The Gottheil Medal, awarded annually by the Zeta Beta Tau, Jewish college fraternity, to the American who has done the most for Jewry, was presented Saturday night to the Pilgrimage team of the National Conference of Jews and Christians, the Reverend Everett R. Clinchy of New York City, Father J. Elliot Rose of Virginia, and Rabbi Morris S. Lazaron of Baltimore, at a banquet at the Metropolis Club, 105 West Fifty-seventh street.
Harold Riegelman, counsel to the Citizens’ Budget Committee and past president of the fraternity, made the presentation address. Commenting on the condition of the world, Riegelman said, “It need not seem strange that a world in bewildered stampede should crush and hurt its kind, or that part of mankind which has traditionally borne the brunt of its periodic madness should bear that brunt today.”
TASK OF PREVENTION
“That this should not be strange does not make the fact less tragic or a less damning indictment of human stupidity. The great task is not to excuse or explain but to prevent these senseless persecutions; or if civilization is so backward that they cannot be prevented, to keep the doctrine of hate and hurt within the narrowest bounds we can. The award of the Gottheil Medal fixes attention as never before on ways of doing that task,” he said.
Father J. Elliott Ross did not attend the banquet because of illness. The other two recipients of the award stood up together and at alternate intervals recounted some of the experiences of their tour, which took them to more than thirty-eight cities.
“This is not a tribute to persons but to an ideal,” Rabbi Lazaron declared. “We Jews underestimate the number of our friends. There is a great deal of friendship to be had if we conduct ourselves in the right manner.”
CLINCHY OPTIMISTIC
An encouraging outlook was presented by the Reverend Clinchy. “We have found that the picture is not very dark. People are ready for new notions and new ideas,” he pointed out.
Louis S. Posner was toastmaster. Other speakers were Herbert E. Steiner and Alvin T. Sapinsley, both past presidents of the fraternity. Telegrams of greetings were received from Governor Herbert H. Lehman and Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, former recipients of the Gottheil Medal.
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