The 23rd annual conference of the Yiddish Scientific Institute–YIVO–opened here today with delegates from all sections of the United States and Canada in attendance, The parley opened after sending greetings to the state of Israel and voicing the hope that “a permanent peace will be established by the heroic fighters of the Jewish state.” A budget of $450,000 was adopted for 1949.
Jacob Lestchinsky, well-known Jewish economist and sociologist, reviewed tie social and economic patterns of life in the Jewish state. He pointed out that the labor movement is the dominant force in Israel, with the Histadrut numbering more than 60 percent–including families of members–of the total Jewish population.
Dr. Isaac Levine, professor of Jewish history at Yeshivah University, analyzed the role which the Vaad Hatzalah played during and immediately after the war in the work of rescuing Jewish victims of Nazi persecution. He said that when the American and other Allied Governments undertook to join in this rescue program,” it was already too late.”
Prof. Nathan Reich, of the Hunter College economics department, presented a report on the economic life of Jews in the United States, pointing out that the Jewish immigrants who reached these shores during the past two decades achieved great success in industry, labor and professional life. Messages of greetings to the conference were received from numerous Jewish leaders and organizations.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
