U.a. H. C. Convention Pledges Aid to Israel; Defeats “norfolk Resolution”

The “Norfolk Resolution, ” aimed at preventing officers of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations from participating with leaders of other American Jewish organizations in joint deliberations and actions on Israel, was over whelmingly defeated last night at the 44th General Assembly of the UAHC. More than 3, 000 delegates from all parts of the United States and Canada are in attendance.

The action of the delegates was an endorsement of the policy of Dr Maurice N, Eisendrath, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the central representative body of Reform Jewry, Dr. Eisendrath participates in the actions of the Presidents’ Club, composed of the presidents of 17 major Jewish organizations, Zionist and non-Zionist.

At today’s session, the General Assembly of the UAHC adopted a resolution calling on Reform Jewry to do everything in its “power to support the United Jewish Appeal and to further the sale of Israel bonds as a decisive service to the cause of Israel and the Jewish people. ” The resolution said:

“The welfare and progress of the State of Israel are of deep concern to every Jew. As the haven which has welcomed nearly a million men, women and children during its nine years of statehood, Israel has brought life and hope to those who were oppressed and persecuted. Today, faced with serious difficulties in her national life, she is nevertheless keeping the doors open for more than 100, 000 who must come to her shores from Egypt, Hungary and other lands. “

Herbert H. Lehman, former U.S. Senator, addressing leaders of the Combined Campaign for Reform Judaism at the UAHC General Assembly, criticized the “great pressure” brought against Great Britain, France and Israel “to force a return to the status quo in the Middle East. ” He emphasized that this was done “despite the fact that the status quo in this case was a condition completely characterized by illegality, disorder and immorality. “

“Could it, and did it, contribute to law and order and morality, ” he asked, “for the United Nations to support the dictator Nasser and his ally, Soviet Russia, in their murderous designs against free and democratic Israel? “Was it on moral principle that the UN restored to Egypt the power to blockade Israel in the Suez Canal and provided for Nasser and the Kremlin final authority over the canal?” This is morality turned upside down and inside out, ” he said.

In a ceremony preceding his address, Mr. Lehman was designated by the Combined Campaign as “American Reform Jewry’s Number One Citizen of the 20th Century.” In tribute to Mr. Lehman, $195, 000 in extra gifts came forward for the. Combined Campaign from both the assembled guests and contributions in all parts of the United States and Canada.