Orthodox Rabbinical Leaders Voice Shock, Sorrow over Negro Anti-semitism

Leading Orthodox rabbis expressed shock and sorrow yesterday at Negro anti-Semitism and at the “ironic” turn of events in which Jews, traditionally in the forefront of the struggle for civil rights, now find themselves the victims of those they have sought to help. The rabbis expressed their views at the annual conference of the Rabbinical Council of America, the association of Orthodox rabbis, attended by about 500 of them.

The comments were made by Zev Segal, of Newark, president; Rabbi Bernard L. Berzon of Brooklyn, N.Y., first vice-president; and Rabbi Israel Klaven, executive vice-president. The views were contained in interviews with the rabbis and in speeches at the conference. “It is improper to classify the current wave of anti-Semitism in America strictly as black anti-Semitism,” Rabbi Segal said. “There has been a tendency among the white non-Jewish community to play the role of coat-holders as they enjoy the Negro and Jew in conflict.” He added that it was unfair to leave the struggle against black anti-Semitism to the Jewish population alone. He added, “There must be an aroused community at least as much as there was concerning the Negro’s struggle for civil rights. The white community is tolerant of the destruction of Jewish property and danger to Jewish lives from black anti-Semitism. He also said black anti-Semitism must be fought vigorously. “The destruction of 6,000,000 Jews in the crematoria did not begin there,” he said. “It began with smashing windows. Windows at Young Israel Synagogue in Newark are smashed weekly,” he asserted. “Police are alerted and are forever investigating but solving nothing.”

Rabbi Berzon and Rabbi Klaven expressed “shock, horror and consternation” at the current situation. “The Jewish people have done much for the Negro in the last decade to help get them in a place in the American sun and some of us will continue to do so despite the slander against the Jews,” Rabbi Berzon said. “But it is ironic and inconceivable that black anti-Semitism should exist.” Rabbi Klaven warned the Negroes that “no one can build his freedom on the back of someone else. Negroes who have suffered so much from prejudice ought to recognize it.”