U.S. Jewish Youth Organization Maps Plans to “adopt” American Settlements in Israel

A plan for the “adoption” of recently-established agricultural settlements in Israel by American Jewish youth groups as part of a twoway program designed to cement educational and cultural relations between youth in both countries has been mapped by the National Jewish Youth Conference, nationwide youth body sponsored by the National Jewish Welfare Board, it was announced here today. The Conference represents more than 300 local and regional Jewish youth and young adult councils and national Jewish youth organizations.

The “adoption” project in the U.S. is part of an overall program sponsored throughout the world by the Keren Hayesod youth and Hechalutz department in Jerusalem. The National Jewish Youth Conference, as the most representative body of organized Jewish youth in this country, has been asked by the Keren Hayesod to become the coordinator for youth in communities across the United States for the “adoption” program.

Basic objectives of the program are to: 1. Strengthen the educational ties between pioneering youth in Israel and Jewish youth in other countries; 2. Afford organized units of Jewish youth throughout the world the opportunity to assume some practical responsibility towards the upbuilding of Israel through the sponsorship of and participation in projects designed to further the development of recently-established agricultural settlements; and 3. Develop within Jewish youth an appreciation of the dynamic relationship between Israel and world Jewry.

In the United States, Jewish youth groups affiliated with the National Jewish Youth Conference will “adopt” recently-established agricultural settlements in Israel and maintain regular contact through the exchange of correspondence. The contacts will serve as bases for new cultural programs in both America and Israel. In addition, the youth groups in America will conduct practical projects on behalf of their respective settlements, and the American and Israel youth will exchange visits and program materials.