10Th Triennial Convention

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN 10th Triennial Convention

THEME- "The Jewish Woman in Tomorrow's World"

ST MAY, 1975־25TH APRIL 1

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA I

THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE Library ת BI a u s t e i

I INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

I. C. J. W.

TRIENNIAL CONVENTION

־ May 1 1975 ־ April 25

INDEX

Pages

Affiliates of ICJW 3-4

5 ־ ICJW Officers, 1972 1975

Chairmen of ICJW Committees 6

־10th. International Convention Committee 7 8

־ List of Delegates and Participants 9 11

Convention Program 12 - 16

Pre-Convention Executive Meeting 17-20

Official Opening banquet 21

־Dr. Herczeg's opening address 21 23

Greetings 23-24

Opening Session 25

Rules for the Convention 25 - 27

Roll Call - Credential Report 28

In Memoriam 29 -31

President's Report 32 - 42

־ 42־Treasurer's Report 48

Extension and Field Service Committee's Report 48-51

European Committee's Report 52 - 54

Session : "Future Status and Role of the Jewish Women" 55 - 62

Session : "Israel and the Jewish People" 63 - 81

Monday, 28th April 1975 82 ־Session : "Community Services" 83 89

Report of !-he Ways and Means Committee 90

־Session : "Jewish Education" 91 104

י United Nations Session 105-113

Session dedicated to International Women's Year 114-118

־ New York 119 121 ־ Report by ICJW United Nations Representative

Report by ICJW Representative at UNICEF 122-123

Report by ICJW Representative at United Nations - Geneva 123-124

Report by ICJW Representative at UNESCO - Paris 125-130

Report by ICJW Representative at the Council of Europe 131 - 135

Business Session - Resolutions Committee's Report 135

Resolutions 1975 - 1978 136 -145

Topical Resolutions 145-148

By-Laws Committee's Report 149

157 - 150 ־ By-Laws 1975 1978

159 - 158 ־ Budget 1975 1978

Report of the Nomination Committee 160 - 162

Farewell and Instalation Dinner 162-163

President's Acceptance Speech 164-166

Social activities 167

Post Convention Executive Meeting - Thursday, 1st May, 1975 168

Post-Convent ion Executive Meeti ng 169-174

****** AFFILIATES OF THE

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

Consejo Argentino de Mujeres IsraelItas Rio Bamba 1020, Buenos Aires, Argentina

National Council of Jewish Women of Australia 466 Punt Road, South Yarra

Union of Jewish Women of Belgium Langestraat 6, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium

Liga Femlnina Israelita do Brasil, Rio de Janeiro Avenida N.S. Copacabana 690, Sala 1001, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Liga Feminina Israelita do Brasil, Sao Paulo Rua Lupercio de Camargo 71, 01409 Sao Paulo, Brazil

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada 300a Wilson Avenue, Suite 2, Downsvlew, Ontario, Canada

Consejo Chileno de Mujeres JudTas Av. Miguel Claro 196, Santiago, Chile

Judischer Frauenbund in Deutschland 34 Schneckenburgerstrasse, 8 Munchen 80, Germany

Sociedad Fememina Israelita of Ecuador Apartado 3150, Quito, Ecuador

League of Jewish Women of England Woburn House, Upper Woburn Place, London WC1 H OEP, England

Cooperation Feminine, France 19 Rue de Teheran, Paris VIII, France

Jewish Women's Association of Hong Kong th Floor, Hong Kong־Vila Monte Rosa, 41a Stubbs Road, E29

Bene Israel Stree Mandal of Bombay, India Sajun Bldg., 2nd Peer Khan Street, Bombay 8, India

Jewish Women's League of Calcutta, India 6 Short Street, Calcutta 16, India Jewish Ladies' Organisation of Iran Teheran Avenue-Cyrus, Parvareshgah No. 2, No. 668, Tfeheran,

Council of Women's Organisations of Israel Hechal Shlomo, King George Street 58, Jerusalem, Israel

Associazione delle Donne Ebree d'ltalia, Wizo Galleria Protti 2, 34121 Trieste, Italy

Union des Dames Israelites - Luxembourg 20a Boulevard H. Servais, Luxembourg

Consejo Mexicano de Mujeres Israelitas Acapulco No. 70, 5to. piso, Mexico 7, D.F. Mexico

Union of Jewish Women of New Zealand lid Herbert Gardens, 186 The Terrace, Wellington, N.Z.

Union of Jewish Women of South Africa P.O. Box 3622, Johannesburg, South Africa

Judiska Kvinnokluben i Stockholm 32 Norr Malarstrand, 11220 Stockholm, Sweden

Union of Jewish Women's Societies in Switzerland Engelgasse 65, Basel 4052, Switzerland

National Council of Jewish Women, Inc., in the United States 1 West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036, United States of Ameri

Consejo Uruguayo de Mujeres Judfas Breuda 5970, Punta Gorda, Montevideo, Uruguay. ־ I.e. J.W. OFFICERS 1972 1975

Office :

Buenos Aires Rep. Argentina ־ Rio Bamba 1020

President : DRA. ROSA S. de HERCZEG, Argentina

Honorary President : MRS. JOSEPH WELT, U.S.A.

Honorary Vice-Presidents : MRS. BENJAMIN ROBINSON, Canada MRS. ALFRED RUBENS, England MRS. RONALD BROWN, U.S.A. MRS. SHOSHANA HARELI,Israel

Vice-Presidents : MRS. SARA B. de BREITMAN, Argentina MRS. VERA COHEN, M.B.E., Australia MRS. A. HOLLENBERG, Canada MRS. RUTH WINSTON-FOX, J.P.,England MRS. M. KASHFI, Iran MRS. TAMAR ESHEL, Israel MRS. ROSA ROSENBLUM, Mexico MRS. LEAH ROSETTENSTEIN, South Africa MRS. THEA HACKER, Switzerland MRS. ADOLF ROBISON, U.S.A.

Treasurers : MRS. MELVIN STICH, U.S.A. MRS. CLARA M. de PECHERSKY, Argentina

Assistant Treasurer : DRA. MARTA YEDLIN, Argentina

Secretary : DRA. DEBORAH SCHLESINGER, Argentina

Assistant Secretary : MRS. ENRIQUETA de ROSENFELD, Argentina

Representatives to the United Nations : MRS. HAROLD ROSENFELD, New York, U.S. MRS. FRANK BECK, Geneva, Switzerland Representative to the Council of Europe : MRS. M. WARBURG, Strasbourg, France Representative to Unesco MRS. TANIA BLUM, Pans, France CHAIRMEN OF I. C. J. W. COMMITTEES

BY-LAWS

MRS. JEANETTE COHEN, South Africa

COMMUNITY SERVICES:

MRS. EDITH NOBLE, England

EXTENSION AND FIELD SERVICES :

MRS. THEA HACKER, Switzerland

JEWISH EDUCATION :

MRS. DAHLIA GOTTAN, Israel

NOMINATIONS : MRS. MINA HOLLENBERG, Canada

RESOLUTIONS : MRS. ANN ROBISON, U.S.A.

STATUS OF WOMEN IN JEWISH LAW : MRS. RUTH WINSTON-FOX, J.P., England

UNITED NATIONS AFFAIRS, NEW YORK : MRS. PHYLLIS ROSENFELD, U.S.A.

UNITED NATIONS AFFAIRS IN GENEVA : MRS. FRANK BECK, Switzerland

WAYS AND MEANS :

MRS. BETTY MINTZ, Cleveland, U.S.A.

6. 10th INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN Mrs. Mina Fink, M.B.E.

VICE-CHAIRMEN : Mrs. Sylvia Gelman, National President Mrs. Malvina Malinek, Victorian Section President

PROGRAMME COORDINATOR Mrs. Sylvia Gelman

Members : Mesdames Helen Klarberg Edith Phillips Ada Moshinsky Vivienne Fraenkel Fanny Abrahami Sybil Shaw Jeanette Machlin Sylvia Irlicht Dora Winikoff

PUBLIC RELATIONS Mesdames Gertie Bartak Aimee Mazza Zelda Rosenbaum Miriam Goldschlager

WAYS AND MEANS Mesdames Sadie Fink Shirley Samuel Irene Blaser Peg Solomon Fanny Adler Phyl Glasser Essie Wieselmann Esther Gross Ettie Silberman Susie Rockman Boszi Scheuer Paula Pratt Eva Shulman Vena Woo If Esther Balloul Edith Rose

REGISTRATIONS : Mesdames Peg Solomon Ettie Silberman Fanny Adler Bessie Altshuler Laurel Renof Helen Malter Dr. Edith Phillips

INFORMATION DESK Mrs. Helen Zajtman. Young Marrieds Group Victoria

PAGES : Mrs. Val Suss Young Marrieds Group Victoria

DECOR : Mesdames Annia Castan, Gertie Harrison I Ian Group Victoria

CATERING : Mesdames Eva Joel E. Blum I. Klein S. Freeman A. Esser M. Heyman Edith Steiner K. Appel M. Kemp R. Heine W. Yaffe C. Kimelman 7. CATERING Mesdames : Helen Klarberg G. Strauss G. Aarons J. Lazarus A. Kagan

New York Museum : ־ EXHIBITIONS : SILVER

Mesdames : Zelda Rosenbaum Lottie Smorgon

AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIAN JUDAICA : Mesdames : Sybil Shaw Gertie Harrison Jessica Simon Esther Silberberg Vena Woo If Gertie Bartak

ACTIVITIES Mrs. Sue Freadman י HUSBANDS

BANQUET COMMITTEE Mesdames Sadie Fink Malvina Malinek Alice Goldman Shirley Samuel Alwynne Jona Henrietta Kaye Helen Gelb Kaye Fink Rita Rogers Esther Balloul Eva Shulman Irene Blaser

PROTOCOL Mesdames Alwynne Jona Henrietta Kaye The Hon. Margaret Davis

TOURS Mrs. Betsy Lew

TRADING TABLE Mrs. Aelsie Magnus

SECRETARIAT : Mesdames : Essie Wieselmann Vicky Sino Delia Sugarman Raie Levy Karyn Wlttner Dianna Gelfand Becky Goldenberg RECORDING: Mr. Graham Solomon HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE Mesdames : Alice Goldman Jessica Farraday Jean Friedman Helen Hammersfeld Gloria Malinek Fay Samuels Helen Alter Rebe Collins Renata Glover Betty Kagan Mary Pi I a Lola Schattner Betty Alexander Monique Dessauer Ruth Holzman Mina Lazarus Merle Parker Lottie Tisher CO-ORDINATOR OF PHYSICAL ARRANGEMENTS : Mesdames : Gloria Malinek Valda Heyman Trudy Kotton Rebe Collins 8. LIST OF DELEGATES AND PARTICIPANTS

ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA (Cont'd.)

Dra. Rosa de Herczeg Mrs. H. Gel bard Mrs. C.M. de Pechersky Mrs. D. Gelfand Mrs. S. Gelman AUSTRALIA Mrs. R. Gingold Mrs. R. Ginsburg Mrs. F. Adler Mrs. P. Glasser Mrs. B. Altshuler Mrs. A. Goldman Mrs. K.Ansell Mrs. R. Heine Mrs. K. Appel Mrs. G. Harrison Mrs. 1. Arripol Mrs. E. Harwitch Mrs. J. Balkind Mrs. V. Heymann Mrs. G. Bartak Mrs. S. Irlicht Mrs. M. Bath Mrs. L. Joachim Dr. S. Beecham Mrs. E. Joel Mrs. L. Bergman Mrs. B. Kagan Mrs. B. Best Mrs. M. Kanat Mrs. Y. Black Mrs. H <, -Kaye Mrs. 1. Blaser Mrs. H. Klarberg Mrs. E. Blum Mrs. E. Klineberg Mrs. M.Bram Mrs. T. Kotton Miss M.Cainer Mrs. C. Krigstein Mrs. A. Castan Mrs. M. Kutner Mrs. S. Cohen Mrs. D. Landau Mrs. V.Cohen M.B.E. Mrs. L. Lehrer Mrs. Z.Cohen Mrs. B. Lew Mrs. R. Collins Mrs. F. Lewis Mrs. J. Cooklin Mrs. D. Lieberman Mrs. P. Cooper Mrs. P. Lieberman Mrs. W.Cooper Mrs. H. Lion The Hon. M.A.E. Davis Mrs. J. Lipshut Mrs. M.Dessauer Mrs. A. Magnus Mrs. A. Dryen Mrs. G. Malinek Mrs. H.Eisner Mrs. M.Malinek Mrs. B. Emanuel Mrs. H. Ma Iter Mrs. H. Enders Mrs. R. Markov Mrs. D. Feldman Mrs. R. Marks Mrs. G.Fetter Mrs. M. Mason Mrs. M.Fink M.B.E. Mrs. Y. Meltzer Mrs. S. Fink Mrs. E. Miller Mrs. R. Fischer Mrs. A. Moshinsky Mrs. E. Freeman Mrs. Z. Myers Mrs. R. Freeman Mrs. M. Nash Mrs. L. Friedman Mrs. A. Page AUSTRALIA (Cont'd.) CANADA

Dr. E. Phillips Mrs. E. Goldenberg Mrs. E. Rapaport Mrs. R. Ravech FRANCE Mrs. L. Reich Mrs. L. Renof Madame J. Rozan Mrs. L. Ritcher Madame R. Zylberberg Mrs. Z. Rosenbaum Mrs. Y. Rosengarten INDIA Mrs. A. Rosenthal Mrs. B. Roubin Mrs. D. Joseph Mrs. D. Sadlon Mrs. S. Samson Mrs. A. Safier Mrs. S. Samuel ISRAEL Mrs. B. Scheuer Mrs. S. Shaw Mrs. D. Gottan Mrs. G.Sheining Mrs. H. Shulkes MEXICO Mrs. E. Silberberg Mrs. E. Silberman Mrs. R. Rosenblum Mrs. J. Simon Mrs. M.Simons NEW ZEALAND Mrs. G. Singer Mrs. M. 1. Smith Mrs. E. Cassrels Mrs. E. Snider Mrs. G.Hollander Mrs. M.Solomon Mrs. B.V. Morris Mrs. P. Solomon Mrs. R. Rosen Mrs. A. Southwick Mrs. M. Rosenfeld Mrs. 1. Starke Mrs. S. J. Ross Mrs. T. Starke Miss C.A. Schneidemann Mrs. E. Steiner Mrs. S. Stern SOUTH AFRICA Mrs. 1. Strauss Mrs. R.Tooler Mrs. S. Brodie Mrs. D. Trobe Mrs. A. Friedman Mrs. S. Wajcman Mrs. L. Rosettenstein Mrs. S. Wein Mrs. M. Stein Mrs. A. Weinstock Mrs. E. Wieselmann SWITZERLAND Mrs. D. Winikoff Mrs. R. Wise Mrs. T. Hacker Mrs. R. Wolk Mrs. S. Woo If UNITED KINGDOM Mrs. R. Zoland Mrs. S. Zwier Mrs. A. Adler

10. UNITED KINGDOM (Cont'd.) U. S. A.

Mrs., E. Ashley Mrs. J. Brilliant Miss B. Bennett Mrs. I. Brown Mrs. D. Bloom Mrs. R. Kolker Mrs. K. Bond Mrs. E. Kramer Mrs. B. Cohen Mrs. E. Landa Miss G. Dareve Miss T. Landa Mrs. C. Davis Mrs. E. Marvin Mrs. H. Drapkin Mrs. A. Robison Mrs, C. Goldsborough Mrs. P. Rosenfeld Mrs. L. Goldstein Mrs. D. Rosenwald Mrs. L. Grahame Mrs. S. Stich Mrs. S. Gregory Mrs. A. Hawkins Mrs. M.Hermer Mrs. R. Hermer Miss R. J. Jager Mrs. K. Joachim Mrs. H. Lennard Mrs. R.E.Levett Mrs. S. Marks Mrs. E. Mason Mrs. D. Menasche Mrs. T. Mundy Mrs. F. Nathan Mrs. I. Newman Mrs. B.N. Noble Mrs. E. Noble Mrs. D.M. Oscar Mrs. L. Press Mrs. G.Salinger Dr. D. Sasieni Mrs. N. Seal Miss B. Sellars Mrs. A. Straus Mrs. B. Tosh .Fox J.P־־ Mrs. R. Winston Mrs. S. Waldorf Mrs. E. Zackheim

11. PRO GRAMME

Thursday Venue : Beth Weizmann, 584 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne April 24 nooRegistrationn s ־ a.m. 12 9.00 Convention I.C.J.\N. Executive Meeting־a.m. Pre 9.00 12 noon Civic Reception for I.C.J.W. Office Bearers at Melbourne Town Lord Mayor of Melbourne - Councillor Ronald ־ Hall. Host Walker (by invitation) 7.30 p.m. Venue : Mr. & Mrs. David Levine, 45 Lansell Rd. Toorak. for I.CJ.vV. Office Bearers ־ Buffet Dinner ־ Reception National Council of Jewish Women of Australia National ־ Hosts (Mrs. Sylvia Gelman. (by invitation ־ President

Friday April 25 Venue : Beth Weizmann, 584 St. Kilda Rd. Melbourne 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. Registrations noon I.C.J.W. Standing Committees' Meetings ־a.m. 12 9.00 7.00 p.m. Shabbat Dinner .invitations in kit ־ Private Hospitality

Saturday April 26 Venue : St. Kilda Hebrew Congregation, Charnwood Crescent St. Kilda .Rabbi R. Lubofsky, B.A ־ a.m. Synagogue Service 9.30 Kiddush.

Afternoon at Leisure or .Walkinp.m.g tour through Botanical Gardens with Official guide ־ p.m. 4.30 3.00 Meet at ILF" Gate Birdwood Avenue 7.00 p.m. Venue : The Great Hall, Art Centre of Victoria, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. Official Opening ־ Banquet Guest of Honour His Excellency the Honourable Sir John Kerr, .General of Australia ־ K.C.M.G., K. St. J., Governor .I.C.J.W. President, Dra. Rosa de Herczeg ־ Presiding Officer .Rabbi R. Lubofsky, B.A ־ Invocation President N.C.J.W. of Australia, Mrs. Sylvia Gelman ־ Welcome Toasts Convention Message from His Excellency the Governor General of Australia Official Greetings : The Hon. R.J. Hamer, Premier of Victoria His Excellency Mr. M. Elizur, Ambassador for Israel, Mr. N. Jacobson, O.B.E, President, Executive Council of Australian Jewry Presentation of Presidents of I.C.J.W. Affiliates 12. Sunday April 27 Venue : Beth Weizman, 584 St. Kilda Rd. Melbourne Opening Plenary Session Dra. Rosa S. de Herczeg ־ .President I.C.J.W 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Rules Roll Call Credentials Report Mrs. Dreyfus de Gunsburg ־ In Memoriam for Mrs. Japhet Mrs. Felisa de Kohan Dr. Fanny Reading, M.B.E. President's Report and Discussion Treasurer's Report and Discussion Mrs. Shirley K. Stich, U.S.A. 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Luncheon Break 2 p.m. - 2.30 p.m. Extension and Field Services Chairman : Mrs. Thea Hacker : p.m. Future Status and Role of the Jewish Woman ־ p.m. 5 2.30 (a) In Marriage (b) In the Community (c) In Tomorrow's World Fox J.P. England ־ Presiding : Mrs. Ruth Winston Chairman, Status of Women in Jewish Law. "Action and Reaction" Guest Speakers : Rabbi R. Lubofsky B.A., Professor B. Mond. Rabbi J. Levi Buzz Sessions. 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Free 8 p.m. Venue : Beth Weizmann, 584 St. Kilda Rd. Melbourne Israel and the Jewish People Chairman : Mrs. Malvlna Malinek, President N.C.J.W. Victorian Section,. Australia. Guest Speaker : Hiss Excellency, Mr. Michael Elizur, Ambassador for Israel. ־ Panel of Speakers representing the regions of Australia Miss Paula BIrenbaum Europe - Mme. Stella Rozan (France) (.Mrs. Ann Robison (U.S.A ־ North America Israel - Mrs. Dalia Gottan Summing up and discussion led by Mr. Sam Lipski, Editor, Australia/Israel Publications (Melbourne) Supper

Monday April 28 Venue : Beth Weizmann, 584 St. Kilda Rd. Melbourne Community Services Seision Chairman : Mrs. Edith Noble, England 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Introduction by Chairman

