Attacks on the “barbarous cruelty” of the Nazi persecution of German Jews, voiced by three United States Senators, William E. Borah, Robert F. Wagner and Royal S. Copeland, in letters to Dr. I. Edwin Goldwasser, co-chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, were made public Friday by Dr. Goldwasser.
“Everyone should be willing to assist in this humanitarian enterprise,” Senator Borah wrote, with reference to the Appeal. “After we have done the very best possible for these suffering people, we will still leave them in a most unhappy and unfortunate situation. The barbarous cruelty to which they have been subjected can only be assuaged in part, but that part we ought all to unhesitatingly perform.”
The Appeal should provoke a “spontaneous response from every quarter,” declared Senator Wagner. “In this country the Jews have never failed to show unbounded generosity toward every worthy cause,” the New York Senator continued, “and at this time I want to make a special appeal to all non-Jews to assist in this great humanitarian endeavor to provide that those who are routed from their homes shall have a new haven where they may live peacefully and participate in every type of activity.”
Letters from Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick of the Riverside Church and Dr. S. Parkes Cadman were also made public.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
