“Our finest action in observing the 25th anniversary of the State of Israel is to emulate the resolve of the Israeli people to live and to think with the kind of courage which will make a mockery of the cowardice and inhumanity of those who strike in the darkness of the night or assault the defenseless.”
This was the message of Philip M. Klutznick, chairman of the Public Affairs Committee of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago on the beginning of the year-long celebration of Israel’s 25th anniversary. Klutznick, a former member of the US delegation to the United Nations with the rank of Ambassador, and general chairman of Chicago’s first JUF campaign, added that “this moment must be dedicated to a victory of light over darkness and courage over fear.”
Klutznick said that the Public Affairs Committee is planning a number of celebrations during the year to observe Israel’s 25th anniversary. During the coming Jewish United Fund campaign, the anniversary will be marked at several major meetings. Other Chicago Jewish organizations as well will celebrate the event.
Meanwhile, the anniversary was formally inaugurated several days ago in Chicago with the lighting of a large 25-branched menorah, at ceremonies attended by leaders of Chicago’s Jewish and general communities at O’Hare Airport, following the arrival of a Torch of Independence from Jerusalem and sent to Shaul Ramati, Consul General for the Midwest.
Hamilton M. Loeb, Jr., president of the JUF asserted that “We in Chicago can take some measure of pride and satisfaction in the achievement which we celebrate today. Our organized Jewish community has been at the side of our brothers during this past quarter-century of their progress….We do so, as we have done so, because we know that, as our community strengthens Israel, Israel strengthens our community.” A message was received from Gov. Richard B. Ogilvie, and Mayer Richard J. Daley was represented by Sheriff Richard J. Elrod. The 25-branched candelabrum was lit by Naomi Hecht, a 13-year-old area student active in Jewish organizations.
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.
