A call for unity in the ranks of American Jewry so that it will be better able to fulfill the added tasks that it will be asked to perform at home and abroad for the duration of the war was voiced here today by American Jewish leaders, assembled at the first war-time assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds. More than 400 representatives from 219 of the Council’s member agencies in 183 cities, assembled in the Drake Hotel, heard reports by Sydney Hollander, president of the Council; William J. Shroder, chairman of the Council’s Board of Directors; Jacob Blaustein, chairman of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and a director of the Council; Edward M. Warburg, president of the Joint Distribution Committee and also a Council director; and many other leading figures in Jewish welfare work.
Mr. Hollander was re-elected to his post as president as were all the other Council officers. A committee was appointed to assume the tasks of Dr. Solomon Lowenstein of New York, the organization’s treasurer, who died on January 20. James Marshall of New York and Charles Brown of Los Angeles, were added to the board of directors.
The general assembly unanimously approved the Council’s Budget Research Service, following submission of a report by Mr. Blaustein, on behalf of the Council Committee and an opposition report on the National Advisory Budget Service submitted by Dr. Abba Hillel Silver of Cleveland. The delegates paid special tribute to Dr. Lowenstein and also to Herbert Mallinson of Texas, an active Council leader in the South-West who died several months ago.
In submitting his report Mr. Blaustein stated that it was advisable “for the sake of unity and to insure full cooperation of the various national participating organizations and also in recognition of initial practical problems involved, to proceed at this time with those phases of the proposed service that are not of controversial character.”
Confidence “that the war will bring an added measure of unity into Jewish affairs,” was expressed by President Hollander, addressing the delegates at the opening session last night. Calling for united action in 1942, he declared that “all will have to put forth a maximum energy to help achieve victory and the establishment of a world order in which democracy and justice will again prevail.” He said that the Council was proving of great value to American Jewish communities, and pointed out that Council mediators had brought about a renewal of the United Jewish Appeal for 1942.
Mr. Shroder, in addressing the Assembly, stressed the fact that it was the war job of philanthropy to support military and civilian morale abroad and at home. America must not only be the arsenal of the democratic world, but also its granary, he emphasized. American Jews, he said, are doing their full share in meeting America’s war needs, but they must not reduce their support of local, national and overseas Jewish needs. “This means sacrifice, not merely generosity, in order to meet our social obligations, “he added.
A hope that “at this crisis in history we can rise above the luxuries of sectarian politics and join hands as our country has joined hands with nations of other philosophies,” was voiced at the opening session of the Assembly by Mr. Warburg. “It would be sad indeed,” he stated, “if in this chapter of our history we were riddled with the violence and dissension of power politics.” Concluding with a plea for unity he said: “Now is the time when we must pool our resources for ultimate victory.”
The Assembly will end its sessions tomorrow afternoon.
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