The Synagogue Council of America, representing all Jewish religious bodies in the United States, today issued a statement condemning Communism, lauding American action in Korea, urging Congress to enact at once measures of taxation and economic control to stem inflation and prevent profiteering, and terming hoarding as “wicked and disloyal.”
The statement, which was adopted unamimously at a special meeting of the Council’s executive, emphasizes that Judaism upholds peace as one of the highest ideals, and views war as tragedy. At the same time it points out that “there is no peace without justice and human freedom” and declares that world Communism and every form of totalitarianism, which repudiates the ethical values affirmed by religion, is seeking to destroy democratic government through the “cynical application” of guile and force.
“Peace-loving peoples gave expression through the Security Council of the United Nations to act with wisdom and full justification in immediately denouncing the invasion of South Korea,” the statement continues. “They requested to cease fire forthwith and the return by North Korean armies to their own territory which upon refusal to do so justifiably called for united resistance to the invaders. The President of the United States and Congress responded with commendable promptness and vigor to this appeal and other U.N. members have now given material and moral support to this undertaking.
“We affirm our full endorsement of these decisions. Whatever the mistakes of the past have been, and none of the nations have been wholly blameless, there was no other course to take in the face of armed aggression, ruthless and morally irresponsible. The successful fulfillment of this purpose will require our application not alone of physical, but of moral force. Our policies must demonstrate to the peoples of the world the gonuineness of our concern for human rights and liberty.
“Limitless sacrifice is being made by the men who are fighting under the banner of the U.N. Similar sacrifice is expected of those who are now being called to the colors. Under such circumstances, it is wicked and disloyal for sheltered civilians to exploit our conditions for their own selfish benefits. We condemn without reserve such practices as hoarding and profiteering. We are confident that the great majority of American citizens share this attitude. But for the restraint of the selfish minority and for the guidance of all Americans, we urge Congress to enact at once such measures of taxation and economic control as will effectively stem inflation and prevent profiteering.
“We call upon our congregations to join with Americans of every faith in fervent prayer that God may guide the leaders of our government and of the U.N. and prosper their highest aims. May we with God’s help speedily see the day when the unhappy people of Korea achieve security, union and independence as a free nation under a truly democratic government achieved through free elections under the United Nations’ supervision and protection. We also pray for peace throughout the world for all peoples based upon justice and freedom which is the fundamental right of all mankind,” the statement concludes.
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.
