Congress bulletin, 1 avril 1968, Avril

[" VOL, 24, NO.4 Comment: *% se PE \u201c- JE PUBLISHED BY CANADIAN JEWISHCONGRESS MONTREAL, QUEBEC MAY 2 \u2014 A TIME FOR CELEBRATION AND REFLECTION \u2018The 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel represents an unusual birthday because of the significance of the 1967 June war and its aftermath.Apart from its military import which has been likened to some of the world\u2019s most important battles, such as Theomoplylae and Le- panto, the dimensions of the world Jewish concern with the fate of Israel was sharply focussed.The war itself was an unusual feat of arms There were no miracles but a very striking SN illustration that Israel's military leaders upset a rule of military life which is that generals always prepare to fight the last war The miracle was the reversal of this apothegm.The instantaneous reaction of Jewish communities the world over was an equally brillant display of intimate concern with the self-defence of Israel and its right to live.The right to live peaceably (or even peacefully) with one\u2019s neighbours is the first law of nature and Israel's self-preservation infused the lifestream of Jews everywhere.One can see in this electric impulse which was experienced, an entirely new beginning of a relationship with Israel very different from any known in the nearly score of years since the founding of the State.Moreover, it may be the seeds of a process which will affect all Jews for generations to come and could be a landmark of Jewish civilization.Up to 1967, Diaspora Jews supported Israel well and loyally.IV did so in 1948, at its very birth and it did so in 1936 on the occasion of the Suez war.On the various occasions of Yom Ha\u2019atzmaut, Jews everywhere lauded Israel for its magnificent achievements in education and culture, immigration and rehabilitation and in its ability to repel assaults against its integrity and, indeed, against its very existence.There was obviously something very new but yet in a tradition of nearly 20 centuries of hoping, wishing, praying for the restoration of Zion.But in 1967 during May and June, the full measurement of the inseparability of Israel from the Jewish soul was realized by young men and women who weren't born in 1948, by young adults who were children in 1956, by alienated (Cont'd on page 8) CJC PROTESTS POLISH ANTI-SEMITISM Canadian Jewish Congress has protested and repudiated most strongly the baseless propoganda by Polish politicians and the Polish press alleging that Jews or Zionists are instigators of the current unrest in Poland.Mr.Michael Garber, Q.C., president, Canadian Jewish Congress, issued a statement following a meeting of CJC Officers Committee.In his remarks Mr.Garber declared that It is unthinkable that the Polish Government should permit the Jews to be exploited as a scapegoat for its present internal difficulties and fail to denounce this attempt to revive the traditional anti-Semitism of former reactionary forces in Poland.\u201cThis campaign,\u201d he said, \u2018is an outrageous calumny against a small Jewish community of 20,000 souls, a tiny remnant of 3,000,000 Jewish citizens of pre-war Poland, who were the victims of mass murder by the Nazi anti-Semites.\u201cJews throughout the world,\u201d Mr.Garber concluded, \u201care deeply disturbed by this campaign because of possible effects on the situation of the Jews in Poland and the encouragement it gives to anti-Semite elements in other countries.\u201d Religious leaders, through the instrumentality of the Board of Jewish Ministers of Montreal and Toronto, referred to the deplorable situation in their Sabbath sermons of March 15 and called upon governmental agencies to protest most vigorously to \u2018the Polish Government urging an end to the officially condoned waves of anti-Semitism presently being encouraged in Poland.Telegram Congress also sent the following telegram to the Hon.Paul Martin, Secretary of State for External Affairs : \u201cPresent campaign in Poland alleging Jewish community instigators of the current unrest in Poland according to our information an outrageous calumny against the tiny remnant of Polish Jews survivors of the genocide committed against that community.Request External Affairs Ministry make investigation and if satisfied of these representations, call on Polish Government officially to repudiate efforts of its Government officials inciting action against community.These activities recall Stalinist purges of the fifties and this should not go unnoticed.Appreciate assurance action on our request.\u201d Mr.Michael Garber, Q.C., received the following telegram, in reply, from Hon.Paul Martin, Secretary of State for External Affairs : \u201cI wish to acknowledge your telegram of March 18 co-signed by Mr.Saul Hayes, vice-president of Canadian Jewish Congress.All responsible Canadians will share your concern at reports of anti-Semitic propaganda in the Polish press following recent outbreaks of student unrest in Poland.You may be certain that I am having this situation followed very closely.\u201d Plenary Session APRIL, 1968 FACING THE ISSUES Delegates to the 15th Plenary Session of Canadian Jewish Congress scheduled for May 16-20 at the King Edward Hotel, Toronto, are being alerted to the fact that the issues to be discussed on the agenda-slate are of vital, even critical, concern to all members of the Canadian Jewish community.The face of Canada has changed dramatically in the past few years and these changes have brought with them accompanying problems of adjustment and challenges for all Canadians, perhaps even more so for members of minority groups wishing to keep alive cultural ties and heritage.The Arrangements Committee for the 15th Plenary Session, which also marks the 50th anniversary of Canadian Jewish Congress, has taken into consideration these changed conditions and the convention program has been geared accordingly.Time has been allowed for delegates to examine and scrutinize the issues and, hopefully, solutions will be arrived at which will enable Congress to formulate future programs.The day-to-day work of Canadian Jewish Congress covers a wide spectrum of organized Canadian Jewish life and, in the past, Plenary Sessions have served as report-forums on work done between conventions.The difficulties facing the Arrangements Committee for the present convention were many.Bearing in mind, that every aspect of Congress work is of importance to various sections of the community and that only a limited amount of time was available during the convention period, it was physically impossible to give full reports on the work of all committees.It was, therefore, decided to highlight certain areas.israel A plenary session will be held on Sautrday evening, May 18, at 8:30 p.mon \u201cIsrael and the Canadian Jewish Community.\u201d The guest speaker at this .$ Se S pe : ee # i Ed © 3 + a Gills URL ME Rabbi W.Gunther Plaut time will be His Excellency Ambassador Arieh Eshel.Mr.Eshel, who was recently appointed Israel Ambassador to Canada, belongs to the small group of Israeli diplomats who were active in the field of foreign affairs, even before the proclamation of the State of Israel, in the Political Department of the Jewish Agency.He was the late Moshe Sharett\u2019s private secretary at the tinre when Mr.Sharett headed the Political PLENARWSESSION - MA Y@16-20*- TORONTO Ambassador Arieh Eshel Department and led the political fight for Israel's independence.He has served Israel in Argentina, Austria, Uruguay, Brazil, as well as being his country\u2019s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.Also featured at this session will be Rabbi W.Gunther Plaut, spiritual leader of the Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto.Rabbi Plaut\u2019s activities range over many areas, from political life to the arts, from Zionist work to scholarship.He is the author of many books, including \u201cHigh Holyday Services for Children,\u201d now in its twelfth edition.Rabbi Plaut has recently returned to Canada from a tour of Israel and will present delegates with his impressions.Mr.Ray D.Wolfe, chairman of the Joint National Committee of the Federated Zionist Organization of Canada and the Joint Community Relations Committee of Canadian Jewish Congress and B'nai B'rith will present a report on Israel Public Relations.The session will be followed by a reception for delegates, Human Rights Considerable time has been devoted to \u201cHuman Rights\u201d \u2014 not only because of the longstanding interest of the Canadian Jewish Community in the subject but prinrarily because Human Rights are in the forefront of Canadian thought today.The first segment of this session will be a luncheon meeting at which (Cont\u2019d on page 8) CONGRESS BULLETIN April, 1968 MALBEN Dignity and Hope Recaptured The above photograph was taken during a recent visit by the Israel Committee of the United Jewish Relief Agencies of Canada to a MALBEN institution where a number of UJRA-supported infirm aged are resident.(From left to right) Mr.Gabriel Glazer, Mrs.Chaya Surchin and Mr, Sol Granek, members of the UJRA Israel Committee; being briefed by Mr.Julian Friedrich, public relations director of MAL- BEN JDC.In the turbulent and difficult years immediately following the creation of the State of Israel, when hundreds of thousands of DPs and refugees entered the country, MALBEN undertook the task of providing care for the aged, ill and handicapped among them.It acquired, restored, renovated and constructed institutions, established outpatient services, set up dental clinics, etc.Sheltered workshops were opened to enable the physically disabled to be gainfully employed in a protected environment, With loans and technical assistance many handicapped heads of families were established as owners and operators of small shops and services and became self-sufficient.Today the emphasis of the MALBEN program is placed on institutional care and maintenance of the aged and sick.Over the years MALBEN has developed an extra-mural program for the aged which has relieved the pressure on its homes.A day-care service functions for those aged whose condition is satisfactory and who live in the vicinity of one of the institutions.They spend the day at the home where they receive their meals and such medical attention as they require, and participate in various cultural and recreational activities.Canada Through the recommendations of the Canadian Committee in Israel of the United Jewish Relief Agencies of Canada, a considerable number of old people who are in MALBEN institutions and who are in no position now or are ever likely to become self-supporting, receive assistance from Canadian Jewry through UJRA.In a recent report of the Israel Committee, certain members of which visited UJRA-supported residents of a MAL- BEN institution during March, it was found that \u201cThe average age of the infirm aged supported by UJRA of Canada is 79 years of age.All of them are social welfare cases and most are survivors of the Hitler Holocaust and are living with the memory of that experience.To the extent that they are able they are encouraged to do some work in order to keep busy and keep their minds off their problems.Some of them work in the clinic, some make baskets, handwoven rugs, table cloths, etc.They are provided with a small amount of pocket money in return for this work.A recreational program is also provided for them.Married couples are provided with a room and those who are single are four in one room.All of it appears to be neat, clean and comfortable.There is one staff member for every three infirm patients, and one for every five nursing patients.The approach of \u201cadd years to life and also life to years\u201d was borne out by our conversation with the patients.We found the physical facilities, housing, grounds, garden, therapy room and infirmaries to be in an excellent condition.