TO :PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY, THE WHITE HOUSE,
JUNE 16, 1963.

I LOOK FORWARD TO PRIVILEGE OF BEING PRESENT AT MEETING

TOMORROW AT 4 P.M.

LIKELIHOOD EXISTS THAT NEGRO PROBLEM WILL BE LIKE THE WEATHER.

EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT IT BUT NOBODY DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

PLEASE DEMAND OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT

NOT JUST SOLEMN DECLARATION.

WE FORFEIT THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP GOD

AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO HUMILIATE NEGROES.

CHURCHES SYNAGOGUES HAVE FAILED. THEY MUST REPENT.

ASK OF RELIGIOUS LEADERSTO CALL FOR NATIONAL REPENTANCE

AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE.

LET RELIGIOUS LEADERS DONATE ONE MONTH’S SALARY

TOWARD FUND FOR NEGRO HOUSING AND EDUCATION.

I PROPOSE THAT YOU MR. PRESIDENT DECLARE STATE OF MORAL EMERGENCY.

A MARSHALL PLAN FOR AID TO NEGROES IS BECOMING A NECESSITY.

THE HOUR CALLS FOR HIGH MORAL GRANDEUR AND SPIRITUAL AUDACITY.

Abraham Joshua Heschel