Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-07
THE AMERICAN RARBIs.
Necessity for . New Prayer Book the Sub
iect of Discussion.


The central conference of American rabbits
was in session all day yesterday in the hall OF
| the Young Mems Hebrew Association in Balti-
more. The deliberations we're concluded at
night in Har Sinai Temple. 1t was decided to
meet next year in New York city. The sessions
are well attended.
The day business practically began with a
lively discussion regarding the necessity for a
new prayer book. The subject came up the
report of the committee appointed to formulate
ritual, or, rather, the lack Of their report.
The chairman of the committee was not pres
emf, and no regular report had been prepared.
motion was adopted to excuse the committee
who have had charge of the matter and appoint
new one that will work.
Rev. Max HELEN of New Orleans said that
prayer book compiled now would not stand
fifty years. 1t would either partake of the
emotionalism of the Methodists or the formal
ism of the Episcopalians. 1t would either be
too fowery and would be in the way Ofprogress
of Judaism.
President Wise said: ave want a union
prayer book, one that will be acceptable to all
our congregations and one that will contain
the best elements Of advanced thought. We
do not want in it the doctrine of personal
coming of the Messiah and the establishment
of his kingdom in Jerusalem Nor do
want in IT the doctrine of the resurrection of
now and we don't want to put in our prayer
book that which we have no clear authority for
and what the world disbelieved We want
embodied in it the progressive ideas that the
world has adopted. Idens that will satisfy the
people are the ones desired
Rabbi Samuel Soles of st. Louis said TINT
when everybody wanted to pray there was but
one PRAYER book now when nobody wants to
pray there is a multitude.
The report of the committee appointed to
n
extended by the Jewish Ministers Association
of America, through DR.. Aiverman, created
comment. The resolutions stated that the con-
ference heartily reciprocates tho fraternal
greetings OF the Jewish Ministers Association
and expresses the hope that in the near future
platform may be formed On which all the
Jewish ministers of America can agree
The conference adopted this much, but re-
fused to recommend the creation of southern
and western rabbinical conferences.
Rev. DIR. Max Schlesinger of Albany, NY,
presented paper on Cremation From the
Jewish Standpoint" in which he said that Gre
nation Is the only rational method Of disposing
of the dead.
Papers on 'AIiath GERM" treating on the
question of the circumstances Of the proselytes
to the Jewish faith from DIR. Aaron Hahn of
Cleveland. Ohio, and DR. Schwab of Chicago
were read by Secretary Levi These papers,
which we're referred tc committees, argued
that circumstances were not necessary to con-
verts.
At the public service at night Har Sinai
Temple was thronged. The service began
with prayer by Rabbi William ROsenan of Chi
cago, after which Rev. DIR. Max Heller of New
Orleans preached the conference sermon an
eloquent discourse on Jewish Preaching of
Modern Times"
He was followed by Rev. David Philipson of
Cincinnati, who delivered from his old pulpit
comprehensive address OH judaism and the
Republican Form of Government"