\u201d Pictured above at the gala dinner honouring Mrs.Bronfman are (from left to right) Mr.Samuel Bronf- man, CC; Mrs.Samuel Bronfman, O.B.E.; Mrs.Levi Eshkol; ond Mr.Charles Bronfman.Mrs.Samuel Bronfman, O.B.E., was recently presented with the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award and named first \u201cWoman of the Year\u201d at a gala dinner sponsored by the Israel Bond Organization.Mrs.Bronfman, who has played a unique role in Jewish and general community leadership for a great nuinber of years, was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her work in the Red Cross during World War II.Over 1,600 people attended the tribute dinner held in Montreal which was presided over by Dean Maxwell Cohen with Mrs.Levi Eshkol, wife of the Israel Prime Minister, as guest speaker.Anti-Semitism in Poland Seen in the light of developments over the last few years, the more recent and dramatic anti-Jewish manifes:a.tions merely bring into sharper focus anti-Semitic attitudes whose effects are now being felt by all Polish Jews, including many whose communal ties had heen non-existent.On June 14, 1967, in the wake of the Six Day War in the Middle East, communist party chief Wladyslaw Gomulka, taking his lead from an anti-Jewish propaganda offensive launched in the Soviet Union, threatened Polish Jews and intellectuals with reprisals if they showed any signs of support for Israel.This marked a pronounced reversal of previously liberal, pro-Jewish policies.There is evidence that Gomulka\u2019s own attitude was fundamentally anti- Zionist, rather than anti-Semitic.While anxious to adhere to the Moscow line on Israel, he also wanted to prevent this from finding any anti-Semitic outlets.It was even reported that some of his supporters contacted Roman Catholic circles, last July, to help combat anti- Semitic propaganda.Whatever the original intentions, Gomulka\u2019s speech apparently encouraged the party\u2019s hard-line anti-Semitic faction, led by Interior Minister Mieczys- law Moczar, to execute policies for which it had prepared long before the Six-Day War.Their continuing struggle to dominate the party and the government had been aided by a deteriorating social, economic and political situation, especially wide-spread disappointment at the failure to fulfill promises granted after the October 1956 uprisings.This has been aggravated by increasing unemployment for, with an annual population increase of about 500,000, Poland has been unable to organize its economy so as to provide work for new workers.; As of this date, the anti-Semitic campaign continues without any significant sign of receding.In mid-March, Loga- Sowinski, the president of the Trade Union Council and a member of the party\u2019s politburo, insisted that all Jews who are not \u201cfully assimilated\u201d in Poland should \u201cleave Poland for Israel\u201d and that \u201cinternational Zionism\u201d had long been an enemy to \u201cpeople\u2019s Poland and to Socialism.\u201d It was reported, on March 18, that Roman Zambrowski had been removed as vice chairman of the state\u2019s Control Commission, reflecting the continuing purge of Jews.The son of a rabbi, who spent the war in the Soviet Union, Zam- browski served on the party\u2019s polithuro from 1948 to 1963, when he was removed.Ironically, Zambrowski has been labelled an instigator of the current unrest when, in truth, he has had strong ideological differences with \u201creformist\u201d elements.Another major target has emerged in the person of Adam Schaff, a philosophy professor at the University of Warsaw.In the past, Schaff has quarelled with Zambrowski on ideological grounds, and is probably the only one among the leading Jewish personalities who could be considered an intellectual instigator of liberal tendencies.He has also railed against Polish anti-Semitism.The general purges, which were accelerated in March, have affected primarily those Jews who had positions in \u2019 the mass media.This may be due to their reluctance to adhere to the strict party thesis on Israel.Nor do most observers believe that the enrphasis on Jews or \u201cZionism\u201d as it is called is accidental.Every public demonstration aimed at halting student riots called off the punishment of Zionists; banners seemed to have been prepared even before student meetings took place.Many believe that students were encouraged to demand changes as a result of recent events in Czechoslovakia, as well as the greater independence from Moscow shown by Yugoslavia and Roumania.Reports of intellectual unrest in the Soviet Union had also stimulated intellectuals and writers to take a bolder stand against a stagnating cultural life.It was, in fact, the closing of a classical 19th century play, heralded as anti-Czarist and therefore anti-Russian, as well as the arrests of some writers, which drove students into university courtyards and the streets.Finally, the events of June 1967 played some part.In Poland, perhaps more than in other East European countries, a great deal of pro-Israel sympathy was generated, reflecting satisfaction with the apparent failure of Soviet interventionism and international relations.Poland\u2019s fear of Germany, according to some observers, has encouraged the regime to rigidly follow Moscow\u2019s foreign policy, a practice considered unpopular in many sectors of Polish society.The more articulate members undoubtedly chose the Six Day War to resist, a move which might have been the pretext for utilizing student unrest to eliminate Jews, or pro-Israel intellectuals, from any positions of influence.For the moment, there is little to indicate that the turmoil in Poland has ceased, or that the internal struggles are over, or that Jews will no longer be purged.Students and intellectuals have thus far not managed to rally popular support, while hard-line elements are busy rallying workers and the entire government apparatus in support of their position, using Jews as scapegoats, \u2019 The mounting internal pressures could force Gomulka to accede to reformist demands, lest he share the fate of Czechoslovakia\u2019s Antonin Novotny.However, if the hard-liners have truly come into dominance, Gomulka might feel compelled to lean completely on Moscow to maintain power, as is the case in East Germany.It is therefore difficult to assess the impact of Gomulka's speech to Warsaw party workers on March 19.It has been conceded by many observers that his remarks repudiated much of the hard-line propaganda proclaiming, as it did, that \u201cIt would be a misunderstanding if we saw in Zionism a danger for socialism in Poland, for its social-political system.\u201d Perhaps, Gomulka felt that the anti-Jewish campaign had got out of hand and wanted to assuage the mounting fears of Poland's Jews, and quiet the purges.It is possible that these issues will be considered at the next congress of the communist party, in the fall.In any event, the fate of Poland\u2019s Jews will remain linked to the resolution of the clashes within the conrmunist party and the government, as well as to the placating of general student unrest.Until this occurs the future of the Jewish community will be uncertain, and the day-to-day economic and social existence of individual Jews will remain threatened.cash.Postage paid at Montreal.Published monthly except July and August by the Canadian Jewish Congress, 493 Sherbrooke Street West Montreal, to report on the activities of Canadian Jewry and matters of interest to them.Authorized as second class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, and for payment of postage in National President.Michael Garber, Q.C.National Executive Vice-President .Saul Hayes, Q.C.Press Officer 1.LL aa sa ass sean e 0e Jean Sadler & + At rer a AUER cata nets.i i.Go sie Lie Tol fares ee TRI RT ei STE hag 0 lly rain à lg gp Mey Even be.te, ht, & leggy aki, 3 te fron nd By, at iy Miateg a bol.lyr of ed as Fussy Write ers ii play, DS more trie, pathy faction vite lr if og.raged Oo! sidered lish sp.RTS Une ore 1e been Unrest hele.fluence to In nd bas ruggles longer tushy aly pe Jements fhe en.support sespe- essures ) refor- fate of , How y come t feel 1 Mose je case the Arsen s been his re- ré-line , that if we ialism | gt the at of mount quiet 3 wil | os Of ! In any | ; vil of {he y and lest Ltd Jevish d the SL gaten 1 = A x 50th ANNIVERSARY | SOUVENIR SUPPLEMENT THE FIRST CANADIAN JEWISH CONGRESS On March 16, 1919 the First Canadian Jewish Congress, the most representative movement in which \u2018Canadian Jewry had ever participated, convened in Montreal.To mark the occasion, CONGRESS BULLETIN recalls the events leading up to the formation of Canadian Jewish Congress and highlights of its First Plenary Session.Articles prepared by the late H.M.Caiserman, first General Secretary of Canadian Jewish Congress, from 1919 until his death in 1950, and the late H.E.Wilder, prominent Jewish communal leader, have proved invaluable source material.The Canadian Jewish Congress was not a locally isolated movement.Its origin was to be found in the sudden revival and simultaneous organization of the Jewish masses in every part of the world, on practically the same lines, and their decisions and resolutions in spite of the fact that no communication existed between them on account of the Great War, are practically the same.These resolution and demands all bear witness to the fact that the motives and ideals that prompted Jewish communities to their simultaneous organization originated from the very same desire and understanding of the complex of the Jewish problem and particularly from the desire of formulating a for- n.idable protest against the crimes and bloodshed perpetrated against their brethren in Poland, the Ukraine, Hungary and Roumania; to advance a political demand of equal rights in every country with national autonomic rights in newly-created countries, including Roumania, and to give unqualified approval to the \u201cBalfour Declaration,\u201d in respect to a national home for the Jews in Palestine.In Canada, the actual convening of the Congress was preceded by two movements, which must be briefly outlined in order to show the forces that prepared the ground for the enthusiastic demand of the Jewish inhabitants of every community in Canada for the holding of a Congress.Origin of Canadian Jewish Alliance At the beginning of February, 1915, the \u201cJewish National Workers\u2019 Alliance, Branch No.8 of Montreal,\u201d issued a call to all Jewish organizations of Montreal for a conference for the purpose of \u201celaborating plans to help our needy brethren in war-stricken Europe.\u201d The conference took place on February 21, 1915 with thirteen organizations responding.Dr.Yehuda Kaufman, representing the Poale Zion Organization presented the following resolution : \u201cThat ave consider this assembly as a pre-conference ; that a great conference embodying all Jewish organizations be called for the distinct purpose of creating a Canadian Jewish organisation ; te represent and defend all Jewish interests, economic and political, which the present happenings have brought to the forefront in Jewish life cverywhere, to be named preferably \u201cCanadian Jewish Alliance\u201d On March 7, 1915, the first Montreal Conference took place, attended by 25 organizations and finally on March 28, 1915, a second conference took place attended by 71 organizations representing 16 synagogues, 6 labour unions, 10 sick benefit societies, 18 loan syndicates, 8 cultural, 5 political organizations and 8 charitable societies, representing the great majority of the local Jewish population.The elected delegates of the assembly adopted a resolution unanimously supporting the resolutions adopted by the previous conference to the effect that a Canadian Jewish Organization be formed to represent and defend all Jewish interests and declared themselves ready \u201cto assist in every way to call a Contention of all Canadian Jews.\u201d The same conference confirnred Reuben Brainin as President; Dr.Yehuda Kaufman as Secretary; L.Zucker, Vice-President ; and to the Executive a number of members amongst them Peter Bercovitch, K.C.; Louis Fitch ; S.Belkin ;D.Solomon; H.M.Caiserman ; N.Chaifitz.The appeals of the Montreal Committee made an impression all over the country ; committees were soon organ- ized in Glace Bay; London, Ont.; Saskatoon ; Toronto ; Hamilton ; Ottawa ; Calgary ; Chatham, N.B.; Brandon, Man.; Winnipeg and other communities, all recognizing the Canadian Jewish Alliance.The greatest success of the movement in Ontario and the West was due chiefly to the enthusiastic support of the local press, the Toronto \u201cJournal,\u201d and the \u201cIsraelite Press\u201d in Winnipeg.However, the official Zionist Organization and the Montreal Jewish Press commenced an opposition movement against the holding of a Canadian Jewish Congress by organizing, on its own initiative, and calling a conference of Canadian Jewry for the end of October, 1915.A storm of protest from every part of the country followed and Canadian Jewry was divided in two camps fighting and denouncing each other with a bitterness never experienced hefore in this country.The Conference of the labour organizations selected a strong committee composed of L.Zucker ; A.Ortenberg ; H.Herschman ; H.M.Caiserman ; H.Barsky ; S.Belkin ; N.Chaifetz ; L.Auerbach; M.Dickstein and others and instructed them to pledge the support of the whole labour movement of Montreal to the movement for a Canadian Jewish Congress; this activity culminated in the holding of a Conference on February 4/5/6, 1916 in the Oddfellows\u2019 Hall, Toronto, attended by 27 delegates from every part ot the country.Lyon Cohen The following important resolutions were adopted : That a Canadian Jewish Congress be called with the following order of the day : (1) How together with world Jewry to secure Jewish representation to the Peace Conference.