American Rabbinate Urged to Meet Challenge of Soviet Immigrants

“The challenge of proper absorption of immigrants from the Soviet Union and other countries is the central problem of the Jewish people at this time, and the responsibility of the world Jewish community,” said Natan Peled, Israel’s Minister of Immigrant Absorption. The Minister was in the United States addressing an unprecedented series of meetings with the American rabbinate sponsored by the Rabbinical Advisory Council of the United Jewish Appeal.

The purpose of his visit was to inform the rabbinate about the crisis of needs created by the anticipated arrival in Israel of 70,000 immigrants from all over the world in 1972. This was the first time that the entire rabbinical community was called together for a common purpose. Peled noted that not only is there a problem of absorbing the influx of immigrants in 1972 but that there are many unabsorbed immigrants who came to Israel years ago who have large families living in one and two room flats. He noted that the most important need is housing for the newcomers.

The rabbis were also addressed by Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman, UJA executive vice-chairman–Israel. Commenting on the crisis of opportunity caused by the arrival of Soviet immigrants. Rabbi Friedman said “that in order to successfully meet the needs of the immigrants this year, every Jew in America must be approached and must contribute his share, and the only way to reach every Jew in America is through the American rabbinate.”

Rabbi Joseph Ehrenkranz, chairman of the Rabbinical Advisory Council, suggested that each synagogue adopt the “100% Plan.” According to this plan every synagogue ought to seek a gift to the UJA from each of its members. There are currently more than 200 synagogues in the country that have adopted some form of the plan. He added that every rabbi ought to use the pulpit as an effective means for making their communities aware of the tremendous importance of properly absorbing Soviet immigrants.