The times., 1901-06-03
RABBI MENDEL RESIGNS
Thinks Congregation Adas Israel
Not Orthodox Enough.
Declares His Efforts Have Been On-
availing Against the Reform Eie-
ment-The Trustees and Members
Reouest That He Reconsider.

Because he claims that Congregation
Adas Israel has ceased to be orthodox,
Rabbi Morris Mendel has resigned from
his position at the head of the synagogue
and will take a church elsewhere. Inc
rabbi considers that. having spent two
and one-half years laborlng with the con-
gregation to bring them to the ooserv-
ances of the regular Hebrew religion, ana
having been met on all hands by an un-
willingness to conform to orthodox stan
dards he can no longer with comfort
head the church.
The split between the rabbi and his
flock has been expected for some time,
bat his resignation handed in to the presl-
dent of the church board. Samuel Open
heimer, about a week ago, has been ac-
cepted under pressure, and that only con-
ditionaIly. 1t is hoped that the rabbi will
consent to remain, but according to his
statement he has remained long enough to
see that his ministry will be of no avail.
Congregation Adas Israel Is one of the
oldest Jewish churches in the city. and
is supposed to be strictly orthodox, as
opposed to the Reformed Hebrew Church,
the services of which are held In the
synagogue at Eighth and II Streets.
Rabbi Mendel has the religion of the
ancient Hebrew Church pure and un-
altered. He obtained his rabbinical educa-
ton in the Jewish Seminary at New
York, having had his secular education
at the College of the City of New York,
and later having taken postgraduate
course in Columbia College. The Con-
gregation Adas Israel, when he came to
it first had about sixty-two members
and during his ministry he has raised its
membership to 40 In addition he has
started a young peoples union and a
ladies' auxiliary. Through his efforts
the Jewish religious and Hebrew instruc-
ton school rose to an attendance OF
about ninety. Notwithstanding these
lines along which he has attained sue
cess, Rabbi Mendel feels called upon to
leave his congregation because they are
no longer in sympathy with HIM
II have found it impossible. he sald
ito persuade the members of the congre-
CATION to follow certain of the principles
of our religion, without which they would
not be orthodox Hebrews. L have at
tempted to obtain among the members
of the CONGREGATION a proper observance
of our Sabbath but they keep their
stores open on that day just as Wen as
upon other days OF the week, qulte %
much as ever. Various other matters OF
observance il is absolutely Impossible 10
persuade them to observe. and 1t seems
that my labors are gone for nothing.
I'm leaving the seminary and coming
here. | sacrificed a good deal in the way
of salary In order to be with congrega-
tion with which | would be IN sympathy
| have also tried to build up jewish
school, in which rudiments of the HEBREW
tongues should be taught, and also the
principles of religion. To this s, school
which | consider one of the most import
| ant things in the church work, though
have Iabored for it constantly, there IS no
| assistance given, or any encouragement |; /
! TTa.z.iIies do not send their children All
of this is qcite harassiug to race, aIstl
| YOU have been working for years on
| small stipend, hoping that surronndliilgt.s = -
| would be helpful and congenial. rms mas
| proved not to be the case.
! The trustees of the church, the members
of it, and the societies have united IN re-
! ouesting the intellectual rabbi TO stay;
but he says that he has fully resigned ana ana
| expects TO take some other charge very
soon. having now three calls in various
PARTS of the United States under cohsiu-
| Grafton. a., L
| In the meanwhile Congregation Adas Is
| rael - meeting under temporary ieadeT-
| ship. ii still being the hope that kaDDl
| Mendel will reconsider his resignation