U.S. Rabbis Appeal to World Religious Leaders on Fate of Soviet Jews

An appeal to the world leaders of the major religions to express their opposition to the continued policies of the Soviet Union “in uprooting and destroying the fundamental tenets of Judaism and religious liberty” was voiced today by Rabbi Israel Miller of New York, the newly elected president of the Rabbinical Council of America. The Orthodox group of spiritual leaders ended their five-day convention here today.

“These leaders,” Rabbi Miller said,” should arouse and mobilize the peoples and governments of the world in a vigorous campaign to reverse anti-Semitic outbursts which have been fully confirmed in reports emanating from Russia.” He pointed out the contradiction in the Soviet Union playing a role as the champion of the newly emerging nations of Africa and South America while at the same time undermining the religious and cultural freedom of Russian Jewry.

Referring to the religious situation in American colleges today, Rabbi Miller announced that he will appoint a campus commission as part of the Rabbinical Council to help students in understanding the secular challenge to their religious ideals.

The Commission will cooperate with communal and college agencies in an attempt to instill students with what the Rabbi termed “a sense of commitment to religious values.”