from accurate. The fact of the matter is, he pointed out, an increasing number of Jews each year are winning high places in industry and the professions.
The rabbi asserted there were no figures to prove that criminal tendencies are more pronounced among Jews and cited the names of great leaders of the race, who, he said, were winning respect and renown for Jews everywhere.
“For this contention and for his assertion that ‘a Jewish crime wave of considerable proportions exists over the country, Judge Cayton owes an apology to the Jews of Washington and to those of America” Rabbi George Silverman assured an audience last night in the Tifereth Israel Synagogue.
Cayton’s remarks which have evoked so much excitement were made after a reference to the problems that beset the Jews during the days of Maccabeans.
“A situation no less serious and demanding no less courage faces us today,” he said. “Our trouble is our own making. I refer to the Jewish crime wave.
“There was a time when a Jewish gunman was unheard of and Jewish citizenship was synonymous with good American citizenship.
“But almost overnight we have produced far more than our share of criminals. The Jewish crime wave is an actual, shameful, awful reality.”
Judge Cayton blamed the wave on lack of training in the home and synagogue. He said:
“I believe that during the past decade, we have definitely failed to perform our duty as Jews and Americans.”
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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.
