Congress bulletin, 1 mai 1974, Mai

[" til tr OTTAWA More than 150 Parliamentarians participated in the Canada-Israel Committee Annual Dinner for Members of Parliament.The Honourable Mitchell Sharp.Secretary of State for External Affairs, reaffirmed Canada\u2019s \u201cstanding policy\u201d which is \u201cthe recognition of Israel's right to exist in a climate of peace under secure and recognized borders.\u201d Calling for negotiations between the parties to the conflict he also çon- demned acts of terrorism such as that perpetrated in Kiryat She- mona.\u2018regardless of the aims of the terrorists.\u201d The Honourable Robert Stanfield, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, expressed optimism regarding peace prospects and said, \u201cthe challenge to Israel's friends is to do what our decency requires \u2014 help Israel to reach peace, to resist pressure.\u201d He expressed pride in Holland's position in this respect and indicated that the time may come when Canada may be tested in her will to resist pressure.David Lewis.Leader of the New Democratic Party, told the Dinner audience of over 300 that his heart is \u201cfull of anxiety with regard to the future of the State of Israel, surrounded by enemy nations who threaten her annihilation.\u201d Dr.Theodor Meron, Israel's Ambassador to Canada.assured the audience that Israel will do all she can reasonably be expected to do to speed the coming of peace in spite of all her recent sorrow and sacrifice.The Dinner, an annual event, is held in conjunction with the CIC's National Policy Conference.At a breakfast session the Honourable cong CIC Annual Dinner Pictured at the third CIC Annual Dinner for Members of Parliament are: (L-R) Monroe Abbey, Q.C., CJC Immediate Past President; the Honorable Robert Stanfield, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party; and the Honorable Mitchell Sharp, Secretary of State for External Affairs.Donald MacDonald, Minister of Energy.Mines and Resources, told the delegates that \"the establishment of diplomatic relations by Canada with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries will ultimately serve the interest of the Jewish community in Canada and Israel because in moments of international tension we can play the role in helping the different sides understand each other's positions.\u201d Other Conference sessions dealt with Canadian Foreign Policy in the Middle East and the Canadian Media and the Middle East, as well as meetings which were devoted to charting future CIC policy.Participants in the Media session were Peter Ward, CBC's Capital Report; Fulgence Charpentier, Editorialist with Le Droit: Borden Spears, Senior Editor, Toronto Star and Murray Goldblatt, Professor of Journalism, Carleton University.The panel\u2018s general conclusion was that Israel receives a favourable press in Canada for two basic reasons.The first is that journalists tend to appreciate the freedom of the press and speech that exists in Israel and does not exist in most of the Arab countries.The result is that they tend to give more credibility to Israel\u2019s position, which in most instances can be verified.The other reason is that Canadians generally tend to sympathize with Israel's cause, due in part to the activities of Canada\u2019s articulate and influential Jewish community.The National Policy Conference approved the annual Policy Statement which reviewed relations between Canada and Israel and also outlined conditions for a stable and durable peace in the Middle East.Eastern Region Conference A conference of the Eastern Region of Canadian Jewish Congress was held recently at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal.Several hundred delegates representing various Jewish organizations in Montreal and a number of persons from smaller communities in the Province of Quebec attended.The theme of the Conference was Congress in Perspective.Commitment \u2014 Continuity\u201d.The morning session was addressed by Murray B: Spegel, QC.Chairman, CJC Eastern Region.Mr.Spiegel presented an historical analysis of the Congress program and activites, a description of Congress\u2019 relationship with other major Jewish organizations and put forward proposals for the future.Mr.Spiegel recommended that a Cont'd.p.10 Amongthose present at the recent CJC Eastern Region Conference were: (L-R) Dr.Samuel Lewin, Executive Director, CJC Eastern Region; the Honorable, Dr.Victor Goldbloom, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment of the Government of Quebec: Mrs.Joey Richman, Chairman, Conference Arrangements Committee; the Honorable Jerome Choquette, Minister of Justice of the Government of Quebec; Murray B.Spiegel, Q.C., Chairman, CJC Eastern Region; and Ariel Aran, Consul-General of Israel in Montreal.tess bulletin published by Canadian Jewish Congress LONDON International Meeting s Alan Rose, CJC Associate Executive Director, represented Canadian Jewish Congress at meetings of the COJO Presidium and of the World Conference on Soviet Jewry (Brussels Conference) in London, England, May 3 and May 5 respectively.COJO Presidium COJO (Coni:rence of Major Jewish Organizations) met on May 3, 1974 under the chairmanship of Mrs.Charlotte Jacobson (U.S.A.).Syrian Jews Murdered Following the murder of four young Jewish women in Damascus, Syria.CJC forwarded cables to Hafez Assad.President of the Syrian Arab Republic and Dr.Kurt Waldheim, Secretary General of the United Nations.Co-signed by Sol Kanee, CJC President and Saul Hayes, Q.C.CJC Executive Vice President, texts of the cables follow.President Hafez Assad Canadian public opinion was shocked to learn of the murder in the most brutal circumstances of three sisters-Toni, Laura and Farah Zeyback, and Eva Saad in Damascus.The savage repression practised by the Syrian Government against its Jewish citizens culminating in these and other murders has shocked the entire civilized world.We call upon the Syrian Government to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice, to cease its savage anti-Semitic campaign and to permit those Jews who wish to leave Syria to do so without delay.We appeal to you in the name of humanity.Dr.Kurt Waldheim Canadian Jewry was shocked to learn of the murder of four young Jewish women in Damascus.The barbaric policies of the Syrian Government in respect to its Jewish citizens are well known and the recent murders are a further example of the repression practised by the Syrian Government towards Jews.We ask you to protest to the Syrian Government about this unspeakable violation of the International Declaration of Human Rights and the norms of civilized behaviour so frequently violated by Syria.Those Jews who wish to leave Syria should be permitted to do so immediately without further hindrance and anti- Semitic restrictions must be abolished if the Syrian Government wishes to play a civilized role within the concert of nations.CJC contacted the Department of External Affairs who made inquiries with the Syrian Government and kept in close contact with Congress.« Delegates were p:esented with a confidential report on U.K.-Israel relations in the light of the Labour Party's victory in the -ecent general election, a review ot Israel's relationship with the Cornmon Market, the French presidential elections, the European-Arab dialogue.the present attitude of the West German Government towards Israel, and an authoritative report on the position of Syrian Jewry.There was a lengthy discussion on the Jackson Amendment and the position taken by the Presidents\u2019 Conference in the United States.A report was given on meetings with Secretary of State Kissinger, and other matters relevant to the position of Jews in the U.S.S.R.and U.S.policies in the Middle East.A report was received on the plans of the COJO Commission on Jewish Education.Cont'd.p.5 Kiryat Shmoneh Massacre In April, Arab terrorists crossed into Israel and perpetrated at Kir- yat Shmoneh the most murderous terrorist action inside Israel since the May 1972 massacre at Lod Air port in Tel Aviv, killing innocent civilians, including children thrown from upper-floor balconies, and men.Reacting immediately, Sol Kanee, CJC President, stated: The horrifying massacre of the innocents at Kiryat Shmoneh is a yet further bloody atrocity committed by Palestinian terrorists against innocent civilians.This adds to the horrors of the terrorism conducted by the Palestinian Arab guerilla movement who murders and numerous attacks against civilian aircraft and whose murder of Israeli and other diplomats presents an unending saga of barbarianism.Canadian Jewish Congress calls upon the Canadian public to vigorously condemn this butchery which included the murder of children.CJC forwarded a telegram to Dr.Theodor Moron, Ambassador of israel to Canada Co-signed by Sol Kanee, CJC President and Saul Hayes, Q.C.CJC Executive Vice President, the text follows: CJC expresses on behalf of the entire community our deepest condolences and sorrow for the massacre of the innocents at Kiryat Shmoneh.These indescribable savage murders against civilians are a further example of Arab terrorism the international community must eradicate.Would you please convey this message to your Governement. Plenary Assembly: 1974 By Sol Kanee, CJC National President It has been wisely stated that if you wish to see farther, stand on the shoulders of the giants who preceded you.In a metaphoric sense those responsible for the role of Congress from the sixteenth assembly to the one just ahead of us gained vision from their predecessors but were confronted with issues quite different.There are many problems to be wrestled with by an incoming.executive.There are also questions to be answered never asked before or some requiring responses different from preceding ones.NATIONAL BUDGETING CONFERENCE Canada now has two major cities where the bulk of the Jewish population resides.Significantly, the 1971 census returns reflect for the first time in our history.the virtual equality of the Jewish population of Montreal and Toronto.Each hosts about 125,000 with about 5.000 more living in Montreal.This presages changes in the distribution of funds for national programming and for overseas relief and the integration costs of newcomers.This is the bridge to cross to the area of national budgeting.It is surely incontrovertible that those who annually ask the public for monies in support of the Israel program of the United Israel Appeals, for the national activities of Congress and the United Jewish Relief Agency and the dozens of local causes, are trustees of public funds whose fiduciary position demands their complete objectivity and equity in the division of the contributors dollar Such virtues have not always been the attributes of the fund-raisers.For a more perfect distribution of funds, priorities should be agreed upon by a committee created by virtue of the experience.known sense of justice and objectivity of its members Such a committee, after analysing and thoroughly studying all local national and international budgets will offer its recommendations as to how the community pie is to be sliced and the size of the wedges for each applicant._ This is the genesis of the National Budgeting Conference of Canadian Jewry whose preliminary meeting was held in mid-April.While general principles were accepted, the national budgeting service cannot well serve the community until certain other principles are agreed to and structures provided.When perfected, this new instrument for Canadian Jewish life will have the supra-important function of study and analysis and then the recommendation of priorities.In time the very nature of its influences should make for good housekeeping and a much more logical and more fair use of community funds of which the local centralized fund- raising machinery is but the instrument of boards, who themselves are in a fiduciary position in the expenditures of such funds.This will differ fundamentally from the position too long held that the fund-raising organisation is the judge, jury and witness of the fiscal operations of all agencies \u2014 an untenable and thoroughly inequitable state of affairs.The missing link in the implementation of the resolutions of the various Plenary Assemblies is the control of the exchequer.It is easy to devise well thought out resolutions; it is normal for a Plenary Session to vote for such important resolutions; it is procedure to pass them on to an Executive Committee for implementation.What is neither normal, easy or proced- urally possible is to carry out all resolutions without the funds necessary.Congress has the manpower to devise the resolutions, it has the manpower to represent an almost total community in their passage, it has the will of an executive to try to implement them.The impasse is reached because Congress has not the money, nor the participation in the expenditure of what monies there are in the community, to give effect to the wishes of a Plenary Assembly.It must perforce eliminate some.leave others for more propitious or prosperous times, give effect only in part to some, and hope for better times.ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONS The forthcoming Plenary Session will also serve as a forum for a serious dis- .cussion of the relationship between the local and the national organisations of / Congress and the United Jewish Relief Agencies.This may take the form of agreed upon areas of activity or a structure to provide for a Congress of community councils.One thing is clear, that the community of 1973 is not that of 1923 or 1933 or even 1963.The question will be whether the electors of the Congress delegates who in turn elect officers, and then in regional sessions the National Executive Committee, represents the broadest spectrum possible.What is missing in the list of delegates is an electorate from the fund-raising sector of the community.One way of remedying this is for the fund-raiser to exhibit political wisdom and become a force in the councils of Congress.Another way is for the Congress structurally to be joined in holy wedlock with the welfare funds and the marriage contract will provide the basis of the marriage.One form was already suggested, early in my presidency, in Toronto, but was rejected by the Congress Central Region as being impossible for Congress to live with unless it wished to lose its historic and special personality.Another form is in existence now in Winnipeg and it will take a little more time to work out the A7 modus vivendis as well as the modus oper-j: P< andi for a successful merger in the creation .of a Congress community council.Other related matters are, of course, the | partnerships in this Canadian Jewish heri- }: tage with organisations which, thought within Congress, have personalities of?their own.An example is the family of the\" , Zionist organisations called the ed Zionist Federation of Canada.It is interested, as the representative of Zionists, in several areas which are also of major con- i} cern to Congress such as action on behalf \u2018p of Soviet Jewry and Jews of Arab lands.Actually, there is no struggle within Canadian Jewry on the structures and programmatic involvement in national and in- | ; ternational issues.No one challenges Congress.The infighting is on the local scene where Welfare Funds have grown and which wish to administer programs which in many spheres, for years, have been part of regional Congress activity.The proposals for changes have a long background \u2018and defy explanation in a single paragraph.Suffice it to recognise that the controversy exists.HISTORIC PLENARY ASSEMBLY Congress declares itself to be the parliament of Canadian Jewry.It has earned this title.Where else but in such a parliament in June, 1974, should the matter be aired and where the debate should lead to mandates for action?However, if the proponents of the Welfare Funds are absent, then the parliament won't be fully representative, which could lead to proclamations and manifestos without sufficient - backing.Irresolution and inactivity and not their antonyms would be the order of the day.Thus, the forthcoming Pleanary Assembly in its way could.too, be historic.Not the history of the 1939 and immediately succeeding sessions which dealt with Rescue, Rehabilitation and War Efforts.Nor will it be the sessions of the 1950's and early 1960's which in their own way strengthened Canadian Jewry's position as a world leader.But it will be historic if the resolutions lead to definitive action in welding the Jewish community of the 1970's into a harmonious and working unit of Canadian Jewry.This is what some people have dedicated themselves to do and it is hoped thereby to strengthen the community and rally round the flag of a total Kahilla.Gongress Primacy By Donald Carr, Q.C., CJC National Executive Committee Member Things don't change much.In the April/May, 1970 edition of Congress Bulletin | had cause to urge Congress to embark on relevant agenda in order to assert its primacy in Canadian Jewish life \u2014 a role which no other organization {existing or to be created) should, in my opinion, assume.Virtually everything which | thought va-:.lid at that time remains valid \u2014 and.sadly.remains undone.\u201cPrimacy in the community\u201d must be recognized by the members of that community, through continual Congress activity locally.This, in turn, nurtures the regional and national bodies and give them the strength we all desire.Primacy will never be a reality unless and until Congress takes the lead in such areas as formal and informal Jewish education, social planning, leadership development, and, even fund raising, that activity without which everything else founders.These activities have to be carried out not only in the smaller communities, but also in the major cities such as Toronto and Montreal.Because Congress has not taken up the reins, it has had to step aside and abdicate responsibilities which once were considered by all to be within its sphere.At best, it operates in clumsy \u201cjoint committees\u201d and at worst it permits others to launch programmes which, in the context of the overall priorities of the Jewish community, \u201care low down on the scale or, on the other \u2018hand, require greater attention and stronger support than can be mustered by an independent grouping.A review of the resolutions passed at the 1971 Plenary Assembly demonstrates clearer than anything else the impossibility of the present situation.Twenty-nine resolutions were passed.Twelve of these called for specific Congress action.Of the twelve all but two were beyond the ability of Congress to implement! They were in areas where Congress had no direct jurisdiction or activity.{I say nothing of the resolutions which.could not be implemented, because Congress lacks the funds to do sol} The plain truth is that Congress does not have the machinery to get down into the community and give effect to what its constituents demand solemnly and repeatedly in plenary assembly.JEWISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL For Congress to rise to its avowed position of primacy it must be the strong, centralized.unified community organ.For this to occur Congress must subsume the activities of the local communal organizations (in Toronto the United Jewish Welfare Fund, in Montreal the Allied Jewish Community Services) and must create an entity as close to a kehilla as is possible in a voluntary society \u2014 a Jewish Community Council.This community council would be an integral part of Congress, broadly representative of the entire community and with representation from all of the organizations which now participate in Congress plenary sessions.It would not be a monolith, but, on a local basis, it would be the parliament of the local community.It would assess overall community developments, identify social trends, determine overall goals and planning, set priorities and move the resources of the community both monetary and human \u2014 towards achieving them.As an inseparable part of Congress, responsible to the regional and national bodies on all regional and national matters, such a community council would benefit the local community, enable it to carry out its aims more effectively, have the essential democratic foundation and representative nature which has always been an important element for Congress and, as importantly as anything else, result in the strengthening of Congress, regionally and nationally, to carry out more effectively its regional, national and international responsibilities.It is also axiomatic that in the course of the development of programmes for the large cities, new possibilities for regional programming and assistance will develop as a natural outgrowth of the large city activities, thus adding immeasurably to the Congress programme in the regions outside of those cities.The present devisiveness, inefficiency and waste \u2014 of finances and manpower \u2014 which exist in the relationship between the local communal organizations and Congress in the large cities would disappear.Ît is encouraging to note that Winnipeg did not shrink from doing that which foundered in Toronto some three years ago.It has created a Jewish Community Council as a part of Congress and, in doing so, it utilized substantially the blueprint which had been prepared for the Toronto situation.It is only a matter of time before such restructuring takes place in Toronto and Montreal.It is devoutly to be hoped that it will occur sooner, rathor than later, so that the communities, can got on with the same important agenda.3 ; il, \u2014\u2014 .- 500pn.{ - bidon Tip i.1 © Sita © e\u2014\u2014 } ban \"Han 12000 Hipp Ey LY i iA = TW Oo Tn A - CONGRESS BULLETIN /3 Nous Fete, .il Course = r 3 ram h hoy: Ral | yg, \u2018 ¢ Cin 3 Itig 0 v lng Maj.None; lande Wibin x 5 ang yg Mal ang, E0085 (7 4 bed gy 0H 12 ims iy aking il SHIMON PERES NADAV SAFRAN « THE RT.HON.PIERRE ELLIOTT TRUDEAU pop : lf Haga: Joseph L.Kronick, Chairman, \"Presentation: Saul Hayes, 0:.C.Q.C.10:30 a.m.BA EO MITTEE Obey Arrangements Committee Discussion Groups: UE / ; | ; ) New Structures in the Jewish Chairman: Prof.Perry Meyer, Q.C.y - Gerda Freiberg, Vice Chairman, a .Panel Discussion: Tw Arrangements Committee Community Aaron Pollack.Moderator = | .; b} The Younger Community and Its Myer Bick tepare Ruth Resnick, Involvement in Congress Harold Buchivald.Q.C amet Coordinator c) Diaspora-Israel Relations - Prof.Irwin Cotler army | d) Jews in a Pluralistic Society + Rabbi Dr W Gunther Plaut LE Friday, June 14 12:15pm.LUNCHEON 12:15 Ba _ .\u2018 :15p.m.LUNCHEON dons Chairman: Judge Harold Lande Chairman: David Satok ep: 5:00p.m.REGISTRATION 2.Guest Speaker: Dr.Nadav Safran, tab f {Hospitality Room) 1 - Centre for Middie ly pe 6:45p.m.MINCHA SERVICES Eastern Studies, cen; 7:30p.m.CANDLE LIGHTING _ Harvard Universit: Sif: DINNER 2:00-5:30 PLENARY SESSION CT and .JEWISH EDUCATION fr of te 1 Saturday, June 15 Chairman: Harry Steiner Discussion Groups: her a) Priorities for Jewish Schools ori.Net 8:15 a.m.LIGHT BREAKFAST b) Teacher-Training and Recruitment medal 9:00 a.m.SERVICES \u201c4 c) Education and Culture for Youth si es 12:00noon LUNCHEON nin and Adults os.Ne 2:15p.m.GUIDED TOUR MRS.SAMUEL BRONFMAN, O.B.E.d) Community Responsibility and 50s Old Jewish Toronto .SAMUEL BRONFMAN MEDAL : Funding .in Wi 4:30pm.YIDDISHDIALOGUE ] Presentation: Mrs Samuel Bronfman, O.B.E.6:15p.m.TDINNERATLEISURE = pose Jewish Family Life Recipient: Michael Garber, Q.C.: 8:00p.m.PLENARY SESSION isc Dr.Leo Davids PRESENTATIONS PRESENTATION action .Prof.Lillian Messinger Sol Kanee Lavy M.Becker of Be 6:00p.m.SEUDAH SHLISHIT Judge Harold Lande WORLD JEWRY wot § 7:30-9:30 SHEUR-DIALOGUE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS Chairman: Lavy M.Becker at some Dr.Emil Fackenheim TT Sol Kanee es 10 0 Prof.Marven Herzôg GUEST SPEAKER he te 9:40 p.m.MAARIV & HAVDALLAH Shimon Peres, Israel Cabinet Minister PTE 10:00p.m.REGISTRATION 2:15-5:00 PLENARY SESSION 10:15 p.m.OFFICIALPLENARY OPENING NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT Election of Plenary Standing Committees.Chairman: Abe Steinberg 7 Amendment to By-Laws.jo ad - Musical Presentation of CJC PRIORITIES FOR CIC no Commissioned Work.Chairman: Isidor Wolfe nes | Reception for Delegates.Moderator: Barbara Fum ol 11:15p.m.REGIONAL CAUCUSES Panel Discussion: Norman May ; \", ren Shapiro RABBI ARTHUR HERTZBERG \u201c1 ; ; rr.ALL._ Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg.President, nr Sunday.June 16 David Sadowski : American Jewish Congress j 7:30am.SERVICES oo p.m.COCKTAIL PARTY Rabbi Morton Rosenthal, Director.we! 8:00am.BREAKFAST SESSIONS Pam A LE T7 B'nai B'rith, U.S.A.# 0 Dr.Stephen J.Roth, Executive Director, wel European Division, a, | World Jewish Congress ES ho Alan Rose, CJC Associate ' Executive Director fin oe Nor\u201d Tuesday, June 18 qe x TE : .si) SAUL HAYES, 0.C.Q.C.7:30am.SERVICES joe | SOL KANEE TRIBUTE TO SAUL HAYES 8:00am.BREAKFAST SESSIONS LEADERSHIP FOR TOMORROW Chairman: Sol Kanee _ ARCHIVES AND RESEARCH Host: Sol Kanee GUEST SPEAKER: Chairman: Victor Sefton * wi ; \\ YIDDISH - The Prime Minister of Canada- JEWS INQUEBEC jt ! Chairman: Prof.Arthur Lermer The Right Honourable Pierre Elliot Trudeau Chairman: Joseph Nuss - a RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS > 10:30p.m.REGIONAL CAUCUSES - 10:00a.m.PLENARY SESSION La 1 - Chairman: Rabbi Dr.W.Gunther Plaut - PLENARY RESOLUTIONS se UJRA Monday, June 17 Chairman: Sam Sable gol?Chairman: Professor Perry Meyer, Q.C.Report: Donald Carr, Q.C.! HOLOCAUST 7:30am.SERVICES Tl Chairman-Aba Beer 8:00am.BREAKFAST SESSIONS 12:30p.m.LUNCHEON LE PROBLEMS OF SMALLER COMMUNITIES HONORING SIGMUND UNTERBERG TL 10:00am.PLENARY SESSION a) Eastern Region Chairman: Murray B.Spiegel, Q.C.oli | CONDITION OF CANADIAN JEWRY b) Central Region INSTALLATION OF INCOMING ih Chairman: Sydney M.Harris, Q.C.c) Western and Pacific Regions OFFICERS 4/ CONGRESS BULLETIN Foreign Affairs CJC Associate Executive Director ~~ PRE-PLENARY REPORT By Alan Rose, This report sets out the conspectus of activities of the National Foreign Affairs Committee under the chairmanship of Professor Hareld Waller and the National Committee for Soviet Jewry (which is a partnership of CJC and CZF) under the chairmanship of Mr.Sydney M.Harris, Q.C.and Vice-Chairman, Mr.Nathan O.Hurwich.A detailed report on Foreign Af- ~ fairs will be presented at the World Jewry session of the forthcoming Plenary Assembly on Monday evening, June 17th.SOVIET JEWRY Our principal area of concern has been for the plight of our brethren inthe Soviet Union.Since the last Plenary Assembly, a vigorous campaign on behalf of Soviet Jewry has been conducted by the National Committee in co-operation with Jewish communities throughout Canada, women's groups for Soviet Jewry, and our partners in the CZF, with whom we work in close co-operation.1.The struggle for Soviet Jewry centres around a number of substantive issues which may be defined as follows: ; The demand that those Jews who wish to leave the Soviet Union be permitted to do so without let or hindrance.There are approximately 135,000 Jews awaiting exit visas: it is known that many thousands will apply.Whilst 35,000 emigrated in 1973, it will be understood that at the present rate of emigration it could take a minimum of 4-5 years for an applicant to exit once application has been made.In recent months the Soviet Government has substantially reduced the flow of emigrants, partly as a riposte to the Jackson Amendment and the unsettled state of detente between the U.S.S.R.and the U.S.A.2.Soviet Jews who apply to emigrate are still subjected to particularly vicious harassment, including loss of employment, harassment by the KGB and the OVIR, bureaucratic humiliation and trumped-up charges on an increasing scale.The U.S.S.R., notwithstanding detente, is increasingly reverting internally to a form of neo-Stalinism.3.We continue to be deeply concerned > about the fate of prominent Jewish militants.Names that come to mind are Lerner, Levitch and-Slepak, et al, but there are many others whose life is made intolerable by increasing harassment and repression.mn > ~~, © Us A \u2018\u2019Sylva Zalmanson Day\u201d demonstration took place in Ottawa in front of the Embassy of the Soviet Jewry and the Ottawa Jewish Community.4.We must continue to press for the release of the 41 Prisoners of Conscience, more particularly Sylva Zalmanson whose state of health is a matter of grave concern and who remains incarcerated in forced labour camps on trumped-up charges of crimes which in the free world could only be construed as the exercise of their fundamental human rights and freedoms.$.It is not only the numbers who'leave that is significant, but the pattern of emigration, which is coming largely from the Baltic States, Georgia, etc., whilst it-re- mains increasingly difficult-for Jews who reside in the R.F.S.R.to emigrate.