The Kehillah has mapped New York just as the American Jewish Committee has mapped the United States. The city of New York is divided into 18 Kehillah districts which comprise a total of 100 Kehil¬ lah neighborhoods, in accordance with the population. The Kehillah District Boards administer Kehillah af¬ fairs in their respective districts in accordance with the policy and rules laid down by the central govern¬ ing body.
Practically every Jew in New York belongs to one or more lodges, secret societies, unions, orders, committees or federations. The list is a prodigious one. The purposes interlace and the methods dovetail in such a manner as to bring every phase of New York life not only under the watchful eye, but under the swift and powerful action of experienced compulsion upon public affairs.
At the meeting which organized the Kehillah a number of sentiments were expressed which are worthy of consideration today. Judah L. Magnes, then rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, chairman of the meeting, set forth the plan.
“A central organization like that of the Jewish RULE OF JEWISH KEHILLAH GRIPS NEW YORK 141 Community of New York City is necessary to create a Jewish public opinion/’ he said.