American Jewish Problems Discussed at Utica Conference

The attempt to inject anti-Semitism into the war issue was condemned by Isaiah Minkaff, executive secretary of the General Jewish Council, addressing the eighth annual session of the New York and Ontario Regional Conference of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds which concluded here yesterday.

“The isolationists have dragged anti-Semitism into the war issue, despite the fact that up to now anti-Semitism was used as a bait only by hoodlums and Nazis,” Mr. Minkoff said.

The two-day session was devoted to a round-table discussion of the problems, both local and national, confronting American Jewish communities at the present times. The delegates, representing 22 upstate communities, heard 16 speakers present the viewpoints of national agencies dealing with education, relief and community problems here and overseas.

The conference adopted a resolution approving “the continuance and expansion of the fact-finding facilities of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds with respect to all organizations seeking funds from the Jewish communities of America.” In order to gain the effective cooperation of all sections of American Jewry in this program, the resolution urged the Council “to avoid any activity involving evaluation of causes, interpretation of ideologies or definition of ratios as between organizations applying for funds.”

Expressing confidence that “Jewish solidarity is capable of attainment,” the conference voiced regret that the American Jewish Congress “felt impelled” to withdraw from the General Jewish Council.

CONTINUATION OF UJA IS URGED

Another resolution, urging the continuation of the United Jewish Appeal, warned that “the heavier tax programs must not be made a pretext for less substantial support of our local welfare and character building organizations.”

Benjamin Eisenstein, of Schenectady, was re-elected president of the Conference and Edward H. Kavinoky, of Buffalo, was re-elected 1st vice-president. Charles T. Sitrim, of Utica, was named and vice-president, while Dr. Sol Bloom, of Binghamton, and Jacob M. Kaman, of Rochester, were elected treasurer and secretary, respectively. A panel discussion on overseas agencies and their operation under war-time conditions, presided over by Joseph Goldstein, chairman of the Program Committee, was one of the highlights of the conference.

Mark Eisner, president of the American Association for Jewish Education and former chairman of the Board of Higher Education of the City of New York, stressed that “Jewish education must take on its new responsibilities with an eye on the current scene.” Dr. Sale Baron, president of the Conference of Jewish Relations, discussing “The American Jewish Community Faces the Future,” made a plea for the rejuvenation of cultural life as the basis for the survival of Judaism.

Elected to the Executive Committee were: Hon. David Diamond, Max Yellen and Stanley G. Falk, Buffalo; Joseph E. Silverstein, Jack Rubens and Joseph Goldstein, Rochester; Max L. Stolz, Bernard G. Rudolph and David Lerman, Syracuse; Hon. Sol Rubeastein. Mrs. E. Martin Freund and Robert C. Poskanzer, Albany; Harry Markson and Martin Abalone, Utica; Ben Sadowski, Toronto; Franklin C. Wisbaum and Willaim Nimelman, Niagara Falls; Samuel L. Pollack, Hamilton; Maurice Polletz, Middletown; M.J. Rider, Newburgh, Joseph Goodman, Troy; Lewis Lurie, Schenectady; David Levene, Binghamton, Joseph Levine, Kingston: Benian F. Levy, Elmira: Samuel Pressaman. Poughkeepsie.