- 6.Those Jews who elect to remain-in the Soviet Union must be permitted to enjoy the cultural, social and linguistic rights guaranteed under the Soviet Constitution freely granted to other nationalities in the U.S.S.R.but denied to Jews.Action Taken f It is axiomatic that if world protest had not commenced on a massive scale following the first Leningrad Trials in 1970, emigration would have continued at a trickle.There are now over 85,000 Soviet Jews living in Israel, a direct result of massive protests by Jews and prominent non- Jews throughout the world.Thus, our policy has been to constantly bring this problem to the attention of public opinion in Canada, in which to some extent we have been successful, but we .must accelerate our activities.This has been done through mass rallies and protests which are organized throughout Canada, most particularly during the visit of Kosygin to this country.We must intensify our efforts to focus public attention on the plight of Soviet Jews, and indeed, make the issue of ~ Soviet Jewry a factor in the relationship between Canada and the U.S.S.R.We must continue to maintain telephonic contact with Jewish militants in the U.S.S.R., which presently is being carreid on most effectively by the Women for Soviet Jewry in Toronto, under the chairmanship of Mrs.Genya Intrator.The purpose of this report is not to detail our activities, but to emphasize their importance in attracting public opinion to the pitiful plight of Soviet Jews.Canadian Government The Canadian Government has taken a consistently sympathetic attitude towards ; the plight of Soviet Jewry.It must be emphasized that we are concerned here with what is essentially a humanitarian problem: we do not choose to be involved in the realm of politics or ideology.We welcome closer relations between Canada and the U.S.S.R.During the period under review, we have met on numerous occasions with the Secretary of State for External Affairs, the Honourable Mitchell Sharp.the Conservative spokesman for - Foreign Affairs, Mr.Claude Wagner, and Mr.David Lewis, the leader of the New Democratic Party.All parties support our struggle, and the position of Canada has been strong and unequivocal.The concerns of the Canadian Government continue to be expressed on the highest level to the Soviet leadership.Recently.Mr.Sharp.who met with the Foreign Minister of the U.S.SR.Andrei Gromyko.in Moscow (at their yearly meeting in terms of the Ca- nada-U.S.S.B.Protocol).raised the question of the fate of Sylva Zalmanson and Soviet Jews most forcefully; this led to a clash of considerable proportions.We are maintaining virtually day-to-day contact with the Department of External Affairs and its senior officials of the Eastern Eu- Yopean Division.À report on the present situation of Soviet Jewry will be presented at the Plenary Assembly from an author- ative source.Brussels Conference (World Conference on Soviet Jewry) Canada, through the Canadian Jewish Congress and the Canadian Zionist Federation, is a full member of this committee, and has attended all leadership meetings.We continue to maintain close contact with the World Jewish Congress, COJO, and other fraternal organizations con- cened with this problem.We were represented at the recent meeting of World Leadership on Soviet Jewry in London, England.Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Conference) The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, in which 33 European countries and the United States of America and Canada are participating, is one of the most immediate results of the recent detente between East and West and -among the first attempts to give practical expression to the improved atmosphere in the relations between the States and peoples \u2014 at least on the European level.The following is a survey of the possible Union, March implications of the Conference on Jewish problems, particularly on the position of Jews in the U.S.S.R.and Eastern Europe.The first stage of the Conference consisted of a meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the participating states in Helsinki from July 3-7.1973.The Conference is now engaged in the.decisive second stage, the/practical work of specialised Committees and Sub-Com- mittees, which will prepare drafts of declarations, recommendations, resolutions or any other final documents on the various points included in the Agenda of the.Conference.The work of these Committees will be co-ordinated by a Co-ordi- nating Committee.This stage of the Conference commenced in Geneva on September 18, 1973.The drafts and recommendations will ultimately-have to be approved at a third stage of the Conference, the level of which, has not yet been determined.The actual Conference was preceded by consultations between the participants on the Agenda.These consultations were held in Helsinki on the ambassadorial level, from November 1972 to June 1973.The Agenda was divided into three principal topics or baskets: (1) Questions relating to Security of Europe; (2) Co-operation in the Fields of Economics, of Science and Technology and of the Environment; (3) Co-operation in Humanitarian and Other Fields.The introduction of the humanitarian items was a,demand of the Western countries from the outset, and is to be seen as a victory for the liberal points of view \u2014 in spite of their shortcomings.Their exact text reads as foilows: 111.Co-operation in Humanitarian and OtherFields With the aim of contributing to the strengthning of peace and understanding among the peoples of the participating States and to the spiritual enrichment of the human personality, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion and irrespective of their political, economic and social systems, the Committee, assisted by the appropriate Sub-Committees, shall be charged with examining all possibilities of co-operation conducive to creating better conditions for increased cultural and mé al da MR Sade £ A °°\u201d pr oe gridit\u201d et?gu nant?in 159 ioe ok 0 Li pue Lg Con wi mili?Fhe! pts a punted?shedarmite The Cori sata entend petite H The Comm © papa?rent and con fel, pve ro, ld gariipating ho Wiha favourable relevant mall | der mut shal pay par fat contac basis of fam + ls; mariag F entsttes: {a} vavel fens; im lowism, on basi fe mea pansionole 1 tidayint Bs son Corre \u2018 In pe.* ie wag Met wih tema Af + orange +R, famili Mist E thich is al fy un W Mien VE! na p Teli ow Ment e Gina Ca ing iy ù fig Wy +P id > eu | ewgh ton gf op.| 0 one tes iy | Sates din fe al wok b-Com- olde.oltons on the onda of e Com | ore e Cone 5 Sep ns wil aid Fwhich at oon onthe held in | fom .The neil iy of for andl nd faran coum nés in ff 1 mr educational exchanges, for broader dissemination of information, for contacts between people.and for the solution of humanitarian problems.In this connection, it shall not only draw upon existing forms of co-operation, but shall also work out new ways and means appropriate to these aims.The Committee in its final document will formulate relevant proposals, based on full respect for the principles guiding relations among the participating States enumerated in the terms of reference for the Committee on Item 1 of the agenda.The Committee shall also consider to what extent existing institutions could be used to achieve these aims.Human Contacts The Committee/Sub-Committee shall prepare proposals to facilitate freer movement and contacts, individually or collectively, privately or officially, among persons, institutions and organisations of the participating States.With a view to contributing to the favourable examination and settlement of relevant matters by the States concerned under mutually acceptable conditions, it shall pay particular attention to: {a} contacts and regular meetings on a basis of family ties; reunification of families; marriage between nationals of different states, (b) travel for personal or professional reasons, improvement of conditions for tourism, on an individual or collective basis; (c) meetings among young people; expansion of contacts and competitions, particularly in thefield of sport.As soon as it was announced that the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (known as the Helsinki Conference) was to be convened in Helsinki, we met with the Secretary of State for External Affairs.We maintain a close working arrangement with the senior officials of the department responsible for Canadian participation.It is a matter of considerable pride that Canada has taken a leading role in pressing the U.S.S.R.to implement the provisions of the third basket, i.e., humanitarian concerns.Canada, in concert with Holland.the Federal Republic of Germany, and Norway, has been particularly prominent in proclaiming the importance of the free flow of men and ideas and the joinder of families so vital to the Jewish people.It must be understood that the Conference.which is viewed by the U.S.S.R.as a formal affirmation of the division of Europe which would supposedly lead the permanent detente, is in the eyes of the Soviet leadership detente between States.The U.S.S.R.is not concerned with the free flow of men and ideas and non-govern- mental contacts in the field of culture, religion and language which are of such critical importance to world Jewry in establishing bridges with Jews in the communist world.Whilst there has been some Bayard Rustin, speaker at a rally on behalf of Syrian Jewry held in Montreal, June 27, 1972 softening of the Soviet attitude prior to Stage 2, which commenced in Geneva on September 18, 1973, there has been no substantive agreement between the West and the Soviet bloc.It is interesting that a recent authoritative report stated: On emigration, Canada went furthest by asking for liberalisation of exit procedures at large.In a more concrete manner, only free reunification of families is being urged (by Canada, Denmark, Federal Germany).The final outcome of the Conference will depend on the complex relationship between the U.S.A.and NATO countries on the one hand, and\u2018the Soviet Union on the other, in the light of (a) the Kissinger policies of detente, (b) the Jackson Amendment, (c) to a considerable extent, the current situation in the Middle East, and (d) the role of the Europeans.We conveyed to the Secretary of State for External Affairs that the danger in detente rests in the Soviet Union obtaining maximum advantages but giving minimum concessions, i.e., limited access by West Germans to their relatives in the German Democratic Republic.We are of the view that detente means give and take on both sides: if concessions are made only at the expense of the West, this might well be viewed by historians as a form of neo-ap- peasement.SYRIA The terrible plight of Syrian Jewry continues to be of the greatest concern.During the past 3 years, notwithstanding Syrian propaganda, there has been no amelioration in the plight of this community.It is a matter of interest that the Syrians now find it necessary to maintain a vigarous propaganda campaign because of world opinion, which has now become aroused over the fate of Syrian Jewry.There exists a World Committee under the chairmanship of Mr.Alain Poher, President of the French Senate, on which the Right Honourable John G.Diefenbaker, formerPrime Minister of Canada, is a member.Since the Yom Kippur War, 4 Syrian Jewish women have been brutally murdered, and we are now concerned with a classic blood libel scenario.Two young leaders of the Jewish community of Damascus have been accused of their murder.No doubt the Syrian authorities plan to execute these two young men, thus attempting to show world opinion that Jews murder Jews.The beleaguered community would thus be deprived of two courageous leaders.Only world protest will foil this diabolical plot which is reminiscent of the worst atrocities of the Czarist police machinations in perpetrating the blood Hi- bel trials.It should be noted that in the period under review.CJC managed to meet with Ambassador Tomeh, the permanent representative of Syria\u2019 in the United Nations \u2014 alas, to no avail.A detailed report on the current position of Jews in Syria will be presented to the Assembly.We are in wo .y 118 È A Prayer Vigil in Ottawa in front of the Iraqi Embassy, May 23, 1973, constant contact with the Department of External Affairs in this matter.GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC (See on page 6, the article /demnification Claims of Nazi Victims against the German Democratic Republic).Basically, our claim against the GDR rests on its obligation to undertake a share of the responsibility to make material amends to Jewish victims of Nazy persecution.Primarily it is a moral claim, but is based on legal grounds detailed in the attached memorandum presented by Canadian Jewish Congress to the Canadian Government on February 21, 1973, which requested that Canada raise this matter with the GDR in the context of establishing diplomatic relations.Canada, in concert with ali NATO powers, has extended de facto recognition to the German Democratic Republic, but de jure recognition has not yet been accorded, for complex reasons relating in the main to humanitarian concerns.We have met with the Secretary of State for External Affairs and senior officials of the Claims Division of his department.We must continue to press the GDR for a measure of restitution.Experience has shown that where we encouraged the Canadian Government, a measure of success was achieved, i.e., restitution claims against Poland were concluded following two decades of prevarication by the Poles.Claims against the GDR must be vigorously pursued in the hope that GDR will make some material amends for the collective responsibility of Germany as a whole.WORLD JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS World Jewish Congress _ The Canadian Jewish Congress is represented at all levels of the World Jewish Congress.In the period under review, we have attended meetings of the leadership group.the Governing Council, and the World Executive.A Canadian delegation will attend the forthcoming meeting of the WJC Plenary.Close cooperation exists between the Secretary-General of the WJC, the Department of International Affairs, Paris, and the Institute of Jewish Affairs, London.} COJO (Conference of Major World Jewish Organizations) Mr.Sol Kanee is a Vice-President and a member of the presidium of COJO, whose meetings we attend.CJC is also represented on the COJO Commission for Education.and participates.in all COJO meetings.Canada is a full member of the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Inc._ The activities of the international organizations and some of their concerns will be reported on at the World Jewry session of the Plenary Assembly on Monday.June 17.FARA LE RIE RAE JR CONGRESS BULLETIN /5 .