Jewish Women’s Conference on Pro-falasha Work

Nearly one hundred representatives of Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Sisterhoods of Greater New York gathered January 29th, at the Community House of Temple Emanu-El, to discuss the work of the American Pro-Falasha Committee. The conference was called by Dr. Israel Goldstein, recently elected chairman of the American Pro-Falasha Committee.

Dr. Goldstein pointed out that the Falasha Jews of Abyssinia, who have in the past, though cut off from the rest of Jewry, maintained their Jewish traditions through centuries of hardship and oppression, now need the help of the Jews of the Western world, for their religious and educational advancement. Dr. Goldstein stressed the fact that the Jews of Abyssinia have been subjected to the conversionist efforts of Christian missionaries, and that it is, therefore, a Jewish duty and obligation of honor to help them maintain their Faith by offering them education and guidance, and that the work of the American Pro-Falasha Committee toward this end, is therefore the one and only missionary effort conducted by Jews among Jews.

Dr. Jacques Faitlovich, who has worked with the Jews of Abyssinia for the past twenty-five years, and has established the educational institutions which are there now, spoke of his experiences in that field, and made mention of the favorable attitude of the Abyssinian Government towards his efforts and toward the program of the American Pro-Falasha Committee. Dr. Elias L. Solomon and Dr. Nathan Stern also delivered brief addresses.

The representatives who were present pledged their effort to gain the cooperation of the Sisterhoods and it was also decided that a Women’s Committee be formed as a permanent organization, to cooperate with the American Pro-Falasha Committee.