The job of fighting anti-Semitism in the United States is mainly one of education over a long period of time, it was stressed here by leaders of the American Jewish Committee and the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation League, addressing a seminar on “Anti-Semitism in the United States” at the 11th General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, which closed today.
Judge Joseph M. Proskauer, president of the American Jewish Committee, told the assembled delegates that a distinction must be drawn between two types of anti-Semitism: that of the professional anti-Semite, who is after power or monetary gain, and that of the mass of the American people who have no connection with the professionals, but who are “tainted” by the disease. In fighting anti-Semitism, Judge Proskauer said, it is necessary to have a positive program which will build confidence rather than division. As an example he cited his recent four-point tolerance pledge which has been endorsed by Catholic and Protestant churchmen.
Judge Proskauer counselled against over-stressing specific manifestations of anti-Semitism, since by so doing, he said, the impression is given that anti-Semitic activities are of greater scope than they actually are. He pointed out that Jews are not alone in suffering from racial intolerance, since Catholics have come up against the same problem. He warned, however, against “false friends” who participate in the struggle against anti-Semitism for their own ends. As an example of such “friends,” he cited Kenneth Leslie and the “Protestant” magazine, and also the “Textbook Commission” formed by Leslie to secure the elimination of anti-Semitic references from textbooks. Judge Proskauer charged that Leslie was primarily anti-Catholic rather than pro-Jewish and that his activities were aimed mainly at attacking Catholic rather than aiding Jews.
Richard E. Gutstadt, executive director of the Anti-Defamation League, outlined the League’s activities, stressing that its two main approaches were to work through leaders of public opinion and through mass educational programs. He emphasized that combatting anti-Semitism was a task which had to be carried out over a long period of time. The present wave of anti-Semitic activities in the United States began, Mr. Gutstadt said, in October, 1924, when the first chapter of the Nazi Bund was organized here. Many millions of dollars were spent by the anti-Semites before the Jews began their counter-education which had to start from scratch, the A.D.L. head declared.
Third speaker at the seminar was David Sher, a member of the executive committee of the American Jewish Committee, who spoke in place of Dr. John Slawson, the Committee’s executive vice-president, who was unable to appear. Mr. Sher said that the American public is divided into three groups: 1- Violent anti-Semites whom it is impossible to convert: 2- Philo-Semites whom it is unnecessary to convert; and 3- The majority of Americans “who can and must be persuaded.” He reiterated that anti-Semitism is a problem of the entire community, not merely the Jews. Since it is always an instrument of Fascism, Mr. Sher asserted, it is possible to fight it on various levels, by pointing out to each group within the community how it will be harmed by Fascism.
12-POINT RELIEF AND RESCUE PROGRAM OUTLINED
A twelve-point program for the immediate rescue of Jews in European lands through relief and rehabilitation overseas, immigration and settlement in Palestine and aid to refugees finding a haven in the United States was outlined this afternoon at a luncheon meeting. Dr. James G. Heller, of Cincinnati, national chairman of the United Palestine Appeal; Joseph C. Hyman, executive vice-chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee and William Rosenwald, honorary president of the National Refugee Service were the principal speakers. They dealt with the $32,000,000 nationwide campaign of the United Jewish Appeal and emphasized the following rescue points:
1. Emigration of children and adult refugees who reach Spain and Portugal and others who can be transported from the Balkans. Many of these are to be brought to Palestine, others to the Western Hemisphere.
2. Shipment of food and medicines for Polish refugees in Soviet Russia. In this operation will be included the shipment of 5,000 food packages monthly from the Middle East to refugees in Asiatic Russia.
3. Increased aid to refugees in Allied and neutral countries, especially Switzerland where 13,000 refugees are being supported. Also direct aid to Jews in occupied areas through government-approved channels and international relief groups.
4. Continued assistance for integration of 125,000 immigrants in Latin American countries.
5. Immigration into Palestine. Under present Government provisions an additional 31,000 refugees can enter the Jewish homeland in the coming months.
6. Acquisition of new land areas in Palestine to provide opportunities for absorption in rural communities for the newcomers.
7. The establishment of new agricultural settlements in Palestine; the building of homes, barns and schools and the purchase of farm implements and livestock.
8. The development of new industrial enterprises in Palestine to expand its economy so that it may be able to provide jobs for greater numbers.
9. To help newcomers adjust to the social and cultural life of the U.S.
10. To make trained personnel available for the war effort through retraining, employment, placement of physicians and members of other professions.
11. To give economic and other assistance to refugees who continue to arrive in the United States, as well as to those already here.
12. To locate relatives in the U.S. of refugees scattered over the world.
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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.