13. : a.m. Workshops ־ a.m. 11 10 ?How can we Help ־ Loneliness .1 Leader :Mrs. Esther Landa, U.S.A. Rapporteur : Mrs. Betsy Lew, Australia Their Community Rights and Responsibilities ־ Youth .2 Mrs. M. Stein, South Africa ז Leader Rapporteur : Mrs. Hetty Mundy, England 3. Recruiting and Training Leader : Mme. J. Rozan, France Rapporteur : Mrs. Clara M. de Pechersky, Argentina 4. Problems of Smaller Jewish Communities Leader : Mrs. Grace Hollander, New Zealand Rapporteur : Mrs. Daisy Joseph, India 5. Community Services for the Handicapped Leader : Dr. Daphne Sasieni, England Rapporteur : Mr. Rosa Rosenblum, Mexico 6. Day Centres and Caring for the Aged Leader : Dr. Edith Phillips, Australia Rapporteur : Mrs. Essie Wieselmann, Australia a.m. Morning Tea ־ a.m. 11.30 11 p.m. Reporting Back ־ a.m. 12.5 11.30 p.m. Luncheon Break (For those interested transport will be available to the ־ p.m. 2.30 12.15 Senior Citizens' Centre at Samuel Meyers Hall, where lunch can be taken with our Club members and their activities observed. 2.30 p.m. Way and Means Chairman : Mrs. D. Rosenwdtd U.S.A. 3.30 p.m. 5 p.m. Resolution ; Mrs. A. Robison, U.S.A. .Mrs. Isabelle Brown, U.S.A ־ By-Laws 5.30 p.m. Government Reception (remier of Victoria (by invitation־The Hon R.J. Hamer, l־ Host from 10 a.m. Viewing of selected private homes with Art coUectfonsby courtesy of the National Gallery of Victoria Women's Association. Booking at Information Desk, Beth Weizmann Evening Free

Tuesday April 29 Venue : Beth Weizmann, 584 St. Kilda Rd. Melbourne Jewish Education Session Mrs. Dahlia Gottan, Israel, Chairman of Jewish Education Committee 9 a.m. Introduction '1To Be Jewish11 9.30 a.m. 11The Role of , Women in Sustaining Jewish Life" Headmistress ־ Panel Discussion — Mrs. M. Kozminsky Yavneh Jewish Day School Hillel Director ־ Mr. H. Shaw Rabbi B. Fox - Temple Beth Israel Preceded by 2 young girls who will give a short talk on their credo and expectations for the future

14. Miss Paula Birenbaum Miss Naomi Medding 11 a.m. Workshops covering the following 5 topics : Drugs and Radical ־ a) Assimilation and Students' problems) Youth L : Mrs. Rosettenstein R : Dr. E. Phillips (b) Jewish Education Modernized? Jewish survival in Open Society ; Function and Programming of Jewish Education L : Mrs. Pechersky R : Mrs. Samson (c) Does Judaism offer a moral code of Law : what Happened to the "Chosen People" L : Mrs. Graham R : Mrs. Rosenwald (d) "Never Forget AmalekM - should future generations be taught about World War 11 and other Holocausts. L : Mrs. Hacker R : Mrs. Ross (e) Jews versus Israelis : A question of identity. L : Mrs. Robison R : Mrs, Malinek Rapporteurp.m. s and summing up ־ noon 12,30 12 1 p.m. Visit to Mt. Scopus College and Healesville Sanctuary with boxed lunches provided on the buses. Tickets at Information Desk, Beth Weizmann, to be booked at earliest opportunity 6 p.m. Return to Hotel Evening Free

Wednesday April 30 Venue : Palm Lake Motel, 52 Queens Rd. Melbourne United Nations Session Chairman : Mrs. Phyllis Rosenfeld, U.N. Representative, New York, U.S.A. a.m. International Chairman's Report and Discussion ־ a.m. 10 9 10 a.m. Morning Tea U.N. the World ־ a.m. 11.45 a.m. Israel 10.15 Guest Speakers and Discussion Mr. Max Teichman and Mr. Sam Lipski 12 noon International Women's Year Luncheon Guest Speaker - Mrs. E. Manderson, National Advisory Committee for I.W.Y. 1.30 p.m. - 2.30 p.m. Panel (Mrs. E. Mahlab (Australia ־ Women and Equality .1 2. Women and Development - Mrs. G. Hollander (N.Z.) (Mrs. E. Goldenberg (Canada ־ Women and Peace .3

15. 2.30 p.m. Afternoon Tea 2.45 p.m. - 3.15 p.m. Discussion p.m. Return to Beth Weizmann ־ p.m. 5 3.30 I.C.J.W. Business Session Budget : Mrs. Shirley K. Stich, U.S.A. Mrs. Mina Hollenberg, Canada ־ Nominations Committee Report Invitation to 11 th Triennial Convention, 1978 Any other business 7.30 p.m. Venue : Armon Hall, Alma Road, St Kilda Farewell Function. Buffet Dinner Entertainment by "The Showmen" ־ National Council of Jewish Women of Victoria President ־ Host Mrs. Malvina Malinek

Thursday May 1 Venue : Beth Weizmann, 584 St. Kilda Rd. Melbourne .noon Post Convention I.C.J.W. Executive Meeting ־ a.m. 12 10

POST CONVENTION TOURS : ׳ Thursday May 1 Tour to Ballarat 8.30 a.m. Bus departs from Palm Lake Motel. Morning Refreshmentby courtesy Ballarat Jewish Community. Lunch includesVisit to Sovereign Hill. Bookings at earliest opportunity at Information Desk. Beth Weizmann.

Friday May 2 Four day Tour Sydney via Snowy Mountains and Canberra ־ a.m. Melbourne 8 For tickets apply Information Desk, Beth Weizmann

CULTURAL EVENTS DURING CONFERENCE WEEK :

Ritual Silver from Jewish Museum, New York, and private ־ SILVER EXHIBITION .1 collections. Victoran Arts Centre.

2. PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION - of Jerusalem.

3. EXHIBITION OF AUSTRALIANA AND AUSTRALIAN JUDAICA.

.handwoven rugs and wall hangings ־ MASKIT EXHIBITION .4

*******

16. t

PRE-CONVENTION EXECUTIVE MEETING

THURSDAY, 24 th, APRIL, 1975

PRE-CONVENT I ON EXECUTIVE MEETING Held in Melbourne, Thursday 24 th, April, 1975

IN .THE CHAIR : Dra. R. de Herczeg, President of I.C J.W.

PRESENT Honoro!3^ Vice-President Mrs. I. Brown, U.S.A.

Vice-Presidents M rs. V. Cohen, Australia Mrs. R. Rosemblum, Mexico Mrs. L. Rosettenstein, South Africa Mrs. T. Hacker, Switzerland Mrs. R. Winston Fox, J.P., United Kingdom Mrs. A. Robison, U.S.A.

Treasurers Mrs. S. Stich, U.S.A. Prof. C. Pechersky, Argentina

I.C.J.W. United Nation's Representative : Mrs. P. Rosenfeld

Committee Chairmen

Convention Committee : Mrs. M. Fink, Australia Jewish Education Committee : Mrs. D. Gottan, Israel Community Services Committee : Mrs. E. Noble, United Kingdom I.C.J.W. Committees of : Extension and Field Service, Resolutions, Status of Women in Jewish Law, were chaired by Vice-Presidents present and mentioned above.

Affiliate Presidents Mrs. S. Gelman, N.C.J.W. of Australia, Host Affiliate Mrs. B. Rosen, N.C.J.W. of New Zealand Mrs. E. Landa, N.C.J.W. of U.S.A.

17. PRE CONVENTION EXECUTIVE MEETING

Welcome by Dr. Herczeg, President• of ICJW : It is a pleasure to greet you here, hoping to establish a dialogue to prepare the proceedings of our forthcoming convention. The guidelines for discussion you have received will be the basis of this dialogue.

1.) Structure of ICJW :

Permanent Headquarters

It was emphasized that in our organization the affiliates are autonomous. The idea of permanent headquarters and secretariat was not approved. The President expressed her opinion that she could not imagine her being seated in Buenos Aires, with a permanent secretariat somewhere else in the world.

Historical Files

Discussion was carried regarding very old files of ICJW which could be considered of an historical nature and whether they should be filed in some permanent place. Mrs. Landa of U.S.A. offered to make inquiries as to whether they could be housed with an organization, such as the Jewish Library of Archives at the Hebrew University, in order to serve their preservation for posterity.

Responsibility of Vice-Presidents

Every Vice-President should be in charge of a standing or a Regional Committee of ICJW and chair also the ICJW affairs Committee within her National organization.

Regional Committees

In view of the fact that the Regional Committee in Europe worked outstandingly, with brilliant results, it was suggested to create other Regional Committees in the future. It was suggested that the Extension and Field Service Committee be split in two,appointing one specially for Latin America.

2.) Amendments to the By-Laws :

Several amendments suggested by the affiliates to the By-Laws Committee were submitted, and discussed, in order to get the Executive Committee's point of view on these, prior to the Convention.

3.) Ties with Israel :

ICJW has proved not only with words but also by deeds its unbounded solidarity with Israel.

18. Future Seminars

The Seminar held by ICJW in Israel amply reached its objectives, and the efforts put into its organization, especially by the affiliate in Israel, were justified by the results obtained. The Administrative Committee strongly recommends to continue with at least one Seminar in Israel each Triennium, on topics attracting especially young leadership of the affiliates.

Seat of Jewish Education Committee

A suggestion was made by our Israeli affiliate that this Committee has its permanent seat in Israel. The consensus was opposed to any permanent seat for any standing Committee.

4.) Status of Women in Jewish Law :

This Committee has been seated for two triennial periods in England and, according to the By-Laws, a Chairman cannot hold office for more than two terms. Therefore suggestions for a new chairman were invited. Mrs. Winston-Fox suggested that this committee be called "Status of Women11, which would include also the Status of Women in Jewish Law.

5.) International Jewish Bodies :

Consultative Status at Cojo :Cannot be considered at present asihe financial commitment is too heavy. World Jewish Congress : After obtaining the approval of the Executive Committee, the Administrative Committee of ICJW applied to the World Jewish Congress, to become associate member. We were accepted by the Plenary Assembly held in Jerusalem, in January 1975. Mrs. The Hacker, of Switzerland, has been appointed as ICJW representative at the Governing Board of the World Jewish Congress. Her status will be the same of our U.N. representatives and so will be a member of our Executive Committee.

6.) Future Chairmen of Committees :

It was suggested that before appointing future chairmen, there should be the security that the persons are in agreement with the appointment, and the affiliate qualified to give them their full support.

7.) Finances :

Mrs. Stich, the Treasurer, presentedher report, and many comments were made, especially regarding new items, such as increase in membership dues, which since 1966 had suffered no variation, Mrs. Stich emphasized that the collection of dues during 1972-1975, has been really outstanding ; being practically all affiliates up to date with their payments.

8.) Newsletter :

The President stated that because of the high cost of printing, only seven Newsletters, in were published. A decision was ־ spite of the scheduled 9 - both in English and in Spanish taken, that Mrs. Shirley Stich, Hon. Treasurer, investigates the possibilities of publishing the Newsletter in U.S.A., where prices of printing were probably lower than in Argentina. 19. 9.) Room Space offered by NCJW of New York

To diminish the problems of not having permanent headquarters, the National Council of Jewish Women of the U.S.A., have offered office space at their premises, with no secretarial help, to use as we consider it best. It was thought that this could be the office of our U.N. representatives in New York, and the files could be placed in same.

]0.) Evaluation of Information and Service Centre in Israel :

It was recommended that the office and the part-time secretarial help be retained and that affiliates notify the Administrative Committee of suggestions as to what they consider should be the best and most useful way in which this office could be used. This requirement is a reiteration of those done during 1972-1975, to which no 3 reply has been received by the Administrative Committee.

11.) Inter-Affiliate Travel Committee :

In view of the success of Great Britain in organizing large tours to Conventions, Seminars, etc., it was suggested to set up a Tourist Committee. SATURDAY, 26 th APRIL, 1975 ן

i OFFICIAL OPENING - SATURDAY 26 th APRIL, 1975

Held in the Great Hall, Art Centre of Victoria, St. Kilda Road Melbourne

.p.m ־ Time 7

Mrs. Sylvia Gelman, National President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia was the Chairman and welcomed.

Dr. Rosa S. de Herczeg, International President of the N.C.J.W. and Mr. Herczeg Sir John Kerr, K.C.M.G., K. St. J., Governor-General of Australia Mr. R.J. Hamer, Premier of Victoria and Mrs. Hamer Mr. Michael Elizur, Ambassador of Israel in Australia Mr. Clyde Holding, Leader of the Opposition in the State Parliament of Victoria and Mrs. Holding The Right Honorary Councillor Ronald Walker, Lord Mayor of Melboure and Mrs. Walker Mr. Natham Jacobson, President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and Mrs. Jacobson. many distinguished guests, Rabbonim and delegates.

Apologies were received from the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Gough Whitlam and Mrs. Whitlam, Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Fraser, Leader of the Opposition in the Federal Parliament, and Mrs. Alex de Rothschild. Following the Invocation, recited by Rabbi R. Lubofsky B.A. tocffts to Queen Elizabeth II and the President of the State of Israel were proposed by the Hon. Margaret Davis Member ־of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, and Mrs. Vera Cohen, M.B.E. Vice President of the I.C.J.W. Mrs. Gelman in her opening remarks introduced Mr. Walter Jona, Secretary of the Parliament of Victoria, who paid tribute to the work of the International Council of Jewish Women. He traced, briefly, its history since its inception in Rome in 1912 and when Austra lia first became an affiliate in 1923. He stressed the social and humanitarian work always carried out by the I.C J.W. and how each Triennial Convention had had as its theme a relevant and moving maxim by which the I.C.J.W. had worked. Mrs. Gelman then thanked Mr. Jona and called on the International President to deliver her address.

Dear Friends,

Let me call you this way, because I feel that all those who are gathered here to-day are bound through a deep sentiment of belonging together. Wherever I look in this impressive and beautiful surrounding I see faces of old and new friends, conveying to me in their smiles their support for this event, the 10th. Triennial Convention of International Council of Jewish Women. I salute you all and thank you for coming from far and near to be with us on this memorable occasion. 1 BRUCHIM HABAYIM I

21. hanks to the hostess affiliate, the National Council of Jewish־! My special ־Women of Austra lia, which has not spared work and efforts to make this event such a won derful reality.

During this triennium 1972-75, our organization for the first time in its history, it was founded in 1912, developed its central activities in the Southern Hemisphere, with its headquarters in Latin America, Buenos Aires (Argentina) and now its Convention here in Melbourne, Australia.

The fact that the presidencies and conventions go from continent to continent, give to our organization the real international flavour. Everyone of us, so different in many ways, because of integrating different human groups, in diverse geographical surroundings adds something to our organization.- All these contributions have shaped ICJW to its present ־status, permitting to go from strength tc strength with every Administration and each Convent ion.

day we are living in a different world from that of־We are all aware that to ־when this Administration was empowered to guide the destinies of ICJW by the Con ,1972 vention in Toronto, Canada. The world's political and economical structure has undergene a fundamental change, transferring the financial power from the civilized western countries, to the so called underdeveloped ones. At the International Forums the quantity became victorious over quality. Moral principles which have given meaning during centuries to the existence of humanity are in disarray.

We live in a world of contradictions. Whereas millions of human beings are physically and mentally ill, never before has so much money been spent on health problems and investigations. Whereas the universities all over the world are shaken by fights and threats, never before have so many young people received such a high education. Whereas so many people are dai ly victims of violence, never before has been so much prayed for peace and freedom.

In this world in turmoil an organization like ICJW must take stock for evaluating its achievements and keeping its failures in perspective ; this requires from us courageous selfsearching.

Before coming here we have done so and reached the conclusion that so many challenges faced by Israel, the outside Jewish Communities and the wo rid as a whole during these past three years, have matured our.,organization. I feel that the answer to our survival as Jews and citizens of the free world is the unbroken spirit of our people and the fact ot this gathering here of Jewish women from all parts of the world, diverse on the surface, but profoundly united by our Jewish heritage and vocation of service to all mankind, is the best proof of it.

־morrow our deliberations, to analize the accomplish־We are ready to start to ments of the past three years and plan as our Convention's theme says, for "jewish women in morrow's world". A happy coincidence made that this our Convention takes place in the־to International Women's Year, establisned by the United Nations for 1975. The first objective of this year is "equality". I would prefer to ask for equal opportunities in every field for

22. ;We women have special tasks to perform ־.men and women, since they never can be equal we give life and are entrusted with the sacred duty of keeping intact the concept of family, as the basic social unit.- So in this spirit and with this gavel made in Israel of an olive branch, symbol of peace, I hereby open the 10 th.Triennial Convention of ICJW.

Greetings and good wishes were then brought to the Convention by many of the ־distinguished guests present : the Hon. R.J. Hamer, Premier of Victoria, welcomed the de legates to Victoria, said how "the N.C.J.W. were a force in our struggle against man's inhumanity to man", and how the strong serine of family, and the generosity and their en0£ mous efforts in the field of culture had caused the Jews of this state to be an asset and a strength ; and wished the Conference well in unity and purpose. He was joined in his good wishes by the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Clyde Holding who recalled his visit to Israel and his first hand impressions of the bravery of Israeli Women. "This is an important event not only for the Jewish community, but for all the people in Melbourne", he said.

The Israeli Ambassador Mr. Michael Elizur brought greetings of the people of Israel and paid tribute to Australia, which showed such hospitality to Jewish inmigrants and ־who became a significant part in the community. "The Melbourne Jewish Community is se cond to none in public spirit and warmth", the Ambassador said.

President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Mr. Nathan Jacobson, said the Convention was an important development in Australian Comrr|jjnal life, the first international Jewish Conference held there. "Whatever is important in Hie life of a Jewish ־Woman, her family, community, the country we live in and Israel, are all aspects represen ted in the work of the I.C.J.W.", he said.

Sir John Kerr, Governor General of Australia, then delivered the Key-note address, speaking on the significance of such a conference during International Women's Year and also of women's contributions to society. "International Women's Year should not be seen as a gimmick but treated with due importance". He expressed his admiration of the work done by International Council of Jewish Women's affiliates, and finished his words congratulating Mrs. Judith Cohen on being the first woman appointed to the position of Commissioner of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Comission.

Dr. de Herczeg then introduced the heads of the delegations of each of the affiliates present who brought greetings :

Mrs. Esther Landa, President of the N.C.J.W. of the U.S.A. brought greetings from her 100,000 members, hoping that our deliberations and discussions will help to lead to a world where man can live in freedom, dignity and peace.

Mrs. Thea Hacker expended good wishes from the 28 affiliated groups of the Union of Jewish Womens Societies in Switzerland. Mrs. Leah Rosettenstein brought her message from the it).000 members of the Union of Jewish Women of South Africa.

Mrs. R. Rosen congratulated the Convention from the 400 members of the Union of Jewish Women of New Zealand.

Mrs. Rosita Rosenblum extended good wishes from the Mexican Council of Jewish Women, and Mrs. Dahlia Gottan, the lone delegate from Israel spoke movingly of the strength, ־pioneering spirit and loyalty of the women of Israel and of their understanding and appre ciation of the women of the Galut.

־Mrs. Samson of Bombay India and Mrs, ftozan of France also gave greetings of their organiza tions.

Mrs. Edith Noble, of the League of Jewish Women of United Kingdom, proud of the fact that she headed a delegation of nearly 50 women spoke of the work being done in her country and throughout the world.

Mrs. E. Goldenberg of the N.C.J.W. of Canada and Mrs. Clara Pechersky of the Consejo Argentino de Mujeres Israelitas, Argentina both conveyed good wishes.

Mrs. Mjna Fink was the last delegate to bring greetings from the Host country of Australia.

Mrs. Ruth Winston Fox of United Kingdom in her inimitable manner added levity to the proceedings in her vote of thanks to the Governor General. She presented him with a certifi- cate for a tree planted in Israel in his name..

The evening concluded with the benschen intoned by Rabbi John Levi and the singing of the Hatikvah and G'd Save the Queen. SUNDAY, 27 th APRIL, 1975

SUNDAY MORNING, 27 th APRIL, AT 9 a.m.

OPENING SESSION OF THE CONVENTION

Dr. Rosa de Herczeg welcomed all those present and transmitted greetings from : The Jewish National Fund of Australia and New Zealand ; The Union of Jewish Women of ־New Zealand ; W.I.Z.O. State Council of New Wales ; O.S.E. Victoria Women's Interna tional League for Peace and Freedom, Australia Session ; Mrs. T. Eshel, I.C.J.W. Israeli Vice-President ; Mrs. Wolff, President of the Jewish Women's Group, Sweden ; Mrs. Brinis, Youth Aliyah, London ; Mrs. Solomon, Bnei Israel, India ; Secretary-General World Jewish Congress, Geneva ; Mrs. Reubens, l.C.J.W. Honorary Vice-President ; Mrs. Plaut, I.C.J.W. United Nation Alternate Representative in New York ; Mrs. Beck, l.C.J.W. United Nation ״Alternate in Geneva ; Mrs. Blum, l.C.J.W. Representative U.N.E.S.C.O. Paris ; Liga Femi nina Israelite Do Brazil.

