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struct them to provide for a thorough presentation of the subject in a number of papers, with a view to guiding the Conference to some final action on the subject.

The resolution was put in the form of a motion and seconded. Rabbi Stern-I will add that next year we have a Round Table Discussion on the practical side of the question.

The Chair-The Executive Committee will take this into consideration.

Rabbi Schulman-I have some misgivings about the wisdom of this. It might produce a literature which would be very wearisome. Just think of it, five papers on one subject!

Rabbi Heller-Short ones. Different aspects of the same subject. Carried.

Adjourned.

SUNDAY EVENING, JULY 5, 1908.

The Round Table on "The Rabbi's Pastoral Work" was led by Rabbi F. Cohn and participated in by Rabbis Kohler, Kaplan, Wise, Berkowitz, Rypins, J. H. Stolz, Foster, Heller, Leipziger, Jasin and Neumark.

The Round Table on "How to Conduct a Bible Class" was led by Rabbi Adolph Guttmacher and discussed by Rabbis Rauch and Berkowitz.

MONDAY MORNING, JULY 6, 1908.

The Conference was opened with prayer by Rabbi Max C. Currick.

The minutes of the preceding session were read and approved. The report of the Committee on Religious Work in Universities was presented by its chairman, Rabbi Moses J. Gries.

Rabbi Gries-The Committee on Religious Work in Universities consists of Englander, Godshaw, Guttmacher, Lyons, Zepin and myself. It has been unable to meet anywhere except here, the three members present being Guttmacher, Zepin and myself. The committee during the year sent out an inquiry to ascertain certain facts, upon the basis of which Rabbi Zepin, as secretary of the

committee, was instructed to prepare a report. As a matter of interest to the members, this was the nature of the questions sent out. We asked the different Rabbis located near important colleges, how many Jewish students there were there, men and women; what relations existed between Rabbi and students; whether the latter manifested any desire for religious life, and whether they, the students, had any suggestions to offer. To this inquiry, sent to thirty-two Rabbis, there were seventeen answers. The report is as follows:

Central Conference of American Rabbis:

JULY 4, 1908.

GENTLEMEN: Your Committee on Religious Work in Universities begs leave to hand to you the following report:

During the year we have sent out a circular of inquiry to Rabbis in communities near the large colleges of the country asking for several items of information with reference to the number of Jewish students, the existence of Jewish organizations among these Jewish students, and with reference to the attitude of their fellow-students towards the Jewish young men; also concerning the relationship between students and Rabbis.

From replies received thus far we have learned of a number of universities where Jewish students attend. Of these, however, only five have Jewish students in considerable numbers. At Harvard a society called the Menorah Society has been in existence for almost two years. They have entertained a number of Jewish lecturers during the winter season, and at one time made preparations to give a Jewish play. At Chicago University there is a Maimonides Club, whose activities are somewhat similar. At the University of Illinois, in Urbana, a society of the Jewish students exists, and is pursuing one of the Chautauqua courses. The University of Minnesota, in St. Paul, has a similar society. The Rabbis of St. Paul lecture to this organization occasionally, and the men pursue studies along various Jewish lines. At Yale we have heard of the recent formation of the Hebraic Club. Our reply from Baltimore called attention to a unique and effective way of getting into contact with the Jewish students. The students being few in numbers are invited periodically to the minister's home for meals. This has led to their attendance at services, and also to their identification with various Jewish local movements.

Reviewing the facts submitted in these reports, we recommend to the Central Conference of American Rabbis, that,

First-The Conference address a communication to the U. of A. H. C. congratulating that body upon undertaking to send organizers to the university centers, and assuring the Union of our desire to co-operate in any undertaking for the furtherance of these aims.

Second-That the Conference Secretary, or that the Committee on Religious Work in Universities, if this committee be continued, should address a letter to all ministers near university towns advising them of the work accomplished in other cities. This communication should urge them not to wait for invitation, but to make a strong effort to establish friendly social relations with the Jewish students; to organize intellectual circles, and to endeavor to interest these students in Sabbath school and settlement work. The result of this will be to create an interest in things Jewish, to foster manly Jewish self-respect and to stimulate enthusiasm for our cause.

We advise specifically that a special invitation be sent to each student to attend the synagogue especially during holidays.

M. J. GRIES.
GEORGE ZEPIN.

Rabbi Levi moved that the report be received, its recommendations adopted and a new Committee on Religious Work in Universities appointed. Seconded.

Rabbi Heller-I would like to have added to the title of the committee the words, "And other schools."

