B’nai B’rith Convention Gets Reports on Work in Fields of Education, Veterans and Relief

Progress reports on B’nai B’rith activities in the fields of education, overseas relief, veterans service and Americanism were given there today by the directors of the various departments, as the triennial convention went into its third day, which was devoted entirely to business sessions.

Dr. A.L. Sachar, national Hillel director, reported that there are now 66 fulltime foundations and 101 counselorships, making a total of 167 Hillel units on the college campuses in the United States and Canada. Included in the growth was the establishment of Hillel units in every part of Canada, with foundations at McGill, Queens, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia universities. A beginning was made in Latin America by the founding of a Hillel unit at the University of Havana. Five G.I. universities now have Hillel units.

Sidney G. Kusworm, chairman of the Americanism Commission, stated that the commission had encouraged the organization of good government study groups by lodges and women’s chapters and sponsored the showing of patriotic films, and essay and oratorical contests in public schools. During the last year the commission joined with other groups in stimulating observance of United Nations week and participated in national conferences on citizenship and Americanism.

The organization participated in the National Veterans’ Emergency Housing program, the “Employ the Physically Handicapped” project and through their “Serve-A-Hospital” program contributed more than 1,400 pieces of equipment to 131 veteran and military hospitals in the U.S. and Canada, A.B. Kapplin, director of the Post-War Service Americanism Department reported.

Overseas relief included the “Adopt A Family Abroad” program now aiding over 4,300 B’nai B’rith families in devastated areas. The program will soon be expanded so that an additional 1,000 families will receive the monthly packages of food and clothing, H.E. Lichtenstein, director of the project reported.

Maurice Bisgyer, secretary of the B’nai B’rith, reported that foreign lodges have been organized and reorganized in 27 countries throughout the world.

CABINET MEMBERS STRESS INTEREST IN PROBLEM OF DISPLACED PERSONS

In brief remarks last night, following receipt of B’nai B’rith “Justice and Humanitarianism” awards, Secretary of State Marshall and Secretary of War Patterson stressed their interest in the problem of the DP’s, as did Attorney General Tom Clark, who also spoke.

Secretary Marshall assured the gathering of his “profound sympathy” with the “tragedy of Europe,” the displaced persons problem. He said he had a “deep personal and a deep official interest in solving the problem.”

Mr. Patterson said that “the real solution must come in resettlement of those people in another land.” He pointed out that it would be “a blunder, a mistake and a fallacy, to think these people will be a burden on us. They will be assets, not liabilities.” He urged that our country do its share in admitting some of the displaced persons now in Europe.

The Attorney General pointed out that “as the descendants of immigrants we cannot now lock the doors of our loved land to those worthy shouls that now ask legal entry.”