Sobeloff Urges Maximum Support to Jewish Federations

American Jews were urged by Simon E. Sobeloff, Solicitor General of the United States, to give maximum support to the work of the Jewish Federations which, he said, were “the expression of a spirit that we rightly think of as Jewish but which has become part of the tradition we hold in common with our Christian neighbors.” He spoke at the 55th annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Chicago.

“The question,” he said, “is sometimes raised, why have separate Jewish charities# Those who ask this overlook the fact that traditionally in this country certain social services, notably hospitals and educational institutions, have been developed under sectarian sponsorship. Moreover, there are certain distinctive Jewish needs. When approached for distinctly Jewish purposes such as Jewish education or aid to Israel the same people are likely to raise the question whether, being Americans, we are morally bound to these causes–indeed, a few are beset by doubts whether our American loyalty does not conflict.

“American loyalty, Mr. Sobeloff pointed out, “does not demand of Americans that they shall suppress the natural promptings of their hearts in philanthropy or in cultural or religious affiliations or activity. Nationalism, as America defines it, is not like that of the totalitarian regimes. American nationalism makes its demands of complete political loyalty, which we meet willingly in common with our fellow citizens. American patriotism, however, does not seek to stifle diversities in religion or the associated diversities in ancestral traditions and group living.”

The U.S. Solicitor General emphasized that “no Jew is really secure if he finds it necessary to look over his shoulder, as it were, to see whether his Jewishness is showing; if he has to say to himself, ‘Now, you are being too Jewish.’ He is truly secure if he feels entirely free in regard to his Jewishness and takes it in his stride, with no more embarrassment or trepidation than a Methodist feels, or a Quaker. A man is free inwardly as well as outwardly when he feels that he can be himself without fear or apology and without need to deny his identity or to camouflage it or distort it to please his neighbors,” Mr. Sobeloff said.

ADVOCATES “COMPREHENSIVE AND DYNAMIC” JEWISH LIFE

Mr. Sobeloff expressed the conviction that if Jews in the United States are to achieve the full measure of their possibilities, they must envisage a community interest that is “comprehensive and dynamic.” Fund raising for overseas has indeed an important claim upon us, for what happens to Jews abroad may, as we have unhappily experienced, directly affect us here. But no one has the right, on the other hand, to behave as though foreign aid does not in the final analysis depend on the soundness and vigor of our American communities,” he stated.” These are the source from which all our causes are nourished.

“Likewise within our borders, man does not live by bread alone, but neither can he live without bread. Important as Jewish education is–and I have devoted much effort to promote it–it is no substitute for the due support of our programs for family welfare, for aid to dependent children, for care of the aged, for vocational guidance of our youth. A wholesome community takes account of them all, and the statesmanlike member of a Jewish community knows that none of them is superfluous,” Mr. Sobeloff declared.

Speaking concretely of the role of the Jewish Federations in American Jewish life, the Solicitor General said: “Federations could be established and grow in strength only because those who created them wanted to find, and succeeded in finding, a basis of unity for important and concrete objectives among a highly diversified Jewish population, differing in time of immigration, in the extent of Americanization, in religious views, and in social and economic interests.”