(2) Which demands we shall present through our representatives to the great Tribunal of nations.RAE First Canadian Jewish Congress held in Montreal, 1919.(3) How to communicate with the Jews of the British Empire and together intervene that the Imperial Government supports our revindicatians before the Peace Conference.(4) What nature of economic and political assistance can we give to our war- suffering brethren ?(3) How far can we nope to secure the sympathy and assistance of the Canadian Government, and the ways and means how to approach our Government.\u201d Soon after this conference and after the departure from Canada of Reuben Brainin and Dr.Yehuda Kaufman, the Canadian Jewish Alliance divided its activities into two distinct departments : the Relief Department headed by L.Auerbach, S.Belkin and Z.Reizler ; and the Congress Committee under the chairmanship of Peter Bercovitch, K.C.(Montreal) president and Dr.Ortenberg and S.Belkin, secretaries.Due to general apathy, however, the activity of this Congress Committee practically ceased to function, thus closing the chapter of the first movement for a democratic Jewish Congress in Canada.The Second Movement The first Canadian Jewish Conference organized in opposition to the movement for a democratically elected Canadian Jewish Congress took place on November 14, 1915, in the Gayety Theatre, Montreal, Zionist delegates from all over the country were present .Amongst the many prominent Jews present were : Michael Hirsch; D.S.Friedman and others never identified with the Jewish National Movement.Justice Brandeis, Dr.Schmarva Levin and Hon.A.Meighen, then Solicitor-General for the Dominion, were specially invited to add authority and colour to this first Canadian Jewish Conference, \u201cvery representative indeed,\u201d but certainly not representative in the least of the Jewish masses of the Dominion.In spite of the fact that the Executive Committee of the -Conference of Canadian Jews was composed of such prominent citizens as Clarence de Sola, Lyon Cohen ; Michael Hirsch; S.W.Jacobs ; Louis Lewis; J.S, Leo; Maxwell Goldstein ; Rabbis Abramovitz, de Sola, Nathan Gordon and H.Cohen ; L.Fitch ; D.S.Friedman, Mark Workman and J.Levinson, with representatives from across Canada, it ceased to exist as soon as the Conference adjourned its deliberations, except for its excellent relief activity ; and while the whole Jewry, in every corner of the world was fermented by a spirit of organization, Canadian Jewish representatives, bitterly divided after exhausting all their energy in sterile controversies, after disappointing the Jewish community, were responsible for the general apathy which followed for about 1% years, a time in which no reorganization was possible.The Canadian Jewish Congress was, in summation, the outcome of two opposing movements lead by two important factions of the Canadian .Jewish population, who nevertheless believed wholeheartedly in the necessity of an organized and \u201cresponsible\u201d Jewish representation, to deal in the name of Canadian Jewry with the extraordinary problems which had arisen from the War, and were affecting Jewish life everywhere.One movement headed by the veteran Hebrew writer, Reuben Brainin and his daily paper, \u201cDer Weg,\u201d and the brilliant scholar, Dr.Yehuda Kaufman, representing organized Jewish Labour, the Poale Zion and their followers in the country, the non-political Jewish masses, and the Nationalist progressive elements, also the Toronto and Winnipeg Jewish Press; and the other, conducted by the Zionist Federation of Canada, with the aid of the Montreal Jewish Press and a number of influential orthodox and reformed Jews.One demanding a Canadian Jewish Congress democratically elected with a wide-open national platform ; the other, working for a Jewish Conference, called in the usual manner with an \u201cemancipation\u201d platform for their unfortunate brethren in the European countries, with the inevitable result that no one acquired the mandate to speak in the name of an organized Canadian Jewry and with the sadder result, that the energy and enthusiasm of the Jewish community had been spent without a purpose, and that instead of unity, PTT Dm\u201d \u201d } | H.M.Caiserman bitterness and distrust between the factions made any Congress activity impossible, In addition to this, Mr.Brainin and Dr.Kaufman left Canada, and while the European Relief Departments of the two factions continued to do splendid work, the movement for a Congress ceased for about 1% years.The renewed agitation for the \u201cAmerican Jewish Congress,\u201d the preparations for democratic elections of delegates to same, exercised a strong influence on the Canadian Jewish population in favour of a Congress, for the purpose not only of creating a true Canadian Jewish representation, but also for introducing the demands and principles for which Canadian Jewry stood.The results of the elections to the A.J.C.were announced showing a democratic representation of all classes of Jews elected by popular ballot of nearly half a million votes.Such tremendous manifestation did not fail to strongly influence the mind of Canadian Jewry.The Poale Zion Organization in Western Canada, with the aid of its local press and others, conducted there a spectacular campaign for the idea of Congress ; in Toronto, the local Jewish Daily did the same.The revival of the Congress idea in every Jewish community resulted with such impetus that it only needed the individual or group of individuals to utilize this splendid Jewish enthusiasm in a practical manner.The Montreal Jewish Press could not escape such influence and the change of heart of the \u201cCanada Adler\u201d and the \u201cCanadian Jewish Chronicle\u201d was such that the first week in November, 1918, Mr.H.Wolofsky, the publisher of the two papers, called a meeting which was attended chiefly by individuals heretofore opposed to the calling of a Canadian Jewish Congress, where they constituted themselves in a \u201cCongress Committee.\u201d Neither the Zionist Federation of Canada nor the numerous elements representing the Congress idea, responded to this meeting.The constituted Congress Committee appointed representatives to greet and attend the American Jewish Congress, and knowing that the sentiment in the country, and the effective support of the Jewish Press, could lend to a sue- cessful organization of the Congress, Mr.H.M.Caiserman attended a meeting of the Congress Committee held on December 25, 1918.However, none of the important organizations of Montreal were represented.Mr.Caiserman was then elected assistant Secretary of the Provisional Congress Committee and was given a free hand to organize the community.The activities of men like S.Belkin and L.Zucker in Montreal; A.Rhinewine and A.M.Kirschenbaum in Toronto ; M.Hyman, B.Sheps, I.Hestrin and J.Cherniak in Winnipeg, and others in different other loealities cannot be overestimated.On the other hand, the great help of Mr.H.Wolofsky and Mr.A.J.Freiman of Ottawa was responsible for the decisions of the Zionist Convention to finally participate in this new movement for a Canadian Jewish Congress.The few conferences which followed in Montreal soon revealed the personality which could not only interest the established community but also lead the entire movement.This was Mr.Lyon Cohen.The conference which will remain historic in the movement for a Canadian Jewish Congress was the one held on January 26, 1919, in the Baron de Hirsch Institute, which was attended by 125 local organizations, thus uniting for the first time in the history of the Jewish community of Montreal about 95% of the Jewish population in the city.This Jewish Congress, elected a committee of 40, representing every shade of Jewish opinion in Canada, instructing it to cooperate with representatives in other parts of the country and bring about, as soon as possible, the convening of the Congress.What took place in Montreal, took place with similar enthusiasm in Ontario and the West.The conferences held in those territories arrived at similar conclusions as to the fundamental prin- CONGRESS BULLETIN ciples which were to govern the agenda of the Congress.In order to unify these decisions, a conference took place in the Zionist Headquarters in Toronto, with representatives attending from the West, Ontario and Quebec.In a spirit of goodwill and enthusiasm never excelled, practically all decisions of the Montreal executive were approved.The dates of election of delegates to the Congress were fixed and it was also decided that in addition to the two hundred elected delegates, ten mandates be granted to the Jewish National organizations of Canada; thus allowing every shade of opinion in Canadian Jewry to have its voice heard in the Congress.The method of election was evolved by Mr.S.Belkin.~ xeupen oramm The Committee of Forty in Montreal was given full power to work out the other details of the agenda, as the Congress was to take place in Montreal.Thus, the Committee of Forty became, through its executive, the active national executive of the Jewish Congress, One of the most important problems which faced the Committee was the selection of a presiding officer capable of conducting such complicated deliberations and be acceptable to the different parties of the Congress.Mr.Lyon Cohen accepted the invitation to the position and while he had not been hitherto connected with any movement which was considering Jewish national rights as a fundamental principle, nevertheless did not fail to realize that a Canadian Jewish Congress was not only the most representative movement in which Canadian Jewry had ever participated but also appreciated the potential value of the Congress as a unifying factor for Canadian Jewry, He was then unanimously elected chairman of the National Executive of the Congress Committee and his adherence to the Congress influenced the majority of the community to also join the movement.The First Canadian Jewish Congress Montreal, March 16, 1919.Monument Nationale, 3.00 o\u2019clock.On the afternoon of Sunday, March 16, the large auditorium of the Monument Nationale was overfilled with two hundred delegates arriving from all points in Canada ; from Saint John to Vancouver, and over two thousand five hundred visitors.The auditorium was fittingly decorated British, Canadian and Jewish flags \u2014 the orchestra played \u2014 an air of joyful expectancy and subdued enthusiasm filled the spacious hall.\u2019 The curtain rose and the eyes beheld a compact group of schoolchildren, boys and girls, dressed in blue and white.Behind them were seen the figures of men about to take a leading part in the deliberations of the Congress.Rabbi Hirsch Cohen, one of the most devoted workers of the Congress Committee, offered the opening prayer in Hebrew: His concluding sentence : \u201cL\u2019Shono Haseh \u2014 b'yirusholaim\u201d (this year in Jerusalem) was drowned in a storm of applause.Mr.Lyon Cohen, chairman of the National Executive Committee of Can- \u2018adian Jewish Congress, read the opening address as follows : \u201c,.It is a marvellous fact that the Congress idea was born simultaneously both here and in the United States.The awakened consciousness of our people everywhere, has been insistent in its demands.Spontaneously from various part of the country, the idea emerged and all classes of Jewry were obliged to answer the call to discuss our common problems.\u201c.Hundreds of thousands of our brethren in the war-affected countries are now suffering hunger, yes, even dying of starvation.Their condition is most indescribably pitiful.We owe them material assistance ; we who have escaped the terrible calamity which has befallen them.This Congress must take means to give practical aid to all those agencies which have for their purpose, the relief of war sufferers.We must strengthen their hands in order that their work may be done in the best possible manner.This Congress is capable of much good in this direction and must use its fullest powers for the raising of large sums, to alleviate in a small degree their sufferings, and reestablish those of them who have escaped with their lives.\u201cThe political, religious and civil emancipation of Jews in those countries where such rights are denied them, claims our whole-souled support.It is our duty to express our unalterable faith in the righteousness of their cause.