Addressing the opening session of the annual meeting of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the organization of Reform rabbis, Dr. Philip S. Bernstein, president, said that in pledging support for Israel he was critical of the fact that Reform and Conservative phases of Judaism did not enjoy in Israel the same status as other religious groups. He expressed hope that this condition would be rectified.
Reviewing general conditions, Rabbi Bernstein said: “Organized religion must support the forces of law, order and freedom in this struggle. The people of Russia are entitled to any kind of government they are ready to accept. But the government of Soviet Russia does not have the right to impose its domination or its social order on other nations. Unless such enforced dominations is resisted, it will engulf the entire civilized world. Therefore, organized resistance by the United Nations to such aggression is morally right and realistically imperative.
“Therefore,” Rabbi Bernstein continued, “the president of your conference expressed his endorsement of the policies followed by the President of the United States at this time. I support his policies to resist and to localize aggression. I commend him for acting within the framework of the United Nations. The policy of our government does not guarantee peace. There can be no absolute guaranty of peace without the co-operation of the Kremlin.”
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.
