Grave dangers as well as strong possibilities for good so far as Jews of America are concerned were pointed out Friday afternoon in a talk broadcast over WMCA by Dr. Conrad Hoffman, general secretary of the International Missionary Councils on the Christian Committee to the Jews.
“We in America must clean house at home,” Dr. Hoffman declared. He recommended a campaign of neighborliness to be fostered by the churches as a bulwark against anti-Semitism in this country.
The speaker called Adolf Hitler of Germany “the greatest publicity agent for Jewry” because he has made the world conscious of the Jews and the Jews conscious of their race.
“Adolf Hitler’s anti-Semitism is nothing new,” Dr. Hoffman asserted. “It is merely the latest episode in an age-old experience of Jewry. The Jew has been the world’s scapegoat.”
The Nazi brand of anti-Semitism is peculiar, however, he added, in that for the first time since the World War persecution of the Jews is openly fostered by a government.
Dr. Hoffman said there have been violent outbreaks since 1918 in various parts of Europe, but no ruler of recent years prior to the accession to power of Hitler placed his official stamp of approval on anti-Semitism.
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.