The Soviet Union is attempting to achieve maximum assimilation of the Jews and to wipe out their cultural and national identity as a group, Dr. Harry Schwartz, New York Times expert on Russia, told more than 1,000 Jewish social workers here, addressing the National Conference of Jewish Social Welfare.
The session, devoted to a discussion of “Problems of the Jews in Europe Today with Implications for American Jewry” was presided over by Dr. Maurice B. Hextor, executive vice-president of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York. Dr. Simon Segal, director of foreign affairs for the American Jewish Committee, told the delegates that the Jewish communities in Western Europe, weakened by the destruction brought about by Nazism and deprived of a large section of its leadership, are greatly bewildered and confused.
“They realize that while revival of fascism would mean physical destruction, Communism would bring about the destruction of Judaism and Jewish life,” he said. “It is obvious that the great majority of Western European Jews are going to remain there and a way must be found for them to live both as an integral part of their respective countries and as Jews. The Jews are thus the natural allies of the liberal forces in the general struggle against both totalitarianisms.” Other speakers included Hal Lehrmann, former foreign correspondent. Martha K. Selig of New York; Esther Beckenstein of Chicago; Dr. John A. Rose of Philadelphia.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
