Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Begin Warns Against Assimilation

August 11, 1977
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Premier Menachem Begin declared in a toped message to the 52nd annual convention of the American Mizrachi Women, which ended here today, that the Jewish people “is losing tens of thousands of its sons and daughters through intermarriage and assimilation.” He told the delegates that “your task is to prevent this process from continuing.”

Begin also urged the delegates “to bring our young girls nearer to tradition, to instill into their hearts the love of the Jewish people” and of Judaism and “of our customs,” including “lighting the Sabbath candles and attending synagogue services.” He also said that “the second language of every Jewish youngster should be Hebrew.”

Zvi Brosh, Israel’s consul general in Los Angeles, told the delegates, at another session, that Israel had been strengthened by the election of “a government that, when it comes to negotiations for peace, speaks for the overwhelming majority of Israelis.” Brosh also said that he felt there is “a better chance” now for progress toward Mideast peace than at any time during the past 30 years but he cautioned the delegates against optimism created by a press which “lauds every hint of Arab moderation.”

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement