The denial of a most favored nation status to the Soviet Union until it lifts its immigration restrictions on Jews who want to emigrate from the USSR “must remain an up-front issue because lives are at stake,” Mark E. Talisman, administrative assistant to Rep. Charles A. Vanik (D.Ohio) told some 700 delegates attending the biennial convention of the National Jewish Welfare Board meeting here this weekend. “This is not a Jewish issue,” he said, “it is an American issue.”
Dr. David Sidorsky of Columbia University told the communal leaders from throughout the U.S. and Canada and representatives from Israel. Great Britain and Australia, that U.S. support for Israel is not only good for Jews but also a definite contribution to American foreign policy. “American aid to the Israelis during the October War was tremendous,” he said, “but the defense of Israel is crucial for the U.S. in weaponry and in other ways.”
Noting that the Soviet Union is gaining in influence in the Middle East, Dr. Sidorsky, a professor of philosophy and consultant to the American Jewish Committee Task Force on the Future of the American Jewish Community, declared that the ability of Israel to emerge victorious made a difference. “America did a great deal for Israel, but Israel did a great deal for America.” He said that if there is to be a detente between the U.S. and the USSR there must be “restraint by Russia on the shipment of arms to Israel’s enemies, and the easing of emigration restrictions on Soviet Jews.
ISRAEL ANNIVERSARY EVENT SOMBER
One of the highlights of the JWB convention was the celebration of Israel’s 26th anniversary. But the celebration was somber as Rabbi Arthur Lelyveld of Fairmont Temple declared: “This is not a happy anniversary. There is no dancing in the street. Instead, there is mourning for 3000 dead. There is widespread discontent–about the economy, the government and the military leadership–and there are even charges of corruption. And American Jewry watches and waits with bated breath for a stable government and for peace. There is a cold gut feeling that Israel could go down.” He added that the relationship between American Jewry and Israel “is no longer we and they. There is no longer interdependence but unity. Our mood is identical with theirs.”
Shaul Rosolio, inspector general of the Israeli police, stated that Israel is “undergoing a process of reassessment.” There is a change of government, he noted, but it is not just a change of government. “It is a brushing aside of old leadership. There is a re-forming of relationships,” he said.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
