Jewish Artisans in Germany Discuss Problems at Their 7th Annual Conference

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mail Service)

The seventh annual conference of the Central Federation of Jewish Artisans of Germany opened in Leipzig. Representatives of the Leipzig City Council, the Leipzig Trades Council and other organizations greeted the conference.

The report of the Federation submitted by the Chairman, Herr Wilhelm Markus, stated that since the last conference in Breslau new organizations have been formed at Dortmund, Crefeld and Carlsrube and the Dresden branch had been re-established. New organization were in process of formation at Koenigsberg and Munich. Despite the serious economic crisis in the country and the financial difficulties with which the Federation had to contend, considerable progress had been made.

Herr Kahn, of Frankfort, delivered an address on the importance of artisanship among Jews. It was essential, he said, that the Jews of Germany should be fully represented in every branch of activity so that it should not be said that the Jews were concentrated in this or the other branch of activity. The fact that they differed in religion from their Christian colleagues ought not to make any differences in the economic or the cultural field. The Jews should do their best as German citizens to promote the welfare of their country.

Resolutions adopted by the conference declared (1) The conference sees in the education of our youth as artisans a way of restoring German economic life and of stabilizing the welfare of our Fatherland. The importance of mannal work must be stressed on the children in their homes, during their early childhood and in the elementary schools. All Jewish cireles must make it their duty to assist in the establishment of artisan training schools. (2) The conference having heard a report by the representative of the Ort (Society for promoting handicraft and agriculture among Jews) takes note that the field of operations of the Ort with regard to the provision of machinery, tools and raw materials to Jewish artisans on crediloans is to be extended to Germany. The conference welcome this decision and recommends all organizations affiliated to the Federation to support the Ort in its work. The Executive is the urged to examine and report on the possibility of a joint activity in the field of credit-aid for Jewish artisans.