Conversions by Conservative Rabbis
Soar in 4-Year Span, Surveyor Claims
By BEN GALLOB
(Copyright ISM JTA, Inc.)
During the past four years, the
number of prospective converts to
Judaism accepted by American
Conservative rabbis has risen from
about 2,000 in 1968 to an estimated
3,000 this year, according to a re-
port by a rabbi who has made a
survey of such conversions.
The survey was made by Rabbi
Aaron H. Blumenthal of Mount
Vernon, N.Y., who sent a ques-
tionnaire to all 1,000 members of
the Rabbinical Assembly, the as-
sociation of Conservative rabbis,
of whom 180 responded.
Rabbi Blumenthal described
some of his major findings in an
article in the current issue of
Conservative Judaism, the quarter-
ly publication of the RA and the
Jewish Theological Seminary of
America, the Conservative semi-
nary.
As have all other studies on
conversion, the Blumenthal report
indicated that "most candidates for
conversion are attracted to Juda-
ism by the desire to marry Jews."
One key conclusion reported by
Rabbi Blumenthal was that "the
problem is larger than we have
believed it to be." He cited a 1953
report by Rabbi Max Eichhorn, a
Reform rabbi, that the 1,000 RA
members averaged about one con-
version a year.
Rabbi Seymour Friedman re-
ported to a 1966 meeting of the
RA Metropolitan Region an esti-
mate "that the Conservative
movement receives 2,000 con-
verts per year." (Sting data and
extrapolations of the data from
the survey questionnaire, Rabbi
Blumenthal reported that "it is
safe to assert that the number
has risen to at least 3,000" an-
nually now.
He reported that members of
the RA committee on Jewish law
and standards, for which he con-
ducted the survey, had pointed
out that in large metropolitan
areas, the 3,000 total did not "re-
flect the large number of unaf-
filiated Jews whom we cannot
serve because of limitations of
time."
Rabbi Blumenthal cited a com-
ment of one Conservative rabbi
that "I get at least one call a
week from people whom I do not
know, and I simply do not have
time to take all of them."
Rabbi Blumenthal informed his
fellow rabbis that "the number of
converts to Judaism has become
so substantial that we must ad-
dress ourselves vigorously to t he
problem on a national level." He
also asserted that "there is every
reason to believe that the flow
will not diminish."
He reported - that seven regional
groups now sponsor formal classes
for converts under Conservative
auspices, located in Long Island,
New England, Chicago, Philadel-
phia, Los Angeles, Ontario and
Washington, D.C. He said a few
Conservative rabbis in other ci-
ties "have sufficient candidates to
warrant the establishment of regu-
lar courses of study."
R a bib i Blumenthal disclosed
The Family of the Late
MAXWELL M.
FELLER
Acknowledges with grate-
ful appreciation the many
kind expressions of sym-
pathy extended by rela-
tives and friends during
the family's recent be-
reavement.
that some conversions involved
emergencies, such as pregnancies
and terminal diseases "and such
conversions are usually expected."
Study requirements sometimes
are waived when couples have al-
ready civilly married, for children
attending religious schools who
are converted with non-Jewish
mothers, and for members of the
armed forces going overseas. He
said he had been informed that 45
of the rabbis "dispense with the
usual period of instruction under
such circumstances" but that 131
rabbis "never proceed without a
fixed period of instruction."
Rabbi Blumenthal reported
"a large measure of uniformity"
in conversion procedures. He
said 154 rabbis follow the pro-
cedure in the RA manual on
conversions, with eight following
it partially, and only 11 do not
follow it at all.
He said 172 rabbis assemble a
Bet Din (rabbinical court) for the
conversion, and only two do not,
and that 162 insist on use of a
mikveh while only 14 do not. He
said 160 demand circumcision of
male converts and only •4 do not.
Rabbi Blumenthal criticized the
alomost total absence of any fol-
lowup program, reporting that
only 23 rabbis mentioned follow-
up efforts which "in some in-
stances" did not go beyond "put-
ting names on a congregational
mailing list, or inviting converts
to join adult study programs,"
and that 140 rabbis had no follow-
up program at all.
`No Emotional Problems
for Children in Shelters'
JERUSALEM (ZINS) — Much
has been written of the heroism
of Israelis fighting on four fronts.
But little notice has been taken-
of the heroism of Israeli children,
now in their fourth year of life
in the bomb shelters of settlements,
under enemy attack.
A study by psychologists reveals
that those children who have to
dwell in bomb shelters are free
of emotional problems and behave
in quite a normal fashion, despite
the fact that life in the shelters
has become an integral part of
their daily existence.
They possess a complete sense
of personal security and do not
exhibit any symptoms of a fear-
complex. The children are so
accustomed to the shooting that
they are capable of distinguish-
ing what shot comes froin what
sort of weapon.
Another fact uncovered by the
survey is that the blending and
integration of new immigrants
from various lands no longer
seems to operate in settlements
which are under attack.
At the northern outpost of Kiryat
Shmona, for example, each group
feels more comfortable in stick-
ing close together and each in-
dividual seeks the comfort of his
"landsleit."
Ophir Is New Name
for Sharm el Sheikh
EILAT (ZINS) — The name
Ophir has been officially designat-
ed to replace Sharm el Sheikh,
strategic poin t- controlling the
Tiran Straits at the entrance to
the Gulf of Eilat.
The formal redesignation took
place at ceremonies marking the
opening of the recently completed
highway linking Eilat to Sharm el
Sheikh. Construction of the high-
way involved many complications,
particularly that section within
the Sinai - Desert, where henry
roadbuilding machinery was em-
Rabbi Martin Baum, 75, THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Father of Detroiter
Rabbi Martin Baum, 75, father
of Detroit caterer Fred Baum,
died Sunday in Israel, where he
had made his borne for the past
three years. At the time of his
death, he was a resident of Bnei
Brak.
Rabbi Baum, who held many
positions of leadership in national
Jewish. organizations, was or-
dained a rabbi in Hungary and
came to this country in 1924. He
was rabbi for 11 years at Ohav
Zedek Synagogue, the first Hun-
garian synagogue in New York.
A founder of Bar-Ilan Univer-
sity, the Yeshiva of Flatbush and
the Einstein School of Medicine at
Yeshiva University, Rabbi Baum
was on the board of Yeshiva U.,
a life member of both the Jewish
National Fund executive commit-
tee and Mizrachi and a lifetime
delegate to the Zionist and Mizra-
chi conventions.
Rabbi Baum was chairman of
the Brighton Beach Israel Bonds
and chairman of the executive
committee of BIAS in Brooklyn.
In 1963, he was named "man of
distinction" by the United Jew-
ish Appeal.
Surviving besides his son Fred
are sons Dr. Harry of New York
and Dr. Emanuel of Pittsburgh;
and eight grandchildren.
Boxer Lew Tendler
VENTNOR, N.J.—Lew Tendler,
one of boxing's great names in the
1920s, died Sunday at age 72.
Mr. Tendler, who started fight-
ing—unofficially—as a 12-year-old
newsboy in Philadelphia, went into
the ring at age 15. A 15-year career
followed; of 168 bouts, he only lost
11.
A lightweight fighter, Mr. Tend-
ler came close to the championship,
but never won it. One of his most
famous fights was against light-
weight title holder Benny Leonard
in 1922. It was said later that Leo-
nard won the fight because Tend-
ler, who had early made a povier-
ful impression on his opponent,
countered with psychology: "Take
it easy, kid, take it easy." The re-
mark threw Tendler off.
After leaving the sport in 1928,
Mr. Tendler opened a highly suc-
cessful restaurant in Philadelphia
and ran several other restaurants
in Miami Beach.
Jack Karbal,
Store Founder, 72
Jack M. Karbal, retired owner
of Karbal's Department Store in
Utica, died Nov. 7. He was 72.
Mr. Karbal was born and reared
in Detroit and he founded the
store 42 years ago. He was past
treasurer of Cong. Beth Achim
and a member of Pisgah Lodge
and the Hannah Schloss Oldtimers.
Surviving are his wife, Sarah
(Sarell); three daughters, Mrs.
Morton (Arlene) Mehler, Mrs.
Monte (Eleanor) Korn and Mrs.
Leonard (Beverly) Mitz; four bro-
thers, Joshua, Joseph, Morris and
Simon; three sisters, Mrs. Isadore
(Betty) Kaplan of Israel, Mrs. Ida
Blacher and Mrs. Philip (Sadie)
Forman; and 14 grandchildren.
Friday, Noveadier 13,1—S5
OBITUARIES
HAZEL COHEN, former De-
troiter of New York City, died
Nov. 2. Survived by a sister, Mrs.
Harry (Fanny) Hartman of De-
troit. Interment New York.
• • •
JOSEPH COHEN, 13211 Burton,
Oak Park, died Nov. 12. He leaves
his wife, Betty; a son, Sidney
Forbes; a daughter, Mrs. Jack
(Elaine) Stone; and six grandchil-
dren.
• • •
PEARL DWORMAN. 25200 Par-
sons, Southfield, died Nov. 11. She
leaves a son, Samuel; a daughter,
Mrs. Leo (Adeline) Janoff; four
grandchildren and one great-grand-
child.
• • •
SONIA S. EKELMAN, 18445
Steel, died Nov. 11. Survived by a
son, Dr. Seymour of Mount Clem-
ens; and three grandchildren.
• • •
ROBERT KRASNOW, 12900 W.
Chicago, died Nov. 8. Survived by
three sisters, Mrs. Harry (Gene)
Sachs, Mrs. Abraham (Anna) Mor-
rison of Cleveland and Mrs. Misha
(Zelda) Jaffe of Russia.
• • •
SAM ROTT, 11501 Petoskey,
died Nov. 9. Survived by his wife,
Mollie; five sons, Joseph, Max,
Saul and Manuel Rott and Norton
Boyarsky; two daughters, Mrs.
Dan (Rhoda) Brickner and Norma
Boyarsky; 29 grandchildren and
31 great-grandchildren.
Dr. Max Mosen,
Physician Here
Dr. Max Mosen, Detroit physi-
cian, died Sunday at age 66.
