Rothschild won renowned - and some criticism - for his Civil Rights Activism.
Rabbi Rothschild worked to maintain a good relationship with his white Catholic counterparts but also believed in equality and justice for all races and religions. Rothschild continued the connection with other faiths and joined a number of civil and interfaith organizations. He also implemented a Institute for Christian Clergy, which was a day long event held at The Temple each year. Rothschild demanded that Black ministers from around Atlanta be invited to all interfaith events and often asked them to speak and educate at The Temple.
During his Yom Kippur sermon in 1947, Rothschild spoke openly against the segregation that plagued the South and in 1955 Rothschild co-authored the "Minister's Manifesto", although he did not sign it because much of the language was strongly Catholic. This document called on the leaders of the Atlanta and Southern communities to not succumb to the pressures from powerful segregationists and to stand up for the lives and equality of all races. In a sermon he once gave in NYC, Rothschild even went as far as to compare segregation to Nazi Germany, which began with separation laws. Rabbi Rothschild was not only a champion of civil rights but also of Southern Jewish identity. His tireless effort for equality set a example for an alternative to the way Jewish identity could be shaped in South - one that was opposed to his predecessor Dr. Marx who tried to fit effortlessly into white Southern society. Rothschild demonstrated that it was possible to a friend to the white Christian community and the Black southern community, all while exemplifying Jewish life. Most members of the congregation supported the thoughts of Rabbi Rothschild, although he did receive some push back because his style was so staunch compared to his predecessor. On the other hand, some Jews openly sided with Southern segregationists, like Charles Lebedin, an Atlanta restaurant owner, who openly refused to integrate his business. Nevertheless, Rothschild continued his fight against oppression and championing civil rights. |
Image credits:
"These Vintage Photos Of Jewish-Black Unity Prove The Power Of Interfaith Activism". The Huffington Post. N. p., 2016. Web. 3 May 2017.
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"These Vintage Photos Of Jewish-Black Unity Prove The Power Of Interfaith Activism". The Huffington Post. N. p., 2016. Web. 3 May 2017.
https://storage.synaptic.att.com/rest/objects/4a08bf2ea61f2e2404f50135183b8a04f68e8f4143b5?uid=7be5f8cb9eb14188b0e40ae93aca2099%2FkingcenterATpalantirDOTnet&expires=1590984000&signature=Kkum47%2F10OcN5CITNSdRuEZlQIU%3D