An estimated 100 Orthodox. Conservative and Reform rabbis across the country will begin a five-day liquid fast tonight to protest against the Vietnam war and the murder of the II Israeli athletes in Munich last week. A number of rabbis planning to fast indicated that they would ask their congregants to join them in the fast, which was originally planned by the Central Conference of American Rabbis two weeks ago to protest the Vietnam war. Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman of the Central Synagogue in Manhattan said that the group would hold daily prayer and discussion gatherings in different synagogues in the city.
In other action protesting the Munich killings. Herbert Tenzer, president of the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York, announced an emergency appeal aimed at increasing funds for humanitarian aid to the thousands of Jews emigrating from the Soviet Union to Israel, and to Jews in danger and distress areas around the world. Tenzer, who said that the New Year is “under the pall cast” by the slaughter at Munich, told New Yorkers that through UJA’s resettlement and rehabilitation programs they hold the “ultimate key to the new lives” Jews in migration seek.
In his sermon today. Rabbi Israel Goldstein of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Manhattan stated that the Arab nations “must be made to feel that by condoning such acts (of terrorism) and by harboring such criminals, they are placing themselves beyond the pale of civilization. They must be made to feel the impact of the world’s moral condemnation.”
UNCEASING EFFORTS TOWARD PEACE
Yitzhak Rabin. Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, said in a nationwide telephone appeal to American Jewry to make special efforts to obtain Israel Bonds, that “we need economic strength to meet any situation and every opportunity to rescue our people.” Referring to the situation of the Jews in the Soviet Union. Rabin stated that “Russia has gone back to the Middle Ages to impose a ransom on educated Jews who want to go to Israel. This is blackmail, pure and simple, and Israel will never submit to blackmail. We are sure that world public opinion will force the Soviet Union to abandon this system of ransom.”
The Consul General of Israel in New York, David Rivlin, said in New Year’s greetings, “The outgoing Jewish year has been one of outstanding dramatic and historical events. There were incidents of blood-shed on Israel’s borders…and only this week the insane Arab terrorist criminal act against the Israeli Olympic team….We must carry on our untiring and unceasing efforts towards peace and understanding with our neighbors for their benefit as well as for ours,” In other statements, Gordon Brown, president of the United Israel Appeal of Canada, expressed shock and deepest sympathy at the Munich tragedy and “resolved to redouble our efforts to strengthen Israel and strive for peace and justice for our people and all peoples of goodwill.”
In Cleveland, Ohio, memorial services were held Friday for David Berger, one of the 11 Israeli athletes killed in Munich last week. Several thousand people attended the service for the athlete, who held both American and Israeli citizenships. Rabbi Arthur J. Lelyveld. former president of the American Jewish Congress, delivered the eulogy. Berger. who immigrated to Israel a year ago, is the son of a Shaker Heights. Ohio doctor. Special services in memory of the 11 athletes were held this weekend in all Louisville, Ky.-area synagogues. The memorial services were incorporated into the observance of the New Year.
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