C. J. F. W. F. Leaders Report on Resurgence of West European Jewish Life

The quality of Jewish life in Europe, especially among its youth, is one of the major problems confronting organized Jewish communities throughout Western Europe, it was reported today by two officials of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds.

The officials–Irving Kane, chairman of the Council’s Overseas Services Committee, and Louis D. Horwitz, director of the Council’s Overseas Services Department–noted that the youth problem remains critical despite a resurgence of Western European Jewish community life, and the current involvement of 40,000 youngsters in Jewish activities.

This observation was incorporated in a detailed report on a series of meetings concluded last week by the Council officials, European and Israeli community leaders, and representatives of major American overseas agencies. The meetings took place in Paris, London and Geneva.

Commenting on the vigor of Jewish life in Europe, Mr. Kane paid special tribute to the work of the Joint Distribution Committee. “Had it not been for the JDC, it would be impossible to speak in any meaningful way of European Jewish community life,” he said, While European Jewry continues to make impressive gains, it still has not been able to overcome massive problems, particularly in France where the influx of refugees has dislocated Jewish community life, he added.

“Nevertheless,” Mr. Kane reported, “the European communities are eager to meet philanthropic responsibilities wherever needy Jews exist, and are seeking the guidance of American Jews to develop more effective fund-raising methods. In addition, the continental Europeans are attempting to strengthen their own community organizations and services, to train health, welfare, educational and youth service staffs, and to develop a larger corps of volunteer community leaders.”

As representatives of the CJFWF and its 218 constituent Fedoations and Welfare Funds, Mr. Kane and Mr. Horwitz were invited to continue cooperative efforts developed last summer by the CJFWF Overseas Delegation and the European Jewish communities, arranged in cooperation with JDC. It is planned to maintain these informational and consultative exchanges for the mutual benefit of European and American Jewish communities on a frequent basis, Mr. Kane said.

SAY BRITISH FUND-RAISING COMPARES FAVORABLY WITH THE U. S.

In England, the Council officials met with the leaders of the Central British Fund for Jewish Relief and Rehabilitation, the Joint Palestine Appeal and the Jewish Welfare Board of Greater London. Mr. Kane reported that the Central British Fund–which assists refugees in England and contributes to activities in overseas areas–has set a fund-raising goal almost 50 percent above the 1964 campaign. The Joint Palestine Appeal also appears to be raising considerably more money than in previous years, he added.

On the whole, Mr. Kane observed, British fund-raising compares favorably with the United States, and we have a good deal to learn from them. He noted, however, that British leaders are determined to spread the giving base to a larger segment of the population, and to enlist greater interest and involvement of the new generation.

In France, Mr. Kane and Mr. Horwitz met with leaders of the Fonds Social Jeif Unifie, which is the French Jewish welfare federation. The Council officials noted that the French are keenly aware of the special needs of youth, and are expanding Jewish educational programs, developing new community centers and seeking to build positive Jewish identification among French Jewish youth.

Mr. Kane also reported that France continues to need massive assistance in dealing with North African immigrants to that country. “This year,” he said, “the problem has been intensified by the arrival of Jews from Tunisia who are not French citizens. These individuals are not eligible for many kinds of government assistance given Jews from Algeria during their first year in France.”

The problem of maintaining Jewish traditions and community life for North African refugees, moreover, has become increasingly difficult, since many of these families no longer live in self-contained Jewish communities and are spread thinly throughout France, Mr. Kane noted.

Mr. Kane and Mr. Horwitz, in addition, participated in a Paris meeting, marking the first joint meeting of top leaders representing the CJFWF, JDC, the Standing Conference on European Jewish Community Services, composed of community leaders from 14 countries, and the Jewish Agency, Jerusalem. “This historic meeting of American, European and Israeli leader was exploratory in nature–and sought to deal with Jewish community and social welfare problems of common interest,” Mr. Kane reported.