Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-23
THEJEWIsH CONFERENCE.
What IL Likely to be Done at the Meet
ing in Paris Next Month.

New York World. 18th: An international
Jewish conference will be held next month in
Pans, for the purpose of discussing measures
to improve the political and social condition
of the Jews IN various parts Of the world
i, iegates will be sent from Jewish congre-
cations in every quarter of the globe. The
veteran Adolphe Crenneix is expected TO pre-
side, and among the delegates will probably
b. Chief Rabbi Astruc and N. 0ppenheim,
from Belgium; Senator Artom, from Italy;
Chief Rabbi Calm and Baron de Rothschild,
from France; Sir John Goldsmid and Baron
de Worms, from England; Baron de Roths-
child and DR.. Jellinck, from Austria; Mr..
VIM. Seligman, from the United States, and
number of the Jewish clergy. Among
the matters which will occupy the atteu-
ton of the conference are: The con-
4ition OF the jewish residents of the
Danubian princlpalities and of Russia,
Morocco and Persia; the best means for Sc
curing industrial and educational advantages
for the Jews of Jerusalem; the adoption of
measures for the promotion o! Hebrew edu-
cation and for the advancement of Hebrew
literature. The most important subject TO be
considered is a proposition TO convene a
synod for the purpose of inquiry into the
condition of modern Judaism and the autE or
itative exposition of Jewish ecclesiastical
laws. Within the past few years two synods
have been held, avowedly for this purpose
one at Leipzig, attended chiefly by European
Jews, and the other at Philadelphia, attend
ed exclusively by American Jews. The
proposition to be considered at the coming
conference is to call synod which shall rep
resent the Jews all over the world. Since
the destruction;of the temple and the disper-
sion of the Jews there has been
no regular priesthood nor any recognized
ecclesiastical authority, except such as was
assumed by the chief rabbis OF the various
themselves Such changes and notifications
as have been made in the Jewish ritual or
the Jewish law have been introduced by the
various communities on their own RESPONSE
bility, and are not recognized by the Jews
generally. Therefore, if such synod as it
is proposed to call could be convened, it
would have powerful effect upon the condi-
ton Of the Jews everywhere, and it might
result in the establishment of some central
recognized ecclesiastical authority which
would restore to the synagogue the discipline
that it now lacks. Even the most orthodox
Jews would pay respectful attention to the
opinions of such a body; and, indeed, they
are in favor Of calling the synod. Mr. M. S.
Isaacs, the president of the American board
There is a choice between an exposition by
skllfui, learned, competent, authorita-
tive teachers, expounders and judges
of the ecclesiastical law, and the capricious,
unreliable, ephemeral decisions of mere Off
Gals IN a particular Territory, town or con-
gregation. The latter method is seen in its
full extent in America. Such a
representative synod, aiming to strengthen
Judaism by the recognition of current forces
and agencies, by the education and guidance
of the general body, without interfering with
individual liberty or congregational indie
pendence within its sphere would be an in
tense relief after that cropping for settle
ment of vexed questions, which has in despair
turned II every direction for counsel and ex-
ample, and found no resource save in the I'M
trained and deceptive public opinion of a
congregation rarely fortunate in minister
at once educated and practical versed in the
law and able to calculate the effect of a novel
Interpretation, or conscious depar ture from
an existing ordinance"