Klutznick Urges Primacy of Jewish Education; Katz Hits Soviet Union

The primacy of advancing Jewish education above other endeavors was urged on Jewish youth here today by Philip M.Klutznick, honorary president of B’nai B’rith. Addressing 150 B’nai B’rith Youth Organization leaders attending an intensive, seven-week leadership training conference at the Sam Beber Leadership Village, Mr. Klutznick told the youths:

“The key to Jewish survival–and indeed the key to world survival–lies in the willingness of people to understand the role of education in civilization. The great problems of our era, we now recognize, can only be solved by the transference of Knowledge–not by the transference of dollars. If this is true for the world, how axiomatic it must be for the Jews of the world who have so long resisted attacks and oppression. Knowledge and knowledge alone can make you free and dignified. Education is the key to the advancement and progression of all that Judaism and Jewish life stand for.”

In another session, Label A. Katz, president of B’nai B’rith, discussed some of the discriminations now practiced against Jews in the Soviet Union. “Soviet Jews,” he said, “are subject to a subtle policy of discrimination in employment, education, and major sectors of public life. A few especially brilliant Jews still hold high positions in professional, cultural, and economic life, but Jews have virtually disappeared from key ‘security-sensitive’ areas such as the armed forces, diplomatic corps, and membership in legislatures. The proportion of Jews in higher education, science, and the professions has been declining for many years. In many universities and advanced institutes, a quota system prevails. A generation ago, Jews comprised about 13 per cent of all students in higher education. Today, that figure is reduced to three per cent.”