____________________________________________} Cont'd.from p.1 INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS World Conference Soviet Jewry (Brussels Conference) The leadership of the World Conference on Soviet Jewry (Brussels Conference) met on May 5, 1974 under the chairmanship of Sir Samuel Fisher.President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.The following countries were represented: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada Denmark, France, Holland, Israel, Italy.Mexico.Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K.and the USA.The Conference was also attended by representatives of the Jewish Agency the World Jewish Congress.WIZO, COJO and WUJS.A lengthy review of the deteriorating situation in the Soviet Union was presented by a panel of experts.One hundred twenty-five thousand Jews are now awaiting exit permits and are subjected to un- creasing harassment.In the first three months of 1974, Aliyah has declined substantially.It is particularly difficult for Jews to leave the R.F.S.R.and the Moslem republics.An encouraging report was given on the absorption of Soviet Jewish Immigrants in Israel, which included a lengthy survey indicating that 95 per cent of emigrants had decided to remain in the country, and that 74 per cent were satisfied with their apartment and employment.Although there are a number of problems relating to employment and housing, it is hoped that these will be resolved substantially in the coming year.A lengthy report was given on the Jack- .son Amendment by the American delegation and on Senator Edward Kennedy's meeting with leading Jewish militants in Moscow.Mr.Rose reported on Canadian activities, the National Committee for Soviet Jewry (CZF and CJC) and the actions and attitude of the Canadian Government.Canadian Jewry was congratulated for its ac- tivites, and considerable satisfaction was expressed at the continuing sympathy of the Canadian Government in respect to its humanitarian endeavours on behalf of Soviet Jewry.A lengthy report was given on the present status of the European Conference on Security and Cooperation (Helsinki Conference) in relation to the \u201cThird Basket\u201d, i.e., humanitarian, social and cultural concerns.The Canadian Government was praised for the strang stand it had taken in respect to pressing the Soviet bloc to implement the concept of the \u201cfree flow of men and ideas\u201d.The leadership decided to request Mr.Leon Dulzin, Acting Chairman of the Jewish Agency.to investigate the possibility of -establishing an office to co-ordinate activities and information on behalf of Soviet Jewry on an international level.The Right Honorable John G.Diefenbaker, M.P., signing a Petition to the Government of Syria. - 6/ CONGRESS BULLETIN German Democratic Republic Indemnification Claims 1.The signing of the Treaty on Basic Relations by the German Federal Republic (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) in Berlin on December 21.1972, probably the most decisive steps in Chancellor Brandt's Ostpolitik, put an end to West Germany's claim of exclusive representation of the German people, and meant the total abandonment of the Hallstein Doctrine, i.e., the refusal by West Germany to maintain relations with any country which recognised the G.D.R.Following this development, numerous Western and neutral countries made it known that they now intend to recognise the G.D.R.and to enter into diplomatic relations with her.In some cases steps in this direction have already been taken while other countries will open negotiations in the near future.Canada made such an an- ~ouncement on December 22, 1972.2.In this connection, reference was made to the claims some of these countries wish to raise against the G:D.R.These are not reparation claims in a precise sense, since in the terms of the Potsdam Agreement of August 2, 1945 East Germany was to pay reparations to the U.S.S.R.and East European countries, whereas reperation claims of the Western Allies were to be satisfied by West Germany.The claims which various countri2s wish to présent now arise primarily out ofthe nationalisation of assets of their citizens or commercial holdings.For instance, it is reported that the U.S.Government is at present investigating the extent of losses suffered by American citizens, the Dutch are expected to claim compensation for the assets of Unilever and Royal Dutch Shell running to hundreds of millions of marks; while the Finns have a precise claim of over 14-1/2 million Finn marks at 1944 value ($190 million at today's value) for damages caused by the retreating Nazi forcesin 1944.3.The recognition of the German Democratic Republic as the second German state also raises the question of her share in the responsibility to make material amends for the damage caused by the German people to Jewish victims of Nazi persecution, particularly in cases for which appropriate indemnification has not been paid by West Germany.These exists no indemnification legislation in East Germany which is in any way comparable to West German legislation.During the period of occupation, the three Western Allies introduced a number of Yom Hashoah Holocaust Observance MEMORIAL PRAYER Aba Beer, Chairman, CJC National Holocaust Memorial Committee, forwarded a Memorial Prayer to CJC regions requesting that it be passed on to all rabbis with the recommendation that the Prayer be incorporated in Sabbath services on April 20.and that sermons on that day be devoted to the theme of Yom Hashoah.Yom Hashoah took place this year on the evening of April 18 and on April 19, the twenty-seventh day of Nissan.EASTERN REGION A community-wide Holocaust and Resistance Commemoration marked the Thirty- First Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising at the Chevra Kadisha B'nai Jacob Synagogue in Montreal, April 18.The principal speaker providing the Memorial Address was Yuri Suhl, author of They Fought Back, which is the story of Jewish resistance.Other participants included Ariel Aran, Consul General of Israel in Montreal, Cantor Joshua Rosenweig, Chevra Kadisha B'nai Jacob; Rabbi Mordecai E.Zeitz.Congregation Beth Tikvah; student winners of essay and poetry contests; Hazamir Choir, Canadian Zionist Federation, Eastern Region.with Yehuda Vineberg as Director and Rachel Rosenstein as accompanist.CENTRAL REGION The CJC Central Region Annual Holocaust Memorial Commemoration took place in the Shaarei,Shomayim Synagogue, .- April21., Among those who participated were Sam E.Bloch, Secretary General of the World Federation of the Bergen-Belsen Survivors Association, the major speaker; Shmuel Ovnat, Consul General of Israel in Toronto, the Toronto Council of Hazzanim, who provided a special program of canto- rial renditions; Rabbi Henry Ho- schander, and Cantor Harold Kiein of Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue; Cantor Martin Rosenblum of Adath Sholom Synagogue; students of York University and the University of Toronto who read appropriate selections; and youngsters representing the Jewish schools of the community who took part in a candlelighting cere- ~ restitution measures in the three Western Zones; in the Soviet Zone there existed a restitution Law in Thuringia of September 14, 1945, but not in any of the other Laender of the Zone, as well as an Order of the Soviet Military Government of April 29, 1948 regard- \u2018ing assets confiscated from democratic organizations.The G.D.R.at no time showed any readiness to compensate Jews or any other victims of Nazism (except those who returned to the G.D.R.) She took the view that she had no obligation to pay compensation since, contrary to West Germany.she had eradicated Nazism, so that former victims could live without fear in the G.D.R.The G.D.R.even denounced the reparations made by West Germa- ny-to the State of Israel as a business deal between West German and Israeli big capitalists or as a contribution to imperialist policies of hostility against the Arabs.4.The Jewish organisations and the State of Israel naturally never accepted this attitude.They maintained that the moral obligation to indemnify the Jewish victims of Nazism for their losses and to reimburse the expenses of the resettlement of refugees in Israel, rests with the entire German people and, therefore, East Germany is obliged to accept her proportionate share in the material contributions involved.Thus, when the Israel Government sent its notes to the Occupation Powers of Germany.on January 16, 1951 and March 12, 1951, it sent these to the U.S.S.Ras Occupation Power in East Germany as well as tô the three Western Allies.The Western Governments answered the note, the Soviet Government did not respond.The claim against the G.D.R.mony in memory of the Six Million Martyrs.Paul Goldstein, CJC Central Region Holocaust Memorial Committee Chairman, presided.WESTERN REGION In Winnipeg.Holocaust Memorial Week took place April 18- 25, together with the renaming of Memorial Boulevard as Avenue of the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes.Highlight of the week was a ceremony which took place at the Cenotaph on Memorial Boulevard, April 18.Participants included (L- R.see picture above):\u2014 Morley Globerman, Vice President, Winnipeg Jewish Community Council; Gerald Lasensky, Executive Director, Winnipeg Jewish Community Council/Canadian Jewish Congress; Councillor Robert T.Taft, whose remarks were made on the Mayor's behalf; Oscar Antel, Western Region Chairman, Canadian Jewish Congress.Joseph.J.Wilder, Chairman, Joint Community Relations Committee; was upheld also after the conclusion of the Luxembourg Agreement between Israel and the German Federal Republic and the adoption of a wide-scale indemnification program in West Germany.It was, in particular, the constant policy of the World Jewish Congress, (of which the Canadian Jewish Congress is an affiliate} which expressed it in the resolution adopted at its Third Plenary Assembly in 1953, asserting in to be a matter of simple justice that East Germany should bear its proportion of Germany's total liability for the material losses sustained by individual Jewish victims of Nazi persecution through the Nazy annihilation of entire Jewish families.The resolution of the Fourth Plenary Assembly in 1959 noted with regret that the German Democratic Republic has shown no sign of readiness to meet Jewish material claims arising out of Nazi persecution.In a similar resolution of the Fifth Plenary Assembly in 1966, the participating Jewish communities expressed themselves as greatly disturbed at the unwillingness of the G.D.R.to make any contribution.5.The Jewish claims against the German Dmocratic Republic fall into three main categories: (a) Individual claims for restitution of confiscated assets or assets disposed of under duress, includ- - ing heirless property of exterminated families as well as for compensatory payment for non- traceable assets.{b) Individual claims for compensation for deprivation of liberty.damage to life, health, economic career, etc.(c) Global claims for payment of the expenditure incurred in resettling and rehabilitating victims of Nazism.Rabbi Peretz Weizman, B'nai Abraham Synagogue, and Rabbi Lawrence Nesis, Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, who led prayers for the martyrs including the murdered women, children and soldiers of Kiryat Shmoneh; Rev.Philip M.Petursson, M.L.A., who spoke on behalf of Premier Schreyer; and Rabbi Berkal, Shaarey Zedek Synagogue who led the final prayers.Max Feirstein, a Talmud Torah student, lit the torch of commemoration.In his message, the Rev.Peturs- son spoke of the fighters of the .Ghetto: \u2018\u2019Itis such deeds of courage and of self sacrifice that point us to a future time where men will overcome the evil of the world and will establish peace and righteousness among men.\u201cIt is often a hard and a bitter road that must be travelled.But let us never forget the sacrifices that .have been made in the past that A.The restitution claims relate, first of all, to assets confiscated in the territory of the German Democratic Republic.These have not been returned to their rightful owners.Nor were compensatory payments made for lost assets, except if they were transferred to West Germany (or in a very limited way through the so-called equalisation of burden legislation)._ Furthermore, West Germany is paying indemnification for assets confiscated outside Germany, i.e.in Nazi-occupied countries, if they were transferred to the territory of the Federal German Republic.An identical obligation falls on the German Democratic Republic if such assets were transferred to the territory of East Germany.B.In the field of compensation § the German Federal Republic was ready to include in her compensation program many victims originating from East German territory.Actually, the Luxembourg Agreement provided only for a payment of 834 million dollars by West Germany, instead of 1,000 million.At the 2/3-1/3 ratio, this\u2019 would represent a global claim of 417 million dollars against the German Democratic Republic.The value of the individual restitution and compensation .claims is almost impossible to assess without detailed investigation, as the G.D.R.obligation ought to relate not only to her own citizens or victims originating from her .territory.but also to the indemnifi- - cation of victims of formerly Nazi- occupied countries who in many instances receive only often very restricted indemnification from West Germany.The 2/3 - 1/3 ratio applied to global payments may serve, as an appropriate basis for such a contribution.mankind may learn to live in peace and justice! Let us forever keep fresh in our minds, the memory of those who have been ready to sacrifice greatly for the principles and the ideals that must guide the world in the present and in days to come.\u201cAll honor to the heroes who stood firm against the evils of their day! \u201cAll honor to those who chose rather to die than to bow under the yoke of tyranny! \u201cAll honor to those who now preserve the memory of their deeds and who take up the torch that will light the way to a world of justice and of freedom for mankind.\u201d PACIFIC REGION A Warsaw Ghetto Memorial Evening took place at the Jewish Community Centre in Vancouver, April 21.This Thirty-First Anniversary Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was sponsored by the CJC Pacific Region Warsaw Ghetto Committee, honouring the memory of the Jews killed during the Holocaust.Featured during the Memorial Evening was Shadows of the Warsaw Ghetto, written in Yiddish by Itzik Feffer and translated by Elaine Holtz, music by N.Samaroff with musical adaptation by Elizabeth Wolak and Alex Kliner.Alex Kliner narrated the presentation which he directed.Elizabeth Wolak directed the Jewish Community Centre Choir, accompanying the Choir on the piano.Jamie Zagodakis directed his dancers, the Contemporary Jazz Dance Group.Cantor Murray Nixon chanted the special prayer E/ Moleh Rachamim.| i { > t y \u2014 (i The tons year! and r tions vaio and eval Jano tent mite % gest sit 0 Com Cory Pea Abo elec Reve Man T his | gio bean non \u201cni 005s 0s rath dit pm lr gin son fin ta Un on Tia sen for Yen ha Ti i fon En Do Ce B la } ice man |.mbourg ly or 3 Gols by of 100 dio, ts global dolls i | he ii ens eto ds | hes ; nought onc fombe « ndemné | oy Nar in may | fen very on from inh nts mf bass chest | per 168 emo tose ips ide indays® ; nl | oft ho CS | under fé | Community Relations CONGRESS BULLETIN /7 Pre-Plenary Report By Ben G.Kayfetz, Executive Director, National Joint Community Relations Committee The National Joint Community Relations Committee meets several times a year to review activities on a national level and receive reports on community relations program and activity from the various regions of the country.It reviews and formulates policy reassessing and reevaluating this from time to time.A number of matters have been occupying the attention and concern of the National Committee such as the following items.CBC Some time ago we were asked to suggest the names of the Jewish members to sit on the National Religious Advisory Committee of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.These two are Rabbi Jordan Pearlson and Dr.Alex Lipson of Toronto.About a year ago Rabbi Pearlson was elected chairman of this committee, the Reverend Clark MacDonald as vice-chair- man.The role and purpose of this committee has been to act as an advisor in the religious programming of the CBC.It has also been interested in presenting religion as a normative part of the Canadian experience.It is also being involved in focussing on the role of minority religions, again as part of the normative background rather than as an exotic phenomenon.Part of its program has been to present in a symbolic and visual way a picture of the ecumenical and diversified nature of religion in Canada, as for instance on occasions of the festival of Chanukah.UNITED CHURCH The National Joint Community Relations Committee has been closely concerned with the relationship between the United Church of Canada and the Jewish community arising in the main from editorials and articles in the United Church Observer as well as statements and resolutions at the United Church's national conventions and other meetings.A major cause of concern was an article that appeared in the March 1972 issue of the United Church Observer entitled How Zionists Manipulate Your News, written by a Rev.Mr Booth, which was considered offensive by many readers and was reminiscent of defamatory and hatemongering propaganda produced by rabid bigots.Exception was taken to remarks in a local B'nai B'rith Lodge Bulletin in Toronto referring to the editor of the United Church Observer and legal action was launched against the editor of the bulletin and president of the lodge in question by Mr.Forrest, editor of the United Church Observer.At the same time B'nai B'rith of Canada took legal action against the United Church for the article in the Observer mentioned above.The matter was discussed at National JCRC meetings as well as special meetings called in Toronto over a period of several months and which was attended by the National JCRC chairman, the Central Region JCRC chairman, and executive director as well as other officials and officers of Congress and B'nai B'rith.The Central Region JCRC was authorized to keep in touch with B'nai B'rith principals on this matter because most of the people directly concerned were within the province of Ontario.After a series of meetings between the officers of the United Church of Canada and the district #22 B'nai B'rith, in May of 1973 a joint statement was issued signed by the Rev.Bruce McLeod, and the Rev.George Morrison, respectively Moderator and Secretary of the General Council of the Church and Sidney Maislin and Herbert S.Levy.respectively president and executive vice-president of Canadian B'nai B'rith.The operative part of this statement reads as follows.We of the United Church deeply regret and disavow the insensity and inaccuracies contained in an article by John Nicholls Booth in the United Church Observer of March 1972.We of the B'nai B'rith deeply regret and repudiate invective as a form of expression and communication.Both lawsuits were withdrawn and as a result did not come to court.The statement's final words were.We jointly look forward to dialogue as the appropriate means whereby points of view can be expressed, reconciliation achieved and understanding established.We affirm that our combined energies shall be increasingly channeled in this direction.Other matters involving the United Church arose from a resolution passed at the Triennial Assembly of the Church at Saskatoon in August, 1972.At that convention a resolution was passed in three sections as follows.THE MIDDLE EAST (a) WHEREAS there has been no improvement in the Middle East situation since our report to the Twenty-fourth General Council; and WHEREAS the chief hope for a settlement still seems to lie in the implementation of Resolution No.242 of the United Nations Security Council of November 22nd, 1967: BE IT RESOLVED that this General Council urge the Government of Canada to work towards, and to vigorously support, the implementation of this Resolution; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any proposals are made which, while not directly tied to Resolution No.242, give some promise of securing a settlement between the Arab world and Israel, we urge that the Government should give such proposals its sympathetic support, and (b) While we commend the Government of Canada for its continued backingof UN- RWA in aiding Palestinian refugees, especially for recently increasing Canada\u2019s annual contribution to $1,550,000 from $1,350,000, in view of the steady increase in the numbers of the refugees and in view, too, of UNRWA's grave financial difficulties and the continuing needs of the refugees: BE IT RESOLVED that this General Council strongly urge the Government to review its annual UNRWA contribution and to increase it generously.{c) WHEREAS the last two years have seen new problems arise out of the Middle East situation \u2014 such as the Arab criticism of Israel's administration of the Occupied Territories, which criticism was supported by the findings of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, and the loan of up to $100 million to Israel from the Canadian Export Development Corporation: Cont'd.p.10 NJCRC MEETING The National Joint Community Relations Committee met in Montreal, recently.Members were in attendance from Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City.J.C.Horwitz, Q.C., NJCRC Chairman.Items considered included: CHILDREN OF GOD MOVEMENT \u2014 A report was given on the Children of God Movement.The Committee recommended its activity be watched carefully.HATE PROPAGANDA ACT \u2014 There was discussion on the recent acquittal in Toronto of a person accused under the Hate Propaganda Act.It was felt the case did not warrant an approach requesting the Act be amended, that the transcript of the trial should be obtained and that inquiries be made concerning a second incident related to the one dealt with in the trial.CJC/CHURCH RELATIONS \u2014 A report was given by Alan Rose on conversations and meetings with the Canadian Council of Churches.Discussed were relations as between the organized church and the Jewish community.Mr.Rose was asked to continue his efforts.BROADCASTING \u2014 Matters dealt with were :-a) the message sent by Canadian Jewish Congress to the CRTC asking that attention be given to foreign language broadcasting; b) the Bells of Hell play on CBC; c) a program, early Christmas morning, on the CBC Quebec English language television network which had received criticism; d) a report by Rabbi Jordan Pearlson, Chairman of the CBC National Religious Advisory Committee, on the policies of this Committee in respect to the place of religion in broadcasting and its attempt to include minority religions as a part of CBC programming; e) an incident in Winnipeg where a radio broadcaster on a private station had read the text of an anti- Semitic forged document attributed to Benjamin Franklin on the pretext that the station was exposing bigotry, an incident which had been brought to the attention of the CRTC by the JCRC, WESTERN Region.GRAPE WORKERS \u2014 The NJCRC moved that its two parent agencies, B'nai B'rith and Canadian Jewish Congress, be requested to reconsider the question of support for the grape workers\u2019 boycott for the purpose of affirmative action.ADDITIONAL MATTERS - Also considered were relations with labour, Kashruth legislation and regional reports.French Canadian Culture and Language During the CJC National Plenary Assembly in November.1871 the following resolutions were passed: WHEREAS the Canadian Jewish community appreciates and supports the development of the French Canadian culture and language, and WHEREAS the Canadian Jewish community has an important and vital role to play in the strengthening of Canadian unity, BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Jewish Congress consider the means to be employed to provide and disseminate material of Jewish interest in the French language to increase both communication and understanding.Highlights exemplifying CJC efforts follow.Implementing these resolutions has beenone of CJC\u201ds priority concerns.~~ HUMAN RIGHTS CJC continued to publish its annual Fundamental Rights and Freedoms in Canada, the 24th issue appearing in 1973 in both French and English language.This publication represents CJC's summary of legislative enactments, judicial pronouncements and pertinent articles relating principally to the protection and achievement of Human Rights in Canada.Each twelve-month period under review includes the completion as well as the introduction of major Federal and Provincial Human Rights legislation.Included are Canadian Jewish Congress government submissions on Human Rights.COLLOQUIUM The entire proceedings of the Human Rights McGill Colloquium which took place on April 21-23 were available in English and French.This included both the translation of ail papers presented as well as simultaneous translations of all the ongoing proceedings.As a contribution towards the cost of these translations, CJC received grants from the Department of the Secretary of State, Ottawa, from the Ministry of Justice, Quebec, and from the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews.Letters praising Congress\u2019 efforts in promoting the use of both official languages have been received from the Honorable J.Hugh Faulkner, Secretary of State, and the Honorable Jerome Choquette, Minister of Justice, Government of Quebec.EASTERN REGION In the early part of 1972, CJC Eastern Region established its Francophone De- \u2018partment.The Francophone Department is responsible for the issuance of the Bulletin du Cercle Juif.The Bulletin has grown from a circulation of approximately 2,000 to 5.500 in the past 2-3 years.} .The Department has been primarily interested in being the spokesman for the French-speaking Jewish community and expressing its views on the language issue in Quebec.It has been the position of the Francophone Department that the task of the Canadian Jewish Congress must be to pursue the policy that French.the language of the majority, must become progressively the priority language for the Jewish community in Quebec; to communicate with and relate to French Quebec in its language in order to reflect this position; to assist the Jewish community to adopt a positive attitude to the above through active programming.The Department acts as the arm of the Joint Community Relations Committee in the French field and as such has been interested in promoting French as a language of communication in synagogues and in the community-at-large.A number of Cont'd.p.10 a ray fort Tres 8/ CONGRESS BULLETIN Human Rights McGill Colloquium: April 21-23 JUDAISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS More than seventy judges, lawyers, academicians, political scientists, and human rights specialists from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Mexico and Israel attended the Human Rights McGill Colloquium, April 21-23.Titled Judaism and Human Rights, the meeting commemorated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is being celebrated this year.The Jewish colloquium had a fivefold purpose: a) to examine the significance of human rights in Jewish tradition and experience, b) to analyze the relationship between the development of human rights and major events and movements in Jewish history, c) to contribute toward an understanding of the Jewish concern for human rights, both historically and contemporaneously, d) to provide a sound basis for the formulation of Jewish communal policies and programs in the field of human rights and e} to contribute toward an understanding of the nature, interpretation and justification of human rights, and to participate in the search for solutions of major human rights problems in contemporary society.