Jewish Condition in Latin America, Israel Discussed at Conference

Because Jews in Latin America are considered part of the 5 percent of the population living in opulence, while 95 percent of the population is in need, Jewish communities are in an uncertain situation as Latin America seeks its new destiny–which may take a generation.

That view was presented here by Dr. Isaac Gold enberg, president of the Latin American Jewish Congress, a branch of the World Jewish Congress. He addressed the sixth conference of Latin American Jewish communities. Dr. Goldenberg called for accentuation of the dynamic factors within the frame of the Latin American Jewish Congress. He also voiced irrevocable solidarity with Israel on the basis of the Jerusalem Program.

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, WJC president, expressed satisfaction that Peru is one of the few countries without anti-Semitism, but noted that the small Jewish community here–5300 in a Peruvian population of 13.6 million–is having bigger problems of preservation than larger communities because of pressure for assimilation. Dr. Goldmann said the WJC planned a new department to help Jews in the Third World, whose member nations, he said, often vote against Israel at the United Nations because they don’t understand Jews’ problems.

A rebirth of Jewish life and culture cannot take place anywhere but in Israel, Dr. Goldmann said. He added that he felt that the cold war was ending a general detente is nearing, and there is room for optimism on a Middle East peace for the first time. A Mideast peace, be observed, will ease not only Soviet-American tensions but the strictures against Soviet Jews. Dr. Goldmann declared that a campaign must be waged for the right of Jews to emigrate from the Soviet Union and for the right of Soviet Jews to have a Jewish, life if they want to remain.