B’nai B’rith is always prepared “to work in cooperation with other Jewish organizations toward the expansion of Jewish life throughout the world,” Label Katz, newly-elected national president of B’nai B’rith, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency here today.
“The issue of creative survival confronting the Jewish community,” he stated, “is too critical to be ignored by organizational aloofness.” Mr. Katz said he endorses the policies of his predecessor, Philip M. Klutznick, who was among the moving forces for the establishment in the United States of the “Presidents’ Club.”
Declaring confidence that “a meaningful Jewish life” can be sustained in countries outside of Israel, Mr. Katz said: “While it is true that a large part of the American Jewish community suffers from what may be called ‘Jewish amnesia,’ a lack of comprehension of their Judaism, it is equally true that there is a stronger, more positive identification with Judaism among American Jews, on which a more creative Jewish life may be built. The new B’nai B’rith president said his administration will stress these facts by emphasizing more Jewish education for both adults and youth.
Mr. Katz, who resides in New Orleans, declared that he pledges B’nai B’rith to continue its programs for “advancing harmonious relations among ethnic, religious and racial groups as an integral part of the American pattern which is witnessing the gradual diminution of discrimination and bigotry.”
Praising the decision just made by the B’nai B’rith’s convention here to establish an International Council, which would be devoted to deepening relations among Jewish communities throughout the world, Mr. Katz expressed gratification that new Council will be headed by Mr. Klutznick. “Thus,” he said, “B’nai B’rith will continue to have the advantage of Mr. Klutznick’s tremendous abilities.”
With 1,300 convention delegates in attendance, B’nai B’rith this week-end dedicated in Israel a shrine in memory of the 6,000,000 Jews exterminated during the Hitler regime. The shrine, hewn out of solid rock, is in the Judean hills, 15 miles southwest of this city. The delegates also participated in a ceremony initiating a second B’nai B’rith section of the Martyr’s Forest, where another half million trees will be planted.
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.