\u201cThe most ingenious systems which might be conceived have been devised to torture and humiliate our people in those countries.Every privilege accorded to human beings to develop themselves has been denied them.Their physical and mental growth has been impeded.The Peace Conference must be appealed to, to incorporate in the Charter of the new World Federation, and as a basis of its very existence religious, political and civil equality for all peoples, and for Jews equal rights with other nationalities, rights which must be written into the charters of the nations in language which will be subject to no equivocation.\u201cThese are principles, the justice of which cannot be questioned and which we will continue to contend for until they are established, and for which we ought to be prepared, if necessary, to make any sacrifice.A.J.Freiman Peter Bercovitch, K.C.\u201cOne of the most important of the aims of this Congress is to raise our voice for Palestine.While its future is no longer in doubt, since we have the endorsation of the British Government, we Canadian Jews must endorse and give expression to our support of this highest Jewish National aspiration.\u201d Rabbi A.Abramowitz followed with a welcoming address.The chairman then called upon the father of the Canadian Jewish Congress, the Hebrew scholar, Reuben Brainin.In a deliberate manner, Mr.Brainin outlined the history of the Congress movement ; its reasons for existing and its possibilities ; congratulating the sponsors of the Congress and expressing his conviction that its labours will be justified.Mr.Peter Bercovitch and Clarence de Sola also spoke after which the chairman appointed the credential committee, consisting of delegates: B.Sheps, Winnipeg ; J.Kivenko, Montreal; M.D.Davis, Toronto ; also the Nomination Committee composed as follows: S.Kolofsky and M.Goldstiek, Toronto ; L.Goldman, L.Zucker, K.Kivenko, J.Buckner of Montreal ; M.J.Finkelstein and H.L.Weidman, Winnipeg; E.April, 1968 Levy, Regina ; and J.Cherniak, Winnipeg.Dr.Chaim Zhitlowsky, the noted Jewish philosopher, followed and delivered an address describing the unbearable conditions of the Jews throughout the word and the necessity for Jewish solidarity, and concluded amid a genuine ovation.Second Session Monday, March 17, 1919.10 a.m.Mr.Lyon Cohen occupied the chair.After a few introductory remarks he called upon Mr.Sheps, chairman of the Credential Committee to report.There were in all 209 representatives at the Congress from the following constituencies : Winnipeg 20; Western points 23 ; Total: Western Canada 43.Toronto 40; Ottawa 4; Hamilton 5; District of Ontario 16 ; Total : Ontario 65.Montreal 72; District of Quebec 14; Total: Quebec 86.Special Representatives : Mizrachi Org.5; Zionist Orgs.5; National Socialist Group 5; Total : 15.Mr.M.J.Finkelstein, Winnipeg, chairman of the Nomination Committee, declared that his committee had unanimously agreed on the following nominees : Permanent chairman: Lyon Cohen ; Vice chairman: Peter Berco- vitch, M.Goldstick, Louis Fitch, M.J.Finkelstein ; English Secretary, H.E.Wilder ; Yiddish Secretary, H.Hersh- man ; Hebrew Secretary, B.Weiner.Arriving at the Committee of the Palestine Resolution, there followed considerable debate .Strong objection being raised by the extreme left wing on account of the lack of representation on this committee by their group.À motion finally prevailed that the Nomination Committee reconsider the personnel of this committee.Third Session Monday March 17, 1919.3:30 p.m.Mr.Lyon Cohen in the chair.The report of the Nomination Committee accepting the personnel of the Committee on Palestine having been adopted, the chairman declared the following officers duly elected for the duration of the Congress : President : Lyon Cohen, Montreal ; Vice Presidents: Peter Bercovitch, Montreal ; M.Goldstick, Toronto; A.J.Freiman, Ottawa.Secretaries : H.E.Wilder (English), Winnipeg; B.M.Weiner (Hebrew), Montreal ; H.Hersh- man (Yiddish), Montreal.The Committee on General Resolutions whose function it was to coordinate the various resolutions submitted by the Special Resolution Committee and bring them in approved form before the Congress: Mr.Nathan, Montreal; M.Steinkopf, Winnipeg ; Marcus Hyman, Winnipeg ; Michael Garber ; B.Ginsberg and M.Gelber.Mr.Fitch then addressed the assembly dealing with the historie, political and practical problems of Palestine.À second address on the agenda was given by Rabbi J.Gordon, Toronto, on a five-day work week.The advanced ideas expressed in the address, coming from a representative of the conservative Jewish element, aroused particular interest and was strongly endorsed by applause, including that of the radical wing.Fourth Session Monday, March 17, 1919, at 8:00 p.m.Mr.M.J.Finkelstein of Winnipeg, chairman of the Nomination Committee submitted the following report : Committee on Relief : J.Hestrin, Winnipeg ; B.Sheps, Winnipeg ; E.Levy, Regina ; M.Fishbein, London ; S.Webk, Halifax.Committee on National Rights : A.B.Bennett ; A.Rhinewine, Toronto; S.Belkin, J.Goldblatt, Montreal; Rev.H.J.Samuels, Winnipeg.Immigration : S.W.Jacobs, J.Shubert, Montreal ; M.Tessler, Winnipeg; A.Aranov, Halifax ; S.Shapiro, Toronto.Permanency of the Congress: H.M.Caiserman, I.M.Margolais, Montreal ; Miss B.Goldstick, I.Matenco, Toronto.Miscellancous Resolutions : H.L.Weid- man, Winnipeg ; H.Bronfman, Yorkton ; P.Levy, Toronto ; Mrs.L.Fitch, Montreal ; H.Novak, Montreal.Palestine Committee : L.Fitch, Dr.Y, Kaufman, Montreal ; B.Nathanson, Dr.- #5 & 4 etes dn vet Be a BE nées 1 A AE Sale a its dee 4 | tm: \u2018Th crab Bie.STEEN AB i HL ck, SOL Me (then ir Gener {hat Tl Js ord J toh i bi | 3 Cy hy yg in & te in.ley ty f, I in, yf, 1 Aer 4 cale te Ce Utes ily Wester, Tagg 4) ton 5; Ont Quel | Pere.Timi nop 5.8, cha.tee, ge.nani, 10m.bn Berg.LMI, (HE, Hersh- ner, of the followed bjection ft wing entation wp, À e Nomi- he par- 30 pu.The re Hes ae- punittee ed, the officers of the nigel; tone, fo; A KB BH Hersh lutions aie te by the J bring 1e Cone |: M {yma , Ging sly al and As ion bY reds gst from 8 prativé r inter by 2% ri 08.pipe té , wir Len | feb LB - April, 1968 M.Schwartz, Toronto; H.W.Triller, Winnipeg.Rabbi J.Kahanovitch of Winnipeg appealed to the left wing (radical) to be more patient.He declared that as far as Palestine was concerned he was sure that their principles would prevail.Palestine must and will take the Jead in progressive legislation.A warm demonstration greeted the Rabbi's words.On the order of the day were addresses by Messrs.A.B.Bennett of Toronto and S.Belkin of Montreal.Mr.Bennett's address on National Rights was read by Mr.H.E.Wilder.Although of a highly scientific nature, couched in philosophical language, the addressed was followed with close attention.Mr.Belkin spoke in Yiddish on the \u201cStatus of the Jews in Canada.\u201d Mr.Belkin made a review of the Canadian legislation bearing on minority privileges, Canada being in his opinion a bilingual country where National Rights are recognized for minorities.Mr.Belkin pleaded that Canadian Jews commence a movement to obtain such rights for the Jewish people; their first demand being for a separate school panel in the Province of Quebec.Fifth Session Tuesday, March 18, 1919.Mr.Lyon Cohen in the chair.Mr.M.Hyman, on behalf of the General Resolutions Committee, reported that there were a number of different resolutions of varying poinis of view on Jewish \u2018education which could not be coordinated, and presented the following resolution introduced by Mr.Levy, Regina, supported by H.Bronfman, York- ton : \u201cThat the resolution relating to Jewish education be referred to a permanent commission on Jewish education to be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Congress.\u201d Carried.Mr.Hyman presented a resolution on Jewish agriculture : \u201cWhereas there are many Jewish farmers scattered throughout Canada, and whereas Jewish agriculture is of great national importance and consequence to Jewry as a whole, be it resolved that this first Canadian Jewish Congress appoint a special agricultural commission to investigate the condition of the Jewish farmer in Canada in order to promote Jewish agriculture and to assist sn the educational problem of the farm.In all cases this Committee to convene with the Executive Committee of the Permanent Congress.\u201d Upon being put to the vote the reso lution was adopted unanimously.Civic Reception The Congress delegates were conveyed to the City Hall by special street cars which were decorated by the delegates with Canadian and Jewish flags.In the City Hall they were met by acting Mayor, Col.Creelman, to whom the delegates were introduced by Aldermen Rubenstein and Jacobs.A large Jewish flag was overhanging the Mayor's chair.The acting Mayor extended an official welcome and declared that the Jewish element in Montreal was highly respected both by the Roman Catholic and Protestant population ; pointed out the fact that no less that 509% of the school population in the Protestant schools of the city were Jewish children; there being some ten thousand of them, and that they were most studious and attentive, Mr.Lyon Cohen, on behalf of the delegates, expressed his gratitude to the city for the appreciation of the part played by the Jewish people in the development of Canada and took the opportunity to express his regret that in the City of Montreal where, as the acting Mayor had stated, there are 10,000 Jewish children but these children are not being represented on the school board.\u201cThe purpose of the Congress,\u201d the speaker stated, \u201cis to demand from the Powers that steps be taken to put an end to the outrages perpetrated against the Jews in the Eastern European countries and to make adequate provision for the privileges there of the British principles of freedom and justice.Those privileges we enjoy here in Canada and which enjoin us to be loyal to Canada, is a loyalty which takes second place to no other people in this grand country of ours.The Congress will also express the wish that Palestine be recognized CONGRESS BULLETIN as the homeland of the Jews so that the Jews shall again be able to develop their own culture ; that once more the word of God shall go forth from Zion.\u201d Sixth Session On the order of the day was the address of Mr.S.W.Jacobs, M.P.on immigration.Mr.Jacobs assured the Congress that he would support, on the floor of the House, the views which this Congress would express with reference to the immigration question.He outlined Canada\u2019s great need for a healthy stream of immigrants which could help to assist in the development of Canada and reduce the proportion of the present taxation burdens of the population.He pointed out that a committee ought to be named by Congress to study this most important and far-reaching question.A.B.Bennett After the conclusion of Mr.Jacob\u2019s address, the following resolution was introduced : \u201cResolved that the First Canadian Jewish Congress deems it in the best interests of the country, that Canada should continue to maintain its old traditional policy of open door for all immigrants, and that the Executive Committee keep an open eye on the contemplated limitations of immigration.\u201d \u201cWhereus il is imperative that the Immigration lo Canada be regulated, and that every assistance be given to Bhe immigrant, so that he shall not pre- judicially affect the cconomic interests of the res: of Canada, be it resolved that this Congress be instrumental sn creating a central bureau with branches in all large cities and ports of entry, who should give this assistance to the immigrants; such assistance to be regarded as a national duty and be therefore handled on national lines.\u201d Motion carried, Mr.J.Hestrin, Winnipeg, addressed the Congress on constructive relief.He pointed out that the question of relief could not be regarded in the light of mere \u201ccharity\u201d and it would ill become the character of the Congress to view it as such.The question of Jewish relief must be approached in the light of a national duty, viewed as a problem of reconstruction.Just before concluding his address, the speaker was interrupted by the entrance of Hon.Hugh Guthrie.The president welcomed him and the Hon.H.Guthrie made the following opening remarks : \u201cI felt highly thonoured indeed when 1 received the intimation from the acting Prime Minister of Canada to represent him at this, the First Canadian Jewish Congress.\u201d Mr.Louis Fitch, Montreal, chairman of the Committee on Palestine Resolutions reported on behalf of the Committee, that after twelve hours\u2019 debate, the Committee had finally and unanimously agreed to the following resolution : \u201cResolved that the Canadian Jewish Congress instruct its delegation in Europe to cooperate with representatives of other Jewish Congresses and specifically with the World Zionist Organizations, to the end that the Peace Conference may recognize the aspiration and historic claims of the Jewish people in regard to Palestine and declares that in accordance with the British Government's declaration, dated November 2, 1917, endorsed by the Allied Governments and the US.A., that fherc shall be established such political, administrative and economical conditions in Palestine as will assure under the trusteeship of Great Britain, acting on behalf of such a League of Nations as may be formed, the development of Palestine through a Jewish commonwealth, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which shall prejudice the civil, national and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.