Gemeral Jewish Council Plans Expansion of Activities to Meet Crisis; Will Enlarge Membership

The General Jewish Council, at a meeting over the weekend, formulated three alternative plans for assuming greater responsibility in Jewish defense and cooperative financial efforts, which will be decided upon at another meeting on Oct. 1, it was announced today. In any event, it is expected that the council’s membership will be enlarged.

The Council’s statement follows:

“The General Jewish Council comprising the American Jewish Committee, the American Jewish Congress, B’nai B’rith and Jewish Labor Committee, completed a special two-day session last evening (Sunday), called to consider the multitude of problems arising out of the present emergency situation. It was the unanimous agreement of all those present that the emergencies of the present moment require an intensification of activities and a unification of the efforts of agencies engaged in the defense of the rights of Jews.

“After a considerable discussion, three concrete plans were presented preliminary to a special meeting of the General Jewish Council which has been summoned for Oct. 1 in New York City, for the purpose of reaching a decision with respect thereto. The fortrght’s interval was agreed upon in order to permit the constituent organizations to present the plans for the consideration of their governing bodies and to be instructed thereupon.

“The plans call for the assumption of greater responsibility on the part of the General Jewish Council in the direction and execution of activities relating to defense, and cooperative financial efforts. All three plans envisage the establishment of cooperative relations with the agencies engaged in extraordinary and normal relief activities for Jews in foreign lands, and preparation for the preservation of the rights of Jews in foreign lands and in Palestine. Under all the plans the enlargement of the membership of the General Jewish Council is anticipated to permit the inclusion of a greater number of representatives than are now a part thereof.”