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President’s ‘vivid’ Leadership Lauded

December 26, 1939
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Dr. Cyrus Adler, president of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America today made public the following telegram he has sent to President Roosevelt in reply to his message enlisting cooperation of the three great religious faiths in a broad peace move.

“I am only now able to acknowledge your telegram of Dec. 23 owing to delay in delivery of the message which has just reached me.

“Your fellow countrymen and the world at large take new courage from the fact that you are again throwing your vivid and forceful leadership into the cause of peace. It is a noble deed to bring the forces of religion together. I have the confident hope that the leaders will unite the members of their churches and synagogues into a unanimous support of your efforts.

“I gladly take the opportunity to send good wishes to His Holiness the Pope and to Dr. Buttrick and feel sure that all true men of good faith will in their several ways further your inspired leadership.

“I shall, of course, convey your message to the various rabbinical associations for transmission to their congregations. But I can say without qualification that the watchword of the Jewish people is ‘Israel’s mission is peace,’ and that this holds true for all the scattered communities to which the Jewish people have been dispersed and are now, alas, being further dispersed with great brutality.

“I take this occasion to express to you our grateful thanks for the bringing together of the Evian conference and the further efforts you have made in aid of the sorely tried refugees.

“It will be a privilege to me to have the opportunity to visit you at the White House.

“With the hope that you will have the time to spend a happy holiday with your family, I am

“Faithfully yours, Cyrus Adler.”

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