Leaders of Jewish Federations Leave Today for Top-level Talks in Israel

A group of leaders of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, representing communities from all parts of the United States and Canada, will depart by plane tomorrow for Israel to hold top-level discussions there with government and welfare agency officials. The discussions will continue for about three weeks.

The delegation is the first ever sent to Israel on an official basis by the Council, which is the national association of 213 central Jewish community organizations. Member agencies of the Council annually raise the bulk of all funds allocated to meet philanthropic needs in Israel and in the United States.

A series of intensive meetings have been scheduled to allow the Council leaders to meet with Israeli Government officials and leaders of the Jewish Agency for Israel and other welfare organizations. They are designed to give the American Jewish leaders firsthand knowledge of the problems faced by Israel in the reception of immigrants, their absorption, and in the administration of other social welfare programs. In turn, the Americans will seek to interpret to the Israelis the development and method of operation of American Jewish community organizations.

Specific topics for discussion include: the role of the Jewish Agency in meeting Israel’s welfare needs, the status and problems of the Israel economy, integration of immigrants to Israel, agricultural developments, the Joint Distribution Committee-Malben program of aid to the aged and handicapped, fund-raising, health and welfare developments, vocational training, and religious institutions.

The Jewish leaders will also meet with John J. Haggerty, director of the United States Operations Mission, and his staff, on the progress of the U.S. Government program of aid to Israel. The group will be led by Herbert R. Abeles of Newark, president of the Council.