American Jewish Youth Parley Opens; 19 Organizations Represented

A call to all Jewish youth organizations in the United States to expand their ranks, and “unify their common interests, ” was mode here tonight by Eliahu Dobkin, head of the Youth and Hechalutz Department of the Jewish Agency in Israel. Mr. Dobkin addressed the opening session here of the Conference of Jewish Youth of the United States and Canada, attended by 150 delegates representing 19 national Jewish youth organizations.

Mr. Dobkin, who brought greetings from the youth of Israel, asked the delegates of the various organizations present to “learn from one another and seek to understand each other despite the kaleidoscopic differences in Jewish life that are here represented. ” He urged American Jewish youth to “accept the obligation of affiliation with a Jewish youth organization.”

Dr. Abraham Duker, president of the College of Jewish Studies, Chicago, called upon American Jews to preserve their heritage by working toward a “balanced integration of American and Jewish culture.” He said such a balance could not be created without an intensification of Jewish education at all levels.

The three-day conference, which is sponsored by the youth department of the Jewish Agency, is the first of its kind in which all 19 Zionist and non-Zionist groups have participated. The groups represented here include:

B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, B’nai Akiva of North America, Brith Trumpeldor-Betar, Canadian Young Judea. Dror Hechalutz Hatzair, Hashomer Hatzair, Hillel Foundations, Ichud Habonim. Jewish Welfare Board, Canadian YM YWHA, Junior Hadassah, Mizrachi Hatzair, National Conference of Synagogue Youth, National Federation of Temple Youth, Student Zionist Organization, United Synagogue Youth, Young Israel Intercollegiate Council, Young Judea, and Young Zionists of America.