Israel Chief Rabbinate Accused
of Ignorance of Reform Movement
34—Friday, March 13, 1970
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
•ishkan Israel Launches Campaign
A goal of 100
new families for
membership in
Mishkan Israel
Lubavitcher Center
has been set by
the congregation.
Under the chair-
manship of Isadore
Starr (center, seat-
ed), six teams will
approach Detroit-
area families who
are presently un-
affiliated with a synagogue. Team captains, shown with Starr are
(from left) seated: Jay Bodzin and Pinchas Feldman; and standing:
Paul Stark, Julius Ichler and Irving Ashin. Not pictured is Irving
Layman. The brief but intense campaign will be over by Passover.
For information, call the Lubavitcher Center, 548-2666.
TEL AVIV (JTA)—The leader their useless search for and end- sidered part of proposals for peace
Of the American Reform rabbin- I less debate on "who is a !Jew?" to be negotiated between Israel and
ate accused Israel's Ashkenazic and get down to the essential Jordan.
Proposals for a joint adminis-
chief rabbi, Isser Untermann, of I task of defining "what is a reli-
tration• details of which were not
"abysmal total ignorance" of the gious Jew?"
Reform movement and charged Former Prime Minister David spelled out, were included in pro-
Israel's Orthodox religious estab- Ben-Gurion, who addressed the posals for an Israeli-Jordanian
Iishment with issuing distorted 'convention, said that the settlement which Secretary of
Statements about it. Rabbi Roland question "who is a Jew?" had no State William P. Rogers submitted
Gittelsohn of Boston, president of real meaning today. He said the to the Soviet Union last year.
the Central Conference of Ameri- question was not how one describ-
The 400 Reform rabbis attend-
can Rabbis, spoke to newsmen ed oneself but what one did. He ing the convention here began
prior to his organization's 81st an- declined however to be drawn into their deliberations last Friday
nual convention, its first to be held more specific definitions which afternoon in the Mt. Scopus
in Israel.
I might have brought him into con- amphitheater. Most of them don-
The Supreme Rabbinical Tribu- troversy with either Orthodox ned skullcaps for the opening
nal in turn declared that no con- Jewry or his Reform hosts.
prayer.
version of a non-Jew to Judaism I The noted Kabbala scholar and
At sessions Sunday, the Reform
was valid unless it was perform- I philosopher, Prof. Gershom Sho- rabbis pledged also to carry out
ed in accordance with Jewish reli- 11em, argued that the definition of an educational campaign among Denmark's Chief Rabbi Visits U. S.
gious law. The tribunal rejected who was a Jew changed with time Christians to explain the Jewish
NEW YORK (JTA)—Rabbi Bent World Council of Synagogues on
complaints that Israeli rabbinical and no rule laid down could be commitment to Israel with special Melchior, recently elected chief Wednesday, at the Jewish Theolog-
emphasis on the land, the faith rabbi of Denmark, succeeding to ical Seminary.
bodies were "unduly harsh" with taken to be valid forever.
Prof. Efraim Urbach, the Tal- and the people.
Born in 1929 in Copenhagen,
would-be converts, asserting that
the post vacated by the death of
A speaker charged that mount- his father, Rabbi Marcus Melchior, Rabbi Melchior is the third gene-
each person not accepted was not mud scholar, generally took the
Worthy of acceptance. Some ob- Orthodox position on the issue but ing Christian political criticism of arrived on his first visit to this ration of his family to occupy the
servers viewed the statement as expressed the hope that the fact Israel stemmed from traditional country Thursday, it was an- office of chief rabbi. In 1947-49 he
being aimed at criticism emanat- that the Reform rabbis were hold- anti-Semitic roots as well as eco- nounced by United Synagogue of worked for Hagana in Europe and
ing from delegates to the conven- ing their convention in Jerusalem nomic ties in the Arab states.
upon the proclamation of the Jew-
America.
might lead to the beginning of a
In an historic move, Reform
tion.
