Cjc Plenary Viewed As Historic

The Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) 18th Plenary Assembly May 12-15 is being viewed as one of the most important in the history of the 58-year-old organization. According to the CJC assembly organizers, the significance lies in the current situation in Canada, specifically in Quebec, which will affect the Jewish community perhaps to a greater extent than it will most other Canadians.

According to Shirley Rabinovitch, chairwoman of the arrangements committee, Quebec Premier Rene Levesque is slated to make a major address May 13 during which he is expected to deal with issues of significance to the province’s minority groups. Secretary of State John Roberts will also participate in the conference, Mrs. Rabinovitch said, “and he will bring greetings to the Jewish community on behalf of the federal government.”

In addition to dealing with the political climate in Quebec, the assembly will also deal with the evolving role of the CJC at both the national and local levels and the policy of the federal government on issues relating to Israel. All major sessions will be conducted in simultaneous French-English translation.

Mrs. Rabinovitch, who is also national vice-president of Hadassah-WIZO, reported that some 1000 delegates from every Jewish organization in Canada are currently being mandated to attend the conference. “Delegates will be asked for their stand regarding the expenditure of community funds,” she said. “We must come to grips with the reality of what is possible and what is not possible to do with our limited funds.”

A panel of international Jewish leaders will review the current state of Jewish communities throughout the world. It is scheduled to include Lord Fisher of Camden, president, Board of Deputies of British Jews: Philip Klutznick, chairman, World Jewish Congress board of governors; Prof. Yoram Dinstein, Hebrew University; and Alan Rose, national executive director, CJC.