\u201d Mr.M.Finkelstein of Winnipeg : \u201cI rise to move the adoption of the most important resolution placed before this first Canadian Jewish Congress ; a resolution which notifies the world that we, the Jews of Canada stand shoulder to shoulder with our brethren in England, the United States and Russia and in all other countries at this great hour of crisis of our people.\u201d Dr.Yehuda Kaufman seconded the motion and made an impassioned plea emphasizing the lengths to which the Special Committee had gone to reconcile their various shades of opinion.The chairman put the motion to vote and it was carried without a dissenting vote, accompanied by an outburst of enthusiasm, cheering and songs.Seventh Session Wednesday, March 19, 1919.Mr.H.M.Caiserman oceupied the chair.Mr.Ben Sheps introduced a motion concerned with constructive relief for Jewish centres in Europe which was adopted unanimously.Before the conclusion of the session on behalf of the Nomination Committee it was moved by Mr.M.Hyman, Winnipeg and Mr.E.Levy, Regina, that Mr.H.M.Caiserman be elected as permanent General Secretary of the Congress.Mr.Lyon Cohen \u2014 \u201cI heartily approve of it ; without Caiserman there would have been no Canadian Jewish Congress.\u201d The motion was put and carried amidst ovations.Eighth Session Wednesday, March 18, 1919, 3:00 p.m.Mr.Lyon Cohen, President, in the chair.Mr.H.E.Wilder and Mr.A.Coviensky introduced the following resolution : \u201cTat the first Canadian Jewish Congress in meeting assembled desires to place on record its unbounded loyalty to Great Britain and its greatest regard for British institutions.It also wishes to record its unqualified devotion and attachment to Canada.\u201d The resolution was unanimously adopted by a standing vote.Mr.A.Rhinewine, Toronto, chairman of the National Rights Committee introduced a resolution the preamble of which was carried without a dissenting vote.Each paragraph of the resolution was then read and carried separately, not without heated debate, particularly as regards paragraph four, where an amendment was introduced and rejected, extending the principle of national rights for minorities in every S.W.Jacobs, K.C., M.P.country.In its final form the resolution was as follows : \u201cBe resolved that the Canadian Jewish Congress respectfully requests the Peace Conference to insert into the treaty of peace, as a condition precedent to the creation of new or enlarged States and to the admission of all States into the proposed \u2018League of Nations\u2019 such as may be formed, the follourny conditions : 1.\u201cThe removal by constitution of all civil, political, religious, and national disabilities and the prohivition of prejudicial discrinination of any kind whatsoever.2.\u201cAll inhabitants of the territory of such States including such persons together with their familics who subsequent to August 1, 1914, fled, removed or were expelled therefrom and who shall within ten ycars from the adoption of this provision return thereto, shall for all purposes be citigens thereof, provided, however, that such as have hereto- tore been subjects of other States, who desire to retain their allegiance to such States, or assume allegiance to their successive States, may do so by formal declaration to be made within a specificd period.3.\u201cAll citizens without distinction as to race, nationality or creed, shall enjoy cqual civil, political, religious and national rights, and no law shall be enacted or enforced which shall abridge the privilages or smmu- nities of, or impose upon any persons, any discrimination on account of race, or relt- gion, or deny any person the equal protection of the law.\u201d 4.\u201cThe principle of minority representation and autonomous development in communal affairs shall be provided for the Jews, wherever such rights are accorded to other minority national groups.5.\u201cNo law shall be enacted restricting the use of any language and all existing laws declaring such prohibition to be repealed, nor shall any language-test be established.6.\u201cThose w.o observe any other than the first day of the week as their Sabbath shall not be prohibited from pursuing their secular affairs on any day than that which they observe, nor shall they be requested to perform any acts on Sabbath or l.olidays which they shall regard as a desecration.7.\u201cThat in order to ensure adequate protection for these rights, the Jewish nation shall be admitted as a partner in the League of Nations.\u201d In this form, this most important resolution was accepted with an overwhelming majority.The next question on the order of the day was the Resolution on separate schools.Mr.M.Steinkopf, Winnipeg, opposed the principle of separate schools, instancing the Winnipeg School Board as a practical solution of the educational problem, Mr.Louis Fitch retorted that such a system, as representative Steinkopf referred to, is not applicable everywhere.For instance, it cannot be applied in the Province of Quebec on account of the fact that the principle of separate schools is recognized by the law of the Province.The following resolution was moved : \u201cThat this Congress instruct the Dominion Executive to promote a system of separate Jewish schools in our Dominion wherever such is possible\u201d The resolution carried.Mr.Hyman introduced the following resolution on world Congress : \u201cWhereas the Jewish people is an organic entity ; and whereas there are many problems, the solution of which are the most vital concerning those Jews throughout &.e world ; be it resolved that an invitation be forthwith issued by the Canadian Jewish Congress to all Jewish communities throughout the world to confer on and cooperate in the convening of a World Jewish Congress at the earliest practical date.\u201d Carried.Ninth Session Baron de Hirsch Institute.Mr.Lyon Cohen, chairmran, invited the guests of honour, Messrs.Reuben Brainin and Drs.Chaim Zhitlowsky and Yehuda Kaufman on the platform.The following resolution was then read : \u201cResolved that a five day work week be recognized in Canada.These five days not to include Saturday and Sunday, and the Executive Committee is instructed to endeavour to put it into practice\u201d The following resolution was then submitted and carried by a unanimous standing vote.Protest \u201cThe Canadian Jewish Congress protests emphatically against the horrible massacres which were perpetrated lately against the Jews in Poland, the Ukvaine, Hungary Roumania and other countrées.\u201cThe Canadian Jewish Congress directs ils commission to Europe to see that such protests are registered at the \u2018Peace Conference, and Bat the \u2018Peace Conference\u2019 shall make it clear to all Government where massacres have been perpetrated that their liberty shall only be regarded on their granting absolute liberty and assurance of such to the national minority in their respective countries.\u201d Mr.M.J.Finkelstein, chairman of the Resolutions Committee, reported as follows : The members of the National Congress Executive are : Fastern Region: Lyon Cohen, H.Hershman, Leon Goldman, Nathan Gordon, Rabbi H.Cohen, I.Kovenko, S.Belkin, H.Barsky, S.Freed, A.Levin, S.Zucker, L.Fitch.Central Region: A.B.Bennett, J.Berwick, B.Nathanson, Dr.Spier, Dr.Levine, A.Rhinewine, M.Goldstick, A.J.Freiman, H.Dworkin, S.Koldofsky, M.Chertkoff, M.Gelber.Western Region: M.J.Finkelstein, A.Osovsky, H.L.Weidman, B.Sheps, B.Ginsberg, W.Diamond, J.Auretsky, - Zipper ; \u201c Kingston, 6 CONGRESS BULLETIN April, 1968 M.A.Grey, M.Zelcherko, E.Levy, White, Rabbi Margolis, L.Auerbach, of the world, showing that we have also special federations of Jews according to M.Tessler.Mrs.L.Fitch, S.Schneider, Rabbi understood both the greatest problems the land of their origin, in order to The report was adopted with great enthusiasm.The business of the Congress being ended, the Chairman invited Mr.Reuben Brainin to address the assembly.Mr.Brainin drew a parallel between the American Jewish Congress, other Jewish assemblies\u201d and this one, and expressed his gratification on finding that the Canadian Congress\u2019 deliberations were more earnest and therefore more far-reaching.Dr.Chaim Zhitlowsky followed and also reviewed the work of the Canadian Jewish Congress, noting that he felt \u2018justified in saying that the Congress had not been faultless but had made very few errors in the characterization and decisions arrived at with reference to the international political questions.\u201cJews the world over will have to learn from you because you have established a very high standard,\u201d he said.Enthusiastic applause, mutual greetings, hearty handshakes, outbursts of cheering mingled with tones of the Shvuah, Hatikvah, and God Save the King followed, and the first Canadian Jewish Congress was declared closed at 10:00 p.m.Delegates Toronto, Ont.\u2014 Ben Zion Nathanson, H.Dworkin, S.Koldofsky, L.M.Singer, M.Goldstick, A.Rhinewine, J.Singer, Dr.M.A.Pollock, 1.Matenko, H.M.Kirshenbaum, L.Rosenberg, J.Boch- neck, S.Eisen, L.Bogrod, S.M.Shapiro, Dr.M.Schwartz, M.Organick, M.Gelber, A.B.Bennett, A.Bromberg, Max Manson, S.Weber, Dr.M.Pivnick, Mrs.F.Koldofsky, P.Shulman, I.Benezra, S.Factor, D.Rosenbloom, Miss B.Gold- stick, M.Speyer, P.Levy, Ben Zion Hyman, Charles Pasternack, A.Sher, A.Cohan, J.Brody, Chaim Vineberg, H.Kruger, B.Stone, I.Herman, Minnie Solway, M.Gelman, M.D.Davis, Rabbi Gordon ; Ottawa, Ont.: Rabbi L.Fine, A.J.Freiman, J.Holzman, J.R.Fogle ; Hamilton, Ont.: Rabbi S.Levine, B.Chartkoff, Dr.M.Segal, Jacob Homer, J.Goldblatt, B.Feldman ; Windsor, Ont.: Dr.L.M.Cherniak, Max Rappaport; Welland & Vicinity : Isaac Aidelman ; Belleville & Vicinity : Yanover ; Peterboro & Vicinity : N.Socoloff ; North Bay, Ont.: Louis Hal- pen; London, Ont.: Isadore Gold- stick, M.Fishbien ; Brantford, Ont.: Galt, Ont.: H.Lunnenfeld ; Ont.: L.Abramson; Kitchener, Ont.: M.Himmelstein; St.Catherines, Ont.: R.J.Hoffman ; S.S.Marie, Ont.: W.Rubenstein ; Oshawa, Ont.: J.Ramish; Englehart, Ont.: Lieut.Kert; Winnipeg, Man.: Max Steinkopf, M.J.Finkelstein, H.L.Weid- man, W.W.Triller, M.Tessier, W.Auerbuch, B.Miller, A.Osovsky, Rabbi J.J.Gorodsky, M.Waisman, Eli Cher- niak, S.Green, Rabbi Kahanovitch, Rev.H.J.Samuels, H.Hyman, B.Sheps, I.Hestrin, H.E.Wilder, J.A.Cherniak, S.Almazoff, S.Goldman, Phillip Ney, J.Lewis; Calgary, Alta.: Benjamin Ginsberg, Harry Rudnick; Canora & Kamsack Dis., Sask.: 8S.Cohen; Edmonton, Alta.: William Diamond, Isaac Goldman ; Leader, Sask.: Rev.Maze- retsky ; Plum Coulee, Sask.: Samuel Rosner ; Rosthern, Sask.: Harry Lyons; Birch Hills, Sask.: M.A.Gray ; Dum- ferline, Sask.: M.Selchenco; Saskatoon, Sask : Lazaresco ; Melville, Sask.: L.Lercher; Regina, Sask.: Arnold Abrams, Emanuel Levy ; Dusart, Sask.: Harry Gibbs; Lipton, Sask.: Jacob Zisskraut ; Hirsch, Sask.: S.Lishinsky; Yerkton, Sask : H.Bronfnran ; Sibbald, Alta.: P.Cretsky; Vegreville, Sask.: S.Olyan; Fort William, Ont.: E.Elfer ; Montreal : Louis Fitch, Mrs.M.Meltzer, N.Cheifitz, L.Benjamin, Ald.L.Rubenstein, P.Goldward, W.Chait- man, H.Wolofsky, Nathan Gordon, H.Abramovitch, Mrs.Mendelsohn, S.Solomon, J.Kivenko, A.Parnass, H.M.Caiserman, S.Belkin, Lavut, Rabbi Blitz.(deceased), S.Weissman, S.Rachlenke, H.Hershman, Lyon Jacobs (Ald.), E.Winaikoff, Peter Bercovitch, M.L.A, B.Richikoff, J.Link, J.Wolofsky, Dr.Ortenberg, H.Barsky, J.Shubert, L.Zucker, H.Novack, J.Rabinovitch, Frank Schwartz, M.Albert, H.Vineberg, L.Coviensky, Rabbi Garber, S.D.Cohen, M.Dickstein, J.Parnass, M.Rivenovitch, Rabbi Cohen, M.Krell, S.Sternkler, W.Signer, B.Weiner, S.W.Jacobs, K.C,, M.P., Clarence de Sola (deceased), A.Levin, Leon Goldman, M.Garber, J.PFineberg, Yehuda Kaufman, Seidel, S.Westellman, Sapolsky, L.Meltzer, L.Israeloviteh, Pritzker ; Westmount, Que.: Lyon Cohen, A.Rudolph, I.Lande, Harry Gordon, Dr.Melamed, Rabbi Abramo- witz ; Outremont, Que.: J.C.Zacks, H.Shapiro; Amherst Park: I.B.Cohen ; B.Ortenberg ; Quebec, Que.: H.E.Wilder H.Wolofsky Sherbrooke, Que.: J.D.Wexler, Echen- berg ; Papineau : Israel Cohen, I.Big- man, Harry Kligman ; North Sydney, N.B.: D.Cossman ; Campbellton, N.B.: S.Rosenhack ; St.Agathe : D.Kind- estein ; Macaza, Que.: R.Balansman ; St.Sophie, Que.: Sam Shaposhnick ; St.John, N.B.: Nathan Lipshitz ; La- chine, Que.: A.Kromer, H.Kruger ; Halifax, N.S.: A.Webber, Samuel C.Aranoff ; Glace Bay, N.S.: S.Fried.Activities of the Executive Mr, Lyon Cohen was elected by a unanimous vote of the three divisions the President of the Congress.The other officers of the divisions were also elected in the following manner: Montreal Vice-President, L.Fitch ; Toronto Vice- President, M.Goldstick ; Winnipeg Vice- President, M.J.Finkelstein.In addition to the general secretary who resided in Montreal, two more secretaries were elected as follows: Toronto Secretary, A.B.Bennett ; Winnipeg secretary, B.Sheps.Amidst the extraordinary enthusiasm in which the deliberations of the Congress had concluded its sessions, one very important matter escaped the attention of the delegates, namely, to secure the necessary money in order to install a suitable office and conduct it in a businesslike manner.This afterwards proved a very serious handicap and at times paralyzed its activities.The following first yearly report of the general secretary submitted to the Executive of the Canadian Jewish Congress for the period of March 19, 1919 to March 19th, 1920 will demonstrate the difficulties.