The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-11
.~or.rIE CONVENTION.

~, Saturday next a convention VIII as
semhle I'm New York, which VIII attract
,ho attention Of the civilized world. IL
,v,nbea convention of devout Jewish wo-
men and will be the first gathering OK
tho kind ever held, and the most interest
ing convention, perhaps. in the mooeih
history of Judaism. 1t has been caHeu
bv the National Council Of Jewish NO
men. whose president is Mrs. Hannah G.
co,omon of Chicago, and there viii be
a large attendance
This convention is the result OF the
Jewish Nomen's Congress. when con-
yened in Chicago on September Atm lsSS'
and continued in session four days. MIS-.
Solomon was chairman, Mrs. J. Moses
'yice-chairman. and Mrs. Henry Adler
secretary. No less than three thousand
letters were written and received and the
most capable women were found 10 write
upon the subjects most desirable TO be
presented. These subjects were divided
into three classs-religious, philanthro-
phic and local The papers. which were
read were followed by discussions in
which Jews and Christians alike partici-
mated. In one OF the discussions, Arch
bishop Ireland delivered an address. The
congress was the more notable in that
1t was the first gathering Of women ever
assembled In the interest OF Judaism and.
as stated above, one OF its practical re-
suits is the convention in New York this
week.
The purposes Of the National Council
nre ITO bring about closer relations among
Jewish woman. to furnish by an organic
union a medium OF communication and
the means Of prosecuting work OF COM
mon interest. to promote united efforts in
behalf Of Judaism. and TO foster the work
OF social reform by the application OF the
best philanthropic thought" 1t en-
courages in its members a deeper study
Of the Bible. the history and literature Of
the Jews. and the agencies OF personal
service. II provides for the Interchange
OF ideas. for discussion upon matters Of
mutual interest. and for helpful SYM
patty in WORK and aspiration.
Local sections OF the council have been
established in various sections Of the
country and II is expected that nearly a
hundred OF these will be represented in
the National Council. There has been
some opposition TO tho movement, as
there is opposition always to a departure
from an established custom. but II has
the support OF leading men and women
OF the Jewish faith. and largely Of the
Jewish press.
IL has never been the policy OF the Jew
ish Church for its women 10 take an
active part in public affairs. and It was
bold step that threatened a departure
from the tradition Of the elders" But the
women Of Hebrew descent have caught
the inspiration OF the great forward
movement OF the latter day women.
generally and now that the work has fair
~ begun there is no such thing as stay
ing its impetus.
IL Is no fattery 10 say that the Israeli
ites OF this country have ever been in the
front rank OF all public enterprises. both
OF a business and OF benevolent or
philanthropic character. and in all pub
lie charities fostered by women the Jew
ish women have always done their full
share In personal work and contributions.
IT is not surprising. therefore. that they
should now shake or the shackles of
prejudice and undertake a work for God
and humanity within their own Church
organization.
Il IL very FAR from The Times 10 en-
courage The women OF the land to under
take any work which may faint their
modesty or impair their usefulness in the