Dr. de Herczeg called on Mrs. Eleanor Marvin, Chairman of Rules, to present The Rules for the Convention.

Mrs. Marvin then presented the Credential report, Roll Call, and Rules for the Convention.

RULES FOR THE CONVENTION

I CATEGORY OF ATTENDANCE

a) Officers b) Honorary Officers c) Chairmen of standing and special committees d) Affiliate Delegates e) Affiliate Alternates f) Official members of delegation (these are members of affiliates above the number of .(non-voting ־ delegates and 12 alternates 12 affiliated countries and groups who are־g) Official Observers (representatives of non invited to attend - non-voting). h) Visitors (members of the hostess affiliate, above the number of 12 delegates and 12 alternates - non-voting). i) Associate Members (non-voting)

II CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE

The Credentials Committee at the first business session of the Convention shall report the number of members present with the proper credentials and registered, and it shall make supplementary reports each day.

25. Ill VOTING BODY

: he following have one vote in their own right־a) Each of i 1) Officers 2) Honorary Officers 3) Chairmen of standing and special committees b) Each affiliate shall have 12 votes except where more than one affiliate operates in a country such affiliates shall have a combined vote which shall be equivalent to those allotted to any other affiliate (12). Each affiliate shall cast its 12 votes as a unit or separately, in accordance with ijsown decision. c) An alternate may vote only in the absence of a voting delegate of her affiliate. d) No one shall vote in more than one capacity.

IV. RULES GOVERNING VOTING BODY a) The Voting Body shall have the rights of the floor. b) Members of the Voting Body and alternates shall be seated together in the front of the auditorium. Members of the Voting Body shall wear badges at all meetings. c) A Delegate or other member of the Voting Body wishing the floor shall state name and affiliation. d) Not more than one Delegate from each affiliate shall speak on any one subject until all affiliates have had the opportunity of speaking if so desired. e) Only members of the Voting Body may introduce motions and resolutions.

V RULES GOVERNING CATEGORIES OTHER THAN VOTING BODY

voting members of delegations, official observers, and visitors who wish to speak־a) Non may do so only at the invitation of the President who must have received the request in advance of sessions. The request should include name, country and subject for discussion. Members of affiliates must have the consent of the president of her affiliate, or head of the affiliate delegation. b) No one outside of the Voting Body may have the rights of the floor until those of the Voting Body have completed their discussion, and then only at the discretion of the President.

VI QUORUM

thirds of the Affiliates registered at־ A majority of voting members representing at least two the Convention shall constitute a quorum.

VII MOTIONS

All motions bearing the names of the proposer and seconder, shall be handed to the secretary in writing immediately after being put forward.

26. VIII LIMITATION OF TIME a) A timekeeper shall be appointed by the President for each meeting. It shall be the duty of the timekeeper to indicate to each speaker the expiration of time allowed. b) The proposer of a motion or a resolution shall be limited to three minutes and have the privilege of a final reply. c) Each subsequent speaker shall be limited to two minutes.

IX RESOLUTIONS AND RESOLUTION AMENDMENTS a) Resolutions and Resolution amendments shall require a two-thirds vote of the Voting Body present for adoption. b) Editing of new Resolutions and amendments to Resolutions shall be referred to the Resolutions Committee for re-drafting and re-presentation to the Convention at the President's discretion. c) Resolutions and/or amendments to Resolutions received too late for their circulation to the affiliates six months prior to the Convention (as required by the By-Laws, article V, section 2, paragraph e) may be brought to the notice of the Convention on the recommendation of the Resolutions Committee and considered by the Convention provided there is a two-thirds majority vote of the Voting Body present that they shall be so considered.

X BY-LAWS AND BY-LAW AMENDMENTS a) By-Laws and By-Law amendments shall require a two-thirds vote of the Voting Body present for adoption. b) Editing of new By-Law and amendments to By-Laws shall be referred to the By-Laws Committee for re-drafting and re-presentation to the Convention at the President's discretion. c) By-Laws and/or amendments to By-Laws received too late for their circulation to the affiliates six months prior to the Convention (as required by the By-Laws, article IX, paragraph b) may be brought to the notice of the Convention on the recommendation of the By-Laws Committee and considered by the Convention provided there is a two-thirds majority vote of the Voting Body present that they should be so considered.

* * * * *

27. ROLL CALL

OFFICERS :

PRESIDENT Dra. Rosa S. de Herczeg Argentina

HON. VICE-PRESIDENT Mrs, Isabelle Brown U.S.A.

VICE-PRESIDENTS Mrs. Vera Cohen, M.B.E. Australia

Mrs. Rosa Rosenblum Mexico

Mrs. Leah Rosettenstein South Africa

Mrs. Thea Hacker Switzerland Extension and Field ־ Chairman) Services) Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox, J.P : Status of Women in ־ Chairman) Jewish Law) Mrs. Ann Robison : U.S.A. (Chairman - Resolutions)

TREASURER Mrs. Shirley Stich U.S.A.

TREASURER OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE frof. Clara Pechersky Argentina

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Mrs. Edith Noble United Kingdom (Community Services) Mrs. Dahlia Gottan Israel (Jewish Education) Mrs. Phyllis Rosenfeld U.S.A. (United Nations Affairs, New York)

CREDENTIAL REPORT

CATEGORY No. REGISTERED Officers 9 Hon. Officers 1 Chairmen of Standing Committees 3 Delegates 46 Alternates 24 Members of Delegation (without votes) 114 TOTAL 197 28. All rules were passed unanimously with no questions or discussion.

Dr. de Herczeg expressed her grief for the loss in the last Triennial Period of four devoted and beloved leaders of ICJW.

She called upon Mrs. Thea Hacker to pay Tribute to the late Mrs. Vera Dreyfus de Gunzburg.

Let us remember today Vera Dreyfus de Gunzburg to whose untiring efforts much of the growth of this organisation is due.

Many of us remember this great lady with deep respect and consider it a privilege to have war Paris in 1949־known her. Vera was among the six founding members of l.C.J.W. in post and a Vice President of l.C.J.W. until 1969. For many years she was responsible for the admission of new affiliates. When she retired in 1969 l.C.J.W. had grown from the original six to 23 affiliates in 19 countries. This growth was in most cases a direct result of her efforts.

Her interest was not confined to l.C.J.W. alone and came from a long tradition of work for the community.

She was president of the Swiss Affiliate from 1947 until 1968 and served on the board of several other Jewish organisations. Vera was the first Jewish woman who was invited in Switzerland to sU on the Board of the Council of Women.

At the invitation of Vera Dreyfus de Gunzburg the 1960 Triennial Convention took place in ־Basel and the gracious reception given to the delegates in her beautiful home is well remem bered. Once more did she offer her hospitality to the delegates of the first European Confe- rence in 1971, but it was to be her last contact with many of us. Her quietly modest manner and her intelligent, analytical mind were of great value to her work and her co-workers. Vera Dreyfus de Gunzburg's deeds are inscribed in the annals of l.C.J.W., her memory lives in the hearts of her friends.

Mrs. Isabelle Brown was then called upon to pay tribute to the late Mrs. Mary Japhet of Bombay, India.

"Mary Japheth passed away in the very flower of her life.

She was a beautiful, kind, thoughtful young woman. Her quiet, lovely, yet vibrant manner endeared her to all whose lives she so gracefully touched.

Her life was a blessing to her family and her people. Her sweet spirit will live on in the memories of those who loved her, and whose lives were strengthened by her friendship.

Mary gave unstintingly of herself in the fine volunteer service which she rendered to the worthy projects of the Bene Israel Stree Mandal of which she was the secretary. We knew her well. She was a delegate to our Conventions in London, Jerusalem and in Toronto. We miss her here.

Madame Chairman, I move that this Memorial Tribute to the memory of Mary Japhet be spread upon the Minutes of this Convention, and that a copy be sent to her husband, Maurice Japhet, and to Dr. Ruby Solomon, the President of the Bene Israel Stree Mandal". 29. Mrs. Clara de Pechersky was then called upon to pay tribute to the late Mrs. Felisa de Kohan

President־Vice־I have been asked to speak in memoriam of Felisa Favelukes de Kohan, past" and past-President of CAMI ,־ of International Council of Jewish Women, from I960 1966 (Consejo Argentino de Mujeres Israelitas) from 1956 to I960. It's not easy for me to speak about her, we worked together all these years, and she was the one that influenced me, as thousands of others - and it's not an exageration- to work in the Argentine Council of Jewish Women.

Because of her outstanding service in Argentina, the National Council of Jewish Women of U.S.A. granted Mrs. Kohan a leader fellowship, which gave her an opportunity to observe the most advanced techniques in social welfare, which she divulged, and applied on her return to Argentina.

Seconded by a group of ladies, imbued with her enthusiasm, she founded the Silver Age Club, this became a pilot enterprise in Latin America. She also was.the one that started training courses for volunteers in Argentina.

Some unfortunate circumstances prevented Felisa from working with us the last years of her life, but she summarized the experience she accumulated in twelve years of intense dedication to social welfare, in two very interesting books.

History many times overpasses individuals, but history is made by individuals, of a special kind of individuals, Felisa was one of them. I want to apply to her some words that impressed me very much : An eagle can fly sometimes as low as a hen, but a hen can never fly like an eagle. And Felisa was an eagle.

Many of the women here present knew her outstanding personality.

She passed away in Buenos Aires on the 5th. of June 1973."

Mrs. Vera Cohen M.B.E. of Australia then paid tribute to the memory of the late Dr. Fanny Reading M.B.E.

"Madam International President, Delegates, Members and Visitors to the 10th Triennial Convention of the International Council of Jewish Women.

This morning at the Opening Session I stand here in a dual role, a Vice-President Of ICJW, and a Past National President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, to pay tribute to a woman whose influence spread far beyond her own Country, and one whose life and dedication made her an oustanding personality in World Jewry.

I want to remember Dr. Fanny Reading, MBE, as she was when she first came into our lives over 50 years ago. She had read enthusiastically about Henrietta Szold as a Zionist woman leader, and of Hannah Solomon who founded the National Council of Jewish Women of the United States.

30. Fanny Reading dreamt• of combinig the work of these two great women. Thus was born the three-fold plan for a National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, working for Zionism, Jewish causes in Australia, and Non-Jewish causes in Australia. She taught women throughout Australia to be ready to answer any need as if arose, especially the work for Jewish migrants, and for every cause to help the War effort. When Immigration was at its peak, Council met ships, trains and planes, cared for those in Transit, and encouraged the others to integrate into the Australian way of life. I could enumerate many ideas that were initiated and developed by Dr. Fanny's brilliant brain, but I would like to stress my knowledge of Dr. Fanny as a woman, as well as a leader. She was a very successful Dr. of Medicine, though her first love was music, in which she held a degree from the Melbourne University, but uppermost in her mind was always how best could she serve humanity.

In 1949 representatives from six countries met in Paris and drew up the Constitution which re-established the International Council of Jewish Women on its present basis, Australia being one of the six countries, and our own Dr. Fanny Reading was elected a Vice-President, which position she held with distinction, for 20 years.

In 1957 as National President of Australia, I accompanied Dr. Fanny to the International Council of Jewish Women's Convention in Israel, and this Convention was certainly highlighted by her presence, and there she renewed friendships made through years of correspondence.

I feel almost as a daughter of Dr. Fan, affectionately known to so many thousands of men, women and children.

My association with her over 45 years is a memorable one, as she steered me on the road which lead me to the President of the Local Charities Committee, then the New South Wales State Presidency, culminating in my 12 years as National President and 6 years as Vice- President of the International Council of Jewish Women.

Today we witness another one of Dr. Fanny's dreams come true, the meeting of 25 Affiliates of the International Council of Jewish Women at the 10th Triennial Convention, here in Melbourne, Australia, the country she loved and served so magnificiently for over 50 years.

MAY HER DEAR SOUL REST IN PEACE.

Please be upstanding and join me in two minutes silence to the cherished memory

Mrs. Vera Dreyfus de Gunzburg Mrs. Mary Japhet Mrs. Felisa F. de Kohan Dr. Fanny Reading M.B.E. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

1972 - 1975

Dra. Rosa S. de Herczeg

herewith to the deliberating body of the 10th Triennial Convention of the ־I submit International Council of Jewish Women the report on three years of activities of our organization, since I and my Administrative Committee were empowered by the Convention in Toronto to guide the destinies of I.C .J.W. during the triennial period 1972-1975.

I am afraid you will have to listen to-day to facts you are already aware of, because we tried to keep you posted on all our endeavours by the minutes of 19 Administrative Committee meetings and the report of our Mid-Term Executive meeting.

First of all I have the deep satisfaction to report that in spite of many difficulties and mishaps which have taken place during 1972-1975, all the events scheduled by I.C.J.W. for this triennial period were fulfilled.

These years have been troubled times for the whole world bringing fundamental changes on all levels. As an International Organization we were faced with many challenges because of the situation of our communities in the Gola, but specially the situation of our brethren in countries where they are deprived of the most elemental Human Rights, and on their behalf our voice was raised at the highest International Forums.

Israel

The afflictive events which have taken place in the Medina during my term in office have been a source of great concern to all of us living in the outside communities. It was more important than ever to let feel Israel by words and deeds of our unbounded solidarity, because in the tragic moments their only real allies were and are the Jews throughout the world.

Inmmediately after the Yom Kippur war I travelled to Israel to present l.C.J.W. ,s expression of solidarity. I always feel that it was the most timely visit of my life. I was received in private audiences by Mrs. Golda Meir, then Prime Minister, and Mrs. Nina Katzir, First Lady of Israel.

Part of our reserve funds were put in Israeli bonds.

Our seminar on Jewish Identity in the Modern World from the point of view of the woman and mother, organized by our Israeli affiliate, the Council of Women Organizat- ions in Israel, with the co-operation of the World Zionist Organization through its department of 11Organization and Information" and the Martin Buber Center for adult

32. education of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, was the culmination of our aim to stamp ־in the minds and souls of our affiliates the consciousness and the necessity for Jewish educ ation of adult woman. This seminar was a great success because of the attendance (about 60 personas from 11 countries), the high level of the lectures, which you can judge by the publication issued and at your disposal here, but especially because our aim to establish a constructive dialogue amongst Jewish women of Israel and the Galut regarding the important role all of us have to play for the survival of Judaism, was amply accomplished.

Strengthening our ties with Israel, encouraging our affiliates to give their support to efforts directed toward fostering its development in every field and securing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, are included in our resolutions and by-law which will be submitted to you by the Chairman of the Resolution Committee.

Communications.

The communication with our affiliates has been a major problem in the past. This is one of the main '1raison d'etre" of I.C.J.W. Through our organization our affiliates have to tell each other of their accomplishments, projects and problems, looking for solutions.

This network has worked specially well during this administration. The Administrative Committee has sent out, besides the minutes of its meetings, 65 bulletins. These dealt with announcements, information and crisis, such as the tax on the Diplomas established by the Soviet Union, the Munich massacre, the situation of Jews living in Syria and Iraq, the admission of PLO as observer to the United Nations and to its leader to address the General Assembly, and the Sanctions in UNESCO against Israel, when cables and letters were sent to the Secretary General of the United Nations, the authorities of the Olympic Games and the Director of UNESCO voicing l.C.J.W's grief and protest against injury of elemental human rights and the arbitrary actions taken against Israel.

The response of our affiliates, organizing all kinds of events on behalf of our brethren in the Soviet Union and the Arab States has been extraordinary. In the campaign of protest because of the sanctions of UNESCO against Israel, several of our affiliates have been the co-ordinating organ in their communities.

The other and principal vehicle of communication for I.C.J.W. is the Newsletter. Seven issues were published during my term in office, all in two languages : English and Spanish. Because of the huge quantity of information we were receiving from our affiliates, we had ״to increase the number of pages to 12, from 4 or the maximum of 8, which it used to cont ain before. Most of our affiliates sent in regularly reports about their activities, being the exception those who did not keep us posted.

־For the brochure we have edited during the first year of our Administration, we receiv ed up to date information from all our affiliates, without any exception.

Another method of communication is the Regional Workshop Conference. Two of these gatherings have taken place during this Administration, both proved to be very successful and made us feel the usefulness of these events of regional context. In Mexico the 4th Latin American Workshop masterfully organized by our affiliate, the Consejo Mexiccrno de Mujeres

33. Julias, took place in April, 1974, adopting as central theme "The Jewish Women and the Surrounding World". The program was elaborated on Social Voluntary Service, always referring to Jewish Ethics. Besides the Delegates from l.C.J.W. Latin-American affiliates, representations of all Jewish women organizations of Mexico have participated.

In November, 1974, the 2nd European Conference of l.C.J.W. and its European Comm- ittee sponsored by our French Affiliate the Co-operation Feminine has taken place in Paris. ־An attendance above all expectation from practically all our European Affiliates have part icipated, listening to the lectures of the highest level and taking active part in the Workshops guided with professional skill by our leaders.

I want to express to the host affiliates of both regional gatherings my most sincere congratulations and gratitude for bringing these events to such a wonderful reality. Your ־President had the privilege to participate in both of these regional gatherings, and invit ation to celebrate the forthcoming Regional Conferences, God willing, in 1977, was accepted from the Consejo Uruguayo de Mujeres Judias, Uruguay (Latin-America), and the League of Jewish Women, Great Britain (Europe).

Jewish Education

This Administration has committed itself to dedicate the past Triennium to the Jewish Education of Adult Women. The Israeli Seminar, highlight of my term in office, dealt with Jewish Identity from the point of view of the woman and mother. A program to give a general knowledge on the principles of Judaism and a basic bibliography was prepared by our Argentine affiliate and endorsed during our Mid-term Executive meeting by the chairman of l.C.J.W. Jewish Education Committee, to be adopted by our affiliates as a guide for courses of Jewish Adult Education. Your.President has strongly insisted on this subject in all her field trips, with the promising result that several of our affiliates have started the pertinent courses.

The chairmen of the different l.C.J.W. Standing Committees have prepared their reports ־on their activities, which you will lister?1 to during the corresponding sessions, so I only ment ion the subjects in a summarized and general way.

Status of Women in Jewish Law.

During the Mid-Term Executive meeting held in Israel in May, 1974, your President, the Chairman of this Committee and the President of our Israeli affiliate, were granted int- ־erviews with the Chief Rabbis Ovadia Joseph and Shlomo Goren. Copies of the original Pet ition signed on behalf of more than a million Jewish women throughout the world in 1966 and presented to the then Chief Rabbis in Israel in 1969, were now handed over with an Addendum, putting up to date all the problems. There is the same aim at different tactics. Once again we tried to interest the supreme religious authorities in this our concern, offering the help of our affiliates to solve individual problems, cooperating with their local rabbinical authorities.

Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox will refer amply to this subject. The result of our interview with the Chief Rabbis was not too encouraging, but the only thing we can do to further our aims is continue insisting. 34. ־Jewish women thr ־Our campaign during all these years have accomplished : (1) thai oughout the world have been awakened to the need for greater knowledge about the rights and problems of women in Jewish Law ; (2) that leading orthodox rabbis, after interviews with I.C.J.W. leadership, have expressed understanding and promised co-operation for our endeavours in this area.

I personally have had during this triennial period constructive interchange of opinions with rabbinical authorities in South Africa, Rhodesia, Great Britain, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina.

United Nations

A special session of this Convention will be dedicated to the United Nations and the International Women's Year, established by same for 1975, happy coincidence with the ־10th Convention of I.C.J.W. The same day, April, the 30th, will mark I.C.J.W.'s Internat ional Women's year day designated by this Administration, date for which we required all our affiliates to organize special celebrations of this international event.

Here I should like to pay tribute to our dedicated representatives at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Geneva, Paris and at the Council of Europe in Strassbourg. To keep the affiliates fully informed about all the happenings of special interest to I.C.J.W., has been more than a full-time job for our representatives. It has meant attendance at an unb- elievable number of meetings, the careful preparations of reports and statements which were submitted to the different commissions. >

During this triennial I.C.J.W. Status at the UNESCO was uplifted and it was admitted to the category of '1Information and Consultative Relations11 (category B).

All of us know that during these past three years afflictive facts, specially against Israel, have taken place at the international forums. I.C.J.W. has raised its voice of energetic protest at every occasion, and even considered the question whether under the present circumstances I.C.J.W. as a Jewish NGO should continue or not being represented at the United Nations and its specialized agencies. After many consultations we reached the conclusion, as other Jewish NGO's did, that our presence now is more necessary than ever, trying to bring back these forums to the principles which are their '1raison d'etre".

I.C.J.W. Present at International Events.

