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United Council of Jewish Leaders Advocated at B’rith Abraham Convention

June 26, 1961
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American Jewry was called on today to create a “New Frontier” for the fight against bias, through a united Council of Jewish Leaders, representing all religious, fraternal, community and national service organizations.

The proposal was made by Grand Master Maurice Goldstein, at the opening session of the 74th annual convention of Brith Abraham, attended by delegates of 275 lodges of the fraternal order. In his annual message, Mr. Goldstein said he was preparing to bring about a conference of Jewish leaders to establish a “National Council” to combat “the rising tide of anti-Semitism and all other forms of bigotry in education, housing and employment.”

Asserting that “our greatest problem in America today is racial prejudice,” the official denounced George Rockwell, self-styled leader of the “American Nazi party,” and said “we must put a stop to such anti-Americanism, and make it unnecessary for Freedom Riders to subject themselves to arrests seeking rights guaranteed under our constitution.”

He denounced the Arab league for boycotting American firms doing business with Israel, and urged President Kennedy to use his influence to stop this practice. He endorsed the Kennedy Administration’s bill for school aid, and specifically opposed Federal aid to religious schools.

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