B’nai B’rith Two-day Session Votes Against Joining American Jewish Assembly

A 63-man special B’nai B’rith committee today unanimously voted against Joining the American Jewish Assembly.

In a two-day closed meeting here, the committee, which was established at the B’nai B’rith Supreme Lodge Convention last May, decided that the plan to organize permanent American Jewish Assembly would postpone rather than achieve "a substantial unity" of Jewish organizations. A resolution adopted without dissent pointed at the lack of agreement among major national Jewish organizations regarding an assembly and emphasized that B’nai B’rith’s decision does not diminish "its traditional commitment to the ideal of unity in American Israel.

The resolution expressed hope for some basis of agreement among Jewish agonies "on a consultative body that will provide the outlet for common action in the interest of Jewry. The B’nai B’rith," it concluded, "is determined to continue its search with all who share this view for a means that will achieve this end."

THE FULL TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION READS AS FOLLOWS:

"The B’nai B’rith has demonstrated its deep concern with all questions pertaining to the American Jewish Conference and the proposed permanent American Jewish assembly. At its supreme Lodge Convention on May 14, 1947, it recognized the indispensability of a cross-section expression of its membership with respect to the issues evolved. By resolution there was established a committee composed of five representatives of each of the seven American district grand lodges and the Women’s supreme Council together with all of the members of its national executive committee. This committee was empowered to weigh, consider and determine the future attitude of the B’nai B’rith, if and when a proposal for a permanent organization was submitted.

"In the selection of the representatives of these American districts, the general committee of each district participated to assure a thoroughly representative viewpoint when this extremely consequential issue was under consideration. This committee of 63 has met and deliberated at length. Under its rules, there were no restrictions on debate and every viewpoint was presented. At the conclusion the following determinations were reached unanimously:

"1. The B’nai B’rith acknowledges the significant contribution of the American Jewish Conference which was convened as a temporary organization to meet an emergency situation. It takes pride in the fact that its own late leader, Henry Monsky, vas the convening officer and to the day of his tragic passing, occupied a position of eminence in its leadership. The termination of the American Jewish Conference is in accordance with its original call.

"2. The plan to organize a permanent American Jewish Assembly as adopted at the Chicago conference on November 29-December 2, 4947 was presented. In connection with its consideration this committee was apprised of the rejection of this plan by major national Jewish organizations and its qualified acceptance by at least one major Jewish organization and the deferral of decision by other national Jewish organizations for a variety of reasons. In this state of events it is our opinion that a substantial unity is unachievable under the proposed plan. The historic mission of the B’nai B’rith is to unite Israelites in the work of promoting their highest interest and those of humanity. Adherence to the proposed American Jewish Assembly, however much we favor the plan, would appear to postpone rather than to achieve the possibility of an ultimate unity among American Jews. It is with extreme reluctance therefore that the committee concluded that the B’nai B’rith would not join a confederation where national Jewish organizations significant in character and number have failed as yet or refused to adhere.

"3. The B’nai B’rith does not diminish to the slightest degree its traditional commitment to the ideal of unity in American Israel. We hope that Jewish agencies will find some basis for agreement on a consultative body that will provide the outlet for common action in the interest of Jewry. The B’nai B’rith is determined to continue its search with all who share this view for a means that will achieve this end."

A memorial service in observance of the fifth anniversary of the death of four chaplains aboard the torpedoed U.S.S. Dorchester was held tonight at the annual dinner here of the B’nai B’rith national Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Admiral Louis E. Denfeld, newly appointed Chief of Naval Operations, was the guest of honor. Paying tribute to B’nai B’rith for outstanding contributions to the welfare of naval personnel during the war, Admiral Denfeld declared that officers and fen of over 800 naval vessels benefited by the B’nai B’rith "serve-a-ship" program. Major General Harry H. Vaughan, military aide to President Truman, presented greetings from the White House to the dinner, which was presided over by Frank Goldman, president of B’nai B’rith.