War-time Problems of American Jewish Communities Outlined by William J. Shroder

The war-time problems confronting American Jewish communities and organizations, which will be discussed at the first war-time General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds which opens in Chicago at the end of this month, were outlined by William J. Shroder, chairman of the Board of the Council, in a statement made public here today.

“The programs and activities of organizations, except as they will help to win the war, are now of trifling importance,” Mr. Shroder stated. “All they are and all they do must be centered on this one purpose. And what applies to organizations generally, applies with even greater force to Jewish organizations. This is necessarily so because Judaism feeds its roots from the same soil as does the democratic way of life. The fate of Judaism is one with the fate of our country. Because of this, the so-called distinctly Jewish problems, except so far as their solution will help to win the war and help to make the peace, are as toys to be put aside until happier days are again here.

“It is impossible to state concretely just what this means. No one has the foresight to predict the turn of events. From our present limited vision it would appear that the first thing demanded of us is that we suspend our differences and plan and act together. National unity is essential to victory and there can be no national unity when important groups within the nation remain divided.

URGES INCREASED EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR CITIZENSHIP

“Secondly, all of our organizations, devoted to inculcating the fundamentals of religion, to education and training for citizenship and a productive life, to the preservation of the family, to the up-building of character, to the maintenance and improvement of health, must not only go on with their present programs–they must carry them through in larger volume and with better results. This is true because each of these organizations maintains and improves morale. This is the most essential requirement of a nation at war. The morale of the soldier and sailor in service depends not so much on his military activities as upon the knowledge that his loved ones at home are protected and cared for.”

Mr. Shroder also made the point that the national and local organizations programmed to coordinate functional activities, to raise standards, to stimulate action, to develop unity, to achieve united planning and action, must continue and enlarge their efforts. “In these categories,” he declared, “are the great religious and educational national groups, the national agencies in the functional fields, and not least, our organization, whose efficiency in developing harmonious community relations for the attainment of all of these vital objectives has been proven. A field of effort which must be maintained is that of these agencies devoted to developing unity between all groups in the United States, as distinguished from unity within our own groups.”

Finally, Mr. Shroder urged the support of Jewish organizations devoted to helping Jews outside of the United States. “They, of course, include the agencies supported by the United Jewish Appeal,” he declared.