The Jewish communities of America must plan “intelligently, realistically and well in advance” if they are to continue their unprecedented achievements in behalf of Jewry overseas, in Israel and at home, Julian Freeman, vice-president of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, declared here at the three-day conference hold by the CJFWF Western States Region, which concluded today.
Speaking before more than 200 delegates, representing 10 western states as well as Western Canada, Mr. Freeman pointed out that to achieve additional accomplishments in 1950, the Jewish communities must recognize that all Jewish problems are basically intertwined and indivisible.
“We must plan and act so that we will be addressing ourselves to the total local picture–the total national picture–the total overseas picture–for they are all parts of the same picture,” he continued. “Thus, we can no longer rest content with moving from emergency to emergency. The time has come to anticipate our problems before they become aggravated. We must prevent them from becoming critical; and we must plan for them as early as possible,” The delegates adopted a series of resolutions designed to serve as guideposts for Jewish Welfare Funds in meeting future responsibilities.
A major resolution approved by the delegates called for the establishment of a central Israel budget and fund. The communities were urged to implement this resolution by consulting with local organizations interested in the philanthropic needs of Israel, and that the wishes of the communities be called to the attention of the national and Israel agencies involved.
Other resolutions emphasized: 1. Right of local communities to determine allocations and campaign goals. 2. All national and overseas agencies should consult the communities in advance on questions which are of direct concern to the communities so that they can more effectively coordinate planning and budgeting to avoid confusion. 3. Communities should be furnished with more detailed information on expenditures, services and future programs of agencies so they can make equitable allocations. 4, Urgent need for communites to obtain cash to meet U.J.A.’s immediate obligations.
In reviewing the efforts of American Jews to rescue the remnants of European Jewry, to aid in the upbuilding of Israel and to bring to America tens of thousands of refugees, Mr. Freeman stressed that these achievements were made possible through unified and unprecedented support of Jewish Welfare Funds. He emphasized that along with these successful overseas endeavors, American Jewry maintained and developed Jewish communal institutions and services at home. Raphael Brandes of Tucson, was elected 1950 president of the CJEWF Western States Region, succeeding Marcel Hirsch of San Francisco.
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