Major problems facing American Jewry in 1951 were discussed by 72 executives of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds at a five-day conference held at French Lick Springs, Ind., sponsored by the C.J.F.W.F.
Following a report on the economic condition of Israel by Harold Glasser, director of the C.J.F.W.F. Institute on Overseas Studies, the group reviewed recent developments in fund-raising for Israel needs, and discussed the implications of a probable Israel Government bond drive and the continuance of the United Jewish Appeal as a beneficiary of the local welfare funds.
Agreement was expressed on the necessity for American Jewish communities becoming more fully aware of the realities and difficulties faced by Israel. It was emphasized that in order to gain maximum benefit from the bond drive, funds raised through that channel should be over and above the maximum funds contributed to welfare funds for the support of the United Jewish Appeal and all other valid overseas, national and local causes.
The group urged that discussions on the national level be instituted by the C.J.F.W.F. on behalf of the welfare funds, with the United Jewish Appeal, the new bond organization and other campaigns for Israel to clarify relationships, programs, and campaign details.
Regarding the need of communities for campaign aid which will reflect the all inclusive character of the welfare funds, it was agreed that the C.J.F.W.F. should accelerate its program of expansion of its campaign services. Arnold Gurin, C.J.F.W.F. budget research director, reviewed and analyzed 1950 campaing and budgeting experience of the communities. Jacob H. Kravitz of Dallas, and Dan S. Rosenberg of St. Paul, projected the 1950 experience into implications for 1951.
A panel consisting of Herman Pakarsky of Newark, Abe Sudran of Kansas City, Milton Fromer of Syracuse, and Oscar A. Mintzer of Waterbury, posed problems of organization and planning for local services in 1951. The executives recognized that the fund raising and budgeting picture for 1951 emphasized the need for: continued critical examination of agency operations, strengthening of the local central community organization and securing the strongest possible leadership for local agencies.
At a series of four group meetings arranged according to population category, the executives studied specific problems in relation to planning local services. Samuel Goldsmith of Chicago led a session on professional preparation for Jewish community organization work. At the concluding session, Isidore Sobeloff of Detroit, served as chairman and presented a roundup series of conclusions.
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.
