President Ford said in a Rosh Hashanah message to American Jews that in the celebration of our nation’s Bicentennial “it is only fitting that we express our pride in the indelible stamp of Jewish wisdom and experience on our way of life” which was “strong and vital from the moment the American continent became a promised land of hope and opportunity.”
In extending greetings on behalf of Mrs. Ford and himself, the President observed that “Our early settlers closely identified with the teachings of the Prophets and dedicated themselves in this spirit to building a land that would make the vision of the Prophets a reality.”
He noted that “This was the spirit that sparked our independence and sustained us through many difficult struggles on the way to becoming a nation. It is also the spirit that has sustained the Jewish people and brought about the creation of the modern State of Israel. It is the same spirit that marks the special friendship of the American and Israeli peoples and guides us in our commitment to preserve the independence and security of both our lands.”
The President said that “American Jews can take satisfaction in their unsurpassed record of humanitarian concern, civic responsibility and devotion to justice. As individuals and through their organizations, they have worked tirelessly and unselfishly to live up to the faith of their fathers and the aspirations of the Founding Fathers of our country.”
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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.
