Like her father, Solomon personally supported the
radical Reform policy of moving the Sabbath to Sunday.
She felt that conforming to American custom would
encourage more widespread observance. To many Council
women who were Orthodox, Conservative, and even some
who were Reform, this idea was sacrilege, comparable
to a conversion to Christianity. Concerned by
Solomon's outspoken opinion, these women determined to
force Council to explicitly affirm its support of the
historical Sabbath.
Solomon spent much of the first Triennial convention
deflecting attempts to raise the question,
hoping to avoid the divisive issue. Finally one
member moved to block Solomon's re-election, arguing
that she could not vote for any woman who did not
"consecrate the seventh day as Sabbath." Solomon's
response became famous: "I do consecrate the Sabbath.
I consecrate every day in the week." The triumphant
Solomon was re-elected by acclaim once again.
When Hannah returned home, husband Henry had hung
"a huge floral piece on which was written, 'I
consecrate every day!'" But Henry's enthusiasm proved
overly optimistic, and the troubles surrounding the
Sunday Sabbath issue continued to plague Council.
NCJW avoided the strife by avoiding religious
issues. When Solomon resigned as President in 1905,
citing health reasons and the need to rest, Council
had shifted its emphasis to philanthropy.
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