Los Angeles Conference Endorses I. O. B. B. Action on “King of Kings” (By Our Los Angeles Correspondent)
A conference to determine the attitude of the Los Angeles Jewish community on the film “King of Kings” was held here today attended by representatives of all shades of opinion. The conference adopted a series of resolutions in which the policy of the Anti-Defamation League of the Independent Order B’nai B’rith in connection with the film was endorsed.
A committee appointed by Judge Harry A. Hollzer, chairman of the meeting, was authorized to issue the following statement:
“Articles pablished within the past few weeks relative to the motion picture known as the ‘King of Kings,’ reseated in a situation which in the opinion of Judge Harry A. Hollzer and other .leaders of the local Jewish Community required collective judgment and careful thought.
“With a sincere desire to aid in reaching a correct determination of this problem, Judge Hollzer invited about 50 representative Jewish men and women to join in Conference in the offices of the Federation of Jewish Welfare Organizations on Tuesday afternoon, December 13. Among those who registered attendance were:
“Lionel E. Bernstein, David E. Blumberg, Joseph Bonapart. Emil Brown. Louis M. Cole. Oscar R. Cummins. Rabbi Maxwell H. Dubin, Harry A. Finkenstein, M. J. Finkenstein, Wm. S. Feuer. Ben M. Goldman, I. Gorin. Judge Harry A. Hollzer, Rabbi Isador Isaacson, Judge Adolph Kraus, Philip Kleiner, Rabbi Julius A. Leibert, Jacob J. Lieberman, H. Lindenberger, Sig Lipman, I. Irving Lipsitch, Rabbi Herman Lissauer, Rabbi Rudolph Luppo, Rabbi Edgar F. Magnin, Joseph L. Malamut, Samuel Markowitz, S. G. Marshutz. Albert Melinkoff, Mrs. Helen Melinkoff, Alexander Meyer, Ben R. Meyer, George Mosbacher, Rabbi S. M. Neches, Dr. S. G: Reynolds, Aaron Riche, L. A. Nose, Lester W. Roth, Caesar Samuels, Dr. Geo. J. Sayliny, Ben J. Schenieman, Chaim Shapiro, Adolph Sieroty, David Tanenbaum. Moses Tannenbaum, Rabbi Ernest R. Trattner, David Weissman, Rabbi Mayer Winkler.
“In opening the Conference, Judge Hollzer made a preliminary statement indicating the need for arriving at a unanimity of opinion regarding steps that should be taken by the Jewish community of Los Angeles with reference to this picture.
“As a result of its deliberations, the Conference adopted the following resolutions:
“Resolved: That this Conference expresses its confidence in, and its appreciation of the efforts heretofore made by the Anti-Defamation League of the Independent Order of B’nai B’rith and its representatives on the Pacific Coast and in the East in connection with the ‘King of Kings’ and the production of films in the future.
“Resolved” That this Conference recommends to the Independent Order of B’nai B’rith the consideration of calling into consultation on this subject, other national Jewish organizations, such as the American Jewish Committee, United Synagogues, Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Rabbinical Assembly, the Union of Orthodox Congregations and similar bodies.
“Resolved further: That the services of Mr. Ben R. Meyer of Los Angeles, generously offered to this Conference, be tendered to the Independent Order of B’nai B’rith in connection with any further efforts to be made.”
“Resolved: That this Conference urges the removal, insofar as possible, of the ‘King of Kings’ from the screen, as being conducive to race prejudice and religious misunderstanding.
“Resolved: That this Conference urges the Anti-Defamation League of the Independent Order of B’nai B’rith, through its duly authorized representatives, to further approach Mr. Cecil B. DeMille, with the view of eliminating the exhibition of the ‘King of Kings’ in such countries where race prejudice and religious conflict are likely to be aroused.
“Resolved further: That this Conference recommends to the Anti-Defamation League of the Independent Order of B’nai B’rith, that through appropriate channels, the attitude of Jewish people to the ‘King of Kings’ be made known.
“In adjourning the Conference the Chairman acknowledged his appreciation to those who attended, adding that he believed he expressed the sentiment of all present that as a result of these deliberations, we would create a greater harmony and solidarity in the Jewish Community of Los Angeles.”
The committee consisted of Maxwell H. Dubin, Samuel Markowitz, Aaron Riche, Harry A Hollzer, Chairman and I. Irving Lipsitch. Secretary.
Judge I. M. Golden of San Francisco, addressed the meeting of Los Angeles Lodge No. 487 of the B’nai B’rith in the evening. He gave to the Lodge an exposition of the subject, explaining the history of the efforts expended and the results achieved by the Anti-Defamation League of the B’nai B’rith.
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.
