The third Latin American conference of the World Jewish Congress opened here last night with the reading of messages from the Presidents of two nations and with a report on the situation of Jewish communities in a number of key countries. More than 150 delegates from 11 Latin American nations were present at the opening session, which also attracted local Jewish leaders, representatives of the Argentine Government and foreign diplomats.
A message from President Arturo Frondizi of Argentina lauded the important contribution of Jews to the progress and culture of Argentina. Dr. Frondizi expressed solidarity with the objectives of the WJC conference.
President Itzhak Ben Zvi of Israel noted in a message that though the Government of Israel represents only its own citizens, it is greatly interested in the fate of the Jews of the entire world. He asserted that the people of Israel had found a way to realize their aspirations, but that Jews outside Israel had not shown the same courage and clarity of thinking in the face of their problems.
In a 90 minute address In Yiddish, Dr. Israel Goldstein, president of the Western Hemisphere executive of the Congress, spoke of the situation of Jews in the United States, Soviet Union and Israel. In a laudatory reference to Dr. Arieh L. Kubovi, Israel’s Minister to Buenos Aires, Dr. Goldstein called him one of the architects of the WJC. He also praised Argentine Jewry for Its close adherence to the values of Judaism and for Its sturdy support of Israel.
A Brazilian delegate to the convention, Tufik Nigri, lauded the recent gestures of Brazilian President Juscelino Kubitschek underlining friendship for the Jews of his country. Dr. Moises Goldmann, a past president of the DAIA, central representative body of Argentine Jewry, extolled the achievements of the WJC. Dr. Abraham Mibashan, currently president of DAIA. outlined the tasks of the conference. Dr. Arieh L. Tartakower, WJC aide, also spoke on organizational matters, as did Mark Turkow, WJC Latin American director. Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the Congress, sent a message.
Argentine Chief Rabbi Avigdor Ziperstein analyzed the causes of anti-Semitism and warned against the dangers of assimilation. Other speakers included Emilio Gutkin, president of the Buenos Aires Jewish Community Council, Dr.Isaac Goldenberg, president of the Argentine Zionist Federation, and Israel Pollack, delegate from Santiago de Chile.
After the first session, the delegates repaired to the monument of Gen. Jose San Martin, national hero, and placed a wreath of flowers at the base of the statue. Earlier, at the parley, the Uruguayan delegation presented Dr. Mibashan with a bust of Gervasi Artigas, Uruguayan national hero, as a symbol of the fight for freedom. Representing the Argentine Government at the parley were David Blejer, Deputy Minister of the Interior, and Ricardo Baldrich, representing the Foreign Ministry.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
