American Jewish Congress Celebrates Anniversary at End of Ten Years Work

The American Jewish Congress celebrated the tenth anniversary of its inception in 1918 last Sunday at a dinner and a session of the Executive Committee which lasted all day.

The Executive Committee, after a lengthy discussion on the subject, adopted a resolution introduced by B. Zuckerman which provides for calling a special conference within one month, with a view of reviving interest in the American Jewish Congress movement and to strengthen the organization. The conference would also consider the question of organizing an election campaign of delegates to the forthcoming session of the Congress and shaping a “policy by which all organizations cooperating with the American Jewish Congress would follow one consistent attitude toward Jewish problems.”

Congressman Emanuel Celler, who addressed the morning session, asked the committee to endorse his resolution introduced in the House of Representatives asking for the appointment by Congress of a committee to supervise foreign loans, with a special reference to such countries where minorities are mistreated.

The Executive Committee took no action on this request but referred the matter to the Administrative Committee.

The charge was made that neither Congressman Celler nor Congressman Sirovich have attempted to ascertain the opinion of the American Jewish Congress before introducing resolutions affecting Jewish interests.

The tenth anniversary dinner was presided over by Dr. Stephen S. Wise as toastmaster. Judge Julian W. Mack, recalled the significance of the achievements of the Congress at the peace conference and emphasized the usefulness of its present work. Mr. Aaron Sapiro voiced praise for the work of the Congress, and expressed his desire to have a share in its activities in the future. Professor Mordecai M. Kaplan presented an analysis of the Jewish problems, emphasized the need of an all inclusive organization like the Congress. Addresses were also delivered by the distinguished Russian Jewish leader, Dr. Henry Sliosberg, Rabbi Louis I. Newman, who deplored the way in which the picture of the “King of Kings” was handled by Jewish organizations and Major Julius I. Peyser, who appealed for the strengthening and enlargement of the work of the Congress.