38 Friday, September 9, 1983 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Conservative Leader Hits Reform on Issue of Patrilineal Descent NEW YORK — Reform Judaism's recognition that the Jewishness of both the father and the mother can be accepted in the case of a mixed marriage has been challenged by the president of the Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbi Arnold M. Goodman of Atlanta. The RA is the international organization of Conservative rabbis. "The Rabbinical Assem- bly does not agree that a child born of a Jewish father is presumed Jewish nor do we view this issue in terms of whether Jewish status is conferred matrilineally or patrilineally. The issue is to be seen in the context of Judaism's perception of the consequences of a mixed marriage: a marriage be- Sol, His Family and the Staff of SOL'S COMPLETE CAR CARE & TIRE CENTER 4200 W. 11 Mile at Greenfield, 545-5350 Complete Mechanical, Electrical Repairs and Air Conditioning Service Wish All Their Friends and Customers A. Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous NEW YEAR nzrizn rime rt3V5 ....................................... Happy New Year DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN & LADIES AUXILIARY JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA EDWIN A. (AL) ROSE DOROTHY COHEN Department Commander Auxiliary President LT. ROY F. GREEN POST NO. 529 LT. HENRY J. BODZIN POST NO. 414 SILVERMAN-DETROIT POST NO. 135 Marvin M. Revich, Commander Limbs topileff, Auxiliary President LAWRENCE H. & JOSEPH JONES AUXILIARY NO. 190 Jerry Gilbert, Commander Ruth Klein, Auxiliary President Milton Mohan, Commander LT. RAYMOND BLOCH- GEN. MAURICE ROSE POST NO. 420 Marion Wendy, Auxiliary President Saul (Messer, Commander Gerry Feldman, Auxiliary President UPSHAW-HOBERMAN POST NO. 230 PVT. ROBERT J. RAFELSON POST NO. 431 SOL YETZ-MORRIS COHEN POST NO. 530 Sal Levin, Commander Ann Weinstein, Auxiliary President HARVEY DATER POST NO. 559 (Lansing) Abe Tompkhts, Commander Frieda Sonless, Auxiliary President Leslie Fleischer, Commander Corrine Oppenheim, Auxiliary President FLINT POST NO. 231 PFC. JOSEPH L. BALE POST NO. 414 LT. LARRY S. WEIL- OAK POST NO. 116 Rubin Zissman, Commander Isadore Binder, Commander Adele Upson, Auxiliary President SGT. CHARLES SHAPIRO POST NO. 510 PFC. DORAN GOLDFARB TRI-CITY POST NO. 121 (Saginaw) Max Under, Commander LT. RAYMOND ZUSSMAN - SOUTHFIELD POST NO. 333 Sye German, Commander Beatrice Knight - Martha Hauptman Aexillery Presidents Ben Winter, Commander Helen PHskoo, Auxiliary President Bernard B. Friedland, Commander Dr. Lewis !merman, Commander WILLIAM GREENBERG, National Executive Committeeman '..................... VISIT THE MEMORIAL TO OUR HEROIC JEWISH WAR DEAD JEWISH WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL HOME ASSOCIAMION 16990 W. 12 Mile Road, Southfield 559-5680 DIANA JOFFE, President * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * tween a Jew and a gentile where there is no conver- sion," Rabbi Goodman de- clared. Rabbi Goodman, in com- menting on the statement on patrilineal descent adopted by the Central Con- ference of American Rabbis at its annual convention in Los Angeles this year, as- serted, "The survival of the Jewish people — and of the Jewish religion -- is not to be achieved by extending Jewishness on a wholesale basis but in defining it in terms of its uniqueness as a `holy nation and a kingdom of priests.' " Goodman's Rabbi analysis of the patrilineal declaration was outlined • in an article in a recent issue of the Jerusalem Post. The RA president observed that while he was expressing his own views on the question, his conclusions are based upon a consensus of the majority of the RA's 1,200 members. Rabbi Goodman stated that the Reform rabbinate has every right to deter- mine its own interpretation of Jewish law. He indicated that Reform rabbis do not follow a strict adherence to traditional law in their con- version practices. Furthermore, Rabbi Goodman noted, although the official CCAR position is against the practice of a rabbi officiating at a mixed marriage, they grant the right of the individual Re- form rabbi the freedom to do so. As a result, there are Re- form rabbis who officiate at marriages where the non- Jewish partner has not been converted. The Rabbinical Assembly does not permit its members to solemnize mixed mar- riages. Furthermore, the Conservative rabbis, as part of the conversion, in addi- tion to a course of study, in- sist upon the prospective convert participating in the ceremony of Tevilla (ritual immersion) and brit mila or hatafat dam brit (circumci- sion), as required. Turning to the rights of Conservative and Re- form Judaism to_praetice and achieve full status in the state of Israel, Rabbi Goodman said, "We will continue to fight for our rightful place in the role of the religious life of Is- rael. We further believe that our Reform col- leagues should be granted that same right and status. "We in the Conservative Movement are well aware, of course, that the Israeli rabbinate and the religious establishment in Israel will, at the present time, con- tinue to reject the move- ment and its leadership. We know , that both our halakhic credentials and our halakhic commitment are challenged. "Our movement, how- ever, will continue to press in Israel for an acceptance of what it advocates in the United States: that religion be removed from the politi- cal arena and that Jews be given the right to express their Jewishness by opting for whatever they regard as an appropriate Jewish life style." The SHEL ROTT ORCHESTRA Contemporary—Big Band Sounds Featuring T.V. & Recording Artist VICKIE CARROLL "Professional Entertainment" 354-0110 354-0711 Freda (Fritzi) Goldberg Wishes to inform the community That her private piano instruction Will resume for the 1983-84 season For a limited number of children and Adult beginners. 368-1385 Military Gets JWB Calendar NEW YORK — The 5744 (1983-1984) Jewish Calen- ' dar for the Members of the Military Community has been published and distrib- uted by JWB to Jewish mili- tary personnel throughout the U.S. and bases overseas in time for the High Holy Days. The calendar lists the major Jewish holy days and festivals for 5744 (1983- 1984) and 5745 (1984-1985); provides brief explanations of major and minor holy days; lists Yiskor dates and provides space for indi- vidual Yahrzeit records; contains prayers for times of illness and prayers after ex- periencing danger and for loved ones back home, and gives Sabbath candlelight- ing times and weekly Torah portions. Exhibit Honors Stern on 60th JERUSALEM (JNI) — A collection of illustrations by Israeli artist Yossi Stern are currently on display at the Jerusalem Artists' House. The exhibit is a tribute to Stern, who re- cently marked his 60th birthday. ..oe • •••••••••■0 'Pr* Pi'd 44 hi LINDEN MEDICAL SUPPLY, INC. 958-5000 21120 GREENFIELD ROAD OAK PARK. MICHIGAN 48237 Home Care Equipment Specialists