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An Appeal to Our Colleagues and Readers

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This editorial appeal from Conservative Judaism addresses the critical shortage of written scholarly contributions from American rabbis and Jewish religious leaders in 1948. The editors analyze two primary factors inhibiting rabbinical writing: excessive involvement in congregational and communal administrative responsibilities that consume time and energy needed for scholarly research and writing, and a pervasive humility or reluctance to publish while the Conservative Movement's religious ideology remained in apparent flux. The article argues that American rabbis must transition from solely oral discourse to written scholarship to create an enduring Jewish religious literature capable of addressing contemporary spiritual and educational challenges. The methodology involves examining the disconnect between rabbinical oral expertise demonstrated in preaching and the paucity of published analytical works on contemporary Jewish religious themes. The authors contend that written discourse provides superior opportunities for intellectual critique and refinement compared to ephemeral pulpit communications. The editorial concludes that the survival and continuity of American Judaism requires bold, articulate religious leadership willing to subject their convictions to scholarly peer review through publication. The journal explicitly solicits contributions from rabbinical colleagues and informed laypeople, emphasizing authenticity, clarity, and relevance to creative Jewish religious life while maintaining editorial openness to diverse ideological perspectives.

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    Published 1948

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