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Dr. Goldmann Fears Slow Disintegration of Present Jewish Generation

August 4, 1958
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Resolutions calling for solidarity among the Jews of the world and closer relations between Jewish youth in Israel and in other countries were adopted here this week-end at the close of the first world conference of Jewish youth.

Some 350 delegates representing Jewish groups in 43 countries of every political and religious shade responded to the call of the Jewish agency to meet in Israel and consider the future of Judaism. Impressed with their deliberations, the delegates called on the Agency to hold a second convention in 1961. Before they adjourned, the young men and women had heard addresses by Israel President Yitzhak Ben Zvi, Premier David Ben Gurion, ex-Premier Moshe Sharett and Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the Jewish Agency.

Addressing the final session, Dr. Goldmann warned that “never was a Jewish generation so threatened with slow disintegration as the present one. ” Casting about for the answer to the question of how to remain a Jew in the modern world, when anti-Semitism was not making its impact as a serious problem, Dr. Goldmann suggested:

Knowledge of and resulting pride in the heroic and unique history of the Jewish people; and, participation in the reality of Israel. He pointed out that the Nazi holocaust and the epic creation of Israel were great experiences which had helped resolve the dilemma of many Jews but for the present generation they were events of the past.

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