It will thus be seen to be an exclusively Jewish program. There is nothing reprehensible about it. If it meant only what it said, and was observed only as to its ostensible purpose, it would be not only unobjectionable but commendable.
The charter of the Kehillah empowers it, among other things, to establish an educational bureau, to adjust differences between Jewish residents or organizations by arbitration or by means of boards of mediation or conciliation; while the Constitution announces the purpose to be:
- “to further the cause of Judaism in New York City and to represent the Jews in this city with respect to all local matters of Jewish interest.”
Where the American Committee and the Kehillah join forces is shown as follows:
- “Furthermore, inasmuch as the American Jewish Committee was a national organization, the Jewish Community (Kehillah) of New York City, if combined with it, would have a voice in shaping the policy of Jewry throughout the land.
- 1. It is expressly understood that the American Jewish Committee shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all questions of a national or international character affecting the Jews generally.
- 2. The membership of the American Jewish Committee is to be increased, so that the Twelfth District shall have allotted to it 25 members.
- 3. These 25 members are to be elected by the Jewish Committee (Kehillah) of New York City.
- 4. These 25 men shall at the same time constitute the Executive Committee of the Community (Kehillah).
It will be seen, therefore, that the Kehillah and the principal body of the American Jewish Committee are one. The capital of the United States, in Jewish affairs, is New York. Perhaps that may throw a sidelight on the desperate efforts which are being continually made to exalt New York as the spring and source of all the thoughts worth while today. New York, the Jewish capital of the United States, has
