In an unprecedented action, the Rabbinical Advisory Council of the United Jewish Appeal is sponsoring a series of meetings with the American Rabbinate to deal with the crisis of needs created by the unexpected arrival of 70,000 immigrants in Israel in 1972. This is the first time that the entire rabbinical community has been called together for a common purpose.
Natan Peled, Israel’s Minister of Immigrant Absorption, will address the rabbis at these meetings. Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman, UJA executive vice-president–Israel, will also participate in the programs. The sessions will be held in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami on Feb. 14, 15, 16 and 17 respectively. The rabbis are being asked to urge the attendance of their congregational leaders.
Commenting on the importance of the meetings, Rabbi Joseph Ehrenkranz, RAC chairman, said: “The unexpected influx of immigrants to Israel in 1972 may be the largest in two decades. These meetings are intended to inform the American Rabbinate of the 1972 dimensions of newcomer needs in Israel so that they, in turn, may better communicate to the entire Jewish community the need for an unprecedented response.”
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