The Case of Feminism— Mechanisms of Change 81

Trier assembled a series of German language responsa from Orthodox rabbis defending circumcision in the volume Rabbinische Gutachten iiber die Beschneidung(Frankfurt a. M., 1844). This was part of the struggle against a radical Reform group that sought to eliminate circumcision. This Orthodox effort in the vernacular was not repeated.

23. Michael Meyer, Op. Cit., pp. 122 ff.

24. See Walter Jacob ,“Solomon B. Freehof and the Halachah— An Appreciation,” in Solomon B. Freehof , Reform Responsa for our Time, Cincinnati , 1977, p. xv.

25. Abraham Geiger , Wissenschafiliche Zeitschrift, 1837, Vol. 3, p. 7.

26. Jacob Petuchowski , Prayerbook Reform in Europe, New York , 1968.

27. David Novak , Law and Theology in Judaism, New York , 1974, Vol. 1, 2.

28. For details of Geiger 's intentions, see Ludwig Geiger , Abraham Geiger , Leben

und Lebenswerk, Berlin , 1910, pp. 114 ff. Other forces were at work too. First the statements of the radical Reform Verein of Frankfurt which had made strong

statements on the abrogation of brit milah and intermarriage. These had to be confronted. In addition many professional groups were organizing on a regional or national basis in order to gain strength, consult with each other, and come to common decisions. See Michael Meyer, Response to Modernity- A History of the Reform Movement in Judaism, New York , 1988, p. 427, note 125.

29. The rabbis that attended the Conferences are listed; others were present, but not In an official capacity and were not named:

BRUNSWICK CONFERENCE June 12-19, 1844

WORMS- A Adler. ALZEY-S. Adler COBLENZ- Ben Israel HILDESHEIM- Bodenheimer MINDEN- Adler, OFFENBACH- Formstecher HAMBURG- Frankfurter BRESLAU- Geiger KURHESSEN- Goldman SONDERHAUSEN- Heidenheim BRUNSWICK- Herzfeld

BERNBURG- Herxheimer WEIMAR- Hess LUXENBURG- Hirsch MEININGEN- Hoffmann MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN- Holdheim MANESWERDER- Jolowicz TREVES- J. Kahn POMERANIA- Klein STUTTGART- Maier(was president of the Conference)

MAGDEBURG - Philippson HAMBURG- Salomon, Randegg : Schott BINGEN- Soberheim