Jerome D. Cohen of Brooklyn, N.Y., national commander of the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A., called on President Nixon today to restore the “Jewish seat” on the United States Supreme Court, which existed from 1916 to 1970. Cohen told Nixon that he “broke tradition” in naming Judge Harry A. Blackmun, a Protestant, to the seat held by Justices Louis D. Brandeis, Felix Frankfurter, Arthur J. Goldberg and Abe Fortas.
“Surely,” Cohen wrote,” there are qualified Americans of the Jewish faith who could meet your requirements. Indeed, such an appointment would once again establish a balance reflecting the pluralism of American life. We believe we are speaking for Jews throughout the country and of all political persuasions when we urge such an appointment.”
The JWV leader said the organization “held back our disappointment and chagrin” when Nixon broke “tradition” with Judge Blackmun, “on the assumption that at least one of the upcoming seats would go to a Justice of the Jewish faith.” He explained: “We could not conceive of this tradition being ignored in future appointments. For us, then, the moment of truth is at hand. We urge the President to make this appointment on one of the (two) pending seats.” Cohen also called on American Jewry to “speak out on this issue.”
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.