We made every effort that I.C.J.W. should be present through delegates or observers at every international event connected with Jewish problems and our activities, so I.C.J.W. was represented :

Geneva-Switzerland : June 1972 - WINGO (Women's International Non Governmental Organization) Mrs. Alfred Rubens (England) chaired the meeting, assisted by Mesdames H. Levy and S. Solender. Stockholm/ Sweden : June 1972 - Unilled Nations Conference on Human Environment Mesdames Gladys Wolff and Margot Friedman (Sweden) and Councillor Fink (Australia).

־Buenos Aires, Argentina : August 1972 - United Nations Latin American Non-Govern Dra. Rosa S. de Herczeg and our affiliates from Argentina and Mexico ־ mental Conference attended through Dr. Yedlin and Mrs. Lasky respectively.

־Mrs. Sara B. de Breit ־ Organization of American States : Integral Education of Women man represented, as observer, the Argentine Council and l.C.J.W.

Regional Conference of the International Council of ־ Lima, Peru : November 1972 Women sponsored by the National Council of Women of Peru. Mrs. Tamar Eshel (Israel) ־attended in a double capacity representing l.C.J.W. and the Council of Women's Organi zation of Israel.

Paris, France : November 1972 - Second European Community Forum of the European Council of Jewish Community Services - l.C.J.W. was represented through its affiliate in France, the Co-operation Feminine. They were in charge of the Workshop '1The Community ־and the Family 1985'1, having attended also Mesdames Braynis (England) and Hacker (Switz erland).

Strasbourgf France : October 1972 - Council of Europe. Our Representative, Mrs. Warburg, attended the 15th Meeting of International Organizations interested in questions relating to Human Rights.

London^ England : January 1973 - European Conference of the World Jewish Congress Mesdames Braynis, Kathleen Levy and Sylvia Appleby acted as our observers. Mrs. Hacker was present as delegate from the Swiss Board of Deputies and as l.C.J.W. Vice-President

th Anniversary of־ Vienna, Austria : June-July 1973 - The 20th Triennial Meeting 85 the International Council of Women. Mrs. Tamar Eshel (Israel) represented l.C.J.W.

Geneva, Switzerland : July 1973 - WINGO's Meeting, attended by Mrs. Thea Hacker.

Genevaf Switzerland : July 1973 - Rabbinical Symposium on the Halacha, sponsored by the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture. Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox attended as l.C.J.W. observer. Mrs. Shamsi Hekmat, responsible President of our affiliate of Iran was also present.

London, England : July 1973 - UN Seminar on "The Family in a Changing Society". Our then Vice-President, Mrs. Braynis, the President of our English affiliate Mrs. Noble, and Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox represented l.C.J.W.

San Re mo ,Italy : August 1973 - UN Seminar on "Youth and Human Rights". Yolanda Ottolenghi, then in charge of l.C.J.W. affairs in our Italian affiliate, represented our organization.

Sydney, Australia : October 1973 - Regional Conference of the International Council of Women, Mrs. Bernard Cohen (Australia) represented I.C J.W.

36. ־Seminar organized by CONDECOORD : (Coordinating Council of Private Welfare Org anizations) and CAESPO (Argentine Council of Education for the Health of the Population) -November 1973. Mrs. Sara B. de Breitman, I.C.J.W. Vice-Pres ־ (Buenos Aires (Argentina ident and President of the Argentine Council of Jewish Women attended this event.

London, England : Breakfast with the then Prime Minister of Israel, Mrs. Golda Meir for leaders of major organizations in Great Britain. Attended by Mrs. Braynis, Mrs. Rubens Vice-President) and Mrs. Noble (President of our affiliate in Great ־ I.C.J.W. Honorary) Britain).

Strasbourg, France : November 1973 - The V. Seminar on International Voluntary Service attended by Mrs. Miriam Warburg, I.C.J.W. representative with the Council of Europe.

Thirteenth International Congress of the Int. Federation of Business and Professional .Your President attended as observer ־ August 1974 ־ (Women, Buenos Aires (Argentina

U.N. Seminar on "National Machinery to accelerate the Integration of Women in : Canada ־ Development and to Eliminate Discrimination on Grounds of Sex". Ottawa Mrs. Ethel Bloom, President of the Ottawa section of the NationaP ־ November 1974 Council of Jewish Women of Canada, represented I.C.J.W. as well as Mrs. Lilian Gersman, Councillor.

־ Meetings of the Council of European Community Services - London : October 1974 Mrs. Vera Braynis, correspondent of I.C.J.W. European Committee, attended.

Mrs. R. Baum of the Union of Jewish Women ־ Brussels Conference : November 1974 of Belgium represented I.C.J.W.

.Mrs ־ Jerusalem : February 1975 ־ WIZO Celebration of International Women's Year Pnina Herzog (Israel) represented I.C.J.W.

.February 1975 - Mrs ־ 6th Plenary Assembly of World Jewish Congress. Jerusalem Pninq Herzog (Israel)and Mrs. Winston Fox (Great Britain) were I.C.J.W.'s delegates at this important gathering of world Jewry.

All these representations are in addition to the excellent attendance at the regular UN meetings (ECOSOC, UNICEF and UNESCO) held in New York (attended by Mesdames Harold Rosenfeld/ I. Lee Levy, Roy Plaut, Benjamin Abraham and Fabiann Crystal. In Ge- neva (first by Mesdames S. Solender and H.~ Levy, and our new delegates Mrs. Louise Beck and Mrs. Selma Shaffer),and in Paris (Mrs. Tania Blum).

We obtained the collaboration of young brilliant women, what we consider a real accomplishment. Joining International Jewish Bodies.

Many times the necessity of being present in all Jewish events was considered, in other words to be on the map in the Jewish world. While keeping our identity as independent ־world organization, we cannot be divorced from other Jewish bodies, which are much inv olved in the destiny of our brethren in difficult areas. We have to participate in events, where this and other Jewish problems are discussed. At the Mid-Term Executive Meeting held in Jerusalem in May 1974, the following recommendation was made :

־To apply at once for consultative status at COJO provided it does not involve financ (1) ial obligations ;

(2) Re. World Jewish Congress, in order to join as associated member, the President was empowered to make the necessary investigation with WJC authorities to obtain answer to the questions raised by our UN representatives in New York as follows :

(a) Will we be able to retain our own identity?

(b) Will this cost I.C.J.W. money, and can we afford this?

(A) Will we be bound by statements made by WJC and action taken on specific issues?

(B) If we have a contrary point of view, can we express our view publicly, or must we remain silent?

(C) Can I.C.J.W. take an independent stand on issues on which WJC remains silent? (especially in the field of women's rights).

(D) What if I.C.J.W. makes statements which we judge to be political in import and could affect consultative status?

The reply received will be circulated among the members of our Excecutive Committee. For their reaction a deadline will be established, and in case of receiving a positive answer from the majority, the President will take action applying for associate membership at the ״WJC

Your President on this special purpose travelled to Geneva to interview the Secretary General of the World Jewish Congress Dr. Gerhart Riegner, presenting all these queries. This interview was also attended by our UN representative in Geneva, Mrs. Beck. A very satisfactory reply was received to each and every one of the questions.,This was circulated among the members of our Executive Committee, and after obtaining the affirmative answer ־of the majority, the formal application to become an associate member of WJC was present ־ed. Now I have the pleasure to inform you that I.C.J.W. has been accepted by the 6th Plen ary Assembly of WJC held in Jerusalem last February, and will be represented by :

(a) 1 member on the Governing Board ; 38. (b) 1 to 3 members on the General Council, which would include representation by one member each on the regional Executive Branches in Europe, North America and South America ;

־c) 5 delegates (with the possibility of appointing 5 alternate delegates) to the Plen) ary Assembly.

We have no financial commitments with WJC but the travelling expenses of our delegates have to be born by l.C.J.W. or personally by the interested parties.

This Administration has not continued with the efforts to obtain consultative status with C.O.J.O. because their financial requirements were above our possibilities.

President's Travels.

I always believed that the first field worker of l.C.J.W. must be its'President. This principle was put into action during this administration. You have received a detailed report on each of my trips, so here I only want to mention the women's groups affiliated or not to l.C.J.W; where I had "person to person" contact during my term in office.

Peru : Attended in 1974 the Latin American Conference of the World Jewish Congress ״and contacted leaders of Jewish and non Jewish organizations of Peru, Colombia and Ven ezuela. »

Uruguay : Our affiliate the Consejo Uruguayo de Mujeres Judias.

South Africa and Rhodesia : Our affiliate, the Union of Jewish Women of South Africa, their branches in Capetown, Shellenbosh, Port Elisabeth, Uitenhague, Durban, Johannesburg and Salisbury, received civic hospitality in all the places visited and was welcome ; besides the overwhelming hospitality of our affiliate, also by other women's organizations and the Boards of Deputf es.

England : Attended the General Assembly on the 30th Anniversary of our affiliate the League of Jewish Women in London, and had meetings with' the International Committees seated in that country.

Switzerland : In May 1973 addressed a public meeting in Baal, organized by our affiliate, the Union of Jewish Women's Societies and in October 1974 attended their fiftieth Anniversary.

Israel : Visited several times the Medina* Chaired l.C.J.W. Mid-Term Executive Meeting and participated in our Seminar on "Jewish Identity" organized by the Council of Women Organizations in Israel.

Italy : In Genoa our affiliate, the Association Donne Ebree d'ltalia (Adei WIZO) organized a public meeting where I addressed the audience.

־U.S.A. : Attended the opening and working sessions of the Board Meeting of our affil iate the N.CJ.W. וי Mexico and France : Participated in the Regional Conferences which have taken place in their midst.

New Zealand : Visited our affiliate, the Union of Jewish Women in Wellington.

Had constructive dialogues with our representatives at the UN and UNESCO in New York, Geneva and Paris and at the Council of Eurojpe.

During my travels I tried to bring nearer to I.C.J.W. Jewish women groups in Austria, Hungary and Holland. In the latter, and I believe because of I.C.J.W. 's endeavours during many years, a Federation of Jewish Women Organizations was established at the end of last year.

I have on my agenda to visit after this Convention, branches of our Australian affiliate in Canberra and Sydney ; I.C.J.W. affiliates in Hong Kong (The Jewish Women's Association); in Bombay (India, the Bene Israel Stree Mandal); in Iran, the Jewish Ladies' Committee of Iran, and once again our affiliate in Israel.

Extension.

In spite of the very organized field work of our Extension and Field Service Committee, we only can report on the incorporation of Associate Members in Portugal. We do hope that the attendance by observers of our 2nd European Regional Conference, from Holland, ־Denmark and Ireland, will bring into I.C.J; W's ranks Jewish women groups from these coun tries in the near future.

The Team that did the Job.

I was fortunate to count upon the active collaboration of a wonderful team of women. Present and past leadership of I.C.J.W. officers and chairmen of committees gave their ־precious time, their profound knowledge and sound advice helping me to fulfill the en ormous responsibility of guiding the destinies of I.C.J.W.

The Administrative Committee in Buenos Aires shared with me in the most efficient way the load of conducting the business of the organization. The effectiveness of each and every one of its members rendered possible my frequent absences from our headquarters, covering the Buenos Aires team all pending matters. Our Argentine affiliate, the Consejo Argentino de Mujeres Israelitas, gave us all their support.

During my term in office, the I.C.J.W. Vice President for Great Britain and Chairman ־of the European Committee, Mrs. Vera Braynis, has handed in her resignation for both off ices because of taking over a full-time professional job. The resignation of such a valuable . and long-standing worker was much regretted, but we were fortunate that outstanding leaders like Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox and Thea Hacker have accepted the offices of Vice-President and Chairman of the European Committee, respectively.

Our By-Laws require the retirement of Vice-Presidents after a designated term of years of service. Several of our Vice-Presidents are not eligible to be renominated this time. All

40. of them have given the best of themselves to the organization, and I am sure that besides their activity in their national organizations, they will be available for consultation and I.O.J.W. field work when and wherever it is required.

Finances.

One of#my predecessors has stated that l.C.J.W. budget is according to the old Yiddish too much for dying". I would say that this is a sore point of ־ adage "not enough for living every administration and has become an overwhelming problem during my term in office, ־because of the galloping world inflation, especially high in Argentina, seat of the last adm iriistration. The present revenues are under the operating expenses and is out of question any budgetary provision for publications, field trips or any project to fulfil our aims of ־Jewish Education, etc. Many attempts have been made during this triennial period to sec ure besides the membership fees of our affiliates, other kind of contributions.

We were only successful in obtaining contributions for the publication of the proceedings of our Seminar on "Jewish Identity" from the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, the South American Office of the American Jewish Committee and several of our leaders.

We were eager to make this publication and render so the possibility to our affiliates ־to become acquainted with a summary of the wonderful lectures which were delivered dur ing the Seminar.

Our Treasurer will submit to you a new schedule of membership fees which will help future administrations to overcome, at least in the operating expenses, the present difficulties.

1975 Convention.

This Convention which you are attending here, is the result of three years of careful preparation, where no efforts were spared by an extraordinary team of Australian women, to bring it to such a wonderful reality.

You know that the Convention Chairman, Mrs. Mina Fink, and the President of our hostess affiliate, Mrs. Sylvia Gelman, have undertaken several transcontinental trips, visiting our affiliates throughout the world, to promote this event. Many of the delegates who day were convinced by the eloquent words of these Convention Heralds that־are with us to "Australia is not too far away".

־I extend not only the thanks of I.C J.W. but my personal gratitude as well to the Nat ional Council of Jewish Women of Australia, for bringing us to this fascinating continent and giving such an outstanding culmination to our term in office.

־To be your President during these past three years has been the most rewarding exper ience of my life. I confess that I never realized before that it could be such an absorbing and full-time job, but I am really happy that I could face this challenge, performing all the duties pertinent to the office.

I want to emphasize that above all I treasure the personal contact with our affiliates. It Is difficult to give adequate expression to the gratitude I feel towards all those who have 41. received me with such an overwhelming hospitality and friendship, which I dearly hope will last through time and space.

I and my Administrative Committee tried to do our best to further l.C.J.W. aims, but whatever l.C.J.W. accomplished through out the world is the result of the dedicated effort, interest and enthusiasm of all our affiliates who really give life to the organization.

So it is up to you to make suggestions, enabling future Administrations to succeed where we could have failed.

The President's report was duly moved, seconded and passed unanimously.

Mrs. Landa (U.S.A.) Mrs. Vera Cohen (Australia) Mrs. Hacker (Switzerland) and Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox (United Kingdom) all expressed, on behalf of their delegates and affiliates the appreciation of all for the wonderful work and report of the President.

Dra. de Herczeg, on resuming the chairmanship, called on Mrs. Stich/ the treasurer, to .her report ׳present

THE TREASURER'S REPORT

This Financial Statement covers a period of only 35 moths : May 1, 1972 to March 31 1975. The report includes monies advanced for this Convention, and also includes some income received and expenses incurred by the previous Administration (1969-1972). The estimated operating •expenses for the month of April, 1975 and the balance of monies reserved for the 1975 Convention have been tentatively deducted to arrive at an anticipated balance as of April 30, 1975 when the Triennial fiscal period officially closes.

Balance as of May 1, 1972 $ 29,29UG4 Add : Dues Collected for 1971-1972 150.00 29,441.04

Less : Disbursements for 1972 Convention 1,115.86 Disbursements for 1969-1972 Triennial 119.65 ADJUSTED BALANCE May 1, 1972 28,205.53

Total Receipts from Current Operations 34,991.83 Net Expenditures for Current Operations 26,949.78 B A LA NC E as of March 31, 1975 36,247.5 8 Less : Monies reserved for 1975 Convention and Remainder of (3,600.00) 1972-75 Triennial operations Anticipated Balance as of April 30, 1975 (32,647.58) Balance in Field Service Fund March 31, 1975 22,984.&4 Add : Interest on Husband's Fund & Lucy K. Broido Special Fund 614.70

TOTAL $ 59,847.12

42. Assets : First National City Bank, New York 2,259.33 Greenwich Savings Bank, New York (Regular Account) 16,892.51 Greenwich Savings Bank, New York (Time Deposit Account) 20,667.75 Manhattan Savings Bank, New York (Time Deposit Account) 5,898.58 Dreyfus* & Sohne, Basel 992.42 Bank Hapaolim, Jerusalem 1,146,86 Banco Supervielle de Buenos Aires 432.67 State of Israel Bonds 10,000.00 Sears Roebuck Stock 1,075.00 Held in India (1970-75 dues) 100.00 Held in Brazil (1974-75 dues) 75,00 Monies in transit 300.00

$ 59,847.12

This Triennial period has been fiscally hectic. We have been affected by the devaluation of the United States' dollar, the Israeli pound and the Argentine peso, and we have suffered from the inflation which has been spiralling beyond precedent throughout the world.

The fact that the total expenditures were kept within the budget allocations is due in part to the diligent financial control by the Administration in Buenos Aires and in New York, ־and in part to the great contribution of volunteer effort on the part of Officers and Chairm an.

an accurate picture׳Beyond this, however, the statement of disbursements does not reflect of the current fiscal situation and requires some analysis. The expenditures for the year ־in many cases exceeded the annual allocation. This overspending was counterb 1974-75 alanced by underspending in the first year of the Triennial (1972-73) when price levels were substantially lower. It is mainly because of these savings in the early part of the ־Triennial that the total expenditures were kept within the budget allocations

The fact that there is an excess of receipts ever disbursements is due in no small way to the generosity of our President in contributing the cost of her transportation and per diem for the Convention and the Regional Workshops as well as her per diem for the Mid-Term Exec- utive Committee meeting.

The Mid-Term Executive Committee met in Jerusalem in May, 1974 and voted unanimously to incorporate the Field Service Budget into the Operating Budget. All affiliates will now share the responsibility of'meeting the total budget.

־I am indebted to Mrs. Clara de Pechersky, Argentine Treasurer, and to her Assistant Treas urer, Dr. Martha Yedlin, who supervised the operations locally and served with dedication and intelligence. We are grateful to the individuals, organizations and affiliates who made contributions to the Field Service projects, and I personally wish to thank each one of you representing an affiliate for your cooperation toward outstanding achievement in the collection of dues.

Respectfully submitted,

(Mrs. Melvin H.) Shirley Stich, Hon. Treasurer April 27, 1975.

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS

FOR 35 MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1975

ADJUSTED BALANCE-May 1, 1972 28,205.53 DUES COLLECTED : BUDGET ACTUAL

Argentina 720.00 124,04 Australia 720.00 730.00 Belgium 225.00 210.00 Brazil 225.00 (**(75.00)) ( 150.00 ) Canada 1,800.00 1,750.00 Chile 225.00 . Ecuador 225.00 200.00 England 1,185.00 1,275.00 France 225.00 350.00 Germany 600.00 600.00 Hong Kong 225.00 225.00 India *60.00 **(60.00) Iran 225.00 225.00 Israel 600.00 600.00 Italy 225.00 225.00 Luxembourg *105.00 30.00 Mexico 225.00 225.00 New Zealand 225.00 225.00 Portugal 70.00 Sweden 225.00 225.00 Switzerland 600.00 600.00 Union of South Africa 3,210.00 3,116.64 United States 19,200.00 18,357.64 Uruguay 225.00 225.00 TOTAL DUES COLLECTED *$ 31,500.00 $ 30,573.32 Interest on Bank Deposits 3,600.00 4,180.90 Net Gain on Foreign Exchange 237.61 TOTAL RECEIPTS 34,991.83 TOTAL AVAILABLE 63,197.36 DISBURSEMENTS (FROM SCHEDULE 1) 26,949.78 BALANCE - March 31, 1975 36,247.58 * Adjusted 44. * Held in Escrow Locally STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS

FOR 35 MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1975

RECURRING: BUDGET ACTUAL

Salaries and taxes 8,100 7,966.75 Telephone 720 329,41 Postage 1,800 1,781,82 ׳Stationery, Printing 1,200 !,202,28 Newsletter, Bulletins 5,250 6,022,94 Travel to Meetings 675 17,00 Public Relations 300 305,25 Dues to Other Organizations 300 188,14 Committees : United Nations 1,500 ' 1,033,53 Status of Women 450 571,22 Jewish Education 1,050 267,46 European 3,000 1,011>64 Other Committees 300 110,06 Rent 1,080 817,22 Sundries 300. 138,08 Professional Fees 150 Bank Charges 74,40

Sub-Total $ 26,175 $ 21,837,20

NON-RECURRING :

Brochure 1,050 992,45 Office Equipment 360 290,16 Report 1972 Convention 600 563/25 1975 Convention 5/100 2,550,00 President's Travel to : 1975 Convention 1,050 Mid-Term Executive 1,050 716,72

$ 35,385 $ 26,949,78

45. SCHEDULE OF FIELD SERVICE RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS

FOR THIRTY-FIVE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1975

Total in Field Service Fund (including Stock) $ 20.413,94 Greenwich Savings Bank, New York-May 1, 1972

Less : Disbursements for 1969-72 Triennial 151.15

ADJUSTED BALANCE May 1, 1972 $ 20,262.79

RECEIPTS :

Contributions : Argentina $ 300.00 Australia 300.00 Canada 370.00 *Mexico 30.00 Switzerland 100,00 Union of South Africa 837.36 United States 4.950.00 * Frances Rubens 231.75 *American Jewish Committee 332.67 Sears Roebuck Stock 83.36 ־ Dividends Interest-Bank Reserves 2.592.33 Dividends-State of Israel Bonds 595.83

TOTAL $ 10,723.30.

