Yivo Stresses Need for More Intellectuals in Jewish Leadership

The 41st Annual Conference of YIVO Institute for Jewish Research concluded here last night with discussions on American Jewish communal life and with papers read on subjects dealing with Jewish history in the United States.

Dr. B.W. Lappin, Associate Professor of the School of Social Work at the University of Toronto, speaking on the role of the professional Jewish social worker in strengthening Jewish communal life in the United States and Canada, suggested that Jewish intellectuals be attracted to assume positions of leadership in the Jewish communities. “We must not depend on technical competence alone,” he said.” New vision must be injected if we want to reach the large numbers of young people who stay outside of the organized Jewish community life. Such vision can be brought into communal work only by intellectuals.”