Lehman, Backer Praise Activities of Ort at Annual Conference

The activities of the Ort as an organization helping Jews throughout the world to adjust themselves to various occupations by training them in trade schools, on farms and in industrial workshops were praised by Herbert H. Lehman, Director of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations, in a message sent to the annual conference of the Ort Council of Organizations held today at the Hotel Edison here.

The conference was addressed by George Backer, president of the American Ort Federation; by Dr. David Lvovitch, vice-president of the World Ort Union; and by a number of other prominent Jewish leaders. Principal discussion at the Conference was on Ort’s program in the present national crisis and world emergency, as well as its program for post-war reconstruction of Jewish life throughout the world. Delegates from hundreds of national and local organizations and synagogues participated.

“During the last 62 years, Ort has been presenting to the world a practical demonstration of the effectiveness of the principle of helping others to help themselves.” Lehman’s message stated, “There are hundreds of thousands of people the world over who demonstrate the quality of this achievement – people who have become skilled industrial and agricultural workers and so enabled to help themselves through the assistance of Ort.”

Mr. Backer pointed out that despite the havoc that has been wrought among the Jewish population of Europe, there is evidence that there is still cause for hope that these Jews will survive the Nazi terror and persecution. “In the very heart of the destruction of the Jews in Poland and in Austria, France, Belgium, Rumania, Hungary, we still find that these people, those that are left, are looking forward to tomorrow,” Mr. Backer said. “We find it out because they are asking us, in their anguish and travail, for the support of the work of Ort in their countries.”

Dr. David Lvovitch, emphasizing the need for the training of the refugees, said: “Ort training schools are changing the attitude of the various countries which will be the future homelands of the immigrants. Ort prepares Jews for desirable immigration. The Jew must prepare himself physically and mentally to assume the part which will be expected of him by his new country.” Edgar J. Nathan, Jr., Borough President of Manhattan, stressed Ort’s role in making it possible for the unskilled to become self-supporting by means of learning a productive skill. Madame Maxa Nordau, daughter of Max Nordau, was one of the principal speakers.

A declaration adopted by the delegates asked President Roosevelt and the United States Government, and through them the United Nations, to “take all necessary and appropriate steps, without delay, to secure the release of the Jewish victims of Nazi Europe and bring them to havens of refuge in Allied or neutral countries.” The conference also adopted a resolution calling upon all Jewish groups to support the intensified activities of Ort.