Reform Judaism to Establish ’emergency Task Force’ to Deal with Urban Crisis

An “emergency task force of Reform Judaism” to determine how Reform Jewry can be “more meaningfully involved and more effectively active in the urban crisis of our country” will be established by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations by decision of its board of trustees. The decision was taken by the board at the closing session of its semi-annual meeting here. Earl Morse, chairman of the board, will head the task force which is to report back to the board in the fall.

The resolution warned Jews “not to over-react to isolated incidents” of black anti-Semitism nor to condemn the entire black community for extremist acts. The resolution stressed that “we must never lose sight of our moral imperatives to increase our efforts to resolve the underlying injustices in our society.”

A warning that “moderate, constructive and responsible” students will be driven further toward the revolutionary camp unless the adult community learns to trust youth was served on the board by Marvin Braiterman, director of education and research of the UAHC religious action center in Washington.

Mr. Braiterman asserted that youthful dissent was “generated for the most part and in the first instance by adult fear and hatred of young people, coupled with contempt for their long-standing grievances, legitimate interests and moral concerns.” He said that the way “many of us have played fast and loose with the right of lawful dissent” had helped convince many students that “ugly confrontations or the threat of them are the only way to gain serious attention from public opinion or the educational or political establishment.”

A 19-year-old Harvard sophomore, Sanford F. Borins, of Toronto, told the board that “hard and honest application of religious values” was essential if there was to be any hope of bridging the generation gap.” He said his generation needed the guidance of “men of religion who can criticize both our goals and the means we use to achieve them.” He asserted however that “religion’s role in a revolutionary time will not win it any friends.”