Unity

The resolutions adopted Tuesday evening by the Administrative Committee of the American Jewish Congress to secure the cooperation of the American Jewish Committee and the B’nai B’rith merit serious consideration. They create a basis of negotiation for the establishment of a united Jewish front. They imply at the same time that the World Jewish Congress will no longer be held in 1935 as contemplated.

There is no doubt that the American Jewish Committee and the B’nai B’rith will be open to negotiations. There is also reason to believe that the project to establish and maintain a world executive body such as is proposed in the resolutions, to represent the world Jewish rights and interests before the League of Nations, will be seriously considered by both the American Jewish Committee and the B’nai B’rith.

Once such an executive body is organized — whether it is called the Council of Jewish Delegations or by any other name—it is only reasonable that this body should be the one to decide whether a World Jewish Congress is altogether necessary and, if so, when it shall be held.

The creation of a Council of Jewish Delegations uniting all forces in American Jewry—and with them also all forces in European Jewry—is naturally more important than the immediate calling of a World Jewish Congress which would represent only one part of world Jewry and would be opposed by another. The Administrative Committee of the American Jewish Congress should therefore be congratulated for taking the lead in suggesting the creation of such a council.

Those Jewish leaders in Europe who insist that he World Jewish Congress be called in 1935 will simply have to change their attitude. They will have to follow the American call if they really wish unity in World Jewry. That the present critical situation of European Jewry demands a unification of all Jewish forces cannot be disputed.