Conference of Jewish Federations Urges Permanent United Jewish Appeal

The problem of returning Jewish veterans and displaced war workers, and means of combatting anti-Semitism were discussed here at a two-day regional conference of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds attended by 122 delegates from 18 cities.

Resolutions adopted by the conference urged the establishment of the United Jewish Appeal on a permanent basis, and called for impartial budget machinery to eliminate annual bargaining; requested the Council’s General Assembly to consider inclusion of other legitimate agencies within the UJA, and discouragement of new organizations duplicating existing services; voiced support of the National Community Relations Advisory Council, and advocated its implementation, with further cooperative planning, in local and national programs.

E.N. Grueskin of Sioux City was elected president of the region, succeeding Louis S. Myers of Kansas City. Vice-presidents chosen were Avery Carp, Granite City; Milton Livington, Omaba; and I. S. Joseph, Minneapolis. Mr. Myers sounded the key-note of the conference at the opening session when he pointed to a greater need and opportunity for sound community planning, and urged diverse groups to work together for the common good.

Problems of post-war adjustment were analyzed by H. L. Lurie, executive director of the Council, who examined the basic provisions made by the Government for returning veterans and indicated the nature of supplementary services by Jewish organizations. Harold Goldenberg, Minneapolis, stressed the necessity of giving proper attention to the needs of civilians as well as veterans, and of community-wide action rather than separate activities by special groups. It was noted that post-war needs would require lifting of some standards of agency performance.

Harry Barron, executive director of the Cleveland Jewish Community Council, analyzed the psychological, political, social and economic phases of anti-Semitism. He urged Jewish participation in constructive civic activities, and advocated development of a cooperative relationship with liberal, pro-democratic groups. Irwin Oreck, Duluth, presented techniques of dealing with the problems, and Julian Venezky, Peoria, discussed local community-wide organization for civic-protective work.

Community planning for Jewish education was discussed by Frank Marshall, Chicago, Dr. Morris Margolin, Omaha, and Herman Morton, Southern Illinois. They stressed the need for sharing of responsibility by parents, schools, and the community, discussed experiments in reaching rural Jewish populations, and urged the strengthening of Jewish contributions to American civilization. Mr.Goldenberg was elected president of the West Central States Region of the American Association of Jewish Education.