American Jewish Editors Congratulate New Israeli Leaders; Elect Officers

The American Jewish Press Association (AJPA), at its 35th annual conference here unanimously voted its “good wishes” to the new government of Israel and expressed “solidarity” with the World Federation of Jewish Journalists.

In other resolutions, the 71-member organization at its three-day meeting which closed Friday, urged “firm support for a sound energy conservation program to help America cease dependency upon foreign sources for its energy needs,” and urged President Carter to continue to speak out for human rights including those of Soviet and Syrian Jewries. It also congratulated the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on its 60th anniversary this year.

Following long discussions on a dispute in the Los Angeles area, the AJPA also adopted a resolution that backed “independent and viable” Jewish newspapers. The resolution on Israel’s government said the AJPA “congratulates the people of Israel on their democratic election and extends its good wishes to Likud party leader Menachem Begin on his ascension to head Israel’s government with the profound hope he is able to guide his country to an end of hostilities and achieve peace in the Middle East.”

Norman Gold, editor and publisher of the American Jewish World of Minneapolis and St. Paul, was elected president, succeeding Robert A. Cohn, editor of the St. Louis Jewish Light, who had served for five years in the post. During his tenure, the AJPA, which consists of publishers and editors, grew from 36 to 71 members.

Elected vice-presidents were: Frank Wundohl, editor of the Philadelphia Exponent; Charles Buerger, publisher of the Baltimore Jewish Times, and Geoffrey Fisher, editor of the San Francisco Jewish Bulletin. Other officers are: Anne Hammerman, editor of the Dayton Jewish Chronicle, treasurer; Doris Sky, editor of the Intermountain Jewish News, Denver, recording secretary; and Esther Blaustein, editor of the Jewish Community News of Central New Jersey, corresponding secretary.