Major problems confronting the Jewish communities in the United States were discussed at a three-day conference of the Western States Region of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds held here. More than 200 leaders from 15 communities attended the parley.
The delegates adopted a resolution reaffirming their support of the “policies and principles” of the National Community Relations Advisory Council and expressed the hope that “all of the agencies functioning in this field will again achieve a measure of cooperation acceptable to all.” The resolution expressed concern over the withdrawal of the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee from the N.C.R.A.C. and urged the special C.J.F.W.F. committee authorized by the General Assembly, or any other group, to reopen negotiations with a view towards resolving their differences.
In another resolution the Jewish community leaders urged revisions in the McCarran-Walter Immigration law, asking Congress for a positive immigration policy which will “welcome without racial, national, religious or other discrimination those who seek to emigrate to the United States and become part of its national life. ” The resolution also urged the United States, in cooperation with other nations, to provide “a fair share of resettlement opportunities for victims of oppression and displacement.”
On the local scene, the delegates adopted a resolution urging the Jewish communities “to study their services to the aging, with the objective of developing effective central planning and cooperation of medical, institutional casework, recreational and related programs and to explore the possibilities of extending these services on a zonal or area basis.”
Eli H. Levenson of San Diego, was re-elected president of the Western States Region of C.J.F.W.F. Other officers, who were all re-elected, were: Howard H. Desky of Oakland, Sol Esfeld of Seattle, and Robert E. Sinton of San Francisco, vice-presidents; and Ben Solnit of Los Angeles, treasurer. Arnold Gurin, director of the budget research department of the C.J.F.W.F., addressed the community leaders on “Financing Total Jewish Responsibilties.”
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