“The economic and political status of American Jewry is being gradually but discernible eroded due to a growing abandonment of the merit system.” Rabbi Abraham R. Besdin, of the Ocean Avenue Jewish Center in Brooklyn and chairman of the mid-winter conference of the Rabbinical Council of America, said yesterday at the conclave here.
Rabbi Besdin said recent surveys indicate “a concerted exclusion of Jews from the ranks of civil service, a conspicuous expulsion of Jews from the teaching profession on both the public school and university levels and the adoption of quotas, thinly disguised as ‘affirmative action’ in the admission policies of professional schools.” Continuing, he said: “We view this development with growing alarm for it is the antithesis of democracy and it is reminiscent of the prejudicial numerous clauses, which plagued Jews in totalitarian countries.”
West Bank Civil Servants and workers employed in Israel will be covered by low-cost health insurance starting next month.
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