DISBURSEMENTS :

Extension - Field Service, Basel 310.69 European Workshop 800.00 Latin American Workshop 800.00 Israeli Seminar 972.98 ** Publication of Proceedings of Israeli Seminar 1,787.90 Israel Information & Service Centro 1,783.06 Spanish Edition of Newsletter 1,622.09 Net Loss on Exchange 75.68

TOTAL $ 8,152.40

Excess of Receipts over Disbursements 2,570.90

Total in Field Service Fund, April 1, 1975 $ 22,984.84 * Earmarked for Publication of Proceeding of Israeli Seminar **Net figure (after deducting contribution from the MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CULTURE) 46. SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL FUNDS (AS OF MARCH 31, 1975)

HUSBANDS' FUND

Balance as of April 30, 1972 $ 2,134.30 Interest Earned 407.70

TOTAL IN HUSBAND'S FUND as of March 31, 1975 $ 2,542.00

LUCY K. BROIDO SPECIAL FUND

Balance as of April 30, 1972 $ 1,085,00 Interest Earned 207.00

TOTAL IN LUCY K. BROIDO SPECIAL FUND as of March 31, 1975 $ 1,292.00

Dr. de Herczeg thanked the Treasurer for her report and for the capable and efficient way in which she had handled the finances of the l.C.J.W.

Discussion on the Treasurer's report then followed, with the following points being made :

1) An explanstion was given by the Treasurer, on being asked, that previously there had ־been two accounts - that of the l.C.J.W. made up of collected fees and interest from inv estments and a separare account for the Field Services, made up of voluntary contributions and interest from investments. It had been decided that these two accounts would now amalgamate and the l.C.J.W. finances and the Field Services finances would be run from the one account.

2) An explanation was given that the expenses of the Israel Information Service were primarily administrative.

3) An explanation of the set up of the Husband's Fund was given by Mrs. Brown and she suggested that a small Committee meet with the President in the near future and decide how to use this fund, and Lucy Broido's Fund.

The Treasurer's Report was duly moved, seconded and passed unanimously.

Mrs. Treasurer's Report was duly moved, seconded and passed unanimously. Mrs. Stich then submitted the new schedule for proposed fees. In accordance with Article 7B of the By-Laws, this had been circulated to all affiliates on the 22nd. January 1975 of the׳ months prior to Convention) and she now wished to submit it for ratification 3) Convention : 47. 1) Affiliates of less than 600 members will pay an annual fee of $ 100 (previously-$ 75) 2) Affiliates of more than 600 members that are federated umbrelIs organizations will pay an annual fee of $ 250 (previously $ 200) 3) Affiliates of more than 600 members that are membership organizations will pay an ׳ annual feeof 18/per capita for the first 25,000 members and 7/per capita for eabh additional member (previously 12/ for the first 25,000, 7/ for the second 25,000 and 4/beyond 50,000)

It was anticipated that this would give a budget sufficient to run the administration and the field services.

Dr. de Herczeg then expressed thanks to the retiring Vice-President from Australia Mrs. Vera Cohen M.B.E. for her generous donation to the I.C.J.W.

The President then called upon Mrs. Thea Hacker to give the Field Services' report.

EXTENSION AND FIELD SERVICE COMMITTEE

submitted by the Chairman Mrs. T. Hacker.

The report submitted to the 10th Triennial Convention is meant to bring the.objectives ־of this committee closer to all ICJW members and to review the work in the light of accompl ishment but also in that of criticism. Our convention and executive, meetings must constantly measure objectives against performance and find new approaches for better achievements.

The objectives of the Extension and Field Service Committee are twofold :

1. To render service to our Affiliates : Through exchange of information in the course of personal and study visits, through regional workshops and seminars. The undoubted success of the workshops, bothJn Latin America and Europe and the Seminar in Israel are positive contributions and are bf growing importance in the work of our organisations. There may be different approaches to programming depending on local requirements or the relevance of a certain subject but it is a fact that attendance at these meetings is increasing and that worn- en can be mobilized quite readily to attend regional meetings or a seminar. Much larger budgets ought to be made available for these purposes. The recommendations adopted by the regional meetings should find the general acceptance of the Convention,

־To win new Affiliates for ICJW, either national organisations or umbrella organisat .2 ions and if neither exist in a country to start with individual associate members. The work is carried on by the chairman and her committee, but every ICJW member is a potential field worker. The most active one has been our president, Dr. de Herczeg, who has tirelessly

48. travelled during her term of office and has established many new valuable contacts. These negotiations carried on through correspondence and personal contacts are lengthy and ־require often years of efforts ; they are not always crowned with success. During this per iod we were pleased to achieve some results.

Discussions and Recommendations :

Field Visits. The field visits which are undertaken by committee members and ICJW .ship and give Affiliates a sense of interdependence־officers strengthen bonds of friend Some counselling can be given and solutions of problems are often furthered through live contact. Truly effective assistance to Affiliates, specially smaller or isolated ones, will only be possible through visits of field service workers for more extended periods of time. This conclusion came out of the last Mid-Term Executive meeting and should be put into effect by utilizing the services of qualified ICJW women. The question of their travel and ־maintenance cost should be discussed. It might be possible that ICJW and the Affiliate ben efiting from such a visit could share in the cost.

־Study exchange visits by individuals and groups. Inviting guest form neighboring countr .2 ־ies to special events, such as annual conferences, meetings, seminars, etc. has been pract ised in Europe. It affords another opportunity for both the guest and the host to learn about each other's work, and should become routine procedure. Study exchange visits were started in this past period, England hosted a visit of French and Luxembourg ladies so that they could visit social service projects in England and study working methods. The French Affil- iate reciprocated and a group from England had occasion to visit and study the manifold social service activities of the Paris group. This practice ought to be continued. It is suggested that the ICJW convention or regional ICJW meetings offer an excellent opportunity for the host country to invite such u study group to stay on after the meeting. This would decrease costs considerably and might bring new people to attend ICJW meetings as well.

3. Regional meetings and Seminars. The success and positive acceptance of the regional workshops is a fact. They directly benefit the work of the region involved and serve a definite need. They complement the individual field visits. In this light it is suggested that the budget for these regional meetings be augmented at this convention. There is a need for leadership and volunteer training, specially in the smaller Affiliates ; the larger ones have a bigger reservoir of potential leaders, in the Anglo-Saxon countries a longer tradition of public duty. A certain trend is becoming apparent that younger women, although they will work for the benefit of Israel, can seldom be motivated to work as volunteers for the local community. If they have spare time they want to go back to their profession and get paid. Here are two suggestions : One that the expertise of the large Affiliates be used for the benefit of other affiliates to set up local training courses ; the second that a future seminar deals with this entire complex of volunteers and leadership training.

4. New Affiliates. Today's world situation calls for unified Jewish representation on behalf of Israel and towards national governments and international bodies. There are still many countries whose Jewish women are not affiliated with ICJW. In some countries the political situation does not allow this for the moment, in others it is our duty to intensify our efforts to make Jewish women's groups aware of this need and eventually bring them as affiliates into ICJW. Every ICJW member must use her contacts with Jewish women in non-affiliated

49. countries to explain this necessity and bring potentially interested persons and groups to the attention of this committee for follow-up.

Resume of activities :

The president of ICJW, Dr. de Herczeg, has been the number one field worker and has travelled tirelessly to South Africa, Europe, Israel and many places in South America. She has contacted Jewish women in Austria, Holland, Hungary and Italy (Genoa). The chairman of this committee and many ICJW members have travelled extensively and have visited ICJW Affiliates or prospecis. This committee wishes to thank all of them.

Portugal. After year-long efforts by several ICJW members, Dr. Schlesinger, Argentina, w&5 finally successful in winning eleven ladies as associated members. They receive our ICJW material and, with an improvement of the political situation, it is hoped that even closer contacts will develop.

Holland. Due to the insistent efforts of Dr. de Herczeg and the support of Mrs. F. Menco of Amsterdam, a meeting of local organisations was called in 1973 where Dr. de Herczeg spoke. Subsequently, Mrs. Menco and a group of six ladies from Holland attended the 2nd European Conference in Paris in 1974. Afterwards an umbrella organisation of all Dutch women's groups has been formed. Our contacts continue so thai1 they will eventually join ־־.ICJW

Denmark. Two Danish members of WIZO attended our European Conference and at present the Danish organisation is considering joining ICJW.

Eire. After participating in the 2nd European Conference, Dr. Boland was-instrumental in ־uniting all Jewish women's, groups into a contact group. They have only begun their activ ities. Our contacts continue.

Hungary. During a stay in Budapest Dr. de Herczeg spoke to a group of elderly Jewish ladies. Although official contact cannot be had, they are very interested in lCJW matters. Our Newsletter goes to them.

Field visit were paid by the Chairman of this committee to Germany, Luxumbourg and Belgium and Mrs. Lessner, Germany attended the Swiss annual conference.

Austria. Since 1969 I have been constantly trying to interest.the Jewish women of Vienna in ICJW activities and in establishing a socially active; local organisation there. They work in WIZO on behalf of Israel but all my and Dr. de Herczeg's efforts have so far been in vain. We shall continue our efforts.

South America, Middle America. The Argentine president. Mrs. de Breitman paid visits to Uruguay and Brazil and ladies from South Africa visited Argentine. Efforts to involve more active participation of the South American countries continue.

The 4th Latin American workshop took place in Mexico in April 1974 and was devoted to

50. social voluntary service with reference to Jewish ethics. A report has appeared in the News - letter and Administrative Meeting Minutes. Let me quote here something from the Recommend- ations adopted : Strengthen the voluntary service in Jewish communities through information, ״training programmes, recruitment of new volunteers and co-operation with national organis ations.

The 2nd European Conference was held in Paris in November 1974 and devoted to the growing responsibility of women in the European Jewish Communi+y and towards Israel. A report has appeared in the Newsletter and the protocol is being sent out these days. Among their important recommendations are mutual assitance in the support of social service programmes and training and co-operation with non-Jewish organisations, establishing Jewish education programmes for adult women and solidarity with the women of Israel.

Israel Seminar. This impressive and in many ways valuable seminar was held in Jerusalem in May 1974 and devoted to Jewish identity in the Modern World. The lectures are being published and constitute ICJW's publication for this period. They will be available to ICJW Affiliates shortly. The activity report of the Israel Affiliate will give more details on the seminar and also on the activities of the newly established Israel Service and Information Centre.

Conferences. Throughout this triennial period ICJW officers participated in many Jewish is one ׳and non-Jewish, national and international conferences as observers of delegates. It of the important functions of ICJW to establish contacts with.other organisations and be heard as the representative voice of one million Jewish women.

Extension and Field Service Committee 1972 - 1975.

Chairman : Mrs. T. Hacker, Switzerland.

Vice-Chairman Dr. C. Feinstein, Switzerland.

Member : Mrs. B. Halff, Switzerland.

Correspondents Mrs. P. White, Gt. Britain. Mrs. B. Abraham, USA.

Dr. de Herczeg thanked Mrs. Hacker for her report and briefly commented, as Mrs. Hacker had pointed out, the importance of communication and contac.

********

51. /

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE

1975 - 972 ו

Submitted by the Chairman Mrs. T. Hacker

Preliminary plans for a European workshop were first discussed and approved after the Jerusalem Convention. They took a more definite shape in 1970 at an informal meeting under Shoshana Hareli in Basel. At the same time a European Committee was founded for two main reasons :

I.C.J.W. wanted to obtain consultative status with the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and consequently our International Organisation had to have a regional committee.

The need had become apparent to link Jewish women of all European countries more closely together, to give them an opportunity to discuss regional problems at European meetings and to win as many new European Affiliates as possible.

The first European conference was held in May 1971 and was reported on at the 1972 Toronto Convention. At that time Mrs. Vera Braynis was named Chairman of this committee. As you all know Vera, who so ably conducted the affairs of this committee had to resign her post in May 1974 due to personal reasons, She was also ICJW vice-president for England; the Mid-Term Executive Meeting in Jerusalem elected Mrs. Ruth Winston Fox to become vice president for England and appointed me to be European Committee Chairman. Let me express my personal thanks to Vera for her wonderful co-operation and friendship and a job well done. This change-over meant that the committee members also changecf from England to Switzerland. Our work necessitates close contacts and we h3ve one corresponding member in every European Affiliate.

There are several achievements to report for the past period.

European Council of Jewish Community Services :

In November 1973 the Council organised a forum and invited the European Committee to organise a workshop on the subject of "The Community and the Family". Mme L. Lehmann, ־standingly stim־President of the French Affiliate, chaired this workshop which proved out ulating.

We held the 2nd European Conference in Paris in November 1974.

We now have eleven associated members in Portugal.

Close relations have been established with Holland, Denmark and Eire, countries not yet affiliated.

52. l.C.J.W. obtained consultative status with UNESCO (at the time one could not have foreseen the politisation and deplorable attitude of this agency). Mme Tania Blum from our French Affiliate is our permanent representative there.

־In addition to our co-operation with Mrs. Warburg, our Council of Europe representat ive (and one of the instigators of the European Committee) we keep in close touch with our UN Geneva representative Mrs. L. Beck and our UNESCO representative Mme T. Blum.

All of you have probably read the account of the 2nd European Conference in the Newsletter. Minutes are ready and should reach you these days. A few remarks are in place here. The Conference was a resounding success. Mme T. Blum, chairman of the Conference, Mme L. Lehmann, president of Co-operation Feminine and a team of Coop. Fem. members ־did a wonderful job of organisation and hospitality. Let me thank them here once more offic ially. The conference was an important occasion for our French Affiliate to meet their own ־people, also from other French towns, familiar with ICJW. We were honoured by the pres ence of Mme Giroud, the French minister for Feminine Affair! who came to us on the very day when UNESCO was passing its resolution re Israel. The conference's most rewarding sessions were the four working groups devoted to Jewish Education of •Adult Women, to Volunteer Training, Fund-Raising, Jewish Women participating in Social, Cultural and Political Work. A protest resolution was directly delivered to UNESCO regarding the Israel issue, other resolutions passed concerned our solidarity with Israel, human rights and racial discriminations, our support of the Council of Europe, furtherance of Jewish Education and social service and International Women's Year.

The future work of the European Committee arose from the recommendations passed and they are here repeated.

1. JEWISH EDUCATION will be taken up more intensively by the European Affiliates in ־seminars and workshops. The Argentine Jewish Education programme will serve as a guidel ine. European Affiliates showed a great interest in a Jewish Education Seminar ; since such a seminar in Europe is beyond our possibilities, a Jewish Education Seminar in Israel was suggested.

2. VOLUNTEER TRAINING. Volunteer training in most European countries is at its beginning. To help its development the Argentine Volunteer Training programme will be given the Affiliates.

־THE NEWSLETTER ought to contain some news items in other languages as well, part .3 icularly French and German (apart from the Spanish edition). A much wider public can be reached and be made aware of I.C.J.W's work.

4. STUDY EXCHANGE VISITS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS have been initiated in Europe and should be continued (see also Extension and Field Service report).

5. Affiliates have started to invite each other to special events,, such as annual meetings, conferences, seminars. This should become a matter of routine since it affords excellent opportunities to learn each other's working methods.

53. 6. Efforts to win more of the European countries will be made and they will be invited to our next conference.

Jt should not be forgotten that a large part of Jewish women living in Eastern European ־countries cannot become members of our Organisation. However, we try to keep them inform ed of our activities and they appreciate these efforts greatly. This time none of them could attend our conference, but we shall certainly keep in touch.

Attendance at this conference was between 150-300 people and resulted in the establishment of a contact group of Jewish womb's organisations in Holland, one in Eire and the interest of WIZO Denmark to become affiliated with ICJW.

The»budget allotted this conference is totally inadequate considering the importance of ־such a conference. I propose to increase the budget and recommend its adoption by the Conv ention.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR has had some interesting results in Europe. National Committees were set up in most countries and they invited Jewish women's organisations to participate in committee work and events. This was a novum in Belgium which can only be beneficial for the future. Upon invitation of the European Committee chairman all European Affiliates reported to our Council of Europe representative on their activities.

We have the great pleasure of having been invited by the League of Jewish Women to hold the next European conference in England. It will take place probably at the beginning of*1977.

European Committee (1972-1974)

Chairman : Mrs. M. Braynis, Gt. Britahi Members : Mrs. R. Winston Fox, Gt. Britain Mrs. E. Noble, Gt. Britain Mrs. P. White, Gt. Britain Mrs. A. Rubens, Gt. Britain

and others. « *

Correspondents : One from each Affiliate

European Committee (1974-1975)

Chairman : Mrs. T. Hacker, Switzerland Vice-Chairman : Dr. C. Feinstein, Switzerland Correspondents : Mrs. E. Fischer, Belgium Mrs. T. Blum, France Mrs. R. Lessner, Germany Mrs. R. Winston Fox, Gt. Britain Mrs. J. Sasson, Italy Mrs. R. Israel, Luxembourg Mrs. G.Wolff, Sweden Mrs. C. Baruel Zagury, Portugal 54. SUNDAY, 27th APRIL, 2 p.m.

"FUTURE STATUS AND ROLE OF THE JEWISH WOMEN

Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox J.P. of United Kingdom, chaired this session.

A great deal of interest was shown not only in the subject under discussion, but in the "Buzz Sessions" and in the guest speakers. Had longer time been allowed, many more questions would have been put to the panel.

Fox in her opening remarks, explained that the ladies were divided into־ Mrs. Winston groups, that they had a questionnaire to answer and that the visiting guests, Rabbi Ronald ־Lubofsky, Professor Bertram Mond and Rabbi John Levi would walk around to answer quest ions, listen to the discussion and to ascertain the general tone and interest shown in the subject. Mrs. Winston-Fox reported that during the triennium period Dra. Herczeg and she had visited the two Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi Goren (Ashkenazi) and Rabbi Ovadiah Josef (Sepharadi) and had submitted ta'them the Addendum to the Petition. They showed int- Fox said that־erest and concern for the problem and in general were helpful. Mrs. Winston throughout her experience in this field the attitude of most Rabbis, on the whole, is understanding and sympathetic and although a great deal is being done to alleviate suffering in individual cases, in principle not much can and has been done. If International Council of Jewish Women is to continue with this work it is important that statistics be available, ־and delegates and affiliates must let her committee know of cases, case histories, achiev ements and failures in alleviating women in the matters, of get, agunah, etc.

-Fox and her Committee for inf־The Beth Din in England have often called on Mrs. Winston or motion and help, and this is work of paramount importance. In London now the Chief Rabbi's office has a part-time social worker, all of which is a move in the right direction.

The ladies then broke up into their "Buzz Sessions" which lasted some 45 minutes.

At the conclusion of the "Buzz Sessions", delegates reassembled for Plenary.

Mrs. Winston-Fox then called upon Professor Mond to give his address. Professor Mond briefly defined the "words" in question. The matter of get, where it is true that a husband must authorise the get and a wife must accept it. This in many cases caused a great deal of animosity. In the Middle Ages, the community could actually compel a husband to give a get, and a great deal is being done now in Israel to help in individual cases to overcome this problem. The Rabbis do recognize the problem and are sympathetic towards it. Many changes have been made, still keeping within the framework of the Halachah. Polygamy has been eliminated ; chalitzah can be carried out by proxy, etc. Unfortunately the orthodox Rabbinate is not united, but the Rabbis are showing courage in dealing with the problems as they arise.

He emphasised that women must learn the facts, must know what the problem is, not just petition without knowing all the details. Rabbi John Levijspoke entirely from the Liberal point of view, where the Liberal Synagogue is not governed by Halachah at all. He dwelt in detail on the inequality of men and women since the Middle Ages that DO exist in Halachah.

Rabbi Lubofsky in a vehement speech repudiated almost all that Rabbi Levi had said and stated categorically that the solution to the problems of the inequality of women lies almost exclusively in the hands of women themselves. They must study and learn, know what they are talking about, seek equality with men, sit on Board of Synagogues, take their places. "If we accept that a couple must be married by Jewish Law (the law of Moses and Israel), then it is logical that marriage can only be broken according to the law of Moses and Israel. a life of equality within the framework of Jewish־ It is possible to live a full Jewish life values .. Protest certainly, but protest out of strength, not out of ignorance".

Learn and study, in'small groups, know what you are talking about, if not this generation but changes WITHIN the framework of the HalV ־ then certainly the next will see changes achah. Don't try to throw out that part which is not acceptable they merely go into limbo when they are no longer applicable.

