Religion: Mushroom Synagogs

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Orthodox rabbis with year-round synagog jobs last week started a selfish campaign against "mushroom" synagogs wherein a large part of Jewry celebrates Rosh Hashonah (New Year's day) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Those holidays respectively occur this year Sept. 23-24 and Oct. 2. Already many a rabbi without a post is canvassing unchurched Jews to buy seat tickets in his temporary schnl'. On the other hand the unchurched, after trying vainly to buy seats in regular synagogs, are seeking to hire rabbis to lead them in high holiday ritual. This is basically not very difficult, for many a European-born Jew was educated for the rabbinate because secular schools would not receive him, because many a Jewish family like many a Roman Catholic family expects particular favors from God by giving a son to the church. The consequent production of rabbis became too much for established synagogs to absorb.

The complaining rabbis aver that the mushroom synagogs menace the existence of their establishments, many of which are impoverished, by diverting money. A professionally rabbinical argument is that Jewish law forbids the placing of Sefer Torah (Scrolls of the Law) in unsanctified places, like lodge halls, garages, dance halls, theatres.

Prompt rebuttal is that in emergency any spot suffices for a Jew to pray in.