A commission which will guard the legal rights of Jewish orphans in Europe was set up here last night at a meeting of major organizations called by Chief Rabbi Joseph Hertz, following reports of mass-conversion of homeless Jewish children to Christianity. The group will be healed by Dr. Hertz and will contain representatives of the rabbinate and lay bodies.
Addressing the meeting, Prof. Gecil Roth, noted Jewish historian, revealed that in Italy 1,000 Jewish children have been baptized. He compared the situation to forced baptisms that were prevalent in Portugal in the 15th century and said that “dire historical consequences” will flow from the present situation.
Rabbi Isidor Grunfeld told the conference that representative of the rabbinate had been denied access to baptized Jewish children among a group of Dutch war orphans recuperating in England. He pointed out that many countries do not have laws which would enable Jewish bodies to adopt or become the guardians of Jewish orphans, and urged that such legislation be enacted.
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