\u2018 The Colloquium was sponsored by Canadian Jewish Congress, the Jacob Blaus- tein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, the Consultative Council of Jewish Organizations, and the International Institute for Human Rights.Colloquium Program The Colloquium consisted of a series of scholarly papers, followed by commentaries and general discussion.The subject matter was divided into six broad categories: Human Rights and the Development of Biblical Law; Human Rights in Rabbinic and Medieval Judaism; Human: Rights and the Emancipation; National Self-Determination and the International Protection of Human Rights; Contemporary Issues in International Human Rights: and Human Rights \u2014 The Current Agenda and Jewish Concerns.A summary of the program follows.SUNDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 21: Participants were welcomed by Dr.Stanley B.Frost, Vice-Principal of McGill University; heard a statement of purposes by Morris B.Abram, Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, and former United States delegate to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights; and listened to a presentation by Israeli Supreme Court Justice Haim H.Cohn of Jerusalem, who analyzed Biblical concepts of human rights under the title Equalities and [Inequalities in Jewish Law.SUNDAY EVENING\u2019 APRIL 21: The highlight of this session was a major address by Professor Rene Cassin, Nobel Laureate, President of the International In- The Sunday evening session of the Human Rights Colloquium took place at the Samuel Bronfman House in Montreal.Pictured under the Laliberté Banners are: (L-R) Judge Harold Lande, CJC National Vice President and Chairman of the evening; Professor Rene Cassin, Nobel Laureate, President of the International Institute of Human Rights in Paris, President of the Alliance Israelite Universelle and Honorary Chairman of the Consultative Council of Jewish Organizations; and Saul Hayes, 0.C., Q.C, CJC Executive Vice President.stitute of Human Rights in Paris, President of the Alliance Israelite Universelle, and Honorary Chairman of the Consultative Council of Jewish Organizations, on The Jewish Conscience and Contemporary Human Rights.MONDAY MORNING, APRIL 22: This session was devoted to an examination of human rights in Rabbinic and Medieval Judaism.David Daube, Regius Professor of Civil Law at All Souis College.Oxford University.currently a visiting Professor of Law at the University of California at Berkeley, spoke on The Rabbis and Philo S.D.Goitein, formerly Professor of Islamic Studies and Director of the School of Oriental Studies, Hebrew University and now a member of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University.discussed Human Rights in the Middle Ages.MONDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 22: The participants considered the conflicts faced by the Jewish communities of Europe when Western society, in the nineteenth century.moved from the religiously oriented feudal period to a group of nation states in which the functions of government and religion were separated by law.Speakers on Human Rights and the Emancipation included Jacob Katz, Professor of Jewish Social History at Hebrew University, and visiting Professor at Harvard University; Salo W.Baron, Professor Emeritus, Jewish History.Literature and Institutions, and Director Emeritus of Center for Israel and Jewish Studies, Columbia University; Milton R.Konvitz, Professor of Industrial and Labor Relations .and of Law, New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University.MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 22: The Colloquium was welcomed by Saul Hayes, Q.C.CJC Executive Vice President.The group then examined the human rights considerations involved in the movement for the establishment of a Jewish homeland.Ben Halpern, Richard Koret Professor in Judaic Studies at Brandeis University discussed Jewish Ethnicity: Its Cultural Base and International Political Forms.Leslie C.Green, University Professor.University of Alberta, discussed Jews and Human Rights in the Twentieth Century.TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 23: On the final day of the Colloquium, the scholars addressed themselves to contemporary issues involving human rights on a world scale.Rita Hauser, an attorney and former United States delegate to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.spoke on [International Human Rights Protection: The Dream and the Deceptions.David Ruzie, Professor of International Law at the University of Paris, spoke on Jewish Concerns Following World War Il and the International Law of Human Rights.TUESDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 23: The closing session featured an address by Louis Henkin, Hamilton Fish Professor of International Law and Diplomacy, Columbia University, on Human Rights: The Current Agenda and Jewish Concerns.pou EE il I I iy Consul Thos coli aun il ithad 2 dune pari ter debate eect fhe gen nights a ferent wie si hi ner tend pil 22 fie clos doubted high reg Thy Manis human lsh Inthe Co Its and qm 0 Human {eto Hammar Clg He jont hi 9 Bist Mil meg bythe 10 mark nin Marty buman 19 wi Jo se Beaty The a lg, am Hing of) the Subs Ris ù tan Won Whig hy Squenge es try df Poy ign Fig = paré.y and Human ative pute pres i ait (en Fal : st es COLLOQUIM Unqualified Success.By Moses Moskowitz, General Secretary, Consultative Council of Jewish Organizations Those who regularly attend scholarly colloquiae will have little difficulty in pronouncing the Montreal Colloquium an unqualified success.It was well organized, it had a good attendance and it was conducted with efficiency and dispatch.All participants had an opportunity to state their views and to make their points.The debate was almost uniformly of a high intellectual niveau which exceeded by far the general level of debate on human rights at formal and informal meetings on different occasions.Contributory factors were the graciousness of McGill University, which hosted the Colloquium, the dinner tendered by the Mayor of Montreal on April 22, and the University's reception at the close of the meeting.They were all undoubted compliments and expressions of high regard.Thus the first objective, which was to manifest the abiding Jewish concern with human rights, has been largely accomplished.We shall always be able to appeal to the Colloquium as an example of our efforts and concern.Like the one day Colloquium on the International Covenants on Human Rights which the CCJO organized in October 1953 in honor of the late Dag Hammarskjold, the more recent Upsala Colloquium on the Rights to Leave under the joint auspices of the International Institute of Human Rights and the Jacob Blaustein Institute and the several less formal meetings on Human Rights conducted by the World Jewish Congress and others to mark special occasions, all of which contributed towards authenticating Jewish activities in the area of international human rights, the Montreal Colloquium too will serve the Jewish Community in good stead in the United Nations and in the other inter-governmental bodies.The achievement of the second objective, namely, to contribute to the broadening of knowledge and understanding of the substance of Judaism and Human Rights, with all its implications and consequences, depends in large measure upon what we may bring to the volume which hopefully will be published in consequence of the Colloquium.The CCJO has throughout insisted on the importance of producing a volume which was self- contained and which dealt with the subject matter of Judaism and human rights in the broad context of international concern with human rights.By far the most difficult of the objectives is the introduction, or reintroduction, of concern for international human rights into the mainstream of contemporary Jewish thought and action.A principal argument advanced in support of holding a Colloquium on the general subject of Judaism and human rights was the alleged loss of Jewish interest in international human rights, resulting largely from disappointment in the United Nations in general and the abuse of human rights for the purpose of harassing Israel in particular.There was general agreement that the abuse of the most high-souled ideas and ideals is a fact of life which cannot be remedied by leaving the initiative in unworthy hands or by disavowing the ideas altogether.indeed, the failure of the Western powers to lead in the field of human rights in the United Na- tios has been the single most important factor in the decline in the quality and integrity of the international human rights program.ALT UNI ING 0841 stn Daa 2 A To persuade Jewish leadership and the Jewish public that international human rights is a vital Jewish interest, we must begin by establishing the historical continuity of Jewish concern with human rights at the national and international levels and the reasons therefore.Whether or not the Colloquium succeeded in this task is at least subject to argument.In the first place.the formal papers and oral supplements on the subject did not deal with the problem in sufficient depth and widely enough to yield more than tentative conclusions.Second.the fact is that there are few, if any.scholars who are knowledgeable enough in both Jewish studies and human rights questions to discuss Judaism and human rights in the necessary context and to synthesize the two.These difficulties were anticipated, but no immediately satisfactory answer to what is undoubtedly an interdisciplinary prob- - lem of the first magnitude was found.It was less difficult to establish the direct link between vital Jewish interests and the-contemporary efforts towards the establishment of an international regime of human rights.But the conclusions.flowed more from the unquestioned acceptance of the general thesis that Jewish survival is bound up with freedom and democracy than from analysis of historical _ and contemporary situations.The fact that international human rights are conceived almost exclusively in terms of the need for protection against violations considerably circumscribed the area of debate.Aside from casual references to so-called welfare rights, there was no discussion of international human rights in relation to domestic tranquility and international peace, to the need for the reconstruction of international peace, to the need for the reconstruction of international relations on new foundations, and to their role in the establishment of a humane society.The rather narrow conception of international human rights in terms of the adversary relationship between citizen and government and the concentration on ways and means of safeguarding against violations of human rights was reflected in the insistence of the American Jewish Committee on the adoption of a closing statement which stressed the importance of international protective measures and deplored the situation of Jews in the Soviet Union and in Arab countries.There were honest differences of opinion as to the propriety of such a closing statement issuing from a scholarly gathering which dealt with broad issues of general interest.It involved the question of Jewish partnership in general co-operative efforts in the broad field of international human rights.Indeed, a basic consideration behind the Colloquium has been the hope that it will inspire similar Colloquiae by the other major religions of the world as part of a general concern of the International Insti- M tute of Human Rights (Cassin Foundation) with the enlistment of these réligions in the work for human rights.The Montreal Colloquium may be said to have been projected on a larger canvas and to have ad- -dreased itself to the larger world.In conclusion, | should like to express the hope that the Montreal Colloquium will encourage similar colioquiae in the future to explore in depth the many other human rights questions of vital Jewish concern.Sparkled With Names Of Importance > By Rabbi Jordan Pearlson, Chairman, JCRC Central Region The International Colloquium on Judaism and Human Rights sparkled with names of prime importance in the world struggle for civil rights.The colloquium brought together jurists, academics, rabbis, United Nations staff and others from France, Canada, Switzerland, Israel and the United States.Scholars of extraordinary competence sketched the evolution of Judaism's concepts of personal rights from Biblical Times (Justice Haim H.Cohn of the Supreme Court of Israel) through the Rabbinic and Medieval Periods (Prof.D.Daube, Oxford; Prof.S.D.Goitein, Hebrew University and Princeton , Salo Baron of Columbia, Jacob Katz of Hebrew University and Harvard and Milton Konvitz of Cornell brought the discyssion through the Emancipation into the modern struggle for human rights.The roster continued with equally distinguished participants as the discussion moved from the evolution of the ideas about human rights to the contemporary struggle for the precise definition and implementation of human rights.Focal personality of the conference was the revered President of the International Institute of Human Rights, the President of the Alliance Israelite Universelie, Nobel prize winner René Cassin.Cassin appealed for a reaffirmation of the religious basis of the quest for the rights of individuals.One sensed in his appeal, the frustrations facing him as the world becomes more cynical, more willing to subordinate personal rights to economic and political objectives.Throughout the meetings the tension was emphasized between keeping alive a vision of the dignity and sanctity of the individual and his rights, and, on the other hand, the considerations affecting those who dealt with these issues in the forums of international law.United Nations per- or | | = Pictured during the Monday evening session of the Human Rights Colloquium were: (L-R) Abraham Cohen, Municipal Councillor, City of Montreal.representing Mayor Jean Drapeau; Mrs, Marie-Pierre Herzog, Director, Department of Human Rights UNESCO, Paris; Marc Schreiber, Director, Human Rights Commission, United Nations; and Saul Hayes, O.C., Q.C.Svc Leto.