\u201cA year has passed since the first Canadian Jewish Congress, representing all classes and directions of thought in Canadian Jewry, elected by popular ballot of nearly thirty thousand votes, has met in Montreal with two hundred and nine delegates, representing all the communities of Canada.\u201d \u201cThe brilliancy and significance of this, the greatest Jewish event in our Canadian Jewish life, has been commented on in almost all the world Jewish Press, because the resolutions adopted at the time included the field of all Jewish needs, and were dealt with in a modern progressive and national manner.An Executive Committee was elected at the time, and instructed to carry out these resolutions, (it goes without saying) with the help and cooperation of Canadian Jewry, the men and women who.had then so enthusiastically expressed the desire for a permanent Jewish Congress.Have the elected Executive done their duty and carried through the great work which had been planned for them ?\u201d \u201cThe following report, will, I believe, give a definite answer to the question.Our first work was to present to the Peace Conference, our Palestine resolutions, and National Rights.We immediately established connections with the \u201cJewish delegations at the Peace Conference in Paris\u201d and the historic memorandum which was submitted to the world powers at Paris and which has in earnest demanded a \u201cMagna Carta\u201d for the whole Jewish nation, has also been prominently signed by the Canadian Jewish Congress, and in this manner perpetuated the co-operation of Canadian Jewry with organized Jewry of the moment and our responsibility towards the sufferings of our nation.\u201d \u201cThe second important resolution of the Congress demanded \u201cOpen Doors\u201d for the immigrants who wished to come to our shores.It is unnecessary to repeat in detail all that has been done in this matter, because everything possible was done ; mass meetings ; frequent correspondence with all the members of the Federal Parliament ; the education of public opinion through press propaganda which has resulted most favorably ; our communications with the Government ; and finally our memorandum on this question.\u201cIn one word the Canadian Executive of the Canadian Jewish Congress has done all that was humanly possible to convince the Government that an \u201cOpen Door\u201d policy was in the best interests of the country ; and if we cannot credit these extraordinary endeavours with more than a few concessions of minor importance, the Executive is certainly not to he blamed.\u201d \u201cAnother resolution of the Congress had instructed us to protest against the pogroms and all remember the touching demonstrations which were organized in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, and all the other Jewish cities all over the Dominion ; protests which together with the demonstrations in all other countries had partially at least stopped the pogroms ; but before we could concentrate and take up other instructions of the Congress, our Executive received the news of one of the great catastrophes in our history : the Ukrania disaster.The manner in which we dealt with the question will remain one of the most impressive chapters in Jewish Canadian History.In a certain way, our appeal to the Canadian Government on behalf of the Ukranian martyrs, was the first Jewish intervention to a government on this question on the American continent, and was immediately followed by other representative Jewish bodies in other countries.In our Memorandum submitted to the Government, was asked : \u201cThat the Canadian Government shall appoint a Commission, composed of Canadian Jewish citizens, recommended by the Canadian Jewish Congress, having the full status of a Government Commission, having such guarantees as to enable it to travel and investigate the conditions of dependants of Canadian citizens in Ukrania ; to bring to them such relief as the Canadian families will choose to send; to locate and unite dependants of Canadian citizens, and ascertain the possibility of bringing them to Canada.\u201d \u201cWe also submitted to our Government and to Lord Curzon, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Great Britain, a mass of documentary evidence of the horrible pogroms perpetrated against the Jewish population in Ukrania.We have also sent to Ottawa a committee of 22 influential gentlemen representing and requested the Government to inform all important cities of the Dominion, us of its decision regarding our Memorandum ;\u201d M.J, Finkelstein M.Steinkopf \u201cDealing with our practical demands and approving our demand for a Commission which was later selected in the persons of S.Belkin and Zalzman who went to Ukrania with the relief raised by the Ukranian Verband, the Canadian Government requested that we submit in detail the names ,ages, and all other information required by the immigration laws, of all dependants in Ukrania whom Canadian families intended to bring to Canada.\u201d \u201cThus the Congress Executive faced the difficult task of conducting a general registration all over Canada in order to ascertain the information required by the Government.Due to the indifference of some of our delegates, fully four months were necessary to complete the great task.Over eight thousand persons, each answering thirty-six questions have registered all over Canada.Very few realize what this task meant, if they remember that the whole staff of the Executive consisted of an Honorary General Secretary and a stenographer.The answers in each case were tabulated and properly listed and bound in a very voluminous book.During the next few days, a Committee, composed of our President, Mr.Lyon Cohen, Mr.Mark Workman, and S.W.Jacobs, K.C., M.P., will present it to the Government and we trust that our endeavours will meet with success.\u201d \u201cWhen the Executive of Congress learned that it is desirable to organize wo make the collection of relief for the war sufferers more effective, it immediately helped the organization of the Ukranian and Polish \u2018Verbands\u2019 in every possible way.Let me mention only the extraordinary \u201cMourning and Protest Demonstration\u201d against the horrible massacres in Ukrania which took place on November 24th, 1919, and at which 30,000 persons marched in silence over the streets of Montreal.This demonstration was organized in co-operation with the Ukranian, Polish and Roumanian \u2018Verbands\u2019.\u201d \u201cA further instruction of the Congress was its stand taken in regard to the very important Jewish School Question.\u201d \u201cIn Montreal, a school committee was appointed under the chairmanship of Mr.Lionel Coviensky, with instructions to study the question thoroughly and submit a report to the Executive.Our president, Mr.Lyon Cohen, took up the matter with the City Hall and secured the permission from Mr.Decarie that we send a committee to all Jewish taxpayers in Montreal in order to ascertain the amount of school taxes the Jews pay into the Protestant System.We also wrote and appealed to the representatives of the three systems of Jewish education in Montreal, insisting that they meet and submit recommendations to the School Committee appointed by the Congress Executive.Unfortunately, the Talmud Torahs refused to join such a committee.If there is nothing else to report on this question for the present, the Congress Executive can not be blamed.\u201d \u201cThe Executive of the Congress was also the first to draw the attention of the Jewish population to the great scandal by which many steamship agents and \u201cbankers\u201d were actually stealing the money which was entrusted to them to be sent to the war suffering relatives in Europe.Our General Secretary ac- cepled complaints, and after carefully assorting them communicated, first with the accused \u201cbankers\u201d and after with our Government, requesting that a Government investigation be made into the whole affair on the basis of \u201coriginal bankers\u2019 receipts\u201d and the non-delivery of the specified amounts.\u201d Only mentioning in addition to the above numerous daily calls from every part of the country for Jewish information of great variety, I feel that in spite of the indifference of the delegates, and in spite of the fact that all this work was performed without any financial resources and without paid employees, the first year of the Congress was a year of successful and con- - centrated activity.\u201d \u201cI realize that great problems still wait for a solution : immigration, the organization of Kehiloth (Jewish Communities), a Press, Bureau, Statistic Department, the school question, etc.for which we need thousands of dollars and which the Canadian Jews must and will give us.In the measure in which financial means will be given to us, in a much greater measure we will do our full duty.\u201d H.M.Caiserman, General Secretary.\u201d The Jewish people in Canada did not supply us with the necessary finances, therefore, the second year\u2019s activity of the Congress Executive was not spectacular.Mr.Caiserman called numerous meetings in Montreal and Toronto, and preached the necessity of organizing a Jewish Immigrant Aid Society with branches in every port, and every Jewish \u2018community.\"The only encouraging answer came from the Honorary Secretary of the Western Section, Mr.W.B.Sheps.He also made energetic attempts to convince the Jews in his district of the urgent necessity of such an Immigrant Aid Society, apparently with more success.Mr.Caiserman subsequently called a special conference and the following organizations appeared : The Congress Executive, represented by Lyon Cohen and H.M.Caiserman ; The Jewish Colonization Association by B.Goldstein and L.Louis ; The Ukranian Verband by S.Belkin and Dashefsky ; The Roumania Verband by Mr.Silverman ; The Ladies\u2019 Immigrant Protective Society.At this Conference which took place in the office of the Zionist Organization, a motion \u201cthat a Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada be organized\u201d, was carried, Mr.Caiserman was elected Honorary General Secretary of the new organization and only three months after, the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society had offices in the ports of entry and branches in fifteen Jewish communities all over Canada.(Unfortunately, photographs of many of the pioneers of Congress are not available.\u2014F | | Bi IE ig i f Ë 1 w | ! ges gfe joe ; pré gp ge poe PL Jot felon glerf ve i os ied fie Pi ged i i ju | um | eh | in ail i | + | quil A ' per 1 Wir iit iif gl wie die Yello fly J ow 8 dep Hie in | ic ad vou si, Du ait fle profs 3 ay etl {og (ng les dealer ; Mu uit The = ES ë F te jl pu à di Diy etm, © appel Vary, tan k Tolting in for ire th NERess wy Mention LR ship agents Ir ste el 0 hem 1e relatives Cefary as \"carefully tel, fist al after ing that 5 made info \u2018original pn-deivery ion lo the from ere ish informe el that in the dele ct that al ithout aay bout paid the Con- À and con- Hens sil ration, fhe wish Com , Satitie stion, ele.of dollars ust and in which fous, in p will do erm ecretar, a did Det finances, diy o ob SEC pd ume: | Toronto of ore à Society and ever neous: Fonorat¥ tion, * Mr erg gs in 5 sud ri : alld 4 oricg Congres on (ole grish | galstef ; ered por fe \u201d \u2014 April, 1968 CONGRESS BULLETIN David Mirvish is the owner of an art gallery in Toronto.At age 23 and with five years of operations behind him he is one of the youngest entrepreneurs in a precarious business where age and experience are usually regarded as absolute requisites.has never been quite the same since Lord has never been quite the same since lord (Joseph) Duveen encouraged Andrew Mellon to build and donate a national gallery to the country.Having turned over his Washington apartment to Mellon's personal use, Duveen then convinced him that a gallery required many fine paintings.Mellon thereupon purchased the apartment and exerything in it, including 42 paintings, for $21 million, the largest transaction ever consummated in the world of art.Nothing loath, Duveen then took his friend for an automobile drive, all the while urging the beauty of an edifice made of marble instead of limestone.An hour later Mellon gave in to Duveen, a change that was to cost him another $5 million.