The Black United Front, a militant Negro organization which is demanding reparations in cash from the religious community, sent representatives to read a policy statement on the steps of Washington’s B’nai Israel Synagogue Sunday calling on “the Jewish church to shake off the shackles of white racism and capitalist exploitation that have strangled its Christian vision.”
A BUF field chairman, Tony Cox, read a statement calling for a $10 million contribution to the Black Economic Development Corporation from synagogues. Mr. Cox and 16 other Black activists arrived at the synagogue at 8:05 p.m. when the worshippers had gone home to break their fast after Yom Kippur. The statement was read to the janitor of the synagogue. In the statement, the BUF urged “the Jewish church on this, your Day of high Atonement, to not only stop sanctioning racism but to make amends for its active role in the capitalistic exploitation and economic gerrymandering of the Black community.” If the synagogues refuse, the BUF warned, it could, lead to “another Middle East crisis in the District of Columbia or another Vietnam in Washington.”
As the Year Turns, Support the Journalism You Trust. JTA covers the stories shaping Jewish life around the world — with the depth this moment calls for. As you reflect on the year ahead, consider a gift that keeps independent Jewish journalism strong.
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.
