Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-06-10
ORTHODOX JEWS CONGRESS.
From yesterdays New York Sum-

From yesterdays New York Sun.
A conference of the orthodox Jews OF
the United States and Canada was
opened yesterday morning in the Spar
ish and Portuguese synagogue, Seven
tieth street and Central Park West.
Delegates were present from various
parts of this country and the Domin,
ion.
The first business of the conference
vas to consider report made by The
committee appointed to draw up b de-
claratiop of principles. The commit
tees report, which was unanimously
adopted, said in part:
"Ths conference of delegates from
Jewish congregations in the United
States and the Dominion of Canada is
convened to advance the interests of
positive Biblical, rabbiuical and histori-
cal Judaism. We are assembled not rs
synod, and therefore we have no leg
islative authority to decide religious
questions, but as representative body,
which by organization and cooperation
Will endeavor to advance the interests
# Judaism ia America.
I'VE hold that the Talmud contains
he traditional and legal Interpretation
the Scriptures and that The rabbit
Cal exposition already received is bind
lng. That the Abrahamic covenant is
iudis peneabe for the admission of males
into Judaism, and intermarriage be-
" cen Jew and Gentle cannot be per-
mitted unless the Gentle is converted
from conviction and complies with the
g, ouiremeDts Of our existing laws.
THAT we are still nation, though
temporarily without national home, and
tuat the restoration to Zion is the legiti
mate aspiration of scattered Israel, in
no way conflicting with our loyalty to
The land in which we dwell or may
dwell at any time.
ave believe that in our dispersion
we are to be united with our brethren
of alien faith iD al! that devolves upon
men as citizens, but that religiously in
rites, ceremonies, ideals and doctrines
we are separate and must remain sep
srate in accordance with the divine
declaration: I have separated you
rom the nations to be mine Lev,
Xxx, 26."
The report of the committee on Zion
ism, which was also unanimously adopt
ed. set forth, among other things that !:
The desirabiliy aud the necessity of
ffering to those of our brethren dwell
" undertbe gor of oppr al e la g a
reiuge legally assured IL them cannot
he questioned. The logic Of events
points again to Palestine and the sur
rounding fertile districts as the land Of
promise.
Historical associations and prophet
ic promises invest the land of Israel
with an attraction for the Jew, and
awaken among the Gentiles recogni-
tion Of fitness for this purpose not pos
seesed by any other region.
The elimination of the ides Of the
political State from the present pro-
gramme of Zionism averts the possibili-
~ of opposition from the Turkish gov
eminent OF from those European powers
that have special interest in the holy
places of the cradle of Christianity.
1--WE unheststiDgly affirm that there
is nothing incompatible between en-
thusiastic adherence to Zonism and
the most ardent American patriotism,
and what we can affirm for America
our English brethren can affirm for
Bntish patriots, and our European
nrethern as TO their respective coun-
tries"
The Rev. H. Zinsler said that he
knew OF four congregations in this city,
all OF which had taken to Ilonism with.
out consulting their rabbis. They had
combined and formed "a Ilonistic So
ciety." he said. A Jew who observed
the Talmud was in duty bound to work
for Zlonism.
A committee to report on o plan for
congregational union was now named,
and a recess was taken until evening.
At $50 o'clock the conference met
again, and the committee submitted a
report and three resolutions. The first
two referred to the plan of forming o
union of Jewish churches, and the third
contained proposition for the observ-
ance of Sunday by the Hebrews as the
Sabbath. An excited discussion began
as soon as this report was reao,
1--WE ought to observe Sunday in this
free America" said one of the speakers.
Before any extended debate could be
had on the committee report, the
whole matter was sidetracked by
motion to proceed with other business.