Israel Will Conquer All Obstacles, Eisenhower’s Envoy Reports

The opinion that Israel will overcome “the immense obstacles and problems” which the country now faces was expressed here tonight by Eric Johnston, who has just returned from the Middle East where he made a study of conditions in Israel and the Arab countries as personal envoy of President Eisenhower.

Speaking before 3,000 delegates attending the 80th anniversary convention of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations at the Hotel Commodore, Mr. Johnston said he was “deeply impressed” with the problems facing the people of Israel. However, he added, “no one could come away from Israel without the feeling that they were going to make it in spite of all obstacles.”

Dr. Nelson Glueck, president of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, called upon all elements of the American Jewish community for continued support to Israel. “We have but begun to provide the barest means to help build up Israel,” he told the delegates. “We must stand by them and help them until the people of Israel are able to establish a self-sustaining and productive economy, which will prove to be of incalculable benefit to the entire Near East and the rest of the world.”

“GREAT UNITY” AMONG AMERICAN JEWS PREDICTED

Predicting a period of “great unity” among American Jews, Dr. Glueck said: “The confusions and controversies which have fragmentized our strength are giving way to an encompassing circle of related purposes and common goals. A new homogeneous American Jewish entity, the dynamic American Judaism which Isaac Mayer Wise envisaged, is on the way.”

A national survey conducted by the National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods, an affiliate of the UAHC, on the attitudes of Reform Jewish laymen towards Jewish ceremonies and observances reflects increased attendance at religious services, Harold Dubinsky, of St. Louis, president of the NFTB, reported at the afternoon session. The survey disclosed that many Reform Jews now adhere to rituals and ceremonies which had previously been disregarded by Liberal Jewish families and congregations. One exception, he said, is the dietary laws which are observed only by eight percent of Reform Jews.

The UAHC convention yesterday approved, after a lengthy debate, the participation of the union in the National Community Relations Advisory Council and called upon the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League to return to the NCRAC, which is the coordinating body of six national Jewish organizations engaged in combating anti-Semitism in this country.

A resolution adapted to this effect pointed out that the Union of American Hebrew Congregations has always identified itself with the totality of Jewish life. “Long before there were other agencies defending Jewish rights, our Union had established its board of delegates and protected Jewish interests in all areas of life. This has been our position through the years, and it continues to be our position in recognition of the historic solidarity of the whole household of Israel, “the resolution said.

Walter W. Weismann, chairman of the Greater New York Combined Campaign for Perform Jewish institutions, reported at today’s session that “the growth of American Reform Judaism was most graphically reflected in the substantial gains made in the current drive for funds to maintain and expand the institutions of Liberal Judaism.” He announced that the campaign had received to date a total of $1, 004, 600 in cash and $80, 533 in pledges.