CHIEF RABBI OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 13

CHIEF RABBI OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

CONFERENCE IN LONDON. Striking alike by its representative character as by tho dignity which marked its proceedings, the conference of delegates from the various congregations of Jews in the British Isles, held in London on January H, took tho first .important steps to appoint a successor to the late Chief Rabbi of tho British Empire (says the Loudon "Daily Telegraph")- .Lord Rothschild presided over the deliberations. Prom the verj outset Lord Rothschild struck a noto of dignity which was maintained throughout tho long proceedings. Ho said lie was there as representing and addressing gentlemen who professed to be orthodox Jows, and the head they wero going to select or elect would bo the head of orthodox Jewry. Orthodoxy, nevertheless, did not deny tho right to individual thought, and lie ventured to state the lines which should rogulato thoir choice of a Chief Rabbi. It had bcon laid down as a cardinal point from which no new spiritual chief could be allowed to depart, that he was not to be permitted to pronounoo excommunication against thoßO who differed from him in their beliefs on religious matters. A foreign Chief Rabbi might not concur in this view. They must bear in mind that the successor to the lato Dr. Adlor must bo a man acquainted with English life and English laws, a man able to speak English. If ho failed to satisfy these essential conditions, he would not be a fit person to bo the religious head of tho Jews of England. Dr. Herzl, tho founder of Zionism, imagined that the evils of anti-Semitism would be cured if he could find some portion of tho civilised world where theso mombors of the Jewish race might form an autonomous State, professing tho Jewish religion, and evading tho laws of tho State wherein they settled when thoso laws were not in accordance with tho Jewish religion. That was a view to which neither he nor thoso present could subscribe. Ho was a ( fervid Jew and an Englishman, and he hoped he might claim to speak as tho lay head of tho Jews of England, and say it was their duty to acknowledge with gratitude the generous hospitality extended to them, to be thankful for the privileges given them, and to assert their determination to be loyal, faithful subjects of his Majesty the King, and to do nothing which was contrary to tho laws of this land. A great duty had been placed upon them— to select a man worthy of their past, ono who would train them in the traditions of Judaism, and at the same time ■ make them loyal and truo citizens of this great Empire. . A long discussion then followed, in which most of those present took part. It was finally resolved that a committee be appointed, consisting of nine I/ondoa and eight provincial members, who were to frame recommendations on the questions of the emoluments of the Chief Rabbi and the duties ho is to bo called upon to perforin. In order to help them, tho committee were empowered to invite deputations to place their viows before them on all matters affecting tho future spiritual well-being of the community. The committee's recommendations were then to bo submitted to the conference, the delegates of which would thereupon report to the various congregations, by which they were deputed. New representatives would then be appointed, with voting power, to devise means of finding suitable candidates for tho vacant post, from whom a selection—it was hoped there would bo no election—could be finally made. . •■:<■'