Jewish Defense League Asks Dollars for ‘civilian Patrols’, Hit by 3 Organizations

The Jewish Defense League, an organization which purports to protect Jewish life and property in racially tense and high crime areas, received a sharp rebuff today from three major national Jewish organizations. It had asked contributions totalling $100,000 from several organizations to help staff and equip its “civilian patrols.”

The JDL’s request, from the organization’s director, Rabbi Meir Kahane, asked $12,500 from the American Jewish Congress, American Jewish Committee, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, United Synagogue of America, Jewish War Veterans of the United States Workmen’s Circle, the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies and the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith. Most Jewish organizations have taken a dim view of JDL activities in the past.

Mr. Kahane an Orthodox rabbi, claimed that the organizations had come under “widespread criticism” for allegedly not contributing to the defense of Jews against neighborhood crime, which, he said, is rampant in Jewish sections of New York City.

Will Maslow, executive director of the AJCongress, said in a statement issued today. “We have not received any request from the Jewish Defense League that we contribute to help support its activities. Were we to receive such a request, we would throw it into the waste basket.” Mr. Maslow said the AJCongress did “not consider the JDL a responsible Jewish organization; on the contrary, we think that its activities do more harm than good. The JDL tactics do not enhance the security of the Jewish community…they serve only to heighten tensions, increase hostility and create panic.”

Arnold Forster, general counsel of the ADL, called the JDL’s request for money an example of “chutzpah.” Noting that the ADL has always worked effectively and successfully with legitimate law enforcement agencies, Mr. Forster declared, “If all groups were to form their own so-called “defense leagues’ this country would be headed toward national polarization and violence fast approaching anarchy. The ADL will have no part in the Jewish Defense League’s business of hysteria. The Jewish Defense League is a vigilante group and its activities are no less harmful and dangerous because it has called itself Jewish.”

Edward Moldover, president of the New York chapter of the AJCommittee. said “We prefer to put our faith in Police Commissioner Howard Leary and New York’s Finest to provide protection for the residents of our city. If there are needs for additional police protection, the way to achieve that is through duly established legal authorities, not through vigilante groups. Building a safer city is one of the prime concerns of the AJCommittee and in that connection we have been, and will continue to be, in contact with the New York Police Department concerning effective and comprehensive police protection.”