40 Percent of Jewish Migrants Prefer to Go to U.s., United Hias Reports

More than 40 percent of prospective Jewish migrants registered throughout the world prefer to go to the United States instead of to any other country, James P. Rice, executive director of United Hias Service, reported here today.

Mr. Rice was one of a number of speakers addressing the 62nd annual convention of the National Conference of Jewish Communal Services, in session here for four days, ending tomorrow. More than 2,000 are in attendance at the convention which includes also the national meetings of the National Association of Jewish Center Workers, the National Council for Jewish Education, and the Association of Jewish Community Relations Workers.

Even prospective migrants “who have the legal right to stay where they are, ” said Mr. Rice, “do not feel really settled because they have not abandoned their hope to be reunited with their families in the United States and in other distant lands. “

Ann S. Petluck, United States operations director for United Hias, told the conference that “the ability of Jewish migrants to resettle in the United States, now and in the future, hinges on favorable action in the U.S.Senate on the various immigration bills that are pending.” During the period 1955-1959, she said, United Hias Service assisted the resettlement of close to 40,000 Jewish migrants. Of that total, she declared, 15,000 of the migrants came to the United States.

The Conference today elected Dr. Judah J. Shapiro of New York as president. He is secretary of the National Foundation for Jewish Culture. Other officers elected were: First vice-president, Donald B. Hurwitz, of Philadelphia; second vice-president, Philip Soskis, of New York; treasurer, William Posner, of New York; and secretary, Morris Grumer, of Los Angeles.