The 30th annual observance of Brotherhood Week, sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, started today throughout the country with more than 10,000 communities participating in it. President Lyndon B. Johnson is honorary chairman of the celebration.
Dedicated to the idea of respect for individuals and stressing the Judeo-Christian concept that all men are joined in kinship under the Fatherhood of God, the observance was marked by a variety of special meetings and programs all through the nation, according to Dr. Lewis Webster Jones, president of the Conference.
Former Congressman Brooks Hays, national chairman of the Brotherhood Week, reported that special religious services were held today in churches and synagogues emphasizing the moral and spiritual values underlying the brotherhood ideal. As part of the observance, rabbis, Protestant ministers and Catholic priests visited one another’s congregations in numerous circles, delivering special Brotherhood Week sermons. In Newton, Mass., the Most Rev. Eric F. McKenzie, Catholic bishop in Boston, participated in the services at Temple Emanuel, conducted by the congregation’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Albert I, Gordon.
One of the events connected with the observance was the posthumous award by the Congregation B’nai Jeshurun Men’s Club here of its annual Brotherhood citation to the late President Kennedy. Rabbi William Berkowitz, spiritual leader of the congregation, presented the award at Sabbath services yesterday to Dr. Jones. A message from President Johnson: lauded the congregation for the award.
Proclamations by governors and mayors gave official sanction in many localities to support President Johnson’s national call for community participation. “Brotherhood Week 1964 is a time of deep appraisal for all Americans,” the President said. “Tragedy is in our land and from the darkness of our sorrow ought to come a new dedication to the ideals of love and brotherhood. Democracy cannot live in hate and fear. Prejudice and bigotry are the advance guard of failure.
“In this time, still heavy with sadness, I urge all my fellow Americans to Join with me and the National Conference of Christians and Jews in this national community celebration of tolerance, truth and charity toward our neighbors, wherever they live, whoever they are.” President Johnson stressed.
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