THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, November 12, 1976 15 Bons Smolar's 'Between You ... and Me' Because you approved of our quality, our value, and our unique return policy. Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, JTA (Copyright 1976, JTA, Inc.) • JEWISH REPRESENTATION: The Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds — which- is holding this week its 45th annual General Assembly — is the only central Jewish body that comes close to:the point of being justified in saying that it expresses the view of the American Jewish community although it never comes out with such assertions. The CJFWF is the central instrument of about 800 organized Jewish communities in. the United States _ and Canada, embracing 95 percent of the Jewish popu- on in these two countries. It keeps its finger on v. _at is going on in organized Jewish life in all its aspects. The resolutions of CJFWF's General Assembly contribute a line of guidance for action by all or- ganized communities on major problems concerning Jewish communal life — philanthropic, educational, fund-raising, community planning, health and welfare services, overseas services, women's communal ser- vices, the strengthening of Jewish identity among col- lege youth and faculty and other fields. Although not a political body, the CJFWF takes a definite stand on U.S. aid to Israel, on anti-Israel ac- tions by the United Nations, on Arab terrorism and hijacking of planes, on the Arab anti-Jewish boycott, on Soviet Jews, on taxation in the U.S. affecting philanthropy, on inflation and unemployment — with emphasis on the impact of the economic crisis in the U.S. on human needs — and on Various other similar subjects. This stand is clearly formulated in resolu- tions being adopted by the General Assembly. CJFWF GROWTH: The Council of Jewish Federa- tions and Welfare Funds is a product of Jewish com- munal leaders, the great majority of whom are American-born. The Council was established in 1932. The constant growth of the number of delegates attending its General Assembly — more than 2,000 representatives of Jewish communities and institu- tions are attending the Assembly in Philadelphia — testifies best to the efforts on the part of the CJFWF to build a solid continuity of American Jewish communal life, based on strong Jewish identity and on enhancing the quality of Jewish life. With every year one sees more and more young Jews of the second and even third generation Ameri- cans, attending the Assembly and taking a deep in- terest in the discussions there. This is a result of the Young Leadership program which the CJFWF de- veloped, helping the local communities to attract the ablest young men and women to community responsi- bility and leadership. _ A BURNING ISSUE: One of the major issues on which the General Assembly in Philadelphia is ex- pected by many community activists to take a clear stand is the issue of Soviet Jewish immigration, speci- fically on whether to help Soviet Jews who upon reaching Vienna or Rome on their way to Israel, change their minds and seek their way to the United States. The proportion of these "drop-outs" has been in- creasing. Once they cross the Soviet frontier, they dis- regard their visas to Israel. They remain in Vienna or Rome, insisting on staying there while applying for U.S. visas which are easily available to them under the U.S. regulations for admitting refugees from coun- tries of oppression. Another category of Soviet Jewish emigrants is similarly under question. These are Jews who had al- ready been settled in Israel during the last years, but because it is easy for refugees from the Soviet Union to obtain entrance to the United States, they leave Israel and come to Rome to seek there U.S. visas from the American Consulate. They, like the "drop-outs," en route to Israel, request the office of the HIAS in Rome / help them in securing the U.S. visas. They also ;nest the offices of the Joint Distribution Commit- te," in Vienna and Rome to maintain them during the period they are to wait until they are cleared for visas with authorities in Washington. Many of them threaten to go to American non-Jewish relief offices in Rome and Vienna — like the Quakers and the Tolstoy Foundation — to seek such aid. There is strong opposition among American Jewish community leaders to giving aid to those who are leaving Israel after having been settled there. A more lenient attitude is taken concerning the "drop-outs" who choose not to proceed to Israel when they are still in Vienna or Rome. But even with regard to them, there is the question whether their action would not be utilized by the Soviet government to discontinue emigration to Israel. The issue is under review by a committee of pro- fessional experts representing American Jewish bodies and the Jewish Agency in Israel. Much will depend on the sentiments expressed at the CJFWF Assembly. The Gold Place has expanded for its 3rd Anniversary Sale Please visit our greatly enlarged store. See our wider selection of jewelry, diamonds, and gifts. Take advantage of extraordinary anniversary specials. Three-Diamond 7-Piece Saratoga DESIGNER PENDANTS Spice Swinger CRYSTAL DESSERT SET SALT and PEPPER MILLS Four modern 14K yellow gold styles, each with three full-cut diamonds and 14K yellow gold chain. Graceful, footed fruit bowl of hand-made crystal and six matching sherbet glasses. 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