Rabbi Maurico N. Eisendrath, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, yesterday denounced a “growing element” among Jews who he said were part of the “white backlash” against Negroes.
Addressing the opening session of the UAHC’s board of trustees here, Dr. Eisendrath told representatives of the Reform Synagogues that “we Jews are becoming victims of the wave of reaction against the Negro that is sweeping the nation.” He cited the recent Civilian Review Board question on which he estimated New York Jews voted 3 to 1 against the Board that would protect Negro rights.
He called on Jews to fight anti-Negro reaction and the retreat from the civil rights struggle. He said he felt there was some justification for charges that certain Negro elements were becoming anti-Semitic and displaying “black power” tendencies. But he added, “we must remember that for every Negro who tosses a brick there are a hundred thousand similarly disadvantaged and disillusioned who do not.”
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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.
