is- rael, to interfere with the expres- sion of religion in any of its as- pects." The Conservative and Reform leaders also took exception to the claim of Dr. Wahrhaftig that two- thirds of the population of Israel attend Orthodox services. "This is utterly unfounded," the statement said. "The best that might be said is that two-thirds of those who attend services at all, worship in the Orthodox fashion. The actual fact is that perhaps as many as two-thirds of the total population ignore regular worship altogether because they cannot accept Orthodoxy—the only option for worship available to them." Referring to Feuerstein's "claim to represent 3,000 synagogues in America" the leaders this claim as a "figment of his imagination. It is doubtful that he represents a fraction of that num- ber of congregations." There are 785 Conservative syn- agogues in America and 660 Re- form temples. Each represents approximately one million adher- ents. The statement concluded: "Jew- ish unity can only be maintained on the basis of pluralism, respect for difference • and appreciation for religious liberty. There are genuine and fundamental differ- ences between Reform and Conser- vative Judaism but these differ- ences are treated with mutual re- spect. We have not chosen to attack each other or to impugn each other's integrity." A community tribute marking 40 ' years of service to the Detroit Jew- ish community is being planned for Rabbi Isaac Stollman. Co-sponsors for this event, to be held July 13, are the Vaad Hora- bonim and the local chapter of the Religious Zionists of America. The fete is being planned to coincide with Rabbi Stollman's departure from Detroit to take up permanent residence in Jerusalem. Rabbi Stollman has served as president of the Council of Ortho- dox Rabbis for many years. He was a national leader of Mizrachi-Hapoel Hatnizrachi and is a past president of the Religious Zionists of America. Now honorary president of American Zionists, he is a member of the World Zionist Actions Committee. He participat- ed in several Zionist Congresses and is the author of important rab- binical literary tracts. This affair will also be sponsor- ed by many local Zionist and Jew- ish civic and educational organ- izations like Yeshivath Beth Ye- hudah, Akiva Day School, Zionist Council, Community Council, Jew- ish Welfare Federation, Young Israel, Bonds for Israel and Jew- ish National Fund. A citywide committee of rab- bis, lay leaders and representa- Temple Emanu-El will graduate tives of Detroit synagogues will be 21 students from the high school formed for this occasion. department of its religious school 8:15 p.m. today. Newly elected of- Orthodox Re-elect ficers and board members of the temple, sisterhood, men's clubs, Rabbi Israel Miller couples' club and youth group will FALLSBURG, N.Y. (JTA) Resolutions calling on the Soviet be installed by Rabbi Milton Rosen- Union's government to give to the baum. The new executive board of Jews of the USSR "unqualified re- ligious freedom," and requesting Temple Emanu-El includes Dr. the United States government to Warren Eder, president; Maxwell take action against the Arab boy- Stettner, Mrs. Joseph L. Maltzer cott, were adopted at the conclud- and Dr. Conrad Goods, vice presi- ing session of the annual conven- dents; Dr. Raymond Robins, Albert tion of the Rabbinical Council of A. Miller and Milton Lucow, secre- taries; and William Zack, treas- America. The 500 Orthodox rabbis attend- urer. President of the sisterhood is ing the parley noted in their ap- peal to the U.S.A. that the Wash- Mrs. Milton Lucow; men's club, ington Administration "s h o u 1 d Aaron Kahn; couples' club, Mr. make every effort to protect Ameri- and Mrs. Robert Rosen; and youth can firms and businesses from the group, Marcia Eder. An oneg shabbat in honor of fury of the Arab boycott, and to withhold aid from the Arab states the graduates, officers and board as long as the boycott is in effect." members will take place in the The convention re-elected Rabbi social hall following the service. Israel Miller as president. In his address closing the convention, Rabbi Miller expressed support for a bipartisan bill now pending in Congress, permitting Sabbath ob- servers in Federal employment to practice their religion "without be- ing subjected to economic and 5 3 5-5 3 4 0 other difficulties." cari ca tures byee. DAILY INTEREST COMES TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, June 4, 1965-17 BY HENRY LEONARD Temple Emanu-El Sets Graduation, Installation - VISIT OUR NEW 8-MILE ROAD OFFICE (Between Southfield and Evergreen) You Profit all ways with total banking at Public Bank! YOU PROFIT with 4 % daily interest on all savings—money deposited today begins earning interest today! 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