Statement shared at TOWARD A NEW SOUTH AFRICA: AN INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE on June 12, 1988. The Jewish tradition commands us to not only respect the rights of all people, but to work for social justice. The words "justice, justice, thou shalt pursue" are fundamental to the purpose of the Community Relations Council of The Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, so appear on our stationery. We work to abolish apartheid not only because of our tradition but also because of our history. One of the strongest analogies to the South African Black situation is the condition of Jews in pre-World War II Germany; between 1933 and 1939, there was no mass murder yet, but Jews faced legal discrimination and...
Statement shared at TOWARD A NEW SOUTH AFRICA: AN INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE on June 12, 1988. The Jewish tradition commands us to not only respect the rights of all people, but to work for social justice. The words "justice, justice, thou shalt pursue" are fundamental to the purpose of the Community Relations Council of The Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, so appear on our stationery. We work to abolish apartheid not only because of our tradition but also because of our history. One of the strongest analogies to the South African Black situation is the condition of Jews in pre-World War II Germany; between 1933 and 1939, there was no mass murder yet, but Jews faced legal discrimination and systematic degradation, spilling over into violence and murder. We felt a burning resentment at Americans and other tourists who entered Germany in the 1930's, or who attended the Olympics there, and never noticed or even asked what was going on; we feel that same resentment to those who go to South Africa and do not see the stark contrasts. The statement says the Jewish community cannot be indifferent to the plight of South African Blacks. The Jewish Federation of Rhode Island was the first Jewish Federation in the United States to issue a public statement opposing apartheid and to divest its holdings. Partially through Rhode Island's action, this has become a national position. The statement quotes ancient Sage and Rabbi Hillel.
