Secretary of Army Lauds Jewish Welfare Board for Contribution to U.S. War Effort

The National Jewish Welfare Board was lauded today ##r its “outstanding war contribution to the of servicemen and women” by secretary of the Army Kenneth C. Royall, addressing the annual meeting of the J.W.B. were. He also praised the organization’s “patriotic offer” to handle similar services ## the event of the establishment of either a draft or universal military training.

Secretary Royall also stressed the importance of religious influence in during out mature, well-adjusted soldiers. All these things, he said, recreational activities, seeking acceptance of the soldier in the community and religious influence–in which the J.W.C. has played an important role–are reflected in the soldier’s performance of military duties.

Frank L. Weil, president of the J.W.B., today pledged that the organization ?ould continue and expand its services to the Jewish community. “The J.W.B. proposes ##o carry on its services to all segments of the community, to American Jewry and to vigorous, expanding free America,” he said.

A distressing and potentially dangerous lack of recreational facilities for to Jewish youth of Jerusalem was reported by Louis Kraft, secretary of J.W.B.’s national council! who recently returned from a two-month stay in Palestine, where he conferred with Palestinian Jewish leaders on plans for the erection of a YM-YWHA in Jerusalem. The housing situation for a large segment of Jerusalem’s 100,000 Jews is ##acting in “even the simplest amenities of decent living,” Kraft said. The “inevitable consequences” of this condition, Kraft, who is also secretary of the World Federation of YMHA’s and Jewish Community Centers, observed, are already apparent. Jerusalem has a high delinquency rate,” he said.