Declaring that there has been no improvement in the condition of world Jewry, Alfred M. Cohen, president of B’nai B’rith, told the annual gathering of its executive committee today that the United States was “the bright spot in all the world for the Jew.”
Mr. Cohen praised Americans for upholding democratic traditions and cited the re-election of two Jewish governors as evidence that religious and racial discrimination is frowned upon in this country, but added that the favorable position of the American Jews carried with it responsibility to Jews in other lands.
Officers of B’nai B’rith’s Anti-Defamation League stressed the necessity for fighting anti-Semitism. Richard E. Gutstadt, director of B’nai B’rith’s Anti-Defamation League, reported it had handled 968 cases in 1936 as compared with 287 in 1935.
He expressed conviction that “as a result of the election a substantial number of agencies will cease to function. We are equally convinced, however, that the hostile propaganda is by no means at an end in our country, but that as a matter of fact anti-Semites and other enemies of the American system are actively at work rebuilding their fences and planning destructive action of a character which counsels the utmost vigilance and concern on the part of American Jewry, ” he said.
“We are convinced further that foreign governments are profoundly interested in enhancing such propaganda influences and that every precaution must be taken to prevent any success attaching to these un-American movements.”
Sigmund Livingston, chairman of the league, declared that “the Christian church must make a struggle to free the mind of the public from the foibles and prejudices which create antagonism against the Jew.” He urged the Jews “by our behavior under the present conditions” to earn the respect of the rational part of the public.
The executive heard reports on the speakers’ bureau, which seeks to offset anti-Semitism and create goodwill; the Hillel foundations, which celebrated their thirteenth year with morale, according to Director A.L. Sachar, higher than at any time since 1929, and with 10,000 student members.
Membership of B’nai B’rith has increased from 414 lodges to 441, it was reported, and membership in women’s auxiliaries has risen from 10,000 to 15,000.
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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.
