212 lected Reform Responsa
handicaps, but I believe that the women who surmount the obstacles will be greater spirits than the men who are in the rabbinate today. Will it be any greater reproach for a woman to give up the ministry for the sake of maternity than it is for a man to give it up to seek a livelihood in other work? I think it will be for a nobler reason. If we get women into our midst as rabbis, I believe that we will be enjoying some of the inspiration and strength we feel we need. So I plead that we place ourselves on record as in full sympathy with a further emancipation of
Rabbi Stern: Emotionally I am conservative and I do not like to break with the past, but I cannot agree with Rabbi Lauterbach in this instance. Is it not essential for us first to decide what is the principle? I believe the practical will take care of itself. It is very interesting to note that in the city of New York a professor in the Seminary, the rabbi of an Orthodox congregation, had a bat mitzvah of girls. This is very interesting and shows that the other
A motion that the opinions of members which have been sent in should
be read was introduced. The motion lost.
Rabbi Morgenstern: I think there is one possible source of information that we have not heard from and whose opinion would be very helpful to us. I mean the wives of the rabbis present. It would help us to get an expression of opinion from the women, if some of the wives would be willing to give us their ideas based on many years of experience in this work. I would ask that this
opportunity be given to the ladies to express their opinions.
It was moved that the courtesy of the floor be extended to any of the ladies present who cared to take part in the discussion.
Mrs. Frisch: When I entered the hall this morning, I was opposed to the ordination of women as rabbis. I am now in favor of it. 1 have been much impressed with what I have heard.
The reason I was opposed to the ordination of women was
what you would call the practical reason. I now feel that what