Reorganization of the National Jewish welfare programs to meet the country’s victory needs was advanced as a oasis necessity by more than 250 Jewish community leaders attending the annual regional conference of the Western States Region of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, which concluded here yesterday.
The assembled leaders discussed problems of fund-raising and campaign techniques in 1942, army and navy activities, Jewish education in war and peace and emigre problems.
H.L. Lurie, executive director of the Council, told the West Coast leaders that “we must expect profound changes in our way of life by the war and the post-war settlements.” He pointed out that “our local organizations and activities, our continuing fund-raising campaigns, our continuing national and overseas responsibilities are all in the best tradition of democracy and are the elements out of which our future life will be built.”
Ephraim Gomberg, representing the National Refugee Service, reported to the regional assembly on the steps taken by the American Jewish community to meet the problem of possible evacuation of Jewish refugees from certain areas.
Speakers at the conference stressed that “our new obligations are not substitutes for the old” and expressed confidence that with greater sacrifice in time, effort and giving, fund-raising campaigns in 1942 will be highly successful.
One of the highlights of the regional assembly was a special session devoted to civic protective programs. Leading the discussion were Maurice Wertheim, president of the American Jewish Committee; Charles B. Sherman, representing the Jewish Labor Committee, David Coleman of Los Angeles, representing the anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, and Walter S. Hilborn of Los Angeles. Separate “Information Please” sessions were held for the national and overseas agencies and the Palestinian agencies. Walter S. Hilborn of Los Angeles was elected president of the Western States Region, succeeding James L. White of Salt Lake City. Dr. Harold G. Trimble of Oakland and Max. H. Block of Seattle were named vice-presidents. Oscar Mathews of Sacramento was re-elected treasurer.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
