(Testimony of Stanley M. Kaufman)
Mr. Kaufman.
questions and write anything down. We just conversed similar to a conversation that you and., I might have with a person in our office. Their main concern seemed to be (1) whether or not I knew Ruby, and (2) whether or not I knew him to be a Communist, and (3) whether or not I knew of any connection or relationship with Lee Oswald.
Thereafter, we had a lot of other discussions which are not reported here. primarily, the concern that I had that was called to my attention by a lot of people who called me and seemed concerned that the name Rubenstein had been invoked in this case, and we probably spent a greater part of the discussion on the prejudices that had been invoked, rather than the things that are reported in the statement.
Mr. Hubert.
Were you interviewed by the agents more than once?
Mr. Kaufman.
No; just once. As I say, the statement does not cover--this report does not cover all of that, and I think they've got some of the facts confused by virtue of our discussion, so I'll go by this paragraph-by-paragraph, and when I say "this," I'm talking about this exhibit which I am holding in my hand at this time and I think you identified it as Exhibit No. 1.
Mr. Hubert.
Yes.
Mr. Kaufman.
In the first paragraph the name is stated. It should be "Stanley M. Kaufman". The rest of the paragraph is substantially correct.
In paragraph 2, reference is made that I was acquainted with Jack Ruby and was not familiar with his activities in Chicago, which is true. I knew nothing about his background and in fact I never knew that his name was Rubenstein. In the years that I knew him and in the years that I represented him, his name was Jack Ruby. Every legal instrument that I have in my file has always referred to Jack Ruby, and this is what disturbed me. In all the years that I knew Jack, I never knew his name was Rubenstein, not that he withheld it from me, but he was known in Dallas as Jack Rubenstein.
The conclusion that the agents have in their report that "he considered Ruby one of the most active Jewish bachelors in the synagogue" is something that I don't know exactly what this meant, and I've put a question mark by the side of this line. I indicated and so indicate at this time that Jack Ruby was a bachelor to the best of my knowledge. Mention is made in the third paragraph about Alice Nichols---
Mr. Hubert.
Before you leave the synagogue, I wanted to ask you something more on that.
Mr. Kaufman.
Well, I'll come back to it. I just wanted to say that I did know that he and Alice were quite friendly and at times I think Jack had mentioned to me that he wished he could be worthy enough to marry Alice, but apparently he did not marry her. As far as his activities in the synagogue, the only time that I knew Jack Ruby was active in the synagogue, he did go for a period of time to recite memorial services for one of his deceased parents, which was commendable, because many people today don't do those things. I mean, it's a voluntary thing, but as far as other activities, I wouldn't know what would be meant here. I have served on the board of my synagogue for over 7 years.
Mr. Hubert.
Is that Shearith Israel?
Mr. Kaufman.
It is Rabbi Silverman's synagogue. So, when this document says "active," I wouldn't know what they meant because frankly I don't know the facts on which they base this conclusion.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you characterize his attendance or his relationship to the synagogue as "active" when you were interviewed by the FBI ?
Mr. Kaufman.
Mr. Hubert, as far as the actual words used, I wouldn't recall. I do say that he attended services more than usual during that .period of time. As far as other activities are concerned, I don't recall that he has been active. To that extent, though, that's what disturbs me a little when they put this in their report.
Mr. Hubert.
Were you one of the officials--a member of the board of trustees of the synagogue?
Mr. Kaufman.
I have been. I'm not at this time, but I have been. In other words, in our synagogue we have an autonomous group which is--actually, we are a nonprofit corporation. We have a president and other officers and we have a board of directors, and I have served on two occasions as a director 3 years each.
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