Mrs. Winston Fox thanked the three speakers and called for questions.

Questions as to chalitzah by proxy ; can a woman be a Rabbi? can a woman learn like a man? can a get be given by proxy? etc. came in quick succesion from the floor. Many more questions would have been asked had the time allowed. One important fdctbr came from Mrs. Ross of New Zealand who drew attention to the fact that recently in London a civil judge, wheri granting a man a divorce made it conditional on him giving his wife a get.

The session then adjourned.

REPORT OF THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN JEWISH LAW COMMITTEE BY THE CHAIRMAN MRS. RUTH WINSTON-FOX J.P.

STATUS OF WOMEN IN JEWISH LAW

OBJECTIVES & GOALS OF COMMITTEE.

To :

1. Formulate wording 6f petition for Rabbis and Rabbinical Authorities in an acceptavit form and in accordance with Halachah.

Completed between 1963 and 1966.

2. Obtain approval, consent and signatories on behalf of affiliates of l.C.J.W.

Completed between 1966 and 1969. 3. Gather support from other women's organizations for the principles of the petition.

1969 ־ 1966

4. Present petition in first instance to Chief Rabbis in Israel.

Triennial convenion 1969 in Israel.

5. Endeavour to obtain support and interest of Rabbis and Rabbinical authorities in affiliate countries throughout the world.

6. Consider and set out and addendum to the Chief Rabbis of Israel and of affiliates to point but the willingness of affiliates to cooperate in the solution of individual cases, the desirable necessity of publicity by the Rabbis and Rabbinical Authorities of the work they are doing to alleviate problems and of statistics of cases considered and assisted.

7. Interview the Chief Rabbis of Israel Chief Rabbi Goren and Chief Rabbi Avadia Josef and present them with the addendum to the petition.

May 1974.

8. Interview and make representation to the appropriate officers of Interpol on behalf of Chief Rabbi Goren. The aim is to ascertain whether men who have deserted their wives and left them without maintenance can be traced by Interpol and extradited to Israel with a view to appropriate action.

SUCCESSES GAINED IN RECENT YEARS

״Signatories to the petition from affiliates and bther organizations new amount to repr .1 esentation from 1 million women.

2. A number of individual cases have been assisted some with remarkable success. This has been with the valued assistance of various Batei Din and Rabbinical Authorities.

־There has been a marked improvement over the years in the climate of general a war .3 eness and public sympathy for the need to find means of overcoming hardships.

4. One office of a chief Rabbinate (U.K. affiliate) has appointed a parttime social worker to deal with appropriate situations and to help where possible with solutions.

5. Some Batei Din are slowly beginning to refer matters to affiliates where they may be helpful. FAILURES

1. There has been insufficient efforts by affiliates to bring the Petition in the first instance, and now the Addendum, to the notice of the Rabbis and Rabbinical Authorities.

2. Rabbis do not always reply to enquiries and/or correspondence. They sometimes regard still straight discussion as a danger. They do not realize that the younger rising genera1 ation of married women are becoming impatient with lack of realistic approach and there is therefore a grave danger of drift away from orthodox practice.

3. It is evident that many affiliates have not implemented educational programmes to increase knowledge of all aspects of the status of women in Jewish Law.

FURTHER ACTION

It is desirable to expand interest in the nature and work of the committee and so include all aspects of status of women. For this reason it is recommended that the terms of reference of ns of the woman in the world tomorrow and in־the committee includ® consideration of proble aspects of marriage and divorce.

THE COOPERATION OF EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE:

1. The appointment of a new chairman for the committee in a country other than the Un- ited Kingdom is essential•

־Ideas for expansion of the basis of the committee in its terms of reference and for progr .2 ammes to increase interest need to be sondiered.

3. Accent has to be on the education and knowledgeability of Jewish women.

4. Consideration must be given a means for directives to affiliates that they make further representation to the Rabbis and Rabbinical Authorities concerning the Addendum.

5. Every effort must be made in each affiliate towards a steady visitation of Rabbis and Rabbinical Authorities.

*******

58. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

PETITION TO RABBINICAL AUTHORITIES

ICJW CONVENTION, LONDON 1966.

We, the undersigned Affiliates of the International Council of Jewish Women, representing over 500.000 Jewish women in countries throughout the world.

BEING AWARE of the problems frustrations and hardships suffered by some of our women co-religionists and their children with regard to the Laws of Marriage, Divorce and Inheritance

EVER DESIROUS of respecting the highest spirit of orthodox Jewish belief and practice.

MOREOVER REALISING the temptations and excuses existing today for young people to forsake the traditions of their fathers and bearing in mind the importance of keeping our children and our children's children in the Jewish faith.

RESPECTFULLY PETITION the Dayamin, Rabbanim and the Rabbinical Authorities and Rab- binical Organisations throughout the world to make every endeavour to meet together in a rabbinical assembly to study these problems encountered in the world today.

־ESPECIALLY DO WE REQUEST that this rabbinical assembly find the means and interpretat ions in the Talmud and the Codes to overcome the disabilities of Jewish women in matters concerning GET, CHALITZAH, AGUNAH, POLYGAMY and INHERITANCE.

THE AFFILIATES FURTHER EARNESTLY REQUEST that the rabbinical authorities after due ־consideration make know their findings and that they make recommendations regarding des irable Rabbinical practice on the methods of overcoming the following problems :

1. GET_ a. The disability of women who, having been granted a civil divorce, are unreasonably refused GET by their husbands.

b. The disability of women who, having been granted a civil divorce, are refused GET by their husbands except in return for material reward.

c. The disability of women who, having been granted a civil divorce on the grounds of chronic insanity of the husband, encounter difficulty in obtaining GET.

d. They further request either that :

־The Ketubah (marriage contract) include a clause which would prevent the ab .1 ־uses of the regulations concerning divorce and the hardships which may be suf Or that ־ fered in the event of subsequent civil divorce and/or desertion .be recommended and*jsed to prevent the abuses ־nuptial document־A pre .2

2. CHAL1TZAH

־a. It be ascertained if Jewish Law may be interpreted to overcome the refusal of the giv ing of Chalitzah, or the demand for a reward on the part of the brother-in-law, if a childless widow wishes to re-marry.

־b. Means be devised, or a re-interpretation be found, to overcome the anomaly of the nec essity of giving Chalitzah in those cases where a man is not free to marry his brother's ־childless widow because he is already married, or too young, or suffers from chronic ins anity.

c. Consideration be given to the possibility of substituting a written declaration of release for certain if the present ceremonials i.e. the giving of GET and CHALITZAH, particularly in cases where the two parties live great distances apart, or in different countries, or when circumstances do not permit them to come together face to face.

3. AGUNAH a. The disabilities of the Agunah.

WE also most urgently request that the Rabbinical Authorities throughout the world consider, make pronouncements and endeavour to alleviate the difficulties of Jewish women in countries where religious minorities live under the Laws of their own religion and where Jewish women are subject to :

4. POLYGAMY

The humiliations of polygamy.

5. INHERITANCE

The difficultios connected with the rules of distribution of inheritance and of intestacy whereby they find themselves victims of an interpretation which favours sons to the grave disadvantage of widows and daughters.

60. ADDENDUM TO THE PETITION PRESENTED BY INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN TO THE CHIEF RABBIS IN ISRAEL AND RABBIS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

WE THE UNDERSIGNED Officers of the International Council of Jewish Women and of -representing one million Jewish women throughout the world re ־ associated organisations affirm that, since its inception, the basic loyalties of the International Council have been directed to the great principles and tenets of Judaism. The Affiliates of the International Council of Jewish Women are firmly dedicated tothe ideal of strengthening and preserving traditional Jewish life, its cultural and ethical values.

WE DRAW ATTENTION to the deep desires of our membership to educate and nurture our children in these matters and to ensure the continuity of the finest pattern of the Jewish family. We are eager that the great light of the Torah shall not be diminished in the smallest degree by any opportunity for critical comment.

WE ACCORDINGLY VENTURE to make further approach concerning the Petition presented ־to Chief Rabbi Unterman and Chief Rabbi Nisslm at the Triennial Convention of the Int emotional Council of Jewish Women in Jerusalem in 1969. Compared with the wide and humane application of Jewish Law, the problems enumerated in the Petition are but as a minute particle. Nevertheless, we think they cause a measure of misery among some of our sisters and brethren that we dearly wish could be eliminated.

WE ARE FULLY AWARE of the considerable efforts within the requirements of Halacha, that have been made for many years by Rabbonim to alleviate the hardships of Jewish women and men and we are aware that marked success has been achieved with problems, especially ־those of the Agunah. We are also mindful that Chief Rabbi Nissim and his appointed repres entatives have journeyed to Iran and suggested to the Hahanim a new form of Ketubah so that future generations need not suffer disabilities of inheritance.

PRESENT NEEDS AND CONCERNS

WE KNOW that the Rabbis and Rabbinical Authorities have compassionate thought for the ־matters in which we are interested. However, in general, Jewish women have little opport unity of realising how such Rabbinical concern there is for these problems owing to the fact that publication of Rabbinical deliberations and compassionate thought on these matters is rare. We would ask that consideration is given to this point.

WE HOPE that in the near future it may be possible for a meeting of World Rabbis to be convened and it is appreciated that many Rabbonim also desire this. An Agenda for such a meeting will doubtless be heavy with many matters of urgency but we appeal that it may include discussion of these subjects concerning the Status of Jewish Women and of the possible practical approach to them. WE EARNESTLY ASK that when ^uch Conference takes place, the Rabbis will also kindly consider making the format of their discussions known at an early stage. We think that such ״action and the attitude it would indicate, could have a healthful influence on the commun ity as a whole, and Jewish Women in particular, to realise the Rabbinical concern which exists. We ourselves, being fully aware of the real interest and compassion which exists among the Rabbis, are eager for all our sisters to comprehend the situation.

WE THINK there may be practical ways in which many problems could be solved within Halacha. The International Council of Jewish Women offers the willing co-operation of their affiliates to assist Batei Din with individual problems, sometimes by personal approach, sometimes by enquiry or investigation. We suggest that a network of mutual help be devel- ־oped forthwith between Rabbinical Authorities and our affiliates and a machinery and proc edure set up and publicised throughout the world.

WE DRAW ATTENTION that Courts of Law throughout the world customarily publish the statistics of various types of cases with which they deal. This enables an estimate of the size of existing problems and assessments of the ways in which they can be approached for improvement.

WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST that the Bate? Din give favourable thought to the idea of publishing their statistics each year ; the numbers of different kinds of cases and of those which are brought to a successful conclusion. We suggest that, when the Rabbis consider taking such action,, they may bear in mind the desirable influence it could have on the bf work in which the Batei Din ׳community to be enabled clearly to appreciate the volume and the Rabbinical Authorities are engaged ; the considerable problems they are asked to solve and the difficulties involved in so doing.

CONCLUSION in venturing to present these views and suggestions for the consideration of our respected Rabbis, Rabbinical Authorities and Religious leaders, we re-iterate our deep feeling for the tradition of our forefathers and the conscious wish to do all in our power to guide our children and our children's children to closer-knit ties with the Jewish Faith and the Jewish community.

SIGNED BY ; Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox J.P. Dr. Rosa S. de Herczeg Chairman Committee Status President International of Women in Jewish Law Council of Jewish Women

Israel, May 1974 SUNDAY 27th, APRIL, 8 p.m.

"Israel and the Jewish People"

Dra. de Herczeg introduced Mrs. Malvina Malinek, President of the Victorian Section of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, who in absence of Mrs. Pnina Herzog, President of the Council of Women Organizations of Israel, who was supposed to chair this session, has taken over these important duties.

WORDS OF MRS. M. MALINEK

The Australian N.C.J.W. organizing committee apologises and regrets that Mrs. Pnina Herzog of Israel, who at the time of going to print with the programme, was still supposed to attend this Convention, is unfortunately not with us and is therefore unable to chair tonight's session.

This privilege has suddenly fallen upon me and I ask you to bear with me in her stead.

"Israel and the Jewish People" is the first session of this nature to be introduced into ־the programme of an I.C.J.W. Convention. It was felt that the interdependence and inter relationship between the D^spora Jewry and the State of Israel as well as vice versa that between the State of Israel and the Diaspora Jewry is of such utmost importance to us all and, necessitating such continuous study and reassessment, that this Convention would be incomplete without a session of this nature.

?vis the State of Israel־a־What are our duties, obligations and responsibilities vis Moreover, how can we best satisfy our, i.e. the diaspora Jewry's deep desire to help the State of Israel in these trying times?

־This is the year when we women have to come of age. All over the world we are learn ing the arts of lobbying and pressuring to achieve our feminist aims. As organized Jewish women of the world we must also be prepared to use those same techniques to be of service to the State of Israel whenever the need arises.

Tonight's session may highlight some of the problems Jewish communities are facing in different parts of the world at present because of the delicate balance that we are forced to maintain, politically, in our own countries. We wi11 hear, on the other hand, of some of Israel's expectations of us, the diaspora Jews. For the purpose of our discussions, we have divided the world in three representative regions outside Israel, one panellist speeking for -namely EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA and AUSTRALIA, and the fourth panellist repr ־ each esenting Israel.

We are delighted to have as our guest speaker his Excellency, Mr. Michael Elizur, ־ Israeli Ambassador to Australia, who will introduce the subjefct. The four panellistsare

Mrs. Stella Rozan, Delegate of La Cooperation Feminine of Paris who will speak for Europe. 63. Miss Paula Birenbaum, student leader and a recipient of a subsidy by the N.C.J.W. to attend a leadership training seminar in Israel who will speak for Australia.

Mrs. Ann Robison who will speak for North America and Mrs. Dahlia Gottan, Chairman of the l.C.J.W. Jewish Education Committee.

־At the conclusion, 1 shall hand over the chair to Mr. Sam Lipski, Editor of the Austra lia/lsrael Publications, who will open and lead the discussion from the floor.

I now have pleasure in calling upon Mr. Michael Elizur, Ambassador for the State of Israel.

MEMORANDUM PRESENTED BY Mr. SAM LIPSKI

1. The session "Israel and the Jewish People" will be dealing with an examination of the dependence which has emerged in relations between Israel and the rest of־new inter the Jewish world.

2. It is planned that Israel's Ambassador to Australia. Mr. Michael Elizur, will introduce the session and that he will be followed by four speakers representing the regions of Australia, Europe, North America and Israel.

3. After the speakers have outlined their views, Sam Lipski, Editor, Australia/Israel Publications will open the discussion.

4. In preparing their remarks the speakers should attempt to deal with the following questions, even if many of them leave the answers hanging and uncertain.

־What have been the main changes in the attitudes of your own Jewish community tow ards Israel since the 1967 War, and since the 1973 War?

Are you aware of the increased anxiety and concern which has been reported from all parts of the Jewish world or has your own community been less affected?

In particular, have there been ways in which Jewish women in your community have in their attitudes to work for Israel, involvement in community ־ reflected the changes projects linked to Israel, etc,?

How have the changes affected the way Jews see themselves in relation to the wider society in your countries?

Has there been a direct relationship between Israel's problems of insecurity and the sense of security of your Jewish community? Specifically, if there is a growing injec- urity, is it more psychological than physical?

64. Has there been a growth in anti-Jewish prejudice as distinct from a deterioration in Israel's position? Or does your community believe that there is increasingly little distinction between "anti-Zionism" and anti-semitism?

Are there major areas of initiative which Israel has left unexplored in its relations with the Jewish world? Conversely, has the Jewish world been too narrow in its view of how it can support Israel?

Is money and political support enough? Or must the support be qualitatively different?

How can Israel help?

in Syria, in the Soviet Union ־ How does the new relationship affect Jews of distress and in other communities?

How can "Jews and Freedom" and Israel contribute their assistance to the communities under stress?

WORDS OF HIS EXCELLENCY, MICHAEL ELIZUR, AMBASSADOR FOR ISRAEL

Madame Chairman, Madame President, ladies and gentlemen

I do not pretend to give answers to the many questions that face us. I think that one of the most important signs or attributes of our time is that we live in the age of questions > whereas in the past the answers were all known. In the past many questions were not raised and I know that there are still many people who have answers, some have even all the answers, but many do not have all the answers, and I happen to belong to those, and I am addressing myself to those amongst you who do not pretend, or do not know to have all the answers.

So we live in the age of questions and we have to ask ourselves what are some of the questions of our age that we have to deal with as Jews living at this time. The question of relationships between Israeli Jews and Israel as a Jewish State on the one hand, and Jews who live outside Israel in the various countries in which they find themselves is one of the ־many questions that have to be raised and have to be dealt with here and I will try to intr oduce some thoughts of an Israeli Jew on these questions.

ThexState of Israel which is perhaps the greatest common national achievement of the Jewish people of our generation, does not exhaust the comprehensiveness of the Jewish condition. It does assert our will to live, it does assert our capacity to bring about new forms of Jewish creativity but I believe that both in Israel and in the Diaspora the very existence of the State does not answer all the questions but only gives a new setting for the approach to many of the questions that beset us.

Thus in Israel as well as outside Israel Jews face old and new questions. Many questions could not have arisen before the State of Israel was established, some of them persist and I think it has been one of the illusions of the first exuberance of Israel's existence when people

65. in Israel and Jews outside Israel believed that the very existence of the State of Israel as ־such, solved many of the questions

There is a dichotomy and ambivalance in the Zionist approach to Jewish history and to the Jewish presence, in the sense that we have believed on the one hand that Israel is the fulfilment of the continuity of Jewish history, on the other hand that it is a clean break in Jewish history and that at long last we are like all other nations. Both, apparently, have been shown up to be untrue.

Israel is not like all other nations. The problems that beset it in this generation are not the problems that face other states today, and I would, with all humility, suggest that those Jewish people in the free world who believed that with the advent of a liberal, democratic free society in so many countries, although their number is.somewhat shrinking, in recent years, but still in'our age with the advent of democracy etc. and with emancipation, that Jews have solved or have ceased to face some or most of the problems that face Jewish life before this, they too have been proven more than once that they were not right.

So li think: that if we approach the present Jewish condition from these two approaches that both those Israelis or those Jews who went to the land of Israel in order to shed their * Jewishness, to be like other nations, were shown up to have been wrong and those who did not go to Israel and thought that their Jewish lifecould be or would be different from the Jewish experience in the past, I think, that from this understanding we can and should approach some of the questions that face us today.

I think that this is especially important and especially critical today when we have to ask ourselves these questions, not only in the context of the development of Jewish history i and of the internal, inherent strength and forces that are at work in Jewish life, but also in the setting of the new international environment in which Israel and the Jewish people have to function today.

Now there are elements of eternity but tonight we are speaking about the here and now. and how to be responsible to our time of Jewish history, because history will be shaped by all those links of generations that form itself one after the other and we can not take refuge in a contemplation of history. Here tonight we'are as actors of Jewish history trying to shape it rather than as people who contemplate it and try to learn from it. This new international relationship between the־־dependence and inter־environment in which this interplay or inter Jewish world in general and that Jewish microcosm which is called Israel has to be played out, specifies the new objective and also subjective crises of the developed world in which most of the Jewish communities find themselves. I say that not only objective but also subj- developments are being shaped not so ־ective because in more than one case we find thai much by the forces from, the outside but also by the failure or otherwise of will power of nations and of societies and their perception of crises is as important as the objective nature of the crises and I do not have to inflict on you examples of this, because everyone of us can bring them to his own mind and as many'examples in many pafts of the world.

But it is an objective fact, I think, even if some of the elements of it are subjective that the current malaise; the current crisis.that'is passing over the world is being used by like to give an׳important forces in the world which have to be recognised and here I would

66. example. In the Middle East, for example, one of the elements of action and of involvement In the current situation of the Soviet Union is certainly predicated upon their appreciation of what the perception of the Middle East and what can or cannot be done in the United States and this of course will have an influence on Israeli affairs and as we all know also on the treatment by the Soviet Union of the Jewish community and its problems of emigration from the Soviet Union as we have noticed throughout last year.

On the other hand of course, we find that in that very same Soviet Russia which is probing to go further in the Middle East, or as far as it can go and which tries to exploit various approaches in the world at large to its benefit is a dependent on technology and finance from those same countries and is therefore a certain balance and inhibition is being formed which does not permit differences to go all the way in the first direction which I mentioned. »

Another element which we have to take into account, although it is not a Jewish question and I do not want to enlarge on if, so that you will not think I am speaking about the energy crisis and the Jewish question, since the oil crisis are very much in the region in which Israel finds.it self, I think that it is less of a joke than it may sound at the beginning and it is not only the direct questions of oil availability and otherwise but also of the public perception of the question and many of the ramifications that flow from it.

