Brodetsky Demands Recognition of Deputies Board As Central Anglo-jewish Body

A demand that the Board of Deputies of British Jews be recognized as the central institution of Anglo-Jewry and be independent, democratic and representative of every section of the community was made by Prof. Selig Brodetsky yesterday in his inaugural address as president.

Pointing out that reform of the Board was necessary, Prof. Brodetsky, whose election had been unopposed, warned against radical reconstruction at a time when the Board may have to carry out vital tasks. He stressed the need for unity and voiced the opinion that the new executive committee of the Board would have every prospect of drawing all sections together in friendly cooperation.

Discussing problems of the near future, Prof. Brodetsky outlined them as follows: (1) Questions affecting the Jews of England; (2) questions concerning the Jews of central and eastern Europe “when Nazi domination is removed and this part of the world can return to civilized order;” (3) the future of Palestine and the Jewish national home; (4) the problem of Jewish refugees.

The Board elected as members of the new executive committee the following: Lavy Bakstansky, Lionel Cohen, Percy Cohen, Barnett Janner and Lord Swaythling. First meeting of the committee will be held Tuesday when additional non-deputies will be coopted. The election of Gordon Liverman as president of the Jewish Defense Committee, succeeding Neville Laski, was announced.

The British Government’s restrictive policy on immigration to Palestine was sharply criticized by Prof. Brodetsky last night before a conference of the Jewish National Fund. Prof. Brodetsky expressed the hope that the Government, in view of the disaster that has over taken millions of Jews, would revise its attitude.

The conference adopted a resolution welcoming the inauguration of a “Forest of Freedom” in Palestine and calling upon all sections of the community to participate in its planting.