Persecution of the Jews in Germany is “an attack upon the intelligence of the entire civilized world,” Judge Harry S. McDevitt said in delivering the main address at the dedication of the new Fridenberg Memorial Surgical building at the Jewish Hospital, York and Tabor Roads.
“To me it seems incredible that any civilized country could sink to such depths of ignorant, arrogant bigotry as to persecute any creed,” Judge McDevitt said. “The Jew is not oppressed; it is religious freedom that is under fire the world over.
“We have enjoyed political and religious liberty so long in America that we forget how it came. Liberty always has been born of struggle; it came only through sacrifice, the blood of martyrs and the devotion of mankind. And it can be preserved only by the jealous watchfulness and stern determination to be free.”
Turning to Mrs. Anna Esther Fridenberg, whose brother left $400,000 with which to build and equip the building, Judge McDevitt said:
“To you we offer homage. We offer thanks of a grateful community. You will be a benefactor for untold and unknown thousands who, during years to come, will enjoy comforts and skill that only such a thoughtful philanthropist as you could provide.” Judge McDevitt then cited her as the “representative of a race that has been persecuted for 2,000 years and still is so charitable that you made certain this would be a non-sectarian institution.”
1,000 PRESENT
More than 1,000 heard Judge McDevitt’s address. Arthur A. Fleisher, president of the Jewish Hospital Association, presided at the ceremonies, delivered the address of welcome and introduced the speakers.
Among the speakers were Solomon N. Fridenberg, lawyer and relative of the late Mone Samuel Fridenberg, who left the legacy; Arthur Loeb, president of the Jewish Federation of Charities, and Lee Nusbaum, chairman of the building committee.
The gold engraved key with which the bronze doors of the new building were opened was handed to Mrs. Fridenberg by Horace W. Castor, the architect. The ceremonies were opened with an invocation by Rabbi Louis Wolsey of Congregation Rodeph Sholom, and closed with a benediction by Rev. Charles B. McGinley, rector of the Church of the Holy Child. After the ceremonies visitors were admitted to the “L” shaped, five-story building.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