Dr. Mosen was born in Poland
and resided in Detroit for 50 years.
He was graduated from the De-
troit College of Medicine in 1933.
He was a member of CAng, Shaar-
ey Zedek, the Americin Medical
Association, and the Wayne Coun-
ty Medical Society.
Dr. Mosen is survived by his
wife, Lillian; a daughter, Mrs. Ar-
nold (Rebecca) Nedelman; and
two grandchildren.
Artist Manfred Schwartz
NEW YORK—Manfred Schwartz,
abstract painter and litho gr apher,
died last Saturday at age 60.
Mr. Schwartz lived and worked
in the U.S. and in Paris, where he
was educated at the Sorbonne and
the Academie de La Grande Chau-
miere. He taught art and held a
number of prizes for his work,
which -is-,..represented in many
permanent museum collections.
The National Conference of
Christians and Jews has grown
from a one-man office with a bud-
get of $10,000 per year to an or-
ganization with 73 offices and an
annual budget of $4,500,000.
MONUMENT CENTER, INC.
661 E. II MILE, FERNDALE
Ph Blocks E. of Woodward
Blks from 3 Jaiwish
Cemeteries on Woodward
JO 4-5557
LI 24266
c,
Lc;:i..c-
A
DETROIT
MONUMENT WORKS
'444
• •
,
BERG AND URBACH
qi.cea e4t
MaNzafteKed
Formerly Karl Brig Merrcriols and Manuel Urbach & San
SAM ROSSMAN, 459 Henry, died
Nov. 7. Survived by a sister, Mrs.
Sarah Smith; a brother, Michael,
nieces and nephews.
• • •
SARAH MINKOFF, 11501 Petos-
key, died Nov. 6. She leaves two
daughters, Mrs. Murray (Sally)
Robinson and Mrs. Ruben H.
(Florence) Babcock; one brother,
one sister, four grandchildren and
two great-grandchildren.
• • •
PEARL SOFFIN, 20521 Heyden,
died Nov. 5. She leaves her hus-
band, Bernard; a son, Mark; four
daughters, Mrs. David (Sandra)
Rosenman, Mrs. Michael (Joan)
Lieberman of Van Nuys, Mrs.
Alan (Karen) Gold and Julie;
two brothers and three grand-
children.
Sally Abelman, 59
Shaarey Zedek Staffer
Mrs. Sally Abelman, head book-
keeper at Cong. Shaarey Zedek for
the past 22 years, died Nov. 6 at
age 59.
Mrs. Abelman, 21851 Sussex,
Oak Park, was born in Russia and
lived in Detroit for 50 years. She
was a member of the Northwest
Child Rescue Women.
She is iurvived by her husband,
Hyman H.; two daughters, Mrs.
Erwin (Rochelle) Feldman and
Bonnie; a brother, Abe Weinstein;
and three grandchildren.
WE RELAEMBER
irra raz mime
During the corning
week Yeshiva Seth
'tetrad° will observe
the Takrzeit at the
departed
following
friends, with the
Morainic,
. traditional
_
Prayers, recitation of
Kaddish and study-
ing of Mishaayea.
Ceshvan NOV.
15
16
Benjamin Apt
15
16
Bertha Apt
15
14
William Flank
15
16
Abraham Freed
15
16
Moses P. Ellenson
16
17
Regina Jaulus
16
17
Joseph Oppen
16
17
Rosa Sch!oss
17
16
Sophie Lerman
16
17
Lee B. Lipkin
16
17
Bertha Corn
16
17
Lena Rosenbaum
16
17
Ribs Boesky
17
16
Harold Sherr
17
.16
Ethel Shorr
lll
17
Sam Siegel
18
17
Jacob Lesser
17
15
Norma Wringer
17
18
Cella F. Eckert
III
17
Alter Farber
14
17
Dr. Leo Orecklin
17
MI
Max J. Keidan
17
18
Ida Rothenberg
17
18
Lena Zager
18
19
Roy C. Greenblatt
18
19
Yetta TePer
19
18
Ida Maiseloff
15
19
David Sire.
19
20
Aaron Cy
19
20
Ida Miner
19
20
Minnie Levi
19
20
Martin Amhowitx
19
20
Jack Brown
19
20
Sarah P. Kilman
20
19
Vette Norber
19
Samuel J. 'Waxman 20
19
25
Morris Rosenthal
20
Janet Robinson
21
20
Molly Seligson
21
21
20
Israel Cohen
21
20
Jacob Schulman
21
20
Louis Harris
21
20
Rose L. Kramer
21
20
Jerry Kane
Meyer Brodsky
21
20
21
20
Joseph Zarankin
21
20
Davis Orloth
Samuel Schubiner
21
70
20
Chase G. Shapiro
21
21
22
Nyman Friedman
21
David SosnIck
22
Sally Rub
21
32
21
Eike Elmnb•ro
22
21
Esther Nosanchuk 22
Yeshivath Beth Yehudah
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ployed.
Ira.Kaufman Chapel, Inc.
DIRECTORS OF FUNERALS
• .P
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