A slashing denunciation of the House Committee on Un-American Activities as guilty “of an act of almost unbelievable irresponsibility” in publishing testimony by an ex-Communist, Benjamin Gitlow, accusing the late Rabbi Stephen S. Wise and the late Dr. Judah L. Magnes of following the Communist Party line, was voiced here today by Rabbi Irving Miller, president of the Zionist Organization of America.
“Dr. Stephen S. Wise and Dr. Judah L. Magnes were two of the spiritual and intellectual giants of our day,” Rabbi Miller declared. “They were revered by men of good will throughout their lives and will be honored for their accomplishments by future generations–long after the smears of petty men have been forgotten.”
Dr. Miller added that “in giving currency to groundless and ridiculous charges against such noble characters, the House Committee on Un-American activities is undermining the confidence of American citizens in its own integrity, conscientiousness and devotion to democratic ideals.”
Previously, Dr. Israel Goldstein, president of the American Jewish Congress, and Rabbi Maurice N. Eisendrath, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, issued a joint statement castigating the committee for publication of the “fantastic” charges.
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.
