Jewish Leaders Pay Tribute to Lbj

American Jewish leaders expressed shock and sorrow at the death of former President Lyndon Baines Johnson. They were unanimous in their praise of Johnson as a man who greatly aided Israel.

Israeli Ambassador Yitzhak Rabin, speaking last night at a farewell gathering sponsored by the National Committee for Labor Israel, said Johnson was “one of the presidents who have done so much in support of Israel.” Rabin said Israelis admired Mr. Johnson as “a leader who fought for equality at home and freedom abroad,” and said he was sure every Israeli feels affection “for the memory” of President Johnson.

American Jewish Committee president Philip E. Hoffman said “the Jewish community was united in its admiration of Mr. Johnson’s deep humanity, especially appreciating his support of Israel during its most trying hours.” He said Johnson’s “dedication to civil rights and his concern for the oppressed immeasurably benefitted and ennobled the nation.”

American Zionist Federation president Rabbi Israel Miller said “President Johnson will be remembered by Zionists everywhere as the man, who once convinced of the rightness of Israel’s cause, remained steadfast in his support of it.” Rabbi Miller said “It was Johnson, especially during the period he served as majority leader of the Senate, who kept a close watch on the administration’s policies and moves in the Middle East, remaining ever alert to safeguard Israel’s integrity and survival.

Mrs. Charlotte Jacobson, chairman of the American Section of the World Zionist Organization, said “We Jews knew him (Johnson) as a man of tolerance who always advocated equality for all peoples and as a true friend of Israel who believed its strength was the best guarantee of Middle East peace.”

HELPED ISRAEL DURING FLEDGLING YEARS

Mrs. Rose E. Matzkin, national president of Hadassah, sent a telegram of condolence to Mrs. Johnson on behalf of Hadassah’s 325,000 members. At a memorial service in Hadassah House for the late President, Mrs. Matzkin noted his friendship for Israel and understanding of its problems. She observed that during the Six-Day War, his firm support at that time was a dramatic demonstration of U.S. commitment to the security and integrity of the Jewish State.

B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation League national chairman Seymour Graubard said Johnson “understood the significance of Israel to American Jews as well as their commitment to human rights, His leadership in achieving historic civil rights legislation put into law the guarantees which Jews and all minorities sought in order to fulfill the promise of the American Dream. The ADL is proud to have honored him in 1965 with our highest award–the America’s Democratic Legacy Medallion for his distinguished contributions to the enrichment of our democratic heritage.”

Zionist Organization of America president Herman L. Weisman said that Johnson asserted his championship of Israel and the Zionist cause “at every level of public service, in the U.S. Congress and the White House.” Weisman said “Zionists will particularly remember his unstinting efforts in the Senate in assisting Israel during her fledgling years, and his forthright statesmanship as President in personally forestalling the possibility of Soviet intervention in the Six-Day War.”

National Jewish Welfare Board president Morton L. Mandel said Johnson’s “keen awareness of JWB’s work on behalf of the Jewish personnel in the military and his citations of JWB’s domestic efforts to build a better society gave us great inspiration.”

Rabbi Louis Bernstein, president of the Rabbinical Council of America, said Americans have lost one of the great champions of civil rights and Jews have lost one of the great friends of Israel. “Johnson proved to be a loyal and dedicated friend of Israel, particularly during the Six-Day War, when he stated in unmistakable terms that America would safeguard the integrity and sovereignty of the State of Israel despite pressure from Russia.”