American Jewish Committee Opposes Council of Jewish Federations

The American Jewish Committee today made public a resolution reiterating its opposition to “the establishment of an over-riding, authoritarian body in the community relations field.” The resolution was adopted at the annual meeting of the organization.

The Committee rejected the resolution of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds “which would have the effect, if followed, of turning the National Community Relations Advisory Council into an authoritarian agency.” It emphasized that it will continue to strive for the realization of the program adopted by the N.C.R.A.C. at Atlantic City, “so long as the principle of voluntary cooperation which underlies that program remains unchanged.”

“The Committee rejects and opposes not only the terms and implications of the resolution adopted by the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds in Chicago insofar as they propose an over-all authoritarian body or otherwise violate the principle of voluntary cooperation, but also any possible similar interpretation by any other body, ” the A.J.C. resolution states.

CLARIFIES STAND ON MACIVER REPORT AND N.C.R.A.C. STATUS

Outlining its attitude toward the MacIver Report which recommends basic changes in the field of activities of Jewish organizations engaged in fighting anti-Semitism, the resolution says: “There are many statements in the MacIver Report which the American Jewish Committee endorses. The American Jewish Committee, however, is opposed to those recommendations which would lead to the establishment of an over-riding, authoritarian body in the community relations field.”

With regard to the N.C.R.A.C., the resolution declares: “The American Jewish Committee believes that : (a) The interests of the Jewish community are best served by freedom of organization and action of Jews of differing viewpoints and that there can be no one voice authorized to speak for the Jews of America in the community relations field or any other field; (b) There should be the maximum of cooperation among Jewish organizations concerned with similar problems; and (c) Such cooperation should be uncoerced and within the area of voluntary agreement.”

The resolution points out that at the meeting of the National Community Relations Advisory Council at Atlantic City on November 26, 1951, the American Jewish Committee agreed to a resolution consistent with the foregoing principles and undertook to help formulate practical recommendations pursuant to that resolution, to be presented to the N.C.R.A.C. by May 1, 1952.”The American Jewish Committee is now engaged in a good-faith effort to formulate those recommendations,” the resolution points out.

A few days after the N.C.R.A.C. Atlantic City session-the resolution continues-the General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds in Chicago adopted a resolution which would have the effect, if followed, of turning the N.C.R.A.C. into an authoritarian agency. The C.J.F.W.F. resolution, contrary to the action taken at Atlantic City, stated that a framework had been established at Atlantic City whereby certain objectives should be realized, including the strengthening of the N.C.R.A.C. “for over-all planning in Jewish community relations, with the powers and authority required to formulate policies and programs, to work out divisions of labor, and to act on its majority decisions. In view of this action, it is important that there should be no misunderstanding of the position of the American Jewish Committee.”