American Jewish Congress Expels Eight Officers; Dissolves Manhattan Division

The American Jewish Congress today announced that its national executive committee unanimously voted to expel seven officers of the Manhattan Division and one member of the Philadelphia Division, suspended the rights of 13 other persons in New York and Philadelphia to hold any elective on appointive office in the organization for periods of two and three years and directed the dissolution of the Manhattan Division.

The action of the executive committee followed the presentation of reports by two hearing committees appointed earlier this year by Rabbi Irving Miller, president. The Manhattan group were found guilty of a series of charges including violations of Congress policy, misrepresentation of its program, and circumvention of normal administrative routines. The Philadelphia members were charged with conduct inimical to the welfare of the American Jewish Congress.

In announcing the decisions of the executive committee Rabbi Miller declared: “These’ actions have not been taken lightly. They have been the result of extensive discussion and of procedures designed fully to safeguard the rights of those involved. There will always be room in the American Jewish Congress for the expression of disagreement as to the programs and policies of the movement. But there can be no room for those who, while mouthing the slogans of democracy, refuse to accept the elementary responsibilities of democratic discipline within the movement.”