The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-27
REFORM JUDAISM
IN STRESS PERIOD
DR.. Philipson Warns Against
Nconationalism and ORR
entail Tendencies.
BETH AHABAH CELEBRATES
Kcdedicates Synagogue Fresh
From Hands of Painters
and Decorators.
BETH AHABAH CELEBRATES

Reform Judaism Is to-day passing
through period OF unrest such as II
has never before known" said Rev.
David Philipson. ID. D., of Cincinnati,
addressing II capacity audience at Beth
Ahabah last night There is n spirit
OF neonationalism born OF ideas spread
by the recently arrived masses who
have not had time to absorb the liberal
American ideal, which threatens to rob
the reform movement of the ground It
has won in tho last fifty years and
World vic1s."
Or. philipsou, who has for twenty
five years been rabbi OF Rockdale Ave
nue. Temple, Cincinnati. is recognized
as one of tho foremost opponents OF
Reform Judaism in America. His warn
Ing agains, the insidious influences
which. he said. are at work to under
mine the progressive structure of the
reform faith and clothc il again with
the Formally and Orientalsm which
IL has rejected, in the light of his au-
thor,ativc position IN tho Reformed
Jewish church. was regarded as most
significant.
Answers Modern Needs.
TO go back to the Eastern ideals,
which the Reform synagogue has aban-
doned. warmed Or. rhilipson, would be
TO begin over again Il battle already
won. The old forms practiced in Eng
land, Germany, Russia and other
strong holds OF orthodoxy. he said. are
unsuitcd to American Jewish life
This Is shown, he said. by the utter
irrcligion manifested by a large pro-
portion OF American Jews born OF inn
migrant parents who cling To the old
faith The new generation finds the
old synagogue archaic and uusynpa
thetIc. ana i'll the absence of a syna-
gogne that answers more closely the call
Of their spirits, drift into irrcligion
and become lost To the faith.
Dr. philipson made a strong plea for
the preservation OF Reform Judaism
from the encroachmcnts OF the neo-
nationalistic ideals bound up in Zion
ism and kindred movements. The :td-
herents OF the liberal Jewish Church
in America. lie said compared with
the members OF the orthodox branches
are far in the minority. Upon this
minority. he said. rests to-day the re-
sponsiblity OF preserving the liberal
faith against hostile Influences, and
thus in the end preserving American
Judaism, for, sooner or later, he pre-
dictcd, american Jews Will unite In
adopting tile liberal form
Address WINS Feature.
The address was the big feature of
the exercises OF rededication marking
the completion Of extensive repairs
and r-decorations in the interior of the
synagogue. AN augmented choir rem
dercd n special musical program. Dr
Ihilipson WAS introduced by Or. T.. y
talisch who spoke At some length Of
the early history of Beth Ahabah, and
Of its Vicissitudcs since it's founding
seventy three years ago.
The auditorium Of the synagogue
has Tor several months been closed TO
the congregation. II was used last
night for the first time since the holy
days of last fall Newly rcfurnished
ana redecoratcd. tho Beth Ahabah au-
ditoriuln IS now among the handsom-
est in tn" city.
Dr Calisch spoke warmly Of the
work OF the Ladies' Auxiliary OF Beth
ihabah, under whose auspices the OK
tcnSiNr repairs had been undertaken
Among the new furnishings is a mag
nihccnt marble altar presented 10 the
synagogue in honor OF the memory OF
Mrs. Charles liut@ler.
Program Of service
The program observed at the service. fol-
Anthem. Send ont Thy, Light, tGounod,;
-. -. anthem. Praise tho Lord. All ia
Nations tRaudegEerp. No eo4; dedicatory
sermon. Rev. David I'hilipson. u. D.. "Adon
Diam" by the choir: 'IIannukah hymn. by
the congregation; benediction, Rabbi Louis
ID. Mendoza
Services Will begin this morning n. /,
o'clock Following is the program for the
morning services:
Nah Tobhu." the choir morning service.
Rev. Edward y. Calisch. u. u. anthem.
King All Glorious tRarnhyb; sermon. Ran
bi Louis -. Mendoza; En- keohenu" con
gregational closing service. IIannmkah
hymn. conversational; bcnediction Rev
David Phiipson. -. -.