Reading Comprehension

Our Duty as Americans - Our Responsibility as Jews

(Joseph M. Proskauer[1],NY, Jan. 18, 1948)

 

[1] Excerpts from the speech of Judge J. M. Proskauer at the 41st annual meeting of the American Jewish Committee. Proskauer addressed the audience as the president of the AJC

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Discussion in class
 

• Do you think Proskauer's speech is still relevant? Elaborate.

• Several months before Israel's first Independence Day Proskauer declared: "Our Duty as Americans, Our Responsibility as Jews". Complete the following sentences:

If I were there standing next to him, I would have said "_____________________"

If American-Jewish leaders tell us the same words today, I will ask them: "________________________"

• The wise ancestors of the Jewish people ("Chazal") said that all Jews are responsible for one another
  ("כל ישראל ערבים זה בזה"). How does Proskauer's speech reflect this statement?

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