Now here we come together or flow together the approaches to Israel and to Jews all over the world because the line between anti-Israeli policies or what is often called in international parlance the anti-Zionist stand is very often in daily life but also in political decisions, anti Semitic and anti Jewish overtones are, whether we want it or not keep us in the same boat. Sometimes it is that the element or a policy which intends originally to harm Israel has also certain fallout as far as Jewish communities are concerned, and sometimes it is the other way around and in case I find that the question of common approach or common thinking about this question between Israelis and Jews in other countries is a very important element which has to be strengthened and each organisation or each group and in each country of course it will find different ways of doing so, but I am not in the business of giving advice to an organisation in countries how to translate these matters, I would like to share with you these thoughts of an Israeli about these questions as they appear to me today.

Now again without giving advice or without knowing how to give advice I would point to one or two matters.

One is the question of education and I am not thinking at the moment about ordinary schools, but education in the broader sense, in the adult sense. Sometimes we find that in Jewish education the Jewish awareness or consciousness of Jewishness and of Jewish affairs in an important tool to steel ourselves against onslaughts of hostility and of unpleasantness. In the other hand we often find and I was able to watch this and found this most illuminating in this country during the last year among Jewish students in this country, about which we will probably hear a little later on, that when there were challenges of a purely political and I would say politically marginal value of significance in the student body of this -Jewish resolutions were brought up the necessity to mob־ country when anti-Israeli or anti ilise themselves to fight against this brought about a deepening of Jewish awareness and of education. I mean the idea of sitting together in seminars to learn questions why are we in

67. ־Israel, what have Jews to do with Israel, what is the historical association of.these quest ־ions, we have to thank, as we have so often in history, those who have started these polit ical campaigns in the student unions. So it is a two way .street of Jewish education as an important element of making us more aware of things and in order to be able to withstand hostile approaches, and on the other hand from the fight because we come to better and more meaningful understanding of our Jewishness.

Again within your various organisations I mention the students here with many of whom I was fortunate to have long and interesting discussions which brought home to me many of this country apparently know exactly what they ־the things that agitated them. The ladies of need and what to do so the$ do not have to call on any diseussions with an Ambassador but I would certainly say that some of these actions and the questions that arise out of them can and should be made in projects that will be of lasting significance to the member ship and also help you to interest in these things other Jewish women because sometimes I find the reluctance of some people to join an organisation does not stem from apathy or from lack of interest in the aims of the organisation, but because so many of the officers are already taken and if you do not add, apart from just being alive and just running your organisation, if you do not endow it with vibrant contents which is related both to the important issues of the age and of the day, I think you will find yourself diminished rather than enriched, even ־if it is a good membershi p drive gimmick I would Say that it is important to have these elem ents of Israel as a central element in the Jewish condition today and many of the political questions which today face Jewish communities and Israel together should try to thrfst them out in whatever programmes are appropriate in your committee.

I promised only to raise questions and to share with you some of the thoughts I have in any ־case exhausted my time. I am locking forward to listening to other interesting and stimulat ing debates here tonight. Thank yo|f.

Mrs. Malinek thanked Mr. Elizur and commented that from his address had come the old adage, that we are here to shape history and not to obsefve it. She then called on Mme. Rozan, Delegate of La Cooperation^ Feminine of Paris representing the region of Europe.

Mme. ROZAN

Madame la PrSsidente, Monsieur I'Ambassadeur, dear delegates, ladies and gentlemen :

I was asked to speak for the European Region but I will do this as French delegate, not ־knowing enough what is about in other countries of Europe, but knowing that our commun ity has 600,000 Jews which is, I think, the second community in the Diaspora after USA. I will not answer all of the questions, but the ones I thought I could answer.

A state of shock resulting from the Yom Kippur War has given a colossal impetus to the Jewish Community activities and Fundraising. Let me give you one example of this impetus. ־A book by Dr. Herbert le Torrier, a radrologi-St, has just been published : "The Dr. of Cor doba ", on the life of Maimonides. It jfias won the bookseller's prize for 1975 and is on the Bestseller's list for this year. Dr. le Torrier who has been writing without great success so far had long ago given up his Jewish identity but the Yom Kipur war was the catalyst that revived

68. If• and fired his creative efforts. The emotional state occasioned by the war aroused him to pass his message on to tltie community at large. ! ...... Both Jews and non-Jews who have read the book are made aware once more of the present situation and the immediate antecedents from the 1930's situation onwards in the historical contexts of the conflicts and crises in Maimonides' day.

As far as news are concerned, they may be no news in many countries, what is going versa, or Guatemala and England for e.g. and־־on, say, about Australia or France or vice vice-versa, but there is not one country in the world that does not report on Israel or the Middle-East question, daily. There is no doubt that Jewish communities everywhere in the world follow every communique, relevant to Israel.

known French paper־I brought with me a pamphlet written in the "Monde", the v»orld read nearly everywhere, signed by several high personalities, intitulated We Accuse after Zola's famous phrase in the Dreyfus case, and I would like it to be distributed - it should explains the Jewish questions and the־re־be read by everybody. It is absolutely striking and truth about Israel ;then the truth about the Arabs and their relations wilh Israel, and they confirm : r

Therefore we accuse the Governments of Arab countries for ...

We accuse the Soviet Government for ....

We accuse the Chinese Government for ....

We accuse the African Government for ...

We accuse the Vatican for ...

We accuse the French Government for ...

I shall just read to you a small passage of it so you can judge the impact : "We shall accuse neither UNO nor UNESCO. Through more than one failure in their duties, these organizations have made attempts on their own existence on the plane of morals. One does not accuse the dead. But we shall accuse the Governments of having turned these international organizations info the antithesis of the hopes of the world.

As far as women are concerned, the Cooperation FSmenine has innovated in the sphere of Women's status - Women living in a latin country are still subject to their husband's authority. By creating a women's appeal we have succeeded in reversing sociological patterns and accomplished extraordinary results.

Jewish women have increased their response both in fund-raising and community effort - please refer to the French report by Tania Blum} our Chairwoman in National Council of Jewish "Women. The representatives of the Cooperation Femenine made a trip to Israel last year. I had the rare privilege to count in the group. We met there Micheline Treves, our first chairman, founder and soul of our organization,' who having gone on Alijah, is now

69. J'erusalem, and works in a group of volunteers in Jerusalem. It was a very successful~׳living in joint venture and resulted in the establishment in Israel of a clothing-pool. The goods that we sent are not donated. Buyers from the poorest sections of Jerusalem pay a token price, the least possible, for the clothes they select and consequently feel confident enough to use the services. Now we are asked to send educational toys. Through collation and distribution of information in the local and overseas press of the Israel Middle-East question, we are making headway in the diffusion of educative information. Ten volunteers work at this purpose under the direction of Dr. Nidermayer. The material is collated, codified and classified in dossiers, at the Centre de Documentation Moyen Orient - Israel to newspapers, including the Feddayin El Monjahid "The Orient", from Beyrout and the full political range from extreme ־ paper right to extreme left are used and are sent to youth organizations, libraries and unions, to be ־.made available to the general public. Journalists and writers can use them for their purposes

As far as the security or insecurity problem.

. We are very conscious of our insecurity outside Israel and our Council Rooms and meeting w& might feel more^ecure in Israel than anywhere else׳ ,places are guarded. Incidentally concerning this problem in particular*-

Referring to your following question

Anti-Zidnism or Anti-Semitism? The Jews of France are conscious of the confusion. Certain "progressive" groups in favour of the right of the nations of the third world, militate for the rights of the Palestinian people and count amongst their raflks a great number of your Jewish leftists, but this excuse does not extend to parties which are openly hostile to Israel for economic and political reasons.

When one considers the companies which discriminate against Jews in a covert way, because they are working with the Arab countries, or the Banks which exclude Jewish Banks Zionism and־ from amongst themselves, one wonders where the distinction lies between Anti Anti-Semitism.

* * *

A large number of Jewish women want to "do something for Israel". It is not always easy to give them what they seek. Pol itical movements in aid of the Jewish communities such as those of the U.S.S.R. or those of Syria are beginning to attract the attention of women but the same sociological problems mentioned above obstruct our progress. What appears to be easy enough to accomplish in Anglo-Saxon countries, presents more difficulties in Latin countries. In this sphere, "Cooperation Femenine" has pioneered successfully. Other Jewish Women's Organizations in France-have-been'able to follow our example and are carrying out projects that we have initiated, wherever it is practicable or profitable.

I want to thank Mrs. Anne Marra who did help me in a marvellous manner to translate what I intended to say about all the questions which were asked to me.

I want to add too that the other member of France, Mrs. Zylberberg, is working in a Club of aged people and if you are interested in what we are doing, you could ask her. I am sure the charming Mrs. Marra will help you, as Mrs. Zylberberg does not speak English.

70. Mrs. Malinek then called upon Miss Paula Birenbaum to give her paper, representing the Australian region.

"Israel, the Jewish homeland is concerned not with just the citizens that live within its borders, but also with Jews everywhere. This makes it different from all other states and nations. We, as Jews, living in the Diaspora must realise this very important fact. However, the question lies in whether or not we have.

Following the Six Day War the Israeli army was flushed with victory by all sides of the world including no limit of praises, from the Australian community, and thus a form of identification with the Jewish State grew, but beyond this identification something was drastically missing. For the majority of Australian Jews there was no great upsurge of aliyah or even a mere need to emigrate to Israel. Australian Jewry did not realise that despite the wise, that resources of people were urgently required־fact that Israel had won a war combaf to restore the manpower lost in every aspect of life. There was a minority who did feel an affiliation towards Israel.

However, the majority did not. Why? Following the traumatic events of the Yom Kippur War, although it took the Israelis three bloodthirsty weeks to win it, their great efforts truly weakened the country, both spiritually and physically. Not only has the situation grown worse since the Six Day War but we must realise that the Israeli army is not an island. Its officers and men are part of Israeli society, and the more wars we have to fight is Israel the greater amounts of time, resources and man power is being driven away from the actual industry of Israel.

Although the Australian Jewish community did contribute much financially their sense of responsibility did not go beyond this. For the majority there was no great sense of duty confronting them to emigrate to Eretz Israel, or even to volunteer their services for a few months.

I feel this lies in the fact that the majority of Australian Jews have been extremely lucky in the past years. Both young and old were settled, concerned with melting into another life style and aiming for respectability. Since the Yom Kippur War Australian Jewry has to a small degree been made aware of the increased anxiety and concern which has been reported from all parts of the Jewish world. One need only note the propaganda of how the Soviet Union is using Jews in Russia, claiming any Jew is a Zionist and that it is the Zionists who take over leadership. One need only note the propaganda of blood libels, one need only note the propaganda that Jews are infiltrating all major positions in the world, as Jewish bankers, as Jewish politicians, as Jewish journalists. The list is endless. Such terrifying propaganda is sweeping the world and is also growing and becoming visible anti-Semitism in the Australian Jewish community.

This cannot be stopped if the attitude of Australian Jewish youth not only towards Israel but any identification to being a Jew has become less in recent years.

Many have turned towards identification but those who have not, which is the majority are losing length of ties of tradition and identification and are therefore losing lengths with Eretz Israel and are becoming more prone to Arab propaganda and no longer feel the

71. desperate urgency to the Arab-Israel situation.

They do not realise that they cannot manage without Israel, finding it harder to face up to the fact every day that Israel does exist and accept it as it is. More and more are they confronting an Israel which embodies in their minds values, ways of life, world outlook and life styles which do not measure up to their own sick desires. The majority of our community no longer realises Israel merely consists of 3 million people and by the great Arab nations, their oil and sickly power they feel they are being objective when in fact they do not staunchly support Israel but are actually being susceptible to Arab propaganda.

־We must be made aware more than ever of the visible anti-Semitism in order to count eract this plague. Not simply by stating that we are Jewish but by acting as Jews. Since the Yom Kippur war there is a feeling that we have been turned back 25 years in our right to exist. The Israelis have lost their.feeling of statehood and a centre of action and construction. There is a need today to maintain joint responsibility in the Jewish way of life in the Diaspora. allowed to content iself only with the fostering of religious ritual׳This way of life must not be nor are ties between prosperous Austral ian Jewry and the Jewish population of the State of Israel sufficient.

But because Israel is the Jewish home we must make our love for it like love of a man with body and soul. As long as Jews live in the Diaspora they must accept responsibility for their share of the problems of the Jewish people. Israel must also shoulder its share, but Israel is an organised state with an organised population. We, as a divided people, dispersed throughout the world cannot remain apathetic to the problems of increasing tension and aggression which are of supreme significance.

We must wage a struggle for our recognition of our right to remain Jews. We must ask ־for the right to pressure our special and distinctive character as one of the important commun ties in human history.

We must realise it is the right to belong to the Jewish people, the right to cultural, religious, emotional and even practical attachment of the State of Israel. We must strive to guarantee the status of the Jewish community as a distinct and separate entity possession great hopes for the future. We mus increase visits to Israel by the older generation, especially for the Diasporah youth. More Israeli shlichim should be brought down for their assistance in communal activities, as folk dancing, lectures, hadracha and hachshara training and Hebrew studies within the national institutions.

Jewish women within the Australian Jewish community and throughout the world are, especially in more recent years, devoting far more time to work for Israel than ever before. ־Whether it be involvement in community projects linked in Israel or promoting Jewish educ ation and development programmes for the study of Judaism, its culture, religion and its history. They have worked with sincereity and have recognised the fact that although their efforts have helped Israeli society, more is required. Not only by financial support but by establishing, for example, kindergartens for spastic children, homes for epileptic and retarded .priviledged children and especially in encouraging aliyah־children, scholarships for under

Their task is enormous yet fulfilling, and their work is desperately required for tomorrow's

72. the Jewish women's continuous activities much indeed would have foolishly ־world. Without been forfeited. Australian Jewry becomes affected when Israel is in danger but even then there is no strong affiliation. They feel nothing as they lack a connection with Israel. Involvement enables Jewish women to be part of Eretz Israel, to have a sense of Jewish ־pride and Jewish identity. However, a large percentage of the Australian Jewish commun ity, because they have no connection does not make them more or less secure when Israel faces insecurity. Politically speaking when Israel faces insecurity the Jews in the Diaspora to some degree are affected, but due to their great lack of connection with Israel? political leaders, who are anti-Semitic can easily take advantage of Israel being in a deteriorating situation. As a result of this there has been a general growth of anti-Jewish prejudice. The political support Australia tires to give Israel is not enough, and about all it can give, due to the lack of leaders, prepared to do the work required. Political support which is most definitely necessary can do much against the current situation, that is making Australia pro-Israel. Anti-Zionism has increased and is due to a person who feels no affiliation with the country of Israel and who either scorns or deters the efforts of people wanting to go to ־־Israel. Also anti-Semitism is due to any effort or statement against Israel and Jewish pract ־ices in and out of the State. Also there is no real distinction between the two as any anti Semitism will self evidently be anti-Israel. We must not be influenced by these people to any degree. There are many Jews in our community who claim to be enthusiastic Zionists but take advantage of their jobs and remain in Australia. The very small number who are enthusiastic make great efforts to see that the Diaspora Jews emigrate to Israel. People ־who work in Aliyah fields, I feel, should alsi> want to go to Israel, this alone would encour age followers. It will be most difficult for the older generation to emigrate to the State, despite their obligation, as their contribution, although needed, is not as great as a young person, thus they should be willing to take upon themselves to encourage youth to emigrate to Israel.

Israel must also try to help itself, by trying to consolidate itself and be unified, which ־is the most any country can do for itself. Every Jew in Israel feels the urgency of the situat ־ion because every Jew is confronted with it and although there are more conflicting opin ions due to them recognising this urgency the country must aim for unification. With the deterioration of Israel's situation Jews of distress in Syria, in the U.S.S.R. and other communities have had to fight for their own human rights on their own, a most difficult task in Jewish communities in repressed societies.

The Israel situation only hardens their ceaseless efforts in many ways, in the forms of persecution if they demand emigration to Israel; threats to employment as labourers ; and disruption of their communications.

In conclusion we as Jews must reliase that Israel constitutes the centre of Jewish life. ־Every community which does not maintain ties with Israel be it spiritual and cultural, rel igious and moral ties cannot continue to exist.

The raising of funds constitutes a superficial bond with Israel. We must seek new ways of strengthening the ties within the Jewish communities and Israel, but first of all we must establish the right to maintain such ties and must insist on our right to maintain them too. If Jews are not permitted to be loyal to thefr Judaism and to belonging to a world Jewish organisation that spells the end of Jewish life in Australia and the rest of the world. This

73. He with Israel is our source of Jewish values and identify. Please let us not lose our Jewish future.

Mrs. Malinek then introduce Mrs. Ann Robison, representing the region of North America

Mrs. Robison : Because of the enormity of the question under discussion this evening and the very few minutes at the disposal of each of us panel members, I sahlI dive right in. I shall try to deal with one and a half of the dozen incisive questions which were suggested in our letter of invitation. I believe that the second question that I chose flows naturally They are (1) What have been the main changes in the attitude of your own ׳.from the first Jewish community towards Israel since the 1967 war and since the 1973 war and then the second part of the eighth question I am going to deal with is "are there major areas of initiative which Israel has left unexplored in its relations with the Jewish world and conv- eresely as the Jewish world been too narrow in its view of how it can support Israel.

I shall confine my remarks to the conversely part of the eightth question.

New after Israel's stunning military victory of the six day war all Americans, wise and otherwise, stood then feet tall. Jews in large numbers who had never identified crawled out Jews who had forgotten or had been, the Jewish branch־of the wood work to be counted ; non of their family tree suddenly discovered a Jewish grandparent whom they flaunted like a golden thread in the family escutcheon.

Now, before I turn to the change of attitude six and one-third years later, I would in as great a military victory as did the earlier׳like to emphasise that the 1973 war resulted one. I could have been a complete rout if the big powers and the United Nations did not call a halt to Israel's advanced towards Cairo and Damascus.

In Israel Government spokesmen all mentioned the double tragedy that both Egypt and Israel insist on remembering only the first three days of the Yom Kippur War.

Now the change in attitude after that war. In Israel the change was catastrophic as you know, there the dangerous arrogance and self assurance which followed the 6 day war, the Israelis were catapulted into the depths of despair and self flagulation reaching the nadir of pessimism. That was in November/December of 1973. 1974 saw an upsurge of realism as the true facts of the events came into focus. There was a turn, not to the feeling of invincibility but to the earlier pride and confidence for the military. If nqt altogether in the Government. the ־ And there was a sudden awakening of the value of and the relationship to Klal Yisrael Jewish people everywhere and especially to the Jews in the North America*.,

I do not say that out of chauvinism, but because of the especial position which our countries in North America hold with regard to Israel.

Following the 1973 war in America the Jews were immensely grieved by the human tragedy of more Jewish blood being spilled, of the loss of more Jewish sons and husbands and fathers and little by little the feeling began to pepetrate into the consciousness of the ־Jewish community that Just as Israel's security was being threatened by all that was happen ing in the past war world so was their own security as Jews in their own country being jeopardized. 74. The statement so often repeated by our affiliates really takes hold, namely we are one with Israel. It becomes clear to all but those who would not see that our fate was intertwined with that of our fellow Jews in Israel. That we are independently dependent upon each other.

The one and a half years since the war has brought the dawn of a new era, not boding ,for Jewish people. I refer of couse, and others have said it ־ so very well for Klal Yisrael to (1) the power of Arab oil and Arab petro-dollars ; (2) the disintegration of the United Nations. The most recent example, the disgraceful ceremonies honouring the leader of the Palestinian terrorists and (3) the rise of the Arab world as a third world power. At the beginning a small segment of our North American Jews joined the Israelis in their search for a scapegoat towardswhom they could point an accusing finger ; business men, social workers, union leaders, lawyers, academicians suddenly became military strategist ready and eager ־to give advice. Those of little faith prophesised doomsday for Israel. A small number, espec ial the professionals and volunteer leaders of agencies whose principle rsponsibility is to fund and service the Jewish communities of North America, and even some Rabbis whose S ynagogues and Temples need committment, financial and other, ceased this opportunity to press for a larger portion of the money pie. They maintain that a strong identified committed Jewish community in America is one of the truest assets Israel can have in war and in peace and I agree with that too. For the great majority of American Jews, however, including the new ones who had surfaced after the six day war there was no turning back, there was no changing of priorities. They had become part of the Jewish people, they dried their tears and they set to work as never before to raise and to give money, to interpret Israel and its needs to our administration and law makers, to the American public and to the all important media.

