Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Argentine Communal Leader Describes Cultural Growth of Latin American Jewry

December 5, 1946
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

The accelerated cultural growth of the Jewish community of Argentina during the past five years was described here today by Moshe Schenderei, president of the Chevreh Kadishe, the leading Jewish communal group in Argentina, at a press conference arranged by the American Jewish Committee.

Schenderei, who has come to this country to promote better cultural contacts between the 600,000 Jews of Latin America and American Jewry, cited the existence of several Yiddish language dailies and many periodicals as evidence that the Jews in Argentina are vitally interested in Jewish culture. Pointing out that his organization, which has a membership of 35,000, has already made arrangements for a regular annual visit of a leading American Jewish cultural figure to lecture to Argentine Jewish groups, Schenderei called for a regular exchange of informed Jewish lecturers.

Speaking of anti-Semitism in his country, he said that while he had no wish to deny its existence, he believed that the Argentine people were democratic. He asserted that the Jews of Argentina had never participated in public life to any great extent, therefore they were not alarmed by the recent dismissals of Jewish public officials, teachers and doctors.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement