New-York tribune., 1912-01-31
RABBI MAGNES QUITS
SECOND LARGE PULPIT
Announces Intention of 0evoting
Himself to Propagation of
Jewish Faith.
WILL FIRST VISIT PALESTINE
Not in Accord, 1t Is Said, with
Congregation of B'nai Je-
shurun, Which He
Joined Recently.

Rabbi Judah Il. Magnes. who resigned
FL on account Of sermon against re-
form Judaism, and later went to B'nai
Jeshurun an ultra orthodox congrega-
ton, has again found himself out Of
sympathy with his flock. He announced
last night that he had resigned to de-
vote all his time to the educational work
f the Kehillah or Jewish Community, OF
New York City
Although Rabbi Magnes in his state
ment makes no reference to any friction
between him and his congregation, and
although none OF the trustees of Bnai
that their relations with Mr.. Magnes
had been anything but harmonious. it
has been rumored for some time that
the rabbi found conditions at the syna-
gogue distasteful. The congregation has
been divided into two factions for some
time past one faction has upheld the
conservative opinions of the rabbi, while
the other faction has urged innovations
and changes in the ritual
Before the coming of Rabbi Magnes
the service had been modernized to the
extent of mixed choir and an organ.
Shortly after his advent both the organ
and the mixed choir were eliminated. A
decline in attendance at services fol-
lowed, and the faction which opposed
DR.. Magnes was not slow in using this
fact as ammunition with which to at
tack him. In addition to announcing
his resignation, Rabbi Magnes in his
statement say, that he will go to Pal
estne for two months to acquaint him
self with Jewish problems In that land
His educational work in New York is
likely to be largely in the interests OF
Zionsm. The statement of Rabbi Mag
nes is as follows:
II was with much pleasure that | can
announce that $4,000 per annum, the first
quota of the Jewish Education Fund OF
New York city has been raised Practically
all the subscriptions cover "A period of i've
years so that IL may be said that $3.50. 900
has been pledged for the Jewish Education
Fund of the Jewish Community (kehillam
of New York City. In addition to this,
SIS, coo is at the disposal Of the Jewish Com
munity for educational purposes, making
lin all fund in excess of 100000 10 be used
for the next five years for the improve
ment of Jewish religious education in New
York City.
The work that have been privileged TO
do i'm this connection has convinced me
that can best serve the Jewish cause by
concentrating my attention upon the prob
lens OF Jewish religious organization and
of Jewish education. With the consent OF
Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, and with the
aid OF several men OF this city. | shall have
the opportunity OF dCvoting myself to these
problems OF Jewish religious organization
and Jewish education without being at
tached 10 any particulars synagogue. A
Society for the Advancement of Judaism
has been formed. and | expect through this
society TO be given complete freedom and
added energy 10 devo,e myself TO Jewish
work I'm this city.
Before taking up this work I expect to
visit Palestine for about two months i'm
order to acquaint myself with the religious
and educational problems of the Jews
there