Dr. A. J. Rongy, Vice-President of the American Jewish Congress and a member of its Administrative Committee, has severed his connections with that organization as a protest against the stand taken by Dr. Stephen S. Wise in connection with the candidacy of Mr. Albert Ottinger for the Governorship of the State of New York.
Dr. Rongy resigned his offices in a letter sent to Mr. Bernard G. Richards, Executive Secretary of the American Jewish Congress, a copy of which he released to the “Jewish Daily bulletin.” His communication to Mr. Richards follows:
Mr. Bernard C. Richards, Secretary, American Jewish Congress, New York, N. Y. Dear Sir:
I hereby tender my resignation as Vice-President and member of the Administrative Committee of the American Jewish Congress. I feel that the policy pursued by Dr. Stephen S. Wise, President of the Congress, in connection with the candidacy of Mr. Ottinger for the Governorship of the State of New York makes it impossible for me to continue my relationship with the Congress.
I have always been of the opinion that race and religion should be kept out of American political life. Democracy cannot and will not survive unless this is strictly adhered to. Dr. Wise has the right to express his own political views in favor of or against any candidate. But as President of the American Jewish Congress it ill became him to criticize the Jewishness of Mr. Ottinger or the kind of a Jews he is. As the leader of the Congress movement he had no right to speak with derision of the first Jewish gubernatorial candidate nominated for that high office by the Republican Party of the entire State. It seems to me that if Mr. Ottinger had been elected Governor of the State of New York, and because he is a Jew–maybe not the kind that Dr. Wise or I wish him to be–he would have shown some of the Eastern and Central European countries where Jews are being persecuted, that the position of the Jew in the United States is one of dignity and political security.
I have never had the opportunity of meeting Mr. Ottinger and the basis of my decision in this matter is purely objective and impersonal. With kindest regards, I remain
Sincerely yours,
DR. A. J. RONGY.
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