\u201cIt was,\u201d Mellon observed later, \u201cthe most expensive ride in my life.\u201d Salesmanship on such a munificent scale has not been duplicated since, chiefly because it hasn\u2019t been necessary.Mellon's gift made other Croesuses suddenly aware of the immortality they could enjoy during their lifetime though the purchase of works of art.There were as well a number of tax concession features not to be lightly overlooked.As a result, collectors went to art dealers to investigate this new wonder and they have been going ever since.Duveen was a phenomenon of course and his grandiose style has never been duplicated.But startling changes in the profession have come about in other ways to bring fresh excitement to an art scene which has witnessed more spectacular happenings than the highest forms of drama found on the live stage.One of the more remarkable of the profession is that for some years art dealers are not old men selling to other old men.They are still around but the youth factor has made its presence felt.The bulk of today\u2019s collectors and casual buyers are young and so are the dealers who cater to them.David Mirvish entered the art business at age 17.He was scarcely out of highschool when he decided it would be a good idea to exhibit some young painters he knew personally.One of by Lawrence Sabbath these was Les Levine, an Irishman who had just come over and was soon to make a name for himself.However, it wasn\u2019t easy to put together enough paintings in the time required so Mr.Mirvish went to New York and obtained a show on loan from the Leo Castelli Gallery.\u201cI went into the gallery from the wrong end,\u201d says Mr.Mirvish, \u201cwithout any formal art background or training.I had made some European trips and looked at paintings while doing the bit, but after a while I was forced to look at paintings on a wall and make qualitative judgments and try to learn what was major art.\u201d When he opened his gallery in 1963 on Markham St.just a few doors down his father\u2019s Honest Ed store, the gallery was one of a number of boutique shops which dotted the area, all painted in gaudy fiesta colors and run for the most part by the new generation, the young, bright elite attuned to the times.The Mirvish Gallery is small, there are three rooms, with walls sufficiently high to handle the often enormous canvases that is the coin of so many contemporary artists.There is a bit of sculpture shown from time to time but unlike some galleries there are no antiques for sale, no objets de vertu, just paintings.He remarked that \u201cin those early days I did more exciting shows that had more wide audience appeal than anything I have done since.It was the nature of the art I got involved in; there was publicity and did pretty good with the Levine show.The next one was the most interesting.I was naive because I equated known artists with quality.I borrowed 33 pieces from dealers: de Kooning, Jack Bush, Bacon, Wesselman, Tinguely, Town, etc.but only the Jasper Johns sold.It was a tremendous education for me at the time.Fortunately a number of professionals in the field came to my help with the kind of assistance and advice I needed.\u201d A year later he closed the gallery for some months \u201cto take some trips and continue my education.On my return I decided to show quite different pictures to what I had been displaying \u2014 Ken Lockhead from the West, Douglas Morton.Nowadays I do only three or four shows a year and this allows me to be more selective about what I consider are works of quality.\u201d For some time he has abandoned the traditional consignment basis of opera- tr\u201d 1 RRA Bi i Dovid ot Mirvish i in his gallery \u2014 Louise Nevelson show in 1965.tion basis of operation, preferring to purchase works outright from the artists on a cash arrangement.The reason for this, he says, stems from a change in attitude by American dealers whom he finds are \u201cvery tough in their transactions and reluctant to let out their best pieces.Another factor has been the growing habit since the late \u2018Fifties for artists to deal freely with many galleries and to avoid making the kind of exclusive representation contracts once so common in the trade.\u201d Two recent shows were of two well- known Americans, Milton Avery and Kenneth Noland, both far apart in style.Mr.Mirvish says quite frankly that what he shows reflects a wide range of tastes but he is equally candid in admitting that he has frequently been accused of having narrow tastes by collectors and young artists.Neither does he hesitate to observe that \u201cthe belief of most col lectors is that if they catch hold of one painting by every type of artist they can\u2019t go wrong.\u201d For almost 10 years there has been an unprecedented rush to buy Canadian artists and art collectors have sprung up overnight.\u201cThe days of free-buying collectors are over,\u201d says Mr.Mirvish, \u201cand some artists soon won't be able to make a living here.When a person moves into the $4000 category he is apt to ask what else he can buy for that money.New York is the only art centre, all Canada is only the provinces.Competition is very great in New York and it\u2019s tough putting on ome\u2019s work against their national figures, but then the American market is so much larger and better.\u201cHere we can sustain only one hero at a time.it\u2019s the buy one syndrome.Some of our top artists make it here for a while and then they're off to New York.Toronto is great and proportionately we give great support, as much as New York collectors do who also buy one of each work, but Toronto is physically small by comparison.After Los Angeles, Toronto and Chicago are the most interesting as cities with interesting dealers.\u201cWhy do I exhibit Milton Avery?I exhibit Avery for me.I know the things I have confidence in and the quality of the works.no, I don\u2019t think I have the influence of Janis, Parsons and Kootz but now when I hold a show, although I am not a tastemaker, I am taken seriously.One has to be a celebrity to be a tastemaker.As for the future of the gallery it\u2019s exactly what it has been.\u201d David Mirvish has a serious mien, dark and intense.In the past year he has concentrated on working for his father in the store and in helping out at the Royal Alexandra theatre.To help run the gallery he has a director, but he says: \u201cI have a great deal of spare time and so I do all the buying for the gallery and also look after the finances.To do this in a professional way one must travel and I don\u2019t have all that time.So this gallery is more of a depot for pictures, so people who want to see paintings can do so here.\u201d e Books in Review Forthcoming publication: The World Jewish Encyclopedia The Israeli Publishing Institute Ltd., Jerusalem, has convened a group of leading scholars in the field of Jewish Studies, with the purpose of preparing a new encyclopedia.At the head of this assembly is Prof.Benjamin Mazar, former president of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, and world renowned archaeologist and historian of antiquity.The reading public, both in Israel and in the United States, has witnessed the publication of a number of Jewish encyclopedias in the last decade or so.At the very present time several significant projects are underway.It is necessary.therefore, to outline the distinctive features anticipated for the World Jewish Encyclopedia.so as to justify this additional venture.The proposed encyclopedia will be neither \u201cscholarly\u201d nor \u201cpopular\u201d in the accepted sense.It will be an educational encyclopedia, directed primarily to the college undergraduate student.but written so as to be useful, as well, to the knowledgeable layman.Thirteen departments will comprise the collection.Considerable space will be devoted to a relatively small number of basic entries, varying in length from 2,000 to 3,000 words.On a graduated scale, other entries will treat corollary aspects of the subjects under discussion.The reader will not find every personality, event, or place listed alphabetically in the main body of the encyclopedia.Rather, he will encounter an exhaustive index and series of maps, as well as general bibliography, in the last volume, directing his attention to those entries where the required information may be located.This arrangement requires a certain research effort on the part of the reader.which is educationally worthwhile, and which allows for a more concise and accurate presentation by the writers.By combining an alphabetic arrangement with a topic organization of the material it is hoped that all significant information will be effectively transmitted.All of the contributors to the encyclopedia will be academicians of expert competence.It is worth noting that many younger scholars will be invited to contribute.Israeli, American and Europeans will participate.The Israeli Publishing Institute is planning two editions, one in English, designed primarily for the American readership, and the other in Hebrew, for the Israeli community.The two editions will not constitute exact translations of the same text, but adaptations of the basic material with the required shifts of emphasis and exposition.A word about the English edition: In recent years American colleges and universities have realized the importance of Jewish heritage in the general study of humanities, and introductory courses have tended increasingly to include Judaica.These.courses are usually required for all students, There is presently no comprehensive library of basic Jewish knowledge available to the college student, though some helpful studies on particular studies have appeared in recent years.The World Jewish Encyclopedia will be suitable for inclusion in the bibliography of the college curriculum, and may be recommended by virtue of its reliability and conciseness.With respect to the Hebrew edition: Within the Israel educational system, the student of the Gymnasium and Seminar corresponds roughly to the American college undergraduate and like this American counterpart requires precise information in the area of Jewish studies.The Israeli curriculum has always stressed the humanistic dimension of Jewish literature, and has seen fit to transmit basic information about Jewish history and culture as part of its core program.In both societies, however, students of college age must fill certain gaps in their Jewish education.Israeli youth knows very little about American Jewry, and not enough about modern development in Jewish religion.American Jews lack information about modern development in Jewish religion.American Jews lack information about modern Israel, and often know surprisingly little about the origin and development of their own American Jewish community.Students, the world over are excited by recent discoveries shedding new light.on the early history of Israel.The World Jewish Encyclopedia will accordingly place primary emphasis on three major areas of Jewish knowledge: 1) The ancient period \u2014 the Bible and its world, and the Second Jewish Commonwealth.These are the periods most notably reflected in recent archaeological discoveries.(2) Modern Israel \u2014 the rise of the Jewish community in Israel, and its developing culture and society.