Jewish Continuity Theme at Closing of Aj Congress Women’s Conference

Two programs for American Jews and a series of strong appeals to bring about improvement in efforts to extend Jewish continuity marked the closing of the 40th anniversary conference of the American Jewish Congress’ Women’s Division at the May flower Hotel here today. The 500 delegates attending the four-days session adopted two resolutions on Jewish continuity. One vowed “Our determination to search, to study and to learn about our Jewish heritage so that our personal lives and life styles will serve as role models for our families.”

The second resolution reiterated the organization’s call on the American Jewish community “to reinforce and support all forms of Jewish education and Jewish cultural activities on all levels.” Other resolutions adopted at the closing session favored equal rights for women and minorities, amnesty for expatriates who refused military service in the Vietnam war and unfettered emigration rights for Soviet Jews. A resolution opposing quotas in hiring and college admissions, called for “goals with appropriate safeguards” to increase the participation of minorities and women.

Mrs. Jacqueline K. Levine, of East Orange, N.J., who marched in Selma, Ala. for civil rights and in Washington for peace in Vietnam, was installed last night to her second two-year term as president of the Women’s Division. Mrs. Thelma Richman, of Philadelphia, Lillian Steinberg, of New York City and Mrs. Virginia Snitow of Westchester, N.Y., were named honorary presidents. A new category of officers–six senior vice-presidents–was established. The first such officers are Florry Blumenfeld and Esther Polen, both of Philadelphia; Leona Chanin, Esther Smith and Lily Mars, of New York; and Sylvia Kaplan, of Miami Beach. Mrs. Chanin will head the executive committee. Lilyan Simels, of New York City was named Treasurer, Ann Robinson of Cleveland, financial secretary, Raya Kamaiko, of North Bergen, N.J., recording secretary and Sara Gold, of Philadelphia, corresponding secretary.

In the conference’s closing address, Dr. Leon Jick, director of the Institute for Jewish Life in Boston, warned that American Jewry “cannot rely on tribal loyalty and nostalgia for survival.” Another speaker, Ambassador David Rivlin, the Consul General of Israel in New York, predicted that “four or five million Jews” will be living in Israel in our lifetime.” He said the “partnership” of American and Israeli Jewry “which sets the tone in the diaspora, will go on in deeper strength to the benefit of both.”