An appeal that Jews cooperate with President Roosevelt because his ideals are identical with those of the ancient Hebrew prophets was made by Rabbi Samuel H. Goldenson in his sermon yesterday at Congregation Emanu-El, Fifth avenue and Sixty-fifth street.
“When he looks over the American commonwealth, Franklin D. Roosevelt sees the same type of thing and the same type of person that some of our sages of Israel saw,” Rabbi Goldenson declared. “He sees the forgotten man.”
“The President took good tidings to the forgotten man,” the rabbi continued, thus assuring them that “there is someone in high authority who is fighting for them, fighting to bring a ‘new deal’ into the councils of the politically mighty.” Mr. Roosevelt articulated the New Deal in what is called a planned society, Dr. Goldenson added. “The motive of this planning is to give a better place to the forgotten man in society, so as to bring the unfavored into a favored position.”
Declaring that there is something in the President’s insight and motives which call forth understanding and sympathy from the Jews, Rabbi Goldenson counseled the congregation to think along the lines of social reconstruction in order to bring more cheer, well-being and happiness into the lives of the great masses of men.
The President’s leadership “is a leadership of moral will and purpose,” he said.
“We should be thankful,” Dr. Goldenson concluded, “that we are living in America and not in another land where another leader is bringing together hateful notions and hateful ideas.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
