Rabbi Chaim Fishel Epstein Warns of Materialism at 1931 Installation of Rabbi Eliezer Silver as Chief Rabbi of Cincinnati

November 23 1931

caption:
From the New York Times – November 23, 1931
 
Warns of Materialism
 
Rabbi at Cincinnati Meeting Paints Peril of Empty Synagogue
 
Special to The New York Times.
 
 
CINCINNATI, Nov. 22. – Encroaching materialism is emptying the synagogues, Rabbi H. F. Epstein of St. Louis, chairman of the opening session of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of America, told the assemblage here today.
 
Rabbi Eliezer Silver, chief rabbi of America, was installed as the chief rabbi of Cincinnati.
 
“Let us stop competing against each other and merge our talents and energies to fight this common enemy that ménages our traditions and ancient ideals,’ Rabbi Epstein urged. “The Time may come shortly when Jewish congregations that failed to heed the warning and failed to join in this common cause against a common enemy will find themselves fighting alone with perhaps no chance of winning.