The president of the Canadian Jewish Congress warned here last night that Jews the world over must be prepared at all times to meet emergencies caused by political and economic upheavals, even where anti-Semitism as such does not play a significant role. The caution was voiced by the CJC head, Michael Garber, of Montreal, at the seventh biennial convention banquet here of Women’s Canadian ORT.
Mr. Garber cited Cuba as an example of a country where “though no anti-Semitism is practiced, and no one had told the Jews to go, there is now almost no Jewish community remaining in Cuba.” “When private enterprise changes to a philosophy of Communism,” he said, “the Jew is squeezed out and has to leave. You never know what country will next go through such a convulsion.” For these reasons, among others, he maintained, an organization like ORT, which Canadian Jewry aids with contributions totaling $200,000 annually, must be maintained and strengthened.
Mrs. A.B. Bennett, of Toronto, national president of Women’s Canadian ORT, told the 150 ORT members and guests at the event, that, throughout the world, “Jewish bodies and souls are pleading for a modicum of human dignity.” She pointed out that ORT schools in many countries, including Israel, offer vocational and technical training to refugees and displaced persons, and the ORT activities “are not confined to Jews alone.” We, the Jewish women of Canada, must do a great deal more in this field than we have been doing.”
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