President Johnson Lauds Jewish Welfare Board’s ‘creative Participation’

President Johnson today hailed the National Jewish Welfare Board and its affiliated Jewish community centers and YM & YWHAs for their “creative participation in our domestic effort to build a better society.” The President’s message was sent on the occasion of the JWB’s national biennial conference which opens here on April 24.

“For fifty years,” the President said, “your cultural, religious, educational and recreational programs have lent comfort and inspiration to the brave Jewish men and women serving in our armed forces. Through them you have forged and sustained the vital link between some of the finest traditions of our democratic society and the needs of the military in times of peace and war. At the same time, the ungrudging efforts of your affiliated Jewish community centers and YM & YWHAs have placed the nation in your debt. In your assistance to these who defend our freedom, and in your creative participation in our domestic effort to build a better society, your membership has set at example in constructive civic involvement. I congratulate you on your past contributions and wish you every success as you plan for the challenging years ahead.”

Wilbur J. Cohen, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, said in a message that the role of the Jewish Community Center movement, because of the impetus that it has given Federal anti-poverty, mental health and community service projects has been enhanced as “a force for social betterment and progress.”