Jews in Canada to Report to Government About Plight of Soviet Jews

The Canadian Jewish Congress, at its 11th national convention, decided to call the attention of the Canadian Government to the “plight of Jewish communities in the Soviet countries.”

The delegates further pledged Canadian Jewry’s support of Israel and expressed its gratification with the Canadian Government’s decision to “provide Israel with the military means for her defense.” They expressed appreciation of the government’s efforts to strengthen peace in the Middle East and hoped it would continue such activities.

The CJC hailed the government’s cooperation in immigration projects sponsored by the Jewish community and pledged the resources of the community to absorb immigrants from North Africa and elsewhere. It decided to press for the enactment of anti-discrimination legislation in provinces which do not have such laws and to ask the strengthening of such laws as are on the books. On the question of discrimination in housing, the Congress decided to join like minded organizations to press for legislation outlawing discrimination.

Opposition was expressed to religious instruction in the public schools and to seek the rescinding of such instruction where it has been introduced. The principle of local community responsibility for Jewish education was stressed and the National Education Committee was empowered to take the lead in calling a national conference on Jewish education next year. The importance of supporting Yiddish literature and other under takings leading to enrichment of Jewish culture in Yiddish was reaffirmed.

Revitalization and reactivization of the National Joint Committee on Community Organizations was visualized and the importance of close cooperation with the Canadian Committee of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds was underlined. All Canadian Jews were called upon to support the work of the United Jewish Relief Agencies and to help the United Jewish Appeal achieve its community goals. Support of the World Jewish Congress and its activities was resolved.

Strengthening of CJC work among the youth was called for and the Congress was asked to undertake a campaign to attract young men and women to communal service careers. Establishment of a National Jewish Historical Society in Canada to prepare studies for the forthcoming bicentenary celebration, was asked. Tribute was paid to Samuel Bronfman, who was reelected for the 20th year as president of the organization, and congratulations were extended to Dr. Nahum Goldmann upon his election as president of the World Zionist Organization.