An urgent appeal for the two leading organizations representative of American Jewry to adopt a unified program in combating Nazi anti-Semitism is made in a statement to the American Jewish Congress and the American Jewish Committee, issued today by the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada. The appeal for cooperation between the two organizations is the result of conflicting moves made by them last week, when the American Jewish Committee condemned the use of mass-meetings, parades, and public demonstrations as a means of protest, indirectly discouraging participation in the mammoth parade being organized for May 10 by the American Jewish Congress, which is in favor of these public means of protest.
“The Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada feel grieved that at a time when the House of Israel finds itself in the throes of suffering the like of which it has not experienced in centuries, there is a lack of unity in our efforts to combat our common enemy,” reads the message, which is addressed to Cyrus Adler, President of the American Jewish Committee and Bernard S. Deutsch, President of the American Jewish Congress. “Hitler-ruled Germany has thrown off its garments of civilization and culture and has declared a primitive and brutal war against our Torah and against German Jewry.
“A sigh issues from every Jewish heart the world over, and a groan from every throat, as this terror stalks abroad. Therefore do we, the Orthodox Rabbis, make this urgent appeal to you, the heads of the two foremost Jewish organizations of America, the American Jewish Committee and the American Jewish Congress.
“This is no time for each one to pursue its own path. This is a time for united action. Each of your organizations has multitudes of loyal supporters among groups and individuals in the Jewish masses who confidently look to you for guidance in this moment of darkness. You must therefore strike a common ground which shall challenge American Jewry to unite in harmony for the rescue of its brethren in Germany.
“Confer jointly, take counsel, and decide definitely what course to follow. The eyes of all Israel are turned towards you, expecting positive, constructive leadership in this crisis. We, in behalf of the Orthodox Jews of this country, are ready to support any united policy upon which you may agree. If you choose, we shall hold huge mass meetings of protest, and prayers to cry out in all our agony in distress. If you decide upon a more reserved course, that path shall we also pursue. But be that as it may, a common path must be struck immediately, and without delay.”
The message is signed by Rabbi L. Silver, president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis, by Rabbis Margolies, Leventhal, and Rosenberg, the honorary presidents, and by Rabbi Seltzer, secretary.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