Sponsored by the World Council ish state he volunteered for mili-
Judaism
became
the
first
branch
Rabbi Gittelsohn referred speci- dialogue among the different
of Synagogues, of which he is a tary service in Israel's defense
of the Jewish faith officially to leading member, Chief Rabbi Mel- forces during the War of Libera-
fically to a public statement by branches in Judaism.
Foreign
Minister
Abba
Eban
declare Yom Ha-Atzmaut, In- chior's visit will take him on a tion.
Rabbi Untermann that the Reform
Movement had changed the Jewish said that Israel was prepared to dependence Day of the State of cross country tour of the major
Since 1950, he occupied many
of
Israel, as a new festival obser- Jewish communities with a view to high positions in the Zionist move-
Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. sign a peace treaty with
ot ood eth
s eBbasis e the Lerse - vance on their religious calendar, acquainting himself with all the ment, including those of secretary
The Israeli Chief rabbinate is tomorrow
entirely Orthodox and refuses to was not much chance that Leban equal in importance with other facets of Jewish life in this country. of the Zionist Federation and edi-
festival days.
During his stay in New York, the tor of a Zionist publication. He
recognize rabbis of the Reform on could make peace even though
Rabbi Gittelsohn announced that 41-year-old rabbi will be honored was also head of the UJA and
and Conservative branches of Juda- it has no basic quarrel with Israel.
beginning
this
year
Israel
In-
ism. Under Israeli law, it has ex- According to Eban, Beirut is a dependence Day would become a at a luncheon reception by the president of Mizraehi of Denmark.
elusive jurisdiction in matters of virtual captive of the other Arab
personal status in the Jewish com- I states, shackled to their policies, part of the regular Reform Jewish
holiday calendar. He further de- Tourism Minister to Speak
munity and does not permit non- particularly those of President clared that the group's Israel and
Orthodox rabbis to officiate at Gamal Abdel Nasser, of Egypt. liturgy
committees had created a on Behalf of Capital for Israel
Weddings and burials. Rabbi Gittel- His remarks were made as a new
new religious service for use on
sohn said the Reform movement crisis simmered along the Leban- this day. It will be made available
Moshe Kol, Israeli minister of of Israel to expand and build ho-
was not pressing at this time for ese border resulting from increas- next month.
tourism and development, will tels and other tourist facilities.
Louis E. Levitan is Detroit rep-
equal rights in Israel "because we ed terrorist activities in that sector
Detroit area and outstate rabbis speak at a Capital for Israel din-
do not wish to add to the burdens and Israel's retaliatory raid Sat- attending the CCAR convention in- ner 7 p.m. March 24 at Cong. resentative. For dinner reserva-
tions, call him, 352-6770 .
and problems the people and gov- urday which destroyed five houses cluded M. Robert Syme of Temple Bnai Moshe, it
ernment face today." ' in Alta es Shah village said to have Israel, Milton Rosenbaum of was announced
He added, however, "We will been used by terrorists.
by
Norman
Al-
Emanu-El, Richard C. Hertz of
Wiesel to Discuss
never ultimately be satisfied
Delegates to the convention were Beth El, H. Philip Berkowitz of lan, general
until every Jew, whatever his pledged "not to be silent" if plans Beth Jacob, Pontiac, and Frederick chairman, De-
Soviet Jewry at
interpretation of Judaism, may for joint Israeli-Jordanian rule Eisenberg of Temple Emanuel, troit Capital for
be accepted as a first class Jew over Jerusalem were to be con- Grand Rapids.
Israel Commit-
to be entitled to practice what-
Shaarey Zedek
tee.
ever definition of Judaism as a
Starting as an
The noted writer Elie Wiesel
.religion that suits him—no defini-
immigrant farm
will make a return engagement to
tion at all if that is what suits
worker in 1932, -,..
