The three-day first national convention of the Women’s American ORT closed today with a donor luncheon at the Hotel Astor at which Mrs. Elinore M. Herrick, director of the National Labor Relations Board, and Mrs. George Backer stressed the necessity of retraining refugees for new jobs.
“Unless the masses of war-victimized persecuted Jews in Europe can become economically useful wherever they go, unless they can justify their existence by some contribution to the whole culture and economy of their countries, whether native or adopted, there will be no place for them anywhere,” Mrs. Herrick said.
“Individuals who have no home to return to, no occupation to resume, individuals who for many different reasons must seek to rebuild their life under new environments must be helped in practical ways. I can imagine no greater satisfaction for Americans than to help in some constructive work as ORT and a host of other organizations are undertaking for the demoralized people of Europe. This work requires skilled execution and long range planning wisdom.”
Mrs. Backer, looking ahead to the end of the war, declared: “Whichever side gains the victory, the aftermath of war may turn out to be more dreadful than the war itself. It is estimated that some 350,000 Jewish workers in Poland are being systematically deprived of their livelihoods. And when the war ends–what then? These unfortunates will not be restored. Neither their jobs nor their property will be returned. The Jewish communities in Hungary, and elsewhere in Eastern Europe are being dealt heavy blows. They cannot all migrate. The solution for their problem must be found in the lands in which they dwell.”
Mrs. Isabelle Tropp-Gresser was elected president of the Women’s ORT at yesterday’s session. Other officers elected are Mrs. Florence R. Dolowitz, Mrs. Emily M. Rosenstein, Mrs. Fannie B. Shluger, Mrs. M.D.K. Bremner and Mrs. Rose Rashmir, vice-presidents; Mrs. Arthur Rosenberg, treasurer; Mrs. Fannie Schofield, financial secretary; Mrs. Anne Morris, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Ruth Freund, recording secretary, and Mrs. Leon Harris, chairman of the executive board.
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