The Southern Jewish weekly. [volume] (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1939-1992, 1941-11-14
The ReconstructiOnist Viewpoint
WHO SHOULD CALL CONFERENCE ON
POST WAR PROBLEMS?
By Rabbi Eugene Kohn

Three organizations, the American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Congress, and the Jewish Labor Com
tee are making studies to be used when the problem of
status of the Jewish people after the war will come up
consideration. This is good. The more complete our
wdge of the factual background of the Jewish situa
on the better The very fact that these different organ
atoms tend to approach the problem from different view
s adds to the collective value of their findings That
say, it adds to their collective value if each study is
ade available to all.
But after the work of fact-fnding comes the activity
policy making, for the purpose of which the facts are
ng gathered Presumably each of these fact-finding
mmssons will report to the organization that called it
Ito being 1t is very possible, therefore, that each will
commend different policy.
That would be far from good. It might, indeed be
SasTOus For, If American Jewry would have three diff
ent representations with divided cOunses pleading be-
ore the next Peace Conference Jewish group would be
ted against another and the Jewish problem would be
solved not the basis of the legitimate interests of the
sh people and the affirmation of their right to freedom
equality but on the basis of face naturalization
the great powers of their imperial national in
rests
Diversity may be beneficial in study, but unity is es
nta in action This is not the first time that have
used this ISSUE But raise it this time to pose ques
on nat proceeds from it, Who is to take the initiative for
ng united representation of American Jewry before
Peace Conference in the event of victory for docracy
not too early to raise this question: although the end OF
war is not yet sight, because it will take long time
erect even the preliminary understanding which must
Nede the setting up of communal machinery.
our suggestion is that it should be the Zionist Organ
aIOn. 1t might logical that the American
wish Congress- of which the T. O. A. is affiliate should
que the CALL But considerations other than logic are, In
Is instance, important. The American Jewish Con-
U.s. mas rightly wrongly, the repute of being paper
sanlzauOn Its failure to win the element repre-
ea In the American Jewish Committee has essened It's
ge and authority and crippled it's power, compared
tne authority enjoyed by the temporary Jewish Con-
s mat was convened during the first World War; We're
Congress to issue the CALL there is danger that
public would feel that this but another effort to
we a mOribund institution.
1 IS probable that the antsurvivalists among our
e might at first be sincned to accept an invitation
~ the T. O. A. But when all the rest of Jewry is lined
@ united action they will either have to join the ranks
m " lose in political prestige to such extent as to be-
potent to oppose effectively the will OF the vastly
UnGerant Jewish majority who want Jewish group lie
G Onue All organizations of Jews for positive jewish
Inc rabbncal bodies and congregational unions, should
g7ng to participate in important conference II
Z. o. A. calls it.