A warning that religious intolerance “must be exposed and resisted” as a “threat to all Americans” was voiced today by Dr. Louis Finkelstein, president of the Jewish Theological Seminary, at a session of the eighth annual general assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds. The conference opened at the Biltmore Hotel here last night with some 500 Jewish welfare and communal leaders present.
Addressing a luncheon session on “Cooperation of Religious Faiths for American Democracy,” under the chairmanship of Alan M. Stroock, of the American Jewish Committee’s survey committee, Dr. Finkelstein said:
“Every one of us, Catholic, Protestant or Jew, owes too much to our country to permit himself to become an instrument (however unwitting) in the destruction of her liberties. The attack on any group is an attack on all, for America knows no majority and minority. We are all minorities, and we are all members of the totality of America. America has meant to us all freedom, opportunity, and an opportunity for creative life. The preservation of America and her institutions constitute a moral imperative for us. Any threat to her safety is a threat to civilization itself.”
Other scheduled speakers at today’s sessions were Mrs. Vera Micheles Dean, of the Foreign Policy Association; William J. Shroder, chairman of the Council’s Board; Jacob Blaustein, president of the Overseas News Agency; Dr. Solomon Lowenstein, Council treasurer, Sidney Hollander, Council president, and H.L. Lurie, who delivered his report as executive director.
Discussion of “Social Planning for Defense” featured the opening session last night of the three-day assembly. John M. Schiff, chairman of the Jewish Welfare Board’s Army and Navy Committee, reported that the committee had undertaken “intensive organization of Jewish communities, primarily near cantonments” in order to maintain the “civilian spirit” among the draftees.
Other speakers last night were Robert E. Bondy, president of the National Social Work Council, and Edward M.M. Warburg, who presided.
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.
