Ethnic Cleansing in Germany: A Symposium
Why Should Americans Be Concerned About Religious Freedom in Germany?
Opening Remarks by
Rabbi Allen I. Freehling
Senior Rabbi
University Synagogue,
Los Angeles,
Since 1972
The term “ethnic cleansing” may be a most appropriate term indeed when you realize what is happening in Germany today, when you think about the fact that people are being discriminated against for no other reason than they happen to belong to a particular group—that is to say, not due to an individual’s own qualities and traits but rather, guilt by association. This is not the first time in human history these experiences have occurred, but they are occurring right now and it seems to us that we need to deal with them.
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The term ‘ethnic cleansing’ may be a most appropriate term indeed when you realize what is happening in Germany today.
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Of course, one could say, “but Germany is so far away. Why in Los Angeles are we concerned about something which happens in Europe?” The answer, of course, is that we are part of a world community. And we also know from our common histories that when a people or several peoples get into trouble, sooner or later all of us are injured, one way or the other. And obviously from your presence here tonight you are concerned. It is our hope that through the comments of my colleagues—first for us to hear from them individually and then for them to be engaged in some dialogue, and then to turn to you for any questions that you might have—there will be some light where there is at the moment some darkness. And there will be some hope where in fact there is now hopelessness.
A word about those who will be speaking to you and in the order in which they’re going to be heard. To my immediate right is Jim Doherty (James H. Doherty), a long-time friend, who earned his Master of Arts Degree at Berkeley. He is vice-president of the National Leadership Conference for Israel and a Special Advisor to the United States Holocaust Commission.
To my left is Barry Fisher, a well-known attorney—one very much concerned about human rights and civil rights and the plight of people who are in trouble. His biography is long and impressive.
Harry James Cargas. I know of no one who reads books and magazines and newspapers who has not for some reason had an opportunity to read of some of our professor’s marvelous observations about that which has been happening in the world. And not only does he write with elegance, but he leads us by his words and certainly is here tonight to teach.
And finally, with us is Gerhard Waterkamp, a native of Germany, who was climbing the corporate ladder rather impressively and was about to be given a major position with a major corporation in Germany. That came to a grinding halt for only one reason: it was found that he
was a member of the Scientology religion. And for that reason alone, an offer to move up the corporate ladder in the corporation where he had a long history was rejected, that is to say, withdrawn. He and his family had no choice but to leave Germany. They came here to Southern California, where he is beginning to once again rise on a corporate ladder.
Let me introduce our first speaker, Mr. James H. Doherty.
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