Argues World Jewish Congress Runs Counter to American Political Idea

(Dr. Rongy was among the original advocates of a Jewish world congress. In the following statement he explains the reasons which brought about his change in viewpoint. Other expressions of opinion on the congress will appear in the Jewish Daily Bulletin from time to time.)

The Jews of America are called upon to help establish a World Jewish Congress. A call has been sentout to Jewish national organizations to elect delegates, while Jewish communities throughout the country will be asked to choose representatives, by secret ballot, to the Congress. The Jews are about to initiate a movement which may change their status among the nations of the world.

The proposed World Jewish Congress, therefore, appears to me of such momentous importance that nothing should be done without thorough examination and open dicussion of its signifieance and all that it implies.

At the outset I want to register my objection to the ballyhoo about the World Jewish Congress on the basis of unity in Jewish life. A World Jewish Congress on that basis alone can hardly be attacked. There is, of course, no doubt that some form of unity should prevail, although how absolute unity of opinion and action can come about without dictatorship in Jewish life is not quite understandable. It must be realized, however, that there has been, from time to time, an effective unity, such as at the peace conference at Versailles and at the recent London conference in behalf of the German-Jewish refugees. In both cases there was a specific goal to be reached, on which unity could be and was attained.

CANNOT DROWN OPPOSITION

A World Jewish Congress with a wider program cannot drown opposition or cover up the conflicts of divergent theories and ideologies of Jewish life by the clamor for united action. It is therefore unjust and misleading to project a call for a World Jewish Congress under this slogan. Much more is involved and perhaps still more is implied in confronting the Jewish people with the choice whether the World Jewish Congress should or should not be established. It seems to me of the utmost importance that the full meaning of the Congress be thoroughly discussed and fully explained. Only under such circumstances can the judgment of the Jews be accepted and the responsibility placed where it belongs.

Now, what is the meaning of a World Jewish Congress and what are its implications? Specifically, it calls for a democratically elected, completely representative parliament of Jews, with the power to speak for the Jew of the world, with a voice in the League of Nations, and with the right to make decisions and guide the policies of the Jews in the various countries in which they live. Specifically, too, it would mean that such a parliament could determine for the Polish Jews what their relations shall be to the Polish government and what negotiations shall be carried on with the Polish government in their behalf, and similarly for the American Jews with the American governmen.

This, to my mind, means an attempt to obtain a special minority status for the Jews, with special minority rights, such as the right of proportionate political representation, language rights, special schools, etc. But it also means special disabilities, for wherever there are minority rights there are also minority disabilities: Numerus clausus in political life, in the professions, in general schools, practically a complete orientation in the education of the Jewish youth in his native or adopted country.

WORLD TENDENCY TO DIVISION

Now, it may be that the world tendency, as some have maintained, is towards a division of groups within the nations, just as in Germany now there are varying degrees of residents with varying privileges and limitations: Aryan citizens capable of bearing arms. Aryan citizens incapable of bearing arms, non-Aryan citizens, and non-citizens. It may be that the era of democracy and emancipation is becoming archaic. But insofar as we are left to choose, we must determine openly and after free discussion of all that is involved, whether we want to hasten the coming of a caste society or fight against it and continue the struggle for the retention of democratie traditions.

The movement for a special status may be desirable, but let us realize frankly that it is a separatist movement, that as such it is alien to the tenets of our democracy and fraught with dangers to the present equal status of the Jews in America and in other democratic countries. Only when these facts have been put before them can the Jews determine whether they wish for the establishment of a World Jewish Congress and whether they are prepared to abide by the consequences of their decision.

In those countries, where there does not exist in fact an equal civic and political opportunity for the Jews, minority rights mean a gain in status and are to some extent desirable. In democratic countries such as the United States, Great Britain, and France, where the Jews have achieved equality, minority rights mean a diminution in their political and civic status.

In America, futher, it means the injection of a new ideology into our political system, which runs counter to the fundamental principles motivating the civic and political life of the American people.

It seems to me that from the standpoint of American Jewry the establishment of a world Jewish Congress now will tend to disturb the position of the four and one-half million Jews, who form an integral part of the American nation and whom the Constitution guarantees equal civic and political rights. The Jews of America, particularly, must seriously consider all the problems, all the implications of a World Jewish Congress, before they finally decide to act.