MS-603: Rabbi Marc H
MS-603: Rabbi Marc H. Tanenbaum Collection, 1945-1992. Series C: lnterreligious Activities. 1952-1992 Box 11 , Folder 7, Antisemitism, Extremism and the Farm Crisis: background report, 1985. 3101 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 (513) 221-1875 phone, (513) 221-7812 fax americanjewisharchives.org · "· / . ·~···. ~: / ANTl~SEMITIS"' EXTREMISM AND _THE .FARM CRISIS A Background Memorandum Dr. Ellen Isler, · Special Project.s· Administrator;, National Affairs Department Rabbi A. James Rudin, National Director, Interrellgious Affairs Department .._....___, THE - ERICAN JEWISH CO MlmE, Institute of Human Relations, 165 East 5& St1 , New York, N. Y. 10022 The economic crisis in rural America has grown more severe during the past eighteen months. In an attempt to capitalize on fears and insecurlties growing out of this crisis, radical right extremist groups·, many of them espousing virulent anti-Semitism, have intensified their proselytizing activities among the farmers of the Middle West. The recent airing by ABC Television of d 20/20 segment documenting the preaching of anti-Semitism and extremi-st ideologies among dispossessed and struggling farmers has generated a great deal of anxiety among th.ose searching for constructive solutions to the farm crisis·. Within the past ten days, Jonathan lev.ine, the AJC 's Chicago Regional Director, Marcia Lazar, President of AJC' s Chicago Chapter, and Rabbi James Rud ln,. AJC 's Interrellgious Affairs Director, conducted intensive fact-finding trips in Kansas and Iowa. They met with farmers, public officials, law-enforce ment officers (including the· FBI), leaders of the Christian clergy, faculty members of an agricultural college, newspaper editors, radio talk-show hosts, co~mmunity organizers of progressive farm coallt,lons, bankers, and representa tives of the Jewish comm·ul'\ities in both states.
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