Jewish Congress Reiterates Pledge to Fight Religion in Public Schools

The National Governing Council of the American Jewish Congress, the policy-making body of the organization, today took issue with two editorials which had appeared in the Jesuit magazine “America” warning that anti-Semitism might result if Jewish groups continued their campaign to oppose religious practices in public schools. The Council pledged not to abandon the effort to keep sectarian practices out of public schools.

Addressing the session of the Council, which was attended by more than 100 members from various sections of the country, Ephraim S. London, chairman of the AJC Commission on Law and Social Action, said that the American Jewish Congress does not claim to speak for the Jewish people as a whole. However, he drew attention to the fact that “the Supreme Court decision outlawing the New York Regents’ Prayer has been acclaimed not only by Protestant church groups but by every major American Jewish organization, including both the congregational and rabbinical bodies of the three branches of Judaism–Orthodox, Conservative and Reform.”

Mr. London said that opposition to the high court decision was based on the “false conclusion” that the court had ruled against prayer. “In fact,” Mr. London declared, “the decision rests on an understanding of the fundamental nature of prayer–that it is a communication between man and his God, resting on the individual’s personal belief, rather than on a ritual imposed by governmental ruling.

“The decision holds firmly that religious observance is not to be controlled, specified or compelled by government agencies. When the nature of the decision is eventually understood, it will be welcomed, accepted and implemented in the great majority of public schools in this country,” Mr. London stated.

Ten rabbis jailed for participating in the anti-segregation protest organized by the Albany Movement in Georgia last month were honored by the American Jewish Congress at a luncheon. They received scrolls citing their “courage, devotion to liberty and fulfillment of the teachings of our prophets.” Dr. Joachim Prinz, president of the AJ Congress, made the presentation.

The ten rabbis honored are: Rabbi Israel S Dresner, Springfield, N.J.; Rabbi Kurt Flascher, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Rabbi Everett Eugene Gendler, Princeton, N.J.; Rabbi Robert Eugene Goldburg, Hamden, Conn.; Rabbi A. Bruce Goldman, Paramus, N.J.; Rabbi Richard Israel, New Haven, Conn.; Rabbi Jordan S. Ofseyer, New Haven, Conn.; Rabbi Allen Secher, Massapequa, Long Island, N.Y.; Rabbi Sanford M. Shapero, Bridgeport, Conn.; and Rabbi Lloyd Tennenbaum, Hintington, N.Y.