(3) American Jewry \u2014 the odyssey of the largest Jewish community in the world today.Although all periods of Jewish experience will be treated in proper fashion, these three areas will take precedence.This encyclopedia will introduce numerous original studies, especially in the modern field.It is planned that the entire encyclopedia will appear at one time and it is projected in terms of fourteen to sixteen volumes, with a total of approximately 1,500,000 words.Public Rally The Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region, sponsored a public rally in Toronto to protest the recent anti-Jew- ish campaign in Poland, which was held at the Holy Blossom Temple on March 31.Speakers included Messrs.Sholom (Stefan) Grajek, president of the Association of Partisans and Ghetto Fights of Israel (in Yiddish) and Philip G.Givens, Q.C., former mayor of Toronto (in English).The public rally was authorized by the Executive Committee of the Central Region of Congress.It is estimated over 1,000 persons were in attendance. CONGRESS BULLETIN April, 1968 Telegram Issues Israel Supplement A special supplement on Israel\u2019s twentieth anniversary will be published by The Telegram of Toronto in its edition of April 27, 1968, according to an announcement by John Bassett, publisher of The Telegram.The supplement will also be distributed in Israel by the Jerusalem Post as part of its Independence issue of April 28.It will feature statements by Israel\u2019s seven top leaders Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, Hon.David Ben-Gurion, Hon.Moshe Dayan, Hon.Golda Meir, Hon.Abba Eban, Hon.Pinchas Sapir and Major-General Yitzhak Rabin.Original colour photographs of these personalities will accompany their articles.In addition, six of The Telegram\u2019s staff correspondents, who have completed assignments in Israel, will be writing on aspects of Israeli life, with photographs in colour.Proceeds from the supplement\u2019s advertising will go to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.Appointment Mrs.Saul Hayes, wife of Saul Hayes, Q.C., executive vice-president of Canadian Jewish Congress, has been appointed by the Hon.Judy La Marsh, Secretary of State, to the new 14-man Board of Directors of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for a five- year term.Mrs.Hayes has for many years been on the National Council of Congress.She has held numerous important positions including president, National Council of Women of Canada; vice- president, International Council of Women ; chairman, Quebec Regional Employment Committee ; chairman, Montreal Citizens Committee.Mrs.Hayes was also a member of the Canadian delegation to the 1965/66 sessions of the United Nations.Mr.Irving Pink of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, has also been appointed to the Board of Directors of the CBG for a three-year term, Mr.Pink, a lawyer and leader of the Yarmouth Jewish community, was formerly active with the Canadian Jewish Congress and in the joint appeals of the UIA/UJRA.Bequest A bequest of $5,000 for the Canadian Jewish Congress was included in the will of the late Harry Bronfman, who passed away a few years ago in Montreal.In remitting the amount to us, Mr.Gerald Bronfman, a son of the deceased, on behalf of the family, expressed \u201cbest wishes that this contribution will materially assist the Canadian Jewish Congress in its worthy endeavours,\u201d stressing the \u201cdeep interest in Congress\u201d of the late Harry Bronfman.Mr.Michael Garber, Q.C., president of Congress, in acknowledging the gift, recalled the participation of the late Harry Bronfman in the first Canadian Jewish Congress in 1919 and his interest in Congress after it was reconvened in the early \u201830's.Passover Relief 617,500 pounds of Matzos and passover products were shipped by the Joint Distribution Committee to Jewish communities in Europe and North Africa, an increase of 72,000 pounds over the 1967 program.The larger shipment (340,000 pounds) was destined for Roumania.Appointment Mr.Justice Nathan Nemetz of Vancouver was named Judge of the Court of Appeal of British Columbia Plenary (Cont'd from page 1) time Mr.Justice Harry Batshaw will present his views to delegates.Judge Batshaw was the first member of the Jewish faith to be appointed to a High Court in Canada and has played an active role in Canadian Jewish communal life.He is an honorary vice- president of the Zionist Organization of Canada and is president and founder of the Canadian Friends of the Alliance Israelite Universelle.One of the Quebec co-chairman of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, Judge Batshaw received in 1957 the Human Relations Award of that organization for an outstanding contribution in promoting better understanding and cooperation among the people of Canada.In 1962, he was awarded the Medal of Merit of the French Government for helping to promote good relations between France and Canada.In 1963 he helped to found the Amities Culturelles Canada Français- Israel, of which he is co-chairman with Dr.Leon Lortie of the University of Montreal.In 1964 he was appointed chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the International Law Association and has attended a number of international conferences on Human Rights.He was recently appointed by the Canadian Government as one of its representatives at the United Nations Conference on Human Rights which will take place in Teheran, Iran, in May, 1968.The Human Rights theme will be further developed at a session immediately following Judge Batshaw\u2019s address.Under the general heading of \u201cThe Canadian Scene\u201d a panel of experts will speak on the French-English crisis ; the Royal Commission Report on Bilingualism and Biculturalism; and the proposed \u201cCharter of Rights.\u201d The panel members will make brief presentations and then delegates will be invited to participate in the session, which promises to be both informative and stimulating.Opening The official opening session Thursday, May 16, at 8:30 p.m.will feature Mr.Saul Hayes, Q.C., executive vice-presi- dent of Congress, who will present a keynote address.Mr.Hayes, who joined Congress in 1940, is intimately con- - cerned and involved in all areas of Jewish community life.His keynote address will analyze present trends in Canadian Jewish life and \u2018set the tore\u2019 for the conference.A reception for delegates will follow his address at which time light refreshments will be served.Workshops Workshops have been grouped under the general theme : \u201cCanadian Jewry on National and Communal Scenes.\u201d These workshops will feature several areas of concern : conrmunity services ; Jewish women\u2019s role in Congress ; Yiddish ; Fundraising and UJRA ; Religious Affairs ; Cercle Juif.The main emphasis will be placed on delegates\u2019 participation at these workshops and views and exchanges will be encouraged.50th Anniversary Banquet Mr.Michael Garber, Q.C., outgoing president of Canadian Jewish Congress, will be the principal speaker at the 50th anniversary banquet.Mr.Samuel Bronf- man, chairman of the Congress Board of Governors, will preside.Mr.Garber, who attended the founding convention of Canadian Jewish Congress in 1919, is one of this country\u2019s outstanding Jewish community leaders.His contribution to all areas of Jewish life has been unique.Mr.Garber\u2019s address will doutblessly reflect his long association with Congress but will also project his views on Congress\u2019 future role in the community.Jewish Education The Sunday morning session, May 19, will be devoted to \u201cJewish Education Formal and Informal\u201d with Dr.Azriel Eisenberg, director of the World Council of Jewish Education in New York as guest speaker.Dr.Eisenberg will discuss the relevancy of the curricula of Jewish schools in 1968 and the latest pedagogical techniques.Mr.Ben Beutel, chairman of Congress Education Committee, Eastern Region, will discuss \u201cRecent Developments in Education in the Province of Quebec.\u201d Mr.Beutel is chairman of the Congress Special Committee on Education which negotiated agreements for Associate .Status for Jewish Schools with the Protestant School Board of Comment (Cont'd from page 1) Jews, by indifferent Jews, by apathetic Jews, by religious Jews and by nonobservant Jews.Canadian Jews \u2018experienced this mystical quality and their lives will never be the same.There are no guidelines, no blueprints which will spell out or define the nexus.There are no resolutions of necessary.flicker.Jewry.This medal has its observe side.Israel will never be the same.Zionist or other organizations which are The élan vital was kindled and it is not likely to diminish nor It has now become, the secular Ner Tamid of the lives of Diaspora It was often contemptuous of the affluent, even dolce far niente lives of a large number of Jews in Western countries.It accused these Jews of preferring the fleshpots of an alien civilization to historic demands of building a Jewish state.Israel's main connection with Diaspora Jews was to look upon it as an invisible export whereby foreign exchange was and universities supported.created, institutions built, roads paved, Since June 1967 a new philosophic content has entered the lives of the Israelis who see in world Jewry an ally, a soul-mate and a dependable supporter.Really for the first time in the 20 years of statehood, a true form is being given to the formerly inchoate stirrings within Jewry \u2014 in Israel and elsewhere.The occasion of Yom Ha\u2019atzmaut is one where possibly two objectives were achieved : the military defence of the involvement of Israel and the Diaspora.country and the catalyst for the inter- Before charging one\u2019s glass on the occasion of the anniversary, one must first pause to recognize that Israel has paid a high price to achieve its recent position in the loss of 700 or more officers and men in battles, the crew of the \u2018Eilat\u201d and that of the \u2018Dakar\u2019 earlier this year.These are national tragedies in which Canadian Jews mourn as deeply as Israelis.One must also be profoundly impressed with Israel's difficulties since wars do not always solve the problems, though victorious ones do win time.The essential difficulties of Arab intransigeance will not be surmounted by feats of arms or military genius.These will be overcome when are other geo-political world problems.If war is the extension of politics surely peace is too.Any toast to Israel on May 2 must include the double wish that Israel will prosper and that world Jewry, unswerving and firm in its loyalty to its own countries, will continue to feel deeply that its own inner esprit must depend on its relationship with Israel.May these concepts forever flourish.In their duality .will .be found the umiversality of Jewry.Greater Montreal.The session will be summarazied by Dr.Eli Grad of Beth Tzedec Congregation of Toronto.There will be adequate time for delegates to exchange views at this session.Community Relations The work of the Community Relations Committee, which is made up of equal representation from the Canadian Jewish Congress and B\u2019nai B'rith is to safeguard the status, rights and welfare of the Canadian Jewish community, to combat anti-Semitism and to promote understanding and goodwill among all ethnic and religious groups.At the 15th Plenary Session various areas of the committee\u2019s work will be highlighted : neo-Nazism and anti-Semitism in Canada ; anti-hate legislation; and other national and regional issues.The session will be conducted on a panel basis with Lou Herman ; Sydney J.Midanik ; Murray Spiegel and Oscar Antel presenting their reports and then delegates will be invited to participate.Mr.A.H.J.Zaitlin will summarize the session.Youth Friday morning will feature a special workshop organized and conducted by young people.Various youth groups across the country are involved in the program of this workshop and it is hoped that many young people will attend and present their viewpoints.Foreign Affairs Friday afternoon features a plenary session on Foreign Affairs.Under review will be The World Jewish Congress and COJO; Soviet Jewry and recent events in Poland ; neo-Nazism and anti-Semitism ; Jews in Arab Countries and other problems arising abroad.Full details of this session will appear in the May issue of CONGRESS BULLETIN.Future Role of Congress The future role of Congress will be scrutinized in two sessions grouped under the heading \u201cCongress in a Maturing Community.\u201d Again, a panel of experts who have had a long association with Congress will be ready to answer delegate\u2019s questions and consider viewpoints.\u2018 Resolutions The Arrangements Committee urgently requests all individual members of the Jewish community across Canada, as well as constituent organizations and communities to submit any resolutions they may have in writing, either to their regional Congress offices or to the National Office in Montreal.These resolutions will then be processed and ensured fair consideration by the Pre- Convention Resolutions Committee and presented in an orderly fashion to the Plenary Scssion.Pacific Names of the members of the Pacific Region Plenary Session Arrangements Committee are now available and include: Dr Roy Waldman, Esmond Lando, Moe Cohen.Mrs.Jean Rose, Isidor M.Wolfe.Complete program information will be published in the May issue of CONGRESS BULLETIN.Tribute The Federated Zionist Organization, Central Region, and the Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region, jointly honored Senator Arthur W.Roebuck on his 90th birthday at a meeting held at the Beth Tzedec Congregation in Toronto.Montreal The Allied Jewish Community Services in Montreal announced the appointment of Manuel G.Batshaw as its executive director succeeding Alvin Bronstein."]