Shaarey
Zedek Synagogue,. 8:30
him."
Kol was one of
p.m. Tuesday when he concludes
37 signers of Is-
dent i broadcast interview, Rabbi
-
the spring lecture series sponsored
rael's Declara-
Gittelsohn sharply criticized Presi-
by the cultural commission on the
tion of Independ-
dent Nixon for publicly apologizing
theme, "Dimensions of Jewish Ex-
ence, served in
to President Pompidou, of France
istence Today."
for deMonstrations by American CONG. BETH SHALOM: Services 8:30 p.m. today. Cantor Erlbaum and Israel's Knesset
Wiesel will chronicle the plight
and for 18 years
Jews against French Middle East
the synagogue choir will present a Jewish muical program. Helene was head of
of the Jews in the Soviet Union
policy. i
Brasch and Ruth Soskin, Bnot Mitzva. Services 9 a.m. Saturday. Youth Aliya. Dr. Kol
with a talk on his experience in
Re said the Nixon apology im-
Michael Curhan, Bar Mitzva.
Kol was a founder of the Yad Russia entitled "Jews of Silence:
plied that an American citizen may TEMPLE BETH JACOB of Pontiac: Services 8:30 p.m. today. David Vashem
Memorial to the Six Mil- Soviet Jewry Revisited."
not justifiably criticize the head of
Snyder, brotherhood president, will speak on "Brotherhood Today."
Wiesel has produced several
another state. It is not just a CONG. BETH ABRAHAM: Services 5:45 p.m. today and 8:55 a.m. lion and chairman of the Liberal
Party of Israel from 1961 to 1965, books and received many awards
question of being a friend of Israel,
Saturday. Rabbi Halpern will speak on "A Light Never Fails."
when
he
became
chairman
of
the
and honors, including doctorates
but of an interpretation of Ameri- TEMPLE EMANU-EL: Services 8:15 p.m. today. Rabbi Rosenbaum will
Independent Liberal Party. Active
both the Jewish Theological
can democracy," he said.
speak on "New Impressions of Israel." Mark Lewis, Bar Mitzva. in many organizations dealing with from
Seminary of America and He-
Rabbi Gittelsohn charged the
Services
10
a.m.
Saturday.
Rabbi
Rosenbaum
will
speak
on
"This
children,
Kol
for
many
years
Soviet Union with "cold-blooded
brew Union College—Jewish In-
Is Jerusalem Three Years Later."
served as vice president of the stitute of Religion.
libel against Jews all over the
world" in its latest campaign CONG. BETH ACHIM: In-town services 6 p.m. today and 8:45 a.m. International Children's Commu-
His latest novel, "A Beggar in
Saturday. Rabbi Gorrelick will speak on "Art and Heart." Suburban nities Committee of UNESCO. He
against Israel and Zionism. He
services 6:15 p.m. today and 8:45 a.m. Saturday. Rabbi Arm will assumed his present post in 1966. Jerusalem," is based on the Six-
said the campaign was designed
Day War and its impact on world
speak on "Investing in Decency." Hershel Barns and Steven Stein,
to carry out Russia's "imperialistic
Capital for Israel is now offering Jewry.
Bnai Mitzva.
preferred shares of the Tourist In-
There is no charge for the lec-
designs
for
influence
in
the
Mid
TEMPLE
ISRAEL:
Services
8:30
p.m.
today.
Rabbi
Syme
will
speak
on
East." He charged the Soviet
dustry Development Corp., which
"When I Fullfilled My Father's Prayer." Susan Lacoff, Bat Mitzva. was organized by the government ture, and the public is invited.
authorities with using "coercion
Wiesel and his experiences will
Services 11 a.m. Saturday. Raymond Sterling. Bar Mitzva.
and blackmail to compel some
be the subject •of Rabbi Irwin
Jews within the Soviet Union to , • TEMPLE BETH A81: Services 8:30 p.m. today. Rabbi Chester will
speak on "Israel in the American Mind."