The Chair-That will be referred to the Executive Committee. The motion of Rabbi Levi was put and carried.

In place of a regular report from the Committee on the Instruction of the Blind, Deaf Mutes, etc., the following letter from its chairman to the Corresponding Secretary was read:

Inasmuch as the Committee on Instruction of the Deaf, Dumb, etc., was late in planning its work, and found the labor devolving on it larger in scope and more complex in detail than at first contemplated, I am unable in its name to present a definite report for this session, and crave more time and a far larger committee.

Yours very truly,

ABRAM SIMON, Chairman.

Rabbi Kornfeld was given the floor to make a privileged statement. In conclusion he moved that the Executive Committee be instructed to enter into communication with the various Jewish charitable organizations of the country, asking for an appropriation for the payment of a Jewish chaplain wherever there is none. Seconded.

Rabbi J. H. Stolz-I amend, that we enter into communication with the various Jewish charitable organizations of the country.

Rabbi Guttmacher-At Baltimore the Council of Jewish Women has undertaken work along these lines, and so we might include the Council of Jewish Women.

The Chair-Suppose the communication be sent to the National Conference of Jewish Charities.

Rabbi Stern-It may perhaps be advisable to see that chaplains be appointed by the state, if possible, because a man who is a state official has the advantage of being officially recognized in the corrective institutions of the state. He can go anywhere in the state, and do whatever he wants as an officer, whereas a private person, appointed by the charity organizations, will be limited in the scope of his work.

The Chair-You are the state chaplain of New Jersey, are you

not?

Rabbi Stern-Yes, sir.

The Chair-Are you appointed by the governor?

Rabbi Stern-I am appointed by the prison authorities acting for the governor.

Rabbi Heller—I wish to ask for information. I am not at all clear on this subject. Was there a committee appointed on this work of prisons, delinquents, and so on, to look into conditions? Rabbi Kornfeld—Yes; I was on that committee; I am not chairman of it.

Rabbi Heller-Do I understand that the committee has a report? Rabbi Kornfeld-The chairman has not yet made an official report.

Rabbi Heller-When was this committee appointed?

The Chair-In October.

Rabbi Heller-And has brought no report! Then I would like to offer a substitute motion, which may not increase my popularity, but which I think is in place, viz., that this committee be discharged.

Rabbi Morgenstern-I would like to say, speaking on the motion before the house, and also with reference to the suggestion that we endeavor to have state chaplains appointed, that the suggestion is good. However, in these few minutes of discussion we have had several suggestions presented, involving matters of which

we were formerly unaware. I therefore move that the entire matter be referred back to the committee. Seconded and carried.

The report of the Committee on Religious Schools was presented.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS. To the President and Members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis: GENTLEMEN-Under present conditions the report of the Committee on Religious Schools must be of an academic character. The schools throughout the country are independent of each other, and there is as yet no organization that brings them together for co-ordinated activity. Not even this Conference, constituted as it is of the superintendents of these schools, has been able to establish any uniformity of either aim or method. The obvious need of a reform in this serious concern of the Rabbinate and the communities of this country shows itself in the attempts made sporadically to get at it by at least preparatory inquiries and circular letters for statistics and for details as to what is being done in various localities. The time has come, however, when there is promise of constructive work, and it is entirely within the province of this Conference to do it. It may be that this session of the Conference will succeed in determining a plan for bringing the schools into more direct relation with one another and thus achieve the first step toward organization. The teaching side of the Rabbi's duty is as essential as the preaching side (and more), and it is entirely in keeping with the spirit and object of this Conference to take hold of the subjects of Religious In struction and of Religious Schools and make them more effective.

The chairman regrets to state that he has been unable to obtain a response from several members of this committee, and he submits the replies he has received from Dr. A. S. Isaacs and Rabbi M. N. A. Cohen,

Dr. Isaacs says:

1. As to causes that keep children out of the Religious Schools:

(a) The non-religious atmosphere of the home.

(b) The lack of attractive influence in the school, both in the schedule

of study and the character of instruction.

To provide a remedy for (a) I am powerless. The evil lies partly in the environment and partly in the blunting of the sense of responsibility. But where there is no religious atmosphere in the home, rich and poor, you cannot expect the child to attend a religious school.

2. To provide a remedy for (b) would involve the writing of a lengthy treatise. To attract the child there must be a winning personality in the teacher, who must go out to meet the child in affection. The subjects of instruction must appeal to the child as eminently vital. He must see in his teacher the practical enforcement of the religion taught.

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