Delegates to the second national conference of the South African Orthodox Congregations, unanimously endorsed today a statement by the organization’s chairman, Dr. Israel Bershon, pledging “loyalty to the future Republic of South Africa. ” The statement said “we shall continue to work in the future, as in the past, for the good of the country.” The Union of South Africa, which recently took itself out of the British Commonwealth, will become a republic soon under the present South African Government.
Dr. Bershon told the delegates: “We are meeting at a time when our country is passing through a period of stress and strain, and is being attacked in many quarters. The Jewish community, at no time aligned itself with any particular party or section, and has not taken a uniform stand on questions agitating the political scene. But it is my pleasant duty to record our appreciation to the present Government for its fair treatment of the Jewish community. This attitude to the Jewish section of the population is in accordance with the policy of all previous South African governments. Our religious community, whenever it had the occasion to contact any government department, has always been treated in the most courteous and helpful manner.”
Chief Rabbi L.I. Rabinowitz told the conference that the Jew has undivided loyalty to the country of which he is a citizen, regardless of whether it is a monarchy or a republic. “We have also, ” said the Chief Rabbi, “a greater loyalty-to the brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God, on the principle of justice and human equality for all, without distinction of race, creed or color. It is my fervent prayer that the contribution which the Jews will make to the coming republic will be an even greater unfolding of the spirit of God. I pray that God will guide the rulers of the republic through trials and problems to find God’s way for man.”
Greetings were delivered at the conference by Mayor D. Marais, who paid tribute to the contribution of the Jewish community to this city; Jacob Doron, Israeli Consul-general here; and Dr. T. Schneider, a member of Parliament.
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