Ordination of Women 213

ever practical reasons I may have had cannot be compared in value with the matter of principle which has been mentioned here this morning.

The practical reason that I had in mind was that I, as a wife and mother, did not understand how a woman could attend to the duties which devolve upon a rabbi and at the same time be a true homemaker. Candidly, I do not see at this moment how it can be accomplished. I cannot solve this question, but there may be some women who would prefer a life of celibacy in order to minister to a congregation.

Personally, I am selfish enough not to be willing to give up the happiness of wifehood and motherhood for this privilege, great though it may be. But I love the work of the rabbinate so much that could I have prevailed upon myself to forget the joys that come with homemaking, I should have become a rabbi. I do not believe that privilege should be denied women, and it behooves us to go on record as being in favor of this development.

Miss Baron: I am connected with Jewish work in New York City and I know that since the Jewish woman have entered this work it has intensified the value of Jewish education. I believe that should the Jewish woman enter the rabbinate, she will be able to intensify the religious feeling of our people.

Mrs. Berkowitz: I am more than satisfied to be the silent member of our partnership, but I believe that it is the function of women to give spiritual value to the world, and especially the Jewish woman—imbued with the Jewish spirit—will naturally bring a certain quality to the ministry which some of our men lack. I think that might be enlarged and strengthened, and therefore I should like to see our women become rabbis, if they wish to do so.

A motion that action on this resolution be postponed until next year lost. A motion that a referendum vote of the members of the Conference be

taken lost. A motion that this resolution be referred to the Committee on Resolu­

tions lost.