THE JEWISH SECT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11127, 20 January 1899, Page 3

THE JEWISH SECT.

NOT ALLOWED TO PROSELYTISE. fBT TELEaBAI-H.]

Auckland, Thursday. On making inquiries in reference to a Wellington Pfesd telegram whJcli refers to Miss Marion Mitchell's intended marriage to a member of the Jewish community in tHis city, it is stated that al) applications for admission to the Hebrew faith must eventually go the Jewish head-quarters in London, to the Chief Rabbi, Dr. Adler. Proceedings in New Zealand are simply preliminary. Tho caße ia this i — Hiss Marion Mitchell (who is wpll Jtndwn throughout the colony as a leading member of the Pollard Opera Company), being desirous of embracing the Jewish faith in order . to marry; an application was made on her behalf with that object to the Aiickland Hebrew congregation. The congregation referred the niatter to the Wellington Rabbi for his opinion, Miss Mitchell's place of residence being in the Wellington district. The Wellington Rabbi has come to the conclusion thac the application should be refused, but the case does not end there.

In New Zealand the Jewish people aye not allowed to proselytise. In the case of Miss Marion Mitciiell it is expected the Auckland congregation will send an application to Melbourne " Beth Din" for the decision of that body. The secretary of the Jewish Synagogue states With reference to the Press Association telegram from Wellington that no application was made to the Wellington rabbi by the Auckland Hebrew congregation, and Miss Marion Mitchell states that no such application was made by her or by any person on her behalf, and that Bhe is quite at a loss to understand the remarks in the telegram purporting to have been made by Rabbi Van Staveren. She intends to sift the matter further to ascertain the source from whence the statement emanated.