Boston Jewish Community Relations Council

To address community concerns surrounding the increase in anti-Semitic attacks in primary Jewish neighborhoods, the Associated Jewish Philanthropies organized an interim committee in 1938 to examine interfaith cooperation in Boston. After this committee dissipated, Associated Jewish Philanthropies organized the Central Advisory Committee during World War II. This committee, led by Isaac Seligson, established the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Boston in 1949, headed by Robert Segal. The Council was comprised of representatives from central Jewish organizations in the area, including B'nai B'rith Anti Defamation League, Associated Jewish Philanthropies, the Rabbinical Association, Jewish War Veterans, American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Congress, Associated Synagogues, B'rith Abraham, Combined Appeal, Jewish Labor Committee, Jewish National Workers Alliance, Mizrachi, Pioneers of Palestine, Poale Zion, Workmen's Circle, Vaad Haraborum, Vaad Hoir, Zionist Groups, Young Israel, League of Jewish Women, and Council of Jewish Women.

The Council continually modified its goals and purpose to reflect the changing political and economic landscape. After World War II, focus shifted to include Jewish representation in non-sectarian community or public groups, civil rights, community relations, and fund solicitation practices. Throughout the 1950s, and 1960s, committee work also addressed religious liberties, intercultural education, Israel and the Middle East, civil liberties, immigration, legislation, and discrimination. In the 1970s, council committees continued to focus on Middle East affairs, Church and State, human rights and Jewish concerns, as well as Soviet Jewry, media, and the Boston Holocaust Memorial.

The Council played a large role in the community, providing education on anti-Semitism and, later, civil rights. The years preceding, during and immediately following World War II were marked by virulent anti-Semitism in the Boston area as well as nationally. To combat this, the Council ensured members clandestinely attended meetings and rallies held by Fathers Feeney and Coughlin, as well as other well-known anti-Semites. The Council also subscribed to many publications that carried false and anti-Semitic information about Jews, including those publications created and endorsed by Coughlin and Feeney.

The college quota system was also heavily discussed and studied during the earlier years of the Council. Questionnaires were sent to alumnae of local schools to assess the number of Jewish, African-American and Italian students in classes from the early 1920s to 1940s. The Council followed the discussion of the Fair Education Act closely and eventually succeeded in eliminating the college quota system at area schools.

The role of Israel and its development as a statehood was also of interest to the Council. The Council planned Israel Anniversary Celebrations and situations were closely monitored, including hijackings, Israel's relationship with Palestine, and the overall political climate regarding Israel in the United States. In addition to supporting the statehood of Israel, the Council focused on the plight of Soviet Jewry, educating and connecting local Jews to Soviet Jews trying to leave Communist Russia for resettlement in Israel. Many Soviet Jews in contact with the Boston Council had relatives and friends held in the Soviet prison system. Many of these people were writers, scientists and teachers.

Presidents and Executive Directors of the Council were influential community members in their own right. Presidents include Casper M. Grosberg, Judge Matthew Brown, Judge David A. Rose, Benjamin Ulin, Lewis Weinstein, Henry C. Berlin, Aaron J. Bronstein, Joseph B. Greenfield, Albert Horowitz, Morris Michelson, Morris J. Rabinovitz, Howard Rubin, Mrs. Carl Spector, F. Frank Vorenberg, Joseph L. Wiseman, Rabbi Roland Gittelsohn, Rabbi Manuel Saltzman, and Justin Wyner.

Presently, the Council, now known as the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, focuses on continuing the tradition of mobilizing the Jewish community around issues of social justice and support for Israel and Jewish people around the globe.

1 Historical information obtained from the Boston Jewish Community Relations collection and website, as well as Pioneers in Service: History of the Associated Jewish Philanthropies of Boston by Barbara Miller, published in Boston, MA by the Associated Jewish Philanthropies, 1956.

From the guide to the Boston Jewish Community Relations Council records, undated, 1933-2002 (bulk 1944-1971), (American Jewish Historical Society)