Minneapolis spokesman., 1961-07-28
Texos Robbi's TuIIe
Firm Position On
The0fre lnfegrusion

AuoIku, 1cA1S NE-Ol - 1eaOcrl
Of the Jewish community here ar,
taking up the cudgels for inte,
grafton Of the local movie house.
against the outspoken opposi
ton Of some Of their own congre.
gates, and even despite lack oi
support from co-religionists In the
North.
This state capital Is the home oi
the integrated University Of Texas
and two movie houses. One Is 9
Of ABC Paramount and
the other is owned by Trans Texas
Theatres, Jews are prominent n
the management and ownership
Of both theaters. which refuse Il
admit Negroes on an unsegregateC
basis.
After months Of picketing and
other persuasion, the leaders oi
the two congregations here-Rab.
bi Charles d. Mintz. Temple Betl
Israel, and Rabbi Donald d. Crane
Congregation Agudas Achim =
joined with DR.. Alber Kleiman
president Of the Austin B'na.
Birth to support a boycott OF the
ABC Paramount theater's showing
Of Exodus.
More than Casual Interest"
obviously" said the three in &
open letter to Austin Jews, ''wC
Jews have more than q casua
interest In this film and under nor
NAL circumstances would make
every effort to see 1t. However
circumstances are anything but
Exodus depicts the storJ
Of our peoples fight for freedom
and human dignity. In many ways
it is a symbol Of our peoples vii
to be free. We seriously question
Jews who are so proud Of
the successful struggle to estab.
lish the State Of Israel ought Il
participate In the deliberate prac.
tice Of discrimination against oul
fellow American citizens :"
The Austin Jewish leaders not.
ed that I'VE raise this question a
an issue Of conscience. We do moi
any particular course oi
action, but we hope that you vii
search your soul before crossing
the picket lines in front of the
theater."
Whether they searched theil
souls or not, about half Of Austin's
Jews did see the picture regard.
less of segregation issues - but
the other half did not.
Prominent In Philanthropy
Head of the theater chain show.
ing the picture is Leonard Golden.
son Of New York, Prominent In
philanthropic work (including 9
leading role in the United Negro
College FUND.- he nevertheless has
been unable to satisfy Jewish OIL
other civil rights advocates thai
the ABC Paramount chain h&
heads is doing all it can to END
segregation in its Southern the.
aters.
Mr.. Goldenson is a congregani
Of Temple Emanuel Of Westches.
ter County, headed by Rabbi 8
Andhil Feinberg, a foremost civil
rights advocate within the Ameri.
can Jewish Committee. Reached by
POST and OPINION in rural Yes.
mont, where he Is working on q
book about racial relations, Rabbi
Feinberg was asked whether he
would, If on the scene back In
Westchester, intercede with con-
gregant Goldenson on behalf OF
the Texas civil rights advocates
IT might =" Rabbi Feinbere
told POST and OPINION, I'm
not saying I would" Just because
he's spiritual leader of the congre-
CATION" Rabbi Feinberg continued
doesn't give me a right to inter.
fere with individual members Of
my congregation"
Asked what he would do II such
as Mr.. Goldenson were in his con-
gregation, Rabbi Mintz Of Austin
replied: I'm do you one better
the head Of the other theatel
chain were trying to force out Of
segregation practices Is not only
a member of my congregation
he's also been - until last weell
. member Of my board of trus-
tees"
Rabbi Mintz emphasized thai
Earl Podolnick, head Of the sec
ond theater chain, Is no longel
on the board Of trustees Of Aus.
tins Temple Beth Israel solely
because Of a normal electora
turnover" However, he adds
there's no doubt in either's mind
where the other stands.
Despite concern Of congregantl
that application Of Jewish ethics
can be dangerous In the South
Rabbi Mintz insists: Il have no al
tentative. It's q matter Of cons.
cience."
Georgia plant.