\u2026.2\u20ac 621\u20ac CONGRESS BULLETIN /9 sonnel found it impossible to speak plainly and positively about Israel.The even- handedness which appeared suddenly when Israel was spoken of, seemed to require no parallel when dealing with an Arab pattern.The complexities of life in the Soviet Unign could be used to soften judgement in civil rights matters but at no time did the United Nations staff feel constrained to refer to the human rights of either the Israeli prisoners of war in Syria or to the rights of the harassed ancient resident Jewish community of Damascus.The tension between the ideal and the real was echoed as some rose to label the United Nations and its declarations as useless while others defended the declarations as critically important.Yoram Din- stein of Tel Aviv University pointed out that Iraw, which has signed every treaty and declaration on human rights, has an atrocious record of implementing the documents while the United States which has signed almost nothing has one of the cleanest records for implementation.Others pointed out in rebuttal that Soviet intellectuals Sacharov and Solzhenitsin can speak out precisely because there is a document to back them up.They ask whether Solzhenitsin would today be in Switzerland with his family and his archives, had there been no documentary protection to hold up before the tribunal of world opinion.At the Colloquium, one could not miss the impact of the specific national settings upon those who spoke.From French delegates one caught the message of insecurity, the indigestibility of a Jewish community in nativist Europe.Liberty, equality, fraternity, the promise of 1789 is not yet a reality in 1974.An American academic spoke of forgetting antiquated ideologies and using Jewish clout \u2014 a world view one might hear in the Bronx but never in France.Canadians spoke.with overtones of respect for law, with humanist commitments still very much intact.From the Israelis came the impressions of the real intensity of their struggle, to them the right to life, the lessons of the Holocaust, the experiences of recent months (or even hours) gave an immediate, urgent, imperative quality to their arguments for human respect for humans.If the colloquium had a weakness, it was a hidden agenda of anti-rabbinic bias.Can one imagine a world meeting on Judaism and Human Rights where Judaism is no longer mentioned as one enters the latter half of the nineteenth century?Can one imagine speaking of Judaism and Human Rights in the twentieth century and yet never once mentioning Martin Buber whose / and Thou conditioned a massive opening of dialogue?Not once were the names of Abraham Joshua Heschel or Maurice Eisendrath mentioned, the key figures who marshalled the energies of two million religious liberal Jews into active involvement in causes ranging from Selma Alabama.to Biafra, from Capetown to the vineyards of California.Where were the articulate voices of modern Orthodox Judaism: Walter Wurzburger.Norman Lamm, Hartman, Rackman?René Cassin reached out for them.In this respect, those who issued the invitations and structured the conference failed him.Yet much was accomplished.If not prophets, sons of prophets were in evidence.Ideas moved and commitments intensified.As the draft closing statement put it: \u201cInspired by ancient Jewish traditions of the dignity and equality of men, and the inviolability of the human person.and by the prophetic visions of universal brotherhood and peace, we reaffirm our longstanding dedication to the advancement, observance and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms for all persons.Commitment to Judaism and to its deep love of peace and justice require us to advance human rights for all peoples.We have been faithful to that tradition through history.So shall we he in the future.\u201d 10/ CONGRESS BULLETIN Cont'd.fromp.7 FRENCH CULTURE Resolution A joint meeting of the Francophone Department, CJC Eastern Region, and the AJCS French Fact Committee met in Montreal on May 9.Discussed was the action to be taken regarding the state of the French language within the Jewish community.After lengthy deliberation, the following resolution was adopted for submission to the CJC Eastern Region Executive and AJCS Officers.The majority of the Province of Quebec is composed of French- speaking Quebecois who are determined to live, work and pursue their interests in the French language We recognize that French is the priority language in Quebec.We are convinced that in accepting the realities of Quebec, it is the foremost duty of our community to be able to communicate fluently in the French language.The task of Canadian Jewish Congress must therefore be to: 1.Pursue the policy that the French language of the majority \u201cmust become progressively the priority -language for the Jewish community in Quebec; 2.Communicate with and relate to French Quebec in its language in orderto reflect this position, 3.Assist the Jewish community to adogt 2 positive attitude to the above through active programming.The Francophone Department hopes that this resolution will be submitted at the CJC Plenary Assembly in Toronto, June 15-18 1974.Cont\u2019d.from p.7 COMMUNITY RELATIONS BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this General Council endorse the action of its Executive of February 11,1972, in moving that an attempt be made through the Canadian Council of Churches, if pos- - sible: and with the co-operation of the Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops, if possible: to arrange an interview with the Prime Minister of Canada to discuss these and a number of other urgent Middle East concerns, and failing such inter-church action the United Church be authorized to act unilaterally.A more recent cause of concern was an advertisement that appeared in the March 1974 issue of the United Church Observer of evangelical revelationist nature which used extremely.inflammatory language about the Catholic Church and about Jews and Judaism.A letter was sent by Mr.Horwitz in strong complaint.At the time of writing while a letter of personal apology was received from Mr.Bruce McLeod, the matter is still not finally resolved and we are awaiting the content of the United Church Observer.Hate Propaganda The National Committee through it various regional offices has been keeping a close watch on hate mongering activities carried on by various neo-Nazi and similar groups in various parts of the country._ A new manifestation of this has appeared in the guise of a pseudo- religious cult calied Children of God which combines admixtures of political leftism and rightism mingled with a strong and overt.pro-Khaddafi trait, all of this liberally tinged with outright anti-Jew- ish propaganda.The group has been active in various cities throughout Canada though it is by no means a purely Canadian phenomenon having branches in many parts of the United States.the United Kingdom and other countries.When the committee last .considered this, its view was not to invoke the hate law on an organization which did not seem to warrant such full dress legal attack or treatment.This however, is by no means a final decision and the group\u2019s activity is being closely watched to see if it develops into any serious proportions.There was a case in Toronto, not brought by the JCRC or its constituent membership.of two persons who painted various slogans.upon a wali.The court, however, held that since no violence was perpetrated it did not come within the particular charge that was laid.The committee has several other cases which are now before the Legal Committee for purposes of analysis and assessment.Other Matters The committee received a report from Mr.David Newman, one of the Canadian Jewish representatives to the Federal Multiculturalism Committee, and evaluated this program from the point of view of community relations and inter- broup relations in Canada.The Committee has also been concerned with the activity of the Joint Labour Advisory Committee._ \u201cLe.a community relations program - \u2018within the trade union movement in Canada.- It has examined the question of anti-Jewish discrimination in the executive suite area.It gave attention to the definitions of the noun and adjective Jew and Jewish in\u2014dictionaries which circulate in Canada.It has communicated with the CRTC about the policies of the Ca- _nadian Broadcasting Corporation concerning languages other than English and French.It has advised regional-commu- nities on problems.A recent example was in Winnipeg where at a private radio station a commentator read aloud over the radio the text of the notorious Benjamin.Franklin forgery (warning against the perils of Jewish immigration to the newly-established, republic).The broadcaster had done this des ** pite the fact that he had received it in.an anonymous letter from the United States.The broadcaster repeated it; his rationale being that he was exposing to the world in great shock the actual existence of such bigotry.The same broadcaster assumed that Benjamin Franklin really had said what was attributed to him.After the action \u201c taken by the Winnipeg committee in complaining to the CRTC, an apology was received by the station and the broadcaster.The committee \u2018also advised B'nai B'rith and Congress on such issues as the position to be taken on the question of the grape boycott in the USA.Eastern Region Conference CS _ CJC Eastern Region Conference a - Cont'd fromp.1 \u201d commission be established, which would define the relationship as between Congress and AJCS-with a View towards a fusion of Con- .gress and AJCS within the democratic structure of the Canadian Jewish Congress as a central organization and.in a sense, the kehilla of the Montreal Jewish commu- - nity.Mr.Spiegel further suggested okie EE rio Queen # by Mrs.Joey Richman, Chairman of the Arrangements Committee.HUMAN RIGHTS Judge Harold Lande presided at the luncheon session.The Israeli Consul General, Ariel Aran, brought greetings from the State of Israel (Mr.Aran spoke in \u201c French).Rabbi Dr.Harry J.Stern delivered the invocation.The Honorable Dr.Victor Gold- bloom, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment of the Gov- Leon Teitelbaum, Vice Chariman, CJC Eastern Region that there ought to be completely\" separate fund-raising machinery so that decisions with regard to budgetting and community planning would not be controlled or in- fluericed by persons responsible - \u2018forfdnd-raising.There \u2018was a reaction from a panel comprising Menty Berger, Immediate Past: President of the Allied Jewish Community Services; Dr.Jean Claude Lasry, President of the Association Sepharade Francophone; Chaim Spilberg, Chairman of the CJC Eastern Region Committee on Yiddish: and Berl Lazarus, who participated on behald of youth.A number of delegates participated in the discussion which followed.Prof.Perry Meyer, QC.CJC National Treasurer, presided at the session which was opened ernment of Quebec, introduced the guest speaker, the Honorable Jerome Choquette, Minister of Justice of the Government of Quebec.Mr.Choquette spoke on the linguistic legislation and Human Rights Code which had been announced in the Speech from the Throne.The Minister indicated that the Bill of Rights will include both assurances of basic rights and fundamental freedoms (such as freedom of conscience, religion, assembly, privacy and others) and also enforcement procedures and protection against discrimination (race.colour and religion).Linguistic rights will be covered by the proposed legislation as announced by the Speech from the Throne.Mrs.Irvin Gertsman, Vice Chairman, CJC Eastern Region, expressed appreciation to the Minister on behalf of the Conference delegates.JEWISH EDUCATION The afternoon session was devoted to Jewish education.Leon Teitelbaum, Vice Chairman, CJC -Eastern Region, presided.Dr.Samuel Lewin, Executive Director, CJC Eastern Region, presented an outline of the issues.The issues were then discussed by Dr.Melvyn Schwartzben, Chairman of the Joint Education Committee, who presented the community viewpoint.Mrs.David Finestone, Principal of the Solomon Schech- ter Academy and Vice Chairman of CJC Eastern Region, who provided the viewpoint of educators; and Danny Kingstone, Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish People\u2019s \u2014 Peretz Schools, who gave the viewpoint of parents.A number of resolutions were submitted by representatives of the Association for the Advancement of Jewish Education.The resolutions requested reaffirmation for the principle that it is the right of every Jewish parent, if he so desires, to give any, or all, of his children a Jewish education, that Congress go on record as supporting the continuance, not as a privilege, but as a right, of grants to Jewish Day Schools; that educators in Jewish schools be allowed to maintain the highest standards in all areas of education, unencumbered By external time limitations, and that the Jewish community, its leadership and specifically its constitutent organizations CJC, AJCS and CZF should accept as their responsibility a per capita subsidization of the non-secular portion of our Jewish schools.TRANSLATIONS The entire proceedings were available in English and French by way of simultaneous translations.Also available were simultaneous translations from Yiddish into French.As a contribution towards _ the cost of these translations, CJC received a grant from the Department of Secretary of State in Ottawa, which, in transmitting the cheque.commented that it is heartening to learn of the efforts Canadian Jewish Congress, Eastern Region, has made in promoting the use of both official languages in its many activities.A Ps \u2014 i Am iL qe de fe.il gay bY {pa vi mal jletor is pat ising gite nigel din Je sing | present Jens Shon documé pal Io hei Josh ent photos, {on tec Seen have d Gener Sms range hovel be reg plored This den an obta yin mile th Ther Nada man He for, The Needed have Canes dary Te} 197, Ms Mnf Meglio Some Here 00 He Be fig Hest ori) § There $iheg Months 192 hey total at Jour Singyy na Oia Belly Vist fom 0 i \u2018 g ON Was de Leon an, GC ed.Dr Direct, : ntedan FI 0 ISSUES Melvyn 2 of the CONGRESS BULLETIN /11 CANADIAN JEWISH MUSEUM A most important, innovative and exciting project has been made possible by the close relatives of Samuel Bronfman CC, who honoured him on his 80th birthday by establishing a fund to create a Canadian Jewish Museum.Unlike other Jewish museums, it will not exhibit artifacts and books of Jewish life from ancient through to Mediaeval periods from various areas of Jewish settlement.The purpose is a simple one though its implementation will be relatively complicated and costly.The museum will be uniquely dedicated to portrayal of Canadian Jewish life from its earliest beginnings in the late 18th century to the present.It will be restricted to Canadian Jewish life.Show cases will contain books, papers, documents, and three-dimensional objects, all of which will be fully explained as to their ambiance and relationship to the Jewish life of the time.Audiovisual treatment will be by way of graphs, maps, photos, reproductions, with the push-but- ton technique of presentation against screens and audio explanations.Meetings have also been held with the Secretary General and Director of the National Museums of Canada discussing technical arrangements for this project.Experts who have already drawn up the plans will soon be requested to translate the proposals into reality.This museum will enable school children and adults, Jewish and non-Jewish, to obtain a bird's eye view of Jewish history in Canada from its inception and will make this history a living concept.The museum will be housed at the Canadian Jewish Congress Samuel Bronf- man House on the library and archives floor.The library (except for reference books Museum, Research Archives Pre-Plenary Report By Saul Hayes, Q.C., CJC Executive Vice President tinuously in Alloway Hall.One was Voices of the Pioneers based on the oral history interviews of the Jewish Historical Society and the other was The Fabulous Temple of Jerusalem, a recreation of some of the ancient history of the Second Jewish Commonwealth in Palestine.The exhibition was devoted primarily to a recounting of the history of the Jews from the ghettoes of Eastern Europe to settlement and development throughout western Canada.RESEARCH Basic to an evaluation of the current status and future prospects of the Jewish community in the United States (read Canada) is an analysis of the group's demographic structure, its size, distribution and composition, and factors affecting its future growth and character.The demographic structure of the American (read Canadian) Jewish population, like that of Congress Population Studies.