Temple Kol Ami to View Groner's sermon at Shaarey Zedek
affix their signatures to trans-
services 8:30 p.m. today.
parently specious anti-Israel state- CONG. MISHKAN ISRAEL: Services 6:30 p.m. today and 9 a.m. Satur- Rembrandt Exhibition
• • •
day. Rabbi Kranz will speak on "Hasidic Rebbe and Leadership."
ments."
As part of an International Schol-
Members of Temple Kol Ami
Rabbi David Polish, of Evanston, CONG. BNAI MOSHE: Services 6 p.m. today and 8:45 a.m. Saturday.
ars
Conference
on the German
(formerly
The
New
Temple)
will
CCAR vice president, said that Rabbi Lehrman will speak on "Using Our Potential." Michael travel by bus to the Detroit Art Church Struggle,
Wiesel
Whitefield and Mark Climstein, Bnai Mitzva.
Jewish education in the United
Institute 1 p.m. Saturday to view discuss "The Role of the Church
.States was "a total and devastat- CONG. BNAI JACOB: Services 6:15 p.m. today and 9 a.m. Saturday. the Rembrandt exhibit commem- in the Holocaust" under the aus-
Rabbi Isaac will speak on "Queen Esther."
ing failure." Rabbi Polish said Re-
orating the 300th anniversary of pices of the office of religious af-
form synagogues should spend an CONG. SHAAREY SHOMAYIM: Services 6 p.m: today and 9 a.m. Sat- the artist's death.
fairs at Wayne State University, 8
urday. Rabbi Goldman will speak on "How to Remember."
estimated $5,000,000 of their an-
Each year, the temple has spon- p.m. Wednesday in the Upper De-
nual religious school budgets to CONG. SHAAREY ZEDEK: Services 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. today and
Roy Auditorium. Esther Broner,:
8:45 a.m. Saturday. Steven Isenberg and Andrew Conway, Bnai sored a trip to an outstanding art of
send youngsters on part-time study
the English faculty, will intro;
exhibit at the Detroit Institute or
Mitzva.
programs to Israel. The order of
duce
Wiesel. The public is invited..
priorities must be reversed, he CONG. BNAI DAVID: Services 6:20 p.m. today and 8:30 a.m. Saturday. the Toledo Art Museum. Rem-
brandt used many themes from the
Arnold Migdal and Michael Zack, Bar Mitzva.
- said. "First it is necessary to ob-
Prof. NAHUM N. GLATZER has•
tain the commitment of the young CONG. ADAS SHALOM: Services 6 p.m. today and 9 a.m. Saturday. Old Testament and in his paint- been named first incumbent of the
ings depicted both rich and poor
David Landsberg, Bar Mitzva.
and - then they should be given a
newly created Samuel Lane Chair
from
the
Amsterdam
Jewish
com-
Jewish education." Orthodox day CONG. BETH MOSES: Services 6:25 p.m. today and 8:45 a.m. Satur-
in Jewish History and Social
munity.
day. Robert Kramer and Frederick Deutsch, Bnai Mitzva.
schools that try it the other way
Ethics at Brandeis University. The
•
•
•
around have proved a failure, he
Rabbi Ernst Conrad will speak chair, which supports both teach-
Regular services will be held at Young Israel of Oak-Woods, Livonia at 8:30 p.m. services today on "Es- ing and research, was underwrit-
said.
In his opening speech, Gittel- Jewish Congregation, Young Israel of Greenfield, Beth Isaac of Trenton, thetics and Religion—Reflections ten by Samuel Lane of New York:
oohs told the Reform rabbis that Young Israel of Northwest Detroit, Shomrey Emunah, Cong. Beth Hillel on the, RetnbEandt Exhibt" in.the City,. a ,philanthropist. and retired.
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SYNAGOGUE On SERVICES