More than 2500 representatives from virtually every organized Jewish community in the United States and Canada are expected to attend the 43rd General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds to be held in Chicago Nov. 13-17, it was announced by Raymond Epstein of Chicago, president of the CJF.
Geared to the theme: “Crisis and Response: The New Chapter,” the leadership of the Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds in North America will meet at the Palmer House and the Pick Congress Hotel for the five-day conclave devoted to an intensive assessment of the critical issues and priority needs before the American Jewish community. With overseas leaders expected as well from Israel, France, Italy, Switzerland and South Africa, Epstein noted that the attendance is expected to be the largest in the Council’s 43-year history.
The more than 90 meetings, workshops and decision-making sessions will have as their overriding concern, Epstein said, “the scope of human needs–and how best to meet them–at home and abroad. Overall, the program reflects Federation’s expanding and crucial role and responsibilities in meeting domestic needs and providing maximum aid overseas–deepened as they are by the inflation spiral and the continuing impact of the Yom Kippur War aftermath.” Primary areas of concern to be deliberated at the General Assembly will include:
Issues and programs concerned with the crucial task of improving the quality of Jewish life; helping Israel to provide for the massive social, educational, health and welfare needs of its people in the face of continuing Mideast tension; the continuing plight of Soviet Jewry, with emphasis on next steps in international, national and local action to make emigration possible for those wishing to leave, and the right to live as Jews for those opting to remain; and building public support and understanding for a just peace in the Middle East, and for continued American policy support of Israel’s integrity.
Another area of concern will be the broad range of Federation services centering on the varied issues of human need before Jewish communities of North America, including: intensifying and financing broader programs of Jewish education; campaigning in 1975; leadership development; women’s communal service; and public relations and media development.
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