Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-19
RABBI ECE[SON LEAVES
|. At EXPIRATION OF Term
Announces That He Fears No
Breach as Result of His
Withdrawal.

Il do not look for a breach in the con-
gregation as result Of my withdrawal.
I will personally intercede with my
friends and plead with them that they do
not withdraw their financial support from
the synagogue but that they continue to
contribute in the future even more hber-
ally than they have done in the past.
Rabbi Louis l. Egelson made the fore
going statement today when he an
nounced his intention Of retiring from
the work Of the Adas Israel congregation
He issued the statement after brief
conference with friends in New York, and
the result will be that certain influential
members of the local congregation who
supported the rabbi! in his effort to intro
duce English in the services will give up
their effort for his retention.
After considering the question from
every point of view have definitely and
| finally concluded" continued the rabbi,
not to encourage the activity or my
supporters in their attempt to secure
reconsideration Of the decision or the
CONGREGATIONAL meeting Of January as to
INV retention as rabbi of the Adas Israel
Synagogue, and to sever my relations
with the congregation at the expiration
| of my term, on March !.
Entertains No Feeling.
| II haven't the slightest feeling Of bit
| terness toward those who worked SO
strenuously in opposition to my re-elec-
ton. Rather do l sympathize with them.
l have the highest respect for sincere
orthodoxy, but for shamming. Stimulating
orthodoxy 1 can only with difficulty re-
press sentiments of reproach. l do not
4 hot nnSoAcSo6
the pliable conscience or could suppress
it's complaints and concentrations at will
there would never have arisen any dis
sension in the congregation.
| Once | became convinced that r.gldity
| i'm orthodox Judaism must give way to
elasticity, that we cannot maintain an
luncompromisng attitude toward other
movements in Judaism, l began planning
to blaze a new and progressive path TOT
my congregation. am convinced now
that they were not prepared for any
change in their custom OI worship OF
many years standing.
Movement Not Revolutionary.
| while to me the change I suggested
seemed evolutionary, to them 1T appeared
revolutionary. 1t was like suddenly re-
moving the bandage from the eyes Of a
/ man VINO nau IonS ueoh NepS III O ooiA n
ened room. Too much dazzling light
entered at one time and almost blinded
Them They therefore find more pleasure
and peace OF mind in replacing the BAN
Idage and In continuing to walk In dark
ness.
| FOR others the light revealed a crying
lneed. I feel satisfied. therefore. that
have inaugurated a movement for pro-
gressiveness in the congregation. and
that II has taken deep root. There is
now a suficiently large nucleus OF pro-
gressives to keep the question alive and
to recruit new supporters to their side.
II realize that it is not given to every
Imam to accomplish what he intends. No,
Ievery man who plants tree enjoys its
lfruitage. Even Moses could not lead his
people into the promised land. My sue.
lcessor, IL he have the same coonvictions
IL have, will be able to build gloriously
upon the foundation have laid. 800.