More than 800 Jewish communal leaders from 34 states assembled here at the Statler Hotel today for the opening tomorrow of the Emergency National Conference of the United Jewish Appeal to consider the role of American Jews in the future development of Israel. Henry Morgenthau, Jr., general chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, described the conference as a “crisis meeting,” declaring that American Jews “stand at the crossroads of their responsibility in relation to the Jews of Israel and other parts of the world.
“The crucial problem before this conference is the continuation of the partnership between American Jews and the Jews of Israel in the building of the Jewish state,” Mr. Morgenthau said. “In the 16 months since Israel was established, more than 285,000 immigrants have entered its gates. This tremendous influx has created a crisis for the people of Israel. Although they have steadfastly refused to consider any restrictions on immigration, they are unable alone to provide the funds to house and rehabilitate the newcomers.
“The Jewish communities of the United States have a solemn obligation, to provide the cash which is needed to receive, house and settle the immigrants, so that they may take their place in the building of Israel, and not become a burden which can threaten the orderly developments of the state,” Mr. Morgenthau declared. “American Jewry pledged that it would make possible the uninterrupted flow into Israel of every homeless Jew who wished to enter. It must now make good on that pledge.”
Leading Israel spokesmen, including Ambassador to the United States Eliahu Elath and Aubrey S. Eban, chief of the Israeli delegation at the United Nations, will report to the conference on the current situation in the Jewish state. The conference will open officially at a dinner tomorrow night while all of Sunday will be given over to a discussion by communal leaders of “The Measure of American Jewish Responsibility” in relation to the needs of the agencies of the United Jewish Appeal.
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