World Jewish Youth Leaders Told of Need to Revitalize Jewish Life

Leaders of Jewish youth movements throughout the world now assembled at a four-day conference here, were told at a Jewish Agency welcome dinner last night of the need to revitalize Jewish life. Mrs. Rose L. Halprin, chairman of the American section of the Jewish Agency executive, addressing the 35 world Jewish leaders who represented 219 Jewish youth organizations in 42 countries, said;

“The fact that we are here, representing many trends in Jewish life, coming from many countries, proves that there is a common and potent ingredient. We want to preserve our Judaism, assure our continuity as a people, cultivate a knowledge of our past, adumbrate a plan for our future. Were this common purpose lacking, this conference could have no meaning. If, however, we fail to recognize and respect the difference that exist, the purpose of coordinated action and program could not be achieved.

“We all speak of Jewish education,” she continued, “oft-times not going beyond its use as a cliche. But such a goal would necessitate a radical change in Jewish life. Jewish education, if it is seriously conceived, must start in the home. It means that parents will have to make sacrifices, introduce some measure of traditional observance which is presently lacking. In the task of revitalization of Jewish life, we will necessarily have to receive a great deal of sustenance from Israel.”

The dinner was followed by a reception attended by leading representatives of many American Jewish organizations. Speakers at the reception, in addition to Mrs. Halprin, were Eliahu Dobkin of Jerusalem, member of the Jewish Agency executive; Charles Bick, chairman of the American Zionist Youth Foundation; Ambassador Katriel Katz, Consul General of Israel in New York; Avraham Schenker, deputy member of the Jewish Agency executive, who presided; and Luis Aron, a member of the Israeli delegation, a representative of the Israel Maccabi, who responded for the delegates.