A merico Yea t ish Periodical Cotter CLIFTON AVENUE • CINCINNATI 20, 01110 Friday, September 27, 1946 DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Legal Chronicle ( The American Jewish Conference Spokesman for a United Jewry By SYLVIA GILMAN The situation in which the rem- nant of European Jewry found itself on the first Rosh Hashona after V-E Day was a living dem- onstration of American Jewry's foresight in creating the Ameri- can Jewish Conference. For the cease fire order did not automa- tically usher in a new era of peace and justice for those Jews who had survived Nazi slaughter. On the contrary, Earl G. Harri- son, who during the summer of 1945 surveyed the situation in Eu- rope as the personal representa- tive of President Truman, re- ported "as matters now stand, we appear to be treating the Jews as the Nazis treated them, except that we do not exterminate them." Mr. Harrison, whose views were free of the pressures of postwar power politics, pointed to a posi- tive solution. His report to the President stated "The civilized world owes it to this handful of survivors to provide them with a home where they can again set- tle down and begin to live as hu- man beings." TILE DP CAMPS Mr. Harrison's report was made public on September 29, 1945. But the AmerjFan Jewish Conference had plunged into the work of re- habilitating- the remnant of Euro- pean Jewry even before the boom- ing echo of gunfire had died away. In the first days of May, the Con- ference had asked the U. S. War and State Departments to permit the dispatch of Jewish liaison of ficers to American occupied Ger, many. On May 10, two days after V-E Day, representatives of the Conference met with Jewish Con- gressmen, UNRRA staff members, and U. S. Government officials. The Congressmen, upon whom the Conference urged the need for immediate action, responded by cablink General Eisenhower, then Commander of Allied Forces in the European theatre, appealing for his approval of the project. Through press and radio the Conference brought the hard facts of Jewish life in Europe to the attention of the American public. Dr. Israel Goldstein, co-chairman of the Conference Interim Com- mittee, had visited the camps during the summer. He suggested improvements In camp adminis- tration to General Eisenhower, Page Nine grams were founded. After much effort, several farm sites were turned over to Jewish displaced persons for agricultural training in preparation for emigration to Palestine. Germany were Major Alfred Fleishman, Dean Samuel Sar, Hans Lamm and Sylvia T. Neu. Lander. THE FINAL GOAL While the Conference exerted It- particularly the establishment of Committee of Inquiry on Pales. Besides Mr. Marston, the mem- self to better conditions in the all-Jewish centers. He presented tine during its hearings in Ger- bers of the Conference team in Jewish centers In the American an eye-witness account of the sit- many. uation to the consultations of The Conference was concerned Jewish organizations in London, not only with increasing food ra- r. so that united action might be tions Which were "too much to taken toward a solution. AS ALWAYS... starve to death but not enough After months-long delay, Jewish to live on" in the first months of My Best Wishes to liaison officers and Jewish relief liberation. It pointed out, through agencies were permitted to enter its team abroad and representa- All My Friends the American zone. They operated tions in Washington, that Jews, under the supervision of UNRRA, because they had been singled out which assumed responsibility for for persecution, required special camp administration, with AMG treatment to wipe out past injus- supplying basic food and clothing tices and to achieve for them needs. status and living standards ap- The American Jewish Confer. proximating human decency. All- 1317 LAFAYETTE BLDG. CA. 5630 ence team arrived in Germany in Jewish centers were particularly October. Speaking to the Jews in important, because most displaced the camps in their own language, Jews In Germany were of Polish prepared by training and sympa. origin, and the non-Jewish Poles thy for the difficult task of set- with whom they were housed ex. ting the victims of Nazi persecu. ceeded even the Germans in anti- tion on the road to rehabilita- Semitic brutality. tion, the Conference team worked Physical conditions in the camps indefatigably. Every camp in the improved, but progress was slow. American zones of Germany and It required insistent pressure, Austria was visited. Recommen- against inertia, red tape, indif- dations were made to UNRRA ference, and hostility, in some camp administrators and to the cases. Caloric rations rose from military authorities. 900 to 1,000 in some camps, to a Commenting on the report made prescribed ration of 2,000 calories by Conference team member Ho- or more. Housing accommoda- • race Marston, J. H. Whiting, UN- tions were increased. All-Jewish RRA zone director in G‘rmany, centers were established, hospital Sporting Goods - Housewares - Gas Ranges - Refrigerators stated: "Mr. Marstofi's excellent facilities were made available. report should stimulate construc- Workshops for vocational train- Electric Kitchens - Hardware - Tools td Paints tive action by all concerned with ing, schools and recreation pro. providing greater opportunities for Jewish displaced persons in 0• ■ ••••••• ■ ••• ■ ••••”•=. ■ .......m.: 0 0 =0 ====::1101:20=====101:20 Germany." On his own initiative, Mr. Whiting submitted the Mars- Rosh Hashonah Greetings ton report to the Aneo-American SAUL KATZ CONSTRUCTION CO. ROSH HASHONAH GREETINGS • . CADILLAC OVERALL Season's Greetings SUPPLY 18841.5 John R CO. f l====t0= Rosh Hashonah Greetings! and Good Wishes! TO. 9.5000 * Alexander Licht Co. "Service Our Watchword" 1326 BROADWAY KNIGHT PLATING CO. DETROIT'S MOST BEAUTIFUL PORTRAIT STUDIO SENDS YOU GREETINGS FOR .. . 3143 BELLEVUE AVE. 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