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Wartime Jewish Community Problems Discussed at J.w.b. Annual Conference

April 20, 1942
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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The program which Jewish centers throughout the country are to follow in their community work for the duration of the war was outlined here today by Frank L.Weil, president of the National Jewish Welfare Board, addressing the annual conference of the JWB at the Hotel Commodore.

The conference, which marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Jewish Welfare Board, was also addressed by Judge Irving Lehman, honorary president of the JWB, by Joseph Rosenzweig, the JWB secretary, by Rabbi Milton Steinberg, Prof. William Yandel Elliot and others. It will conclude tis three-day session tomorrow with a panel discussion on the problems and policies of special concern to local JWB committees and national organizations. Delegates from all parts of the country are attending the conference.

Calling upon individuals and organization “to submerge their special interests for the general good,” Mr. Weil said that there are today three major objectives on which all groups must cooperate. Those, he said, are. Service in the War, preservation of values during the war, and “the kind of a peace we want.” “The experience which the Jewish Welfare Board has had during the 25 years of its existence shows that cooperation among different groups is never difficult to attain when an important cause is involved,” Mr.Weil stated.

The major problems which concern the Jewish community centers were enumerated by Mr. Weil as follows. 1. The role of the Jewish Center in the war efforts of the Nation. 2. The effect of the war on Jewish community life in America. 3. relation of the Army and Navy program of the Jewish Welfare Board to Jewish community organizations. 4. The effect of the war on the Jewish center.

A radio dramatization of the work of the Board and a broadcast message as Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau Jr. marked the opening of the conference last night, Secretary Morgenthau, speaking from Station WKIP, Poughkeepsie, said. “The Jewish Welfare Board and similar service agencies are doing precisely what many of give recreation, comfort and companionship to all service men whatever their religion.”

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