À few more will be available in 1974 and 1975.By February, 1976, we will publish the overview of the Jewish community of Canada, a monograph which will take the next two and a half years to complete.The monograph will involve an entire year's work.July 1975-June 1976.At least one year of compiling special data will be required prior to the beginning of the project.The research will in part be under taken in Israel, hoping the author will benefit from the counsel of the renowned demographers of Jewish life, Prof.Bachi and Dr.Schnelz, as well as utilise the computer and the archives of the Hebrew University.This requires advance preparation, particularly in relation to scheduling computer time There is a commitment from Congress to produce the tangible evidence once ample data have been compiled and back ground studies have been conducted to enabletheresearch to conti- acquisition was the deposit with us of the archives (records, reports, papers) of the Jewish Colonisation Association (Canada).\u2018 Also certain family records of the Joseph family in the possession of Edward Joseph were donated by him to Congress archives.Mr.Alan Rose, a kinsman, was most helpful in obtaining this donation.Ît is a valuable acquisition.Mrs Nancy Erdich (daughter of the late Capt.Sebag Monte- fiore, DSO, who had married into the Joseph family) has presented archives with a fascinating and important album, which reflects Canadian life at the turn of the century.The creator of the album was the son of Horace Joseph whose family was an important and influential one in Montreal for scores of years.The National Public Archives is the repository of the Joseph diaries and microfilms of them will be made available to Congress.Important purchases were made of early documents.For example Mr.Sol Kanee, President of Congress, purchased a rare letter of Solomon (1768) and presented it to Congress archives.In 1972 the Western Region of Congress obtained a provincial grant for indexing archival material and conducting oral histories.For over a year, our part-time archivist, David Rome, has carefully examined Congress archives.The first paper on the rich treasure house of Congress archives will be distributed before the plenary session.So far, it indicates that our archives are in size and quality far above anything dreamed of heretofore.Other papers describing the content of Congress archives, will be written in due course.Central Region The CJC Central Region Archives Com- 5e M - needed by Congress) will, by mid-1974.the United States (read Canadian) popu- nue abroad and there is an undertaking mittee Viola ton Staal: ts cna.aunty have been distributed to Jewish libraries in lation as a whole, has been undergoing that the final draft will be completed within staff member engaged part-time, is begin- resto, Canada and the archives will be housed steady change.under the impact of in- six months of the first draft being endor- ning to create a depository of important see à elsewhere.jon is f dustrialisation and urbanisation.An eval- sed.material and is establishing a relationship inane! The hoped for date of completion is for with various governmental and private ide 1975.CANADIAN agencies and libraries in Canada and the 5s nd Mrs.Saidye Bronfman, OBE.is chair- JEWISH POPULATION USA.afte man of the committee responsible for the STUDIES Po The CJC Central Region Archives Com- Pang § creation of ester Re .rr ovens to P ur AT; mittee is planning a special display involv- pete Some 40 000 en Le 78 of whom STup, ON ing artifacts and the reconstruction of a i were non-Jewish visited Journey Into Our : auc ES [Jewish immigrant district of the 1920's ns \u201c Heritage according to the official report on JEWISH DEMOGRAPHIC STUDIES _ and 30's in Jewish in conjunction with the IN YHE CONTEXT OF - po | the first Jewish museum exhibit in the TRE CENSUS or CANADA CJC plenary assembly in June frange.; A West released recently by the Jewish His- the Kiever Synagogue located in down- \u201d eq torical Society of Western Canada.town Toronto to use its space to house this ia vis M The report discloses that 29.884 people display.en 1 signed the.guest book during the six Hebres Manuscripts f 1d months duration of the exhibit, October 8, The National Library of Canada i _ ve 1972 to April 1, 1973.Since at least 30% hasina Hebrew manuscsips on microfirr of the visitors did not sign the guest book, a - vo 5 tt b bic Liban of on rad, This 1} ralatondanceisplacod ar 30.000 a rm 50 Fibs Ura of ering.Ti a Journey Into Our Heritage was co- a \u2014\u2014___n> _- ; ; gars?sponsored by the Manitoba Museum of uation of the Jewish community therefore ARCHIVE s published Rapp ort annuel du Directeur i # Man and Nature and was on display in Al- r equir es an assessment of changes The 1971 Pleanary Assembly resolu- rs \u201cThe following \u2018uote pie \"ie jo il - loway Hall.the temporary exhibition hall of man eu, ao of the total American tion on archives (extrapolated from an om- publication is particularly interesting.the Manitoba museum.nadian) experience, as well as nibus resolution which included library, re- impor- ol ; Visitors included almost 8.000 students those which may be unique to the Jews.At search and museum) is as follows: sant centres of Joan Cure a, rom 177 schools.Some 5% of th e stu- same time, the changing demographic WHEREAS the cultural heritage of Ca- Hebrew manuscripts were collected \u2014 qu 5} dents came from outside Winnipeg includ- structure also calls for continuous further nadian Jewry and its continuing survival some dating back to 1,000 years.Since lt! ing North Dakota as well as rural Mani- adjustment in the behavior of individual and identity are of the utmost importance the Russi ee lution.th ol - fs toba.At least 100 of the student groups members of the Jewish community and ii in particular in r t d j f , a ras Previous oe (8 : y in p a espect to education of our metic manuscripts had been inaccessible pr came through the special program of the the structure of the community as a whole.children.i h Lid Manitoba Museum's education depart- Thus, th jod 7 ; 7 i to occidental scholars.Now.thanks to the \" p - the sociodemographic structure is BEIT RESOLVED that Canadian Jewish establishment and efforts of a committee \" ment.both a product and a cause of change in Congress give immediate consideration to for the acquisition of all semetic manu- go i _A total of 65 adult groups toured the ex- Jewish life in the United States (read Ca- the provision of the necessary staff and fi- scripst (on microfilms) for the National Li- ; hibitin Alloway Hall including the CJCNa- nada).\u2014 nancial resources.brary of Canada, the latter receives micro- ot | tional Executive and delegates to the na- American Jewry: A Demographic BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the films of these manuscripts.Once the pro- 5\" tional conventions of Pioneer Women and Analysis\u201d Sidney Goldstein, Director of Canadian Jewish Congress join with, en- gram is ended, a collection of more than pa : Canadian Women's ORT.Population Studies and Training Center and courage and promote local communal ar- 25,000 documents pertaining to religion, La ; The total museum project included four Professor of Sociology, Brown Univ.chival endeavours.literature, history and science will be at the ne j ore al ah: Tue films Providence.Rhode Istand.a great ca of work has been done to disposal of occidental researchers.sh 4 4 implement this resolution.Leningrad Microfilm ws?Museum by the CBC.An Hour of Life- To accomplish the demographic aspect Among the important acquisitions since The National Library of Canada has for- gs\u201d | times, dealing with a cross-section of Jew- of research Congress will continue to pub- the 1971 assembly, have been the va- warded microfilm copies of Hebres manu- a ish personalities in western Canada.was : shown to 40 groups./t Must Be Told, the ' éxperiences of three Holocaust survivors who started new lives in Winnipeg.was screened for-49 groups including 14 student groups.The two other audio-visuals were sound\u2014slide presentations, running con- lish studies on the Jewish community as initiated and carried on for years by the distinguished demographer, Louis Rosenberg (retired for several years).In 1974, as a result of arrangements successfully .concluded with a demographer with access to the census returns, we published volumes 1, 2 ans 3 of the Canadian Jewish luable collection of the papers of the late Samuel W.Jacobs, QC.MP, which were auctioned in Montreal following the plenary session.Mr.George Rosengarten, a son-in-law of the late Mr.Jacobs, was instrumental in obtaining the money necessary for Congress successfully to bid for the Jacobs papers.Another important scripts, acquired from the Public Library of Leningrad, to the Institute for the Talmudic Encyclopedia and Complete Israeli Talmud in Israel.Congress has taken a part, often crucial, in this vast and important project in its negotiations with the National Library of Canada and the National Archives of Canada. congress bulletin published by Canadian Jewish Congress I | \u2018CJC NATIONAL vorzenor av ors OFFICERS MEETING ~ CJC TRIENNIAL PLENARY ASSEMBLY A meeting of the CJC Officers took place in Toronto.April 17.Present were: \u2014 Monroe Abbey, Q.C.Judge Harold Lande, Saul Hayes.Q.C.Sig- .mund Unterberg.and Alan Rose (Montreal); Sydney, M.Harris, Q.C., David T0 RONTO: JUNE 1 5-1 8 Î 074 Satok, and Ben G.Kayfetz (Toronto); Oscar Antel.Sol Kanee, and Gerald » y Lasensky (Winnipeg).Sol Kanee, CJC President, presided.: Items traversed included: SOVIET JEWRY INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP MEETING \u2014 Mr.Kanee will represent CJC at the Soviet Jewry International Leadership Meeting in London, England, May 5.1974.INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS \u2014 Mr.Kanee, a Vice President of COJO.will participate at the COJO Presidium in London, England on May 3, 1974.- Monroe Abbey.Q.C., CJC Immediate Past President and Mr.Kanee will represent CJC at the WJC Governing Council in Lauzanne, Switzerland.June 11-13.Arrangements were made to have CJC represented at meetings of the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture and the Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Inc.to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, July 9, 1974 NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE \u2014 The next meeting of the National Executive will take place in Montreal, Sunday, June 2, 1974.This will be preceded by an Officers Meeting on the evening of June 1.PLENARY ASSEMBLY 1977 \u2014 Consideration was given to the date and venue of the 1977 Plenary Assembly.An announcement will be made shortly concerning same.NATIONAL BUDGETING CONFERENCE \u2014 A review of the National Budgeting Conference was presented by Mr.Kanee (see below).SERVICING OF WESTERN COMMUNITIES \u2014 It was decided that the CJC Western Region Executive Committee will meet every four months in Calgary, Edmonton or Saskatoon.PROPOSED NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF JEWISH EDUCATION \u2014 Consideration was given to the proposed National Department of Jewish Education established by CJC and Canadian Zionist Federation.The matter will be considered further at the forthcoming CJC Officers meeting.JOINT COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE \u2014 &\u201d \", The draft agreement between CJC and District #22 of B'nai B'rith was con- 4 TS sidered and will be discussed at the forthcoming meeting of the CJC National Executive Committee.Sol Kanee Soul Hayes.Q.C, Postage-paid-in-cash af third class rates \u2014 Permit No.10,019.Bulk \u2014 en nombre.Return postage guaranteed.CONGRESS BULLETIN, 1590 McGregor Street, Montreal H3G 1C5, Quebec Commitlee Natisnal Executive Director Governors Published monthly except July and August by the Canadian Jewish Congress to report on the activities of Conadian Jewry and matters of interest to them.National Executive Vice-President 3 and Staff (No Voting Power) ë NATIONAL BUDGETING oe 2 President National Standing CONFERENCE \u2014 Chairman gui 8a foe Executive Committee mmuttees Representatives of national Jewish organizations as well as commu- \u2018 \\ nity councils and welfare funds from across Canada attended a day-long ¥ ; \\ , ., meeting of the National Budgeting Conference in Toronto, April 17.Repre- fe Central Region Eastern Region Western Region Pacific Region sentatives of CJC and United Jewish Relief Agencies included Sol Kanee, \u2018 VP Chairman; V.P.Chai VPp Chairman; V.P Monroe Abbey.Q.C.David Satok, Oscar Antel, Saul Hayes, Q.C.Sigmund - \\ Chairman; V.¥.Maritime Section Chairman aurman;v.¥.7 Unterberg and Alan Rose.3 : : (Editor's Note \u2014 For further discussion, please see Comment, Plenary Le Assembly: 1974, p.2) L \u20ac Sec reta ry Treas urer 7 = The Plenary Session of Canadian Jewish Congress is a national assembly of representatives = of Canadian Jews, democratically elected by recognized Jewish organizations and individuals § who participate in communal affairs.It is the highest authority in the framework of CJC and is empowered to give direction to Congress activities, both nationally and internationally.The CJC Plenary Assembly is looked upon throughout Canada as the parliament of Canadian Jewry.All recognized Jewish organizations are entitled and urged to elect their delegates immediately to the Plenary Assembly of Canadian Jewish Congress.Nominations must be forwarded to CJC regional offices."]