Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein, New York rabbi and community leader who has just returned to the United States from a two-month speaking tour for the Joint Distribution Committee in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, said today that “the 600,000 Jews in Latin America are anxious to join with American Jewry in extending every possible aid to the impoverished Jews in Europe.”
Speaking at a press conference held at the committee’s offices, Rabbi Lookstein emphasized that “many of the Jews who were aided 25 years ago by the J.D.C. in Eastern Europe and who are now permanent residents in South America, are contributing their time, energy and money towards the local campaigns benefiting the J.D.C.”
Commenting on Jewish life in South America, Rabbi Lookstein said that although there appears to be a lack of religious and educational leadership in the community, the Jews in Latin America are extremely interested in the fate of their brethren in Europe and feel a strong attachment to the Jewish community of the United States through their participation in the work of the JDC. He pointed out that there is need for a “Jewish good neighbor policy” in South America, aimed particularly at fostering a stronger religious atmosphere among the young people.
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