Hope that representatives of Soviet Jewry will actively participate in the next Assembly of the World Jewish Congress–four years from now–was expressed last night by Dr. Nahum Goldmann in his speech closing the ten-day Assembly held here. Dr. Goldmann was re-elected by the Assembly as president of the World Jewish Congress for another term.
“The coming years, ” Dr. Goldmann said in closing the gathering which was attended by more than 300 leading Jews from about 40 countries, “are going to be crucial for the Jewish people in Israel. ” He explained that the problems which face the Jewish world cannot be separated from what happens in the world at large. He said that a relaxation of world tension can bring about peace in the Middle East and a renewed prosperity for Israel. On the other hand, increased world tension could worsen the situation, he declared.
The Assembly named a special commission for the establishment of a “Dr. Nahum Goldmann Institute for Diaspora Studies in Israel. ” Samuel Bronfman, of Canada, was named chairman of this commission. A 75-man executive of the World Jewish Congress was elected, including 16 members from the United States, and 15 from Israel.
The Assembly passed a resolution expressing the hope that the East German Government will change its attitude and meet Jewish material claims. Also noted with concern was the fact that Nazis occupied important positions in the public life of the Communist ruled part of Germany.
A resolution dealing with the Middle East noted “the tragedy of the Arab refugees who are being exploited by the Arab states in order to keep alive the hatred against Israel and maintaining an atmosphere of warfare in the Middle East. ” The resolution praised the Israel Government “for doing its utmost to alleviate the sufferings of the Arab refugees.”
Still another resolution called on all governments concerned to see to it that Jewish refugees from Egypt do not suffer discrimination, requesting that these refugees from Egypt obtain just compensation from Egypt.
Elected along with Dr. Goldmann were Rabbi Israel Goldstein of New York, as honorary vice president; Samuel Bronfman, of Canada, as chairman of the Western Hemisphere region; Israel Sieff, of London, as chairman of the European region; Arieh Tartakower, as chairman for the Israel branch of the WJC, Ira Guilden was elected treasurer, and Shad Polier, of New York, chairman of the budget committee.
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.