In addition, they determined to take a bigger role in the Israel/Diaspora dialogue. Their cry was, and I quote "we have a right to help shape what we are asked to support. It is this last decision which brings up the controversy among the Jewish individuals and ־Jewish organisations. There are a thousand questions about and intepretations of this dial ogue between Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora. What kind, by whom and to whom, on why? And is advice ־ what subjects, under what circumstances, when, where and always giving reciprocal. I am against public disagreements, especially via the media. As in the family, all should be private, informal and confidential. The primary obligation of American Jewry, according to Phil Baum of the American Jewish Congress is to try to generate a compassionate acceptance of the decisions adopted by the sovereigh State of Israel. That is uniquely our task, he says, and our responsibility is made awesome by the circumstances. (1) The unique position that American Jewry now holds in relation to the Jewish people. in Eastern ־ We live in a time of evaporation and disappearance of Jewish communities Europe, in North Africa, in the Soviet Union, where Jews are all captive Jews still live in Europe but there inability to affect public life in matters regarding Israel was manifest during the Yom Kippur War. The Jewish communities of France and England and other countries were unable, and G'd knows they tried, to persuade their Governments to a cooperative attitude when respect to Israel's dire needs, and Phil Baum concludes, and you may not agree, I am not sure I do altogether and this is his quote. "Jews in their corporate form affect public events only in America. American Jewry is uniquely able to affect a vital part of world Jewish existence and especially so because of the singular relationship which exists between the United State Government and the Government of Israel. Israel's dependence on the United States makes American Jews the guardians of Jewish interests".

75. This is a terrible burden and responsibility. In that concern Phil Baum says "It seems to me the concern for what I call the central ity of Israel becomes critical. The survival of Israel is indispensible tc| the survival of the Jewish people".

Mrs. Malinek then called on the fourth panelist, Mrs. Dahlia Gottan representing Israel.

* *

We are living in a time of questions, we are living in a time of accusations and 1 would like to come back to a few fundamentals of how we should think the reciprocal relations between the Diaspora and Israel should be and has always been. I will try to give you seven points and I will make it brief.

1. The reciprocal relationship between the Jew in the Diaspora and Israel goes back to the very beginning of Jewish history. Both, in fact, were born at the same moment, as a promise and as a challenge For G'd's first commandment to Abraham was "Go out of your country, out of your father's house, of the place where you were born to the land which I will show you". It was his acceptance of this command which signified his acceptance of that direction of his life by G'd, which is Judaism, and if was when he obeyed the command that the "land which I will show you" became the "land which I will give to you". The first proof ot the commitment to Judaism, to living as a Jew, was the commitment to Israel. And so it has been throughout the ages.

2. Zionism does not derive from weakness, rather from strength. The Zionist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries was simply the final one of a long series of attempts, old dream of the Return of the Jewish people to־over the centuries, to implement the age Zion. It is important to say that it is in fact the great and the rich and the prosperous communities where we see the actual implementation and most enthusiastic expression of all ages. Zionism, the Jewish committment to the Land of Israel was NOT born out of the 19th century persecutions.

3. Centrality of Israel : Even when Diaspora communities were more influential or in times when Israel seems to degenerate, e.g. as far back as the time of the Talmud when Babylon was the most important Jewish community in existence, and the centre of Jewish learning, the Rabbis of Babylon laid down the principle that "there is no Torah like the Torah that is learned in the land of Israel" and the story is told of a great scholar of Bavel who came to Israel and fasted and proved that he might forget everything he learned in Bavel so that he might have Hie privilege of learning the Torah as it is learned in Eretz Israel . In Spain during the "Golden Age" of Spanish Jewry the poet Yehuda Halevy wrote "I am in the west but my heart is in the east" and he left the comfort and safety of Spain to die by an Arab sword at the gates of Jerusalem. In the 19th century Herz came out of the sophisticated freedom of Vienna and Paris. The Balfour Declaration owed its existence to the sparkling and successful Jewish community of Edwardian England ; while in this 20th century the Zionist movement has found leaders, friends and invaluable political support in the richest .that of the United States ־ and freest community in the history of the Diaspora 4. Continuity of both Zionism as a vision and Zionism as settling in Israel ; The integral role played by the relationship between the Jew and Israel in Jewish history was shown through the ages by the unbroken continuity of Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel through the centuries of Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Turkish and finally British rule, and in ־the Diaspora by the commitment of the Jews to the vision of the Return to Zion. This sim ultaneous spiritual and material expression of the same idea is a basic principle of Judaism.

5. Thus, Judaism is not, and cannot be reduced to a mere abstract collection of ethics but demands their concrete expression in every phase of daily life. Thus, too, "Jerusalem" cannot be a mere abstract vision as it is to the nations who have seen and understand only part of our vision, who would, for example, "build Jerusalem in England's green and ־pleasant land". For us, Jerusalem is an actual city whose preeminence is not merely symb olic, as Israel is not merely the Holy Land to be venerated but also the land of Israel to be lived in and loved. The material body, that is Zionism, and the State of Israel, has no purpose without the soul that is our precious spiritual heritage of Judaism. But neither can the soul fulfil the spiritual duties without a body to command.

6. Pilgrimage ; the understanding of this idea of wholeness is what has drawn.pilgrims through the generations to the Land of Israel. In times of the scholar Ovadiah of Bartinoro, ־and later of the historian Benjamin of Tudela, and still later of the great Ramban (Maimon ides) and the thousands of father Jews who tried to transform a dream into reality, the journey to Israel was long, uncertain, and very dangerous. Today it is swift and sure. Yet the simple act of coming to Israel as a Jew is no less overwhelming and meaningful today than it was 1 00 or 1000 years ago.

Today's pilgrims are our Jewish tourists, individuals or organisations coming to Israel for pleasure or public service. To our Jewish youth, being in Israel can too easily become only a trip away from home to a foreign country. To the young we must offer more, a chance for active involvement, perhaps a youngster should serve one year of service, such as Israeli youngsters give, in the development towns, or the communities of the urban centres, or in country villages and settlements. There, where both the children of Israel and the children of the Diaspora can meet on equal ground as pilgrims in flesh and spirit is the hope and the future of the entire Jewish people.

Mrs. Malinek then called upon Mr. Sam Lipski to speak briefly and to open the discussion.

* * *

What I want to do is summarise what I think was some of the main things that seem to have emerged not by design but simply because this is the condition that we have to face.

I think it is clear that although it was sometimes said that Jewish life is a perpetual crisis, in fact that Jewish life just lurches from one crisis to another, if ever there was a greater period in Jewish history and if the words are not to be devalued, then perhaps for once we can speak about a crisis, if not for Jewish survival then certainly of the quality and nature of Jewish survival. I think this comes through quite clearly in what everyone had to say, that when we talk about Israel and the Jewish people if is really a phrase which talk in the totality of Jewish existence.

77. Some of the many themes which emerged are as follows :

1) I think the Ambassador highlighted what continues to be the ambivalent tension of the Zionist and the return of the Jewish people to land. It is this struggle throughout Jewish history between being [ews another people, and if you like someone once said "all right, we are the Chosen People, but why, Oh G'd, did you have to choose us'all the time, couldn't you have chosen someone else for a change". There is that sense of wanting to have the relief which comes with being ordinary and yet being imposed on us, whether we like it or not, an extraordinary destiny.

־There is, on the other hand, I think, the sense of Zionism as an idealistic radical mov ement, radical in the sense that it wants to transform the nature of the Jewish people, which I thought the Ambassador was right in emphasising, as being very much at the centre of what we are discussing today, because as he went on to point out, hostility and isolation need not be, and Jewish history has many examples of it, a totally destructive experience. It can also be creative and fulfilling for a people under stress but nevertheless finding within itself those resources and strengths which enable it not only to survive but to do something which leaves its mark on its own history and on the history of the world.

I think if one were to look at all of Jewish history there are not too many periods in which one can point two periods of quiet. Those periods have not been very creative or productive periods in Jewish history necessarily. Some have, some have not, but certainly when we look back there have been terrible times in Jewish history, which at the same moment as we have faced that stress and threat also called out from within the Jewish people that enormous capacity to be continuosly creative.

The third point which I think was worth making and which the Ambassador made was that we do have a tendency sometimes to see the problems of the Jewish people in a vacuum in isolation. I do not have to tell this Jewish audience the obvious tendency which each of us wake up with each morning, as we switch on the news, which even before we hear the first headlines is "is it going to be good for the Jews or bad for the Jews. I think that in our less anxious moments we are aware that we do live in a world where a lot of the things that are bad for the Jews are not just bad for the Jews, and a lot of the things that are good for the Jews are good for others as well. We have interests in common with others, that Jews are not isolated in the diplomatic sense, perhaps they are, but they are not isolated in terms of a common destiny which we do share with all peoples of the world.

The fact that many peoples of the world do not want to share our destiny with us, that is their problem. The fact remains we canoot talk about an issue loke Israel and the Jewish people in isolation from the relation ship between us and others and whether we see resolves in relation to them and quite clearly, 15 million people are 15 million people.

We have enormous spiritual strengths and resolves that we have not yet called upon but we are still a small people and our fate is dependent on, tied up with that of the mighty, the more powerful and it is important that we understand that, and that our decisions and our analysis are not made in isolation.

Let me now come to the panellists, who gave many and varied aspects.

78. It is something quite unusual for an Australian audience to suddenly get a breath, a sense of belonging to a Jewish people which exists out there. Those of you who have come here, have come to one of the most isolated and parochial Jewish communities in the world. I am talking now not in the physical sense. Jews in Australia travel a great deal, probably because they want to break down that isolation. We are a new community, we are one of the newest Jewish communities in the world in terms of the migration patterns which have determined the kind of community that we are. It is important to understand today's issues, to get some feeling, some sense of what communities like that of France, Europe and the great Jewish communities of North America are experiencing, it puts our own experience into some perspective and that is immensely valuable. If must mean a great deal to our community as a whole, not only to the N.C J.W. and what is happening here, I am sure, will reverberate for weeks and months to come.

When Mme Rozan spoke I was struck by the one aspect of the sociological differences as she describes them. It is odd to concede that in a community of 600,000 that the work of a body of the equivalent of the N.C.J.W. is affected by the wider perspective, the wider society, the wider framework in which women have to operate. We take certain things for granted in Australia and the United States, and the time lag here culturally in terms of women's liberation is, I suppose, two or three years. Maybe in about three years time Gloria Steinham will come to Australia, by then she will well and truly be old hat in the United States. But I am sure that at the pace at which things are going it may be some time before that sense of women as a power, as a third force of their own hits some of the Jewish communities, where the traditional role of women has been low profile.

I think it is important that in the philosophical discussions which we are bound to have, one does not lose sight of the practical problems raised by Mrs. Rozan and the limitations om some of the work in different countries. Yet I was encouraged to hear, as the Ambassador suggested and has again emerged from what some of the other speakers had to say, I think that if I quote the Ambassador from a previous occasion when he said, that sometimes an ill wind does blow good. Again 1 suppose if is ironic that it takes this enormous trauma of war and threat to ensure that a book about Maimonides is a best seller.

I find myself moved and intrigued by what Miss Birenbaum had to say. I am constantly intrigued by what a generation other than my own of Australian Jews has to say about our own experiences here. Miss Birenbaum came right to the point when she said we cannot pussy foot around the question of aliyah. No discussion about Israel and the Jewish world which does not come to grips immediately with this central issue of Aliyah is going to be a non-discussion. Talk about the centrality of Israel, talk about the relationship between Jewish communities, talk about dialogue, all these are very much part of the discussion, but without the question of physical Aliyah, withouth the question of the transfer of especially western Jews to Israel then it seems to me our discussions are going to be barren. On the other hand I will fake this time to just raise some things which frankly disturbed me, not because I necessarily disagree with them but 1 would want to hear from Miss Birenbaum again and perhaps from some others whether or not if is in fact the case. For example, I was a little bit worried that Miss Birenbaum gave the impression that in Australia at least, there seems to be some threat hanging over Jews maintaining the right to be members of Jewish organisations or Jewish groups, or maintaining their ties with the International Jewish world. Now there is anxiety in our community, and in others, but we have not as far

79. as I know, reached the stage where we need make or feel any pressure to make any apology for our International Jewish affiliations and our involvement with Israel. I think it is fair of ־Miss Birenbaum to say that the Australian Jewish communities has shown in the past unfortun ately, signs of apathy, that it is roused from this apathy largely only by emergencies. I do ־not think it is altogether fair, however, to say, as I understood her to say, that the Austral ian Jewish community feels nothing outside periods of emergency. I think that is a little too sweeping. G'd knows I am one of the critics of the Australian Jewish community. I seem to have been doing this most of my life, but I would not want to allow Miss Birenbaum's impression to go without offering the other point of view, which is simply that Israel is the cement which holds the Australian Jewish community together. I am not sure what sort of a ־community we would have were it not for the fact that Israel is at the very centre of activ ity, whether it be social or fund-raising or educational, the Jewish community of Australia is unthinkable, in a sense, it does not have anything that you can point to that strikes it as a Jewish community other than Israel.

Mrs. Robison dropped so many eloquent pearls, and spoke with such eloquence, force and precision. I was struck by the notion of us being independently inter-dependent. What I wish she would have done, would have been more provocative than she was and when she as in a family we really have a right to shape what we help to support, I really״ said suppose that to put to you the question who is the mother and who is the father in the family and who are the children She pinpointed the fact that some of the old cliches about partnership between Israel and the Diaspora just won't work any more, because if partners, then what is the meaning of being equal? ....

I think that it is right to be able to say we have a right to help shape what we have to support but it is hard to define the nature of "rights" as it always is

I think there is a sense in which American Jewry is more unique than others. That impossible, of course, there is a sense in which one can see the way in which American Jewry plays a role in American political and public life, which cannot be approached by any other Jewish community but I get the feeling that even in Australia, in other smaller ־countries, certainly In Europe, there is an awareness as women have learned that the polit ical process is open where it is open, where we are lucky enough to live in countries where we can have access to the political process without apology, then we cannot afford and we must not take the risk of hiding our light under a bushel, the quiet diplomacy is perhaps usually bot technical or tactical sense, but the notion that Jews as a community more or less must not putsh to be heard when it comes to defending their own or Israel's interests is, I think, a dying one and I think Jewish communities have learned from the American Jewish community of what is possible. That, I think, has been the great contribution of American Jews, that they have shown other Jewish communities what you can begin to attempt and what you are capable of doing in societies, where public opinion still makes a difference.

Regarding the remarks of Mrs. Gottan, I have rarely heard someone from Israel talk about relationships between Israel and the Diaspora and also somehow or other actively come up with such names as Bartinora and Maimonides. This was almost revolutionary ...

It raised what I think is the central problem of what we are talking about, i.e. the nature of the dialogue and the nature of the relationsip. Have we perhaps been too narrow?

80. Mrs. Gottan answered this. She did not mention fund-raising, she spoke about the fact that Israel and the Jewish people share a common civilisation. It is not just a crisis that we share, we share something more. It is that sense of being part of a very great civilisation, and one can be chauvinistic about it for a change.

It seems to me that we have demanded less of Israel than Israel is capable of giving us, and in turn I think there have been times when Israel has set its sights too low. We have all tended to respond to the sense of emergency and physical odyssey in Israel with funds, and Israel to a large degree has been content to see us in terms of physical and political support, when quite clearly there is not basis for dialogue if this is going to be our only medium of constant interchange.

־I would like to hear other emissaries talk more about our enormous history which stret ches back from the cultural experiences of the Jewish people and we have to remember that to make this point in the strongest terms to the Israelis and the Israelis have on their part, to be looking to us to be organising something other than drawing room meetings for them.

II will conclude by raising again the question of the nature of the "family". If we are one family what kind of a family are we, what kind of a family should we become.

MONDAY, 28 th APRIL, 1975

82.

MONDAY 28th APRIL 9 a.m. COMMUNITY SERVICES REPORT.

Dr. de Herczeg called on Mrs. Edith Noble, Chairman of the Community Services Committee and the League of Jewish Women of Great Britain to give her report.

REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

submitted by Chairman Mrs. Edith Noble

How does one try to assess the value of a programme that has been undertaken by correspondence alone? I am sure that this must be a question that every programme Chairman term and at the end of the triennial period, to review what־asks herself when she tries, at mid has been achieved by her Committee.

It is possible, by using the right kind of professional phraseology, by quoting from some of the affiliate reports of their most successful projects, by producing charts which could ־demonstrate the huge amount of service which is being undertaken by the affiliates, to pres ent a report which, at face value, could indicate that a great deal had been achieved.

But if indeed we, as a committee, have not stimulated any new thinking, any new projects, have not been able to elicit a response from many of the affiliates and have therefore not had the opportunity to encourage them when their efforts met with apathy, what then?

With these thoughts in mind, I must report some success and some failure. Our agreed objectives and goals were as follows :

1. To draft and circulate a varied programme of Community Service, some part of which can involve affiliates in all countries.

2. To try and discover the areas of need in each affiliate's community service programme which could benefit from guidance and advice.

3. To seek information, literature and other material from affiliates regarding successful community service programmes which may be helpful to less experienced affiliates.

4. To try to stimulate new community service programmes.

We have tried to carry on a correspondence with every affiliate, knowing that we could learn a great deal from the more experienced organizations which we could pass on to community service departments of dther countries.

Early in this triennial term we contacted each affiliate and sent them a varied programme of community service, as set out in our first objective. The response to this resulted in a good continuing correspondence with a limited number of affiliates.

83. ־These good correspondents helped to make the committee an instrument for the chan nelling of information from one affiliate to another. We have received requests for other organizations' experience of dealing with specific areas of community need and, from the information in our files, have been able to answer these queries.

to build bridges ־ It may well be that this is the most useful function of the committee between the community service departments of the affiliates, so that the larger and stronger can, from the wealth of their experience, provide the stimulus and ,know-how' for smaller or younger organizations.

״Two schemes which could help to cement friendships between different Jewish commun ities have been launched in the last year, but, as yet, it is too early to assess their success. The first is a pen-friend scheme between children in small isolated Jewish communities in South Africa and children from England. This was initiated at the request of the South African Board of Deputies, with whom we have had a continuing correspondence and from whom we had received much interesting literature. The contact, of course, was the Committee correspondent member from South Africa who has been a great support.

I was delighted that we were able to supply South Africa with information and literature regarding the provision in the Education system in the U.K. for informing •young 'teenagers' of the responsibilities involved in preparation for ,Family Living1 . South Africa had been approached by the Family Life Commission of their National Welfare Board for their views and suggestions on the subject and, through our correspondence, knew that we had this information.

The second project is a holiday exchange scheme for children between the Cooperation Feminine of France and the League of Jewish Women of England.

I have received correspondence and some reports from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.S.A. A precis of their reports is attached. I regret that we were unable to elicit any response from the other 11 affiliates.

It seemed to me that the most productive way that we can use our time before the workshops, is to discuss together what we want from a Community Services Committee, and in which way you, as delegates, think we can best help each other.

We have travelled long distances to do just that, rather than to pat each other on the back for what has been individually achieved in our own countries.

IF * we truly believe in the idea of an International Council of Jewish Women Community Services Committee ;

IF * we are prepared to discuss our difficulties as well as our successes ;

IF * we are ready to ask for guidance, for what may seem an insurmountable problem in your country may well be the one which another affiliate has managed to solve; IF * each affiliate was to select someone prepared to correspond constructively, then, we may indeed fulfil our objectives. These are difficult times for all organizations using voluntary welfare workers. World inflation affecting the finances of each family, has caused many regular volunteers to take paid employment, leaving them little, if any, time for other than their home commitments. This means that we must use all our skills to recruit, organise and train our volunteers so that our community service programmes do not suffer. We must be ready to meet whatever challenges, and there will be many, that tomorrow is bound to bring.

With our history of caring for the weaker members in our respective communities, I know we will not be found wanting.

Our aim must be to reinforce each other so that we together can help to provide a chain of service around the world with no weak links.

Mrs. Noble then called for questions and discussion from the floor, and stressed the fact that at this session, it had to be found out "What do the affiliates want from the Community Services Committee". It is Imperative that the new committee knows and understands just what the affiliates want.

After a lively debate Mrs. Noble then outlined the set up of the workshops which were then to be held.

Te reporting back from the workshops is as follows.

REPORTING BACK FROM THE WORKSHOPS :

.How can we help ־ Loneliness .1 Leader : Mrs. Esther Landa, U.S.A. Rapporteur : Mrs. Betsy Lew. Australia.

The best theme for such a topic, is probably a quotation from Henry Miller "Not to belong to a "we" means you feel lonesome". not involved * ־ Who are lonely? Those who are * rejected * isolated * shy * single parents * people with personality problems * suburban neurosis * migrants * drug addicts * the widowed. Where do we find such people? They are found everywhere.

85. In Isolated country districts, particularly in Australia and the U.S.A. high price flats ; geriatric hospitals ; even in their own homes.

What methods can be used to make contact with them? Friendship clubs ;

England has formed friendship circles for people in their middle years. In Australia there is the problem of young people with incurable problems and no where else to be care for except in geriatric hospitals. This is an important point that needs attention. Also elderly lonely people, mainly widows, should be encouraged to do something for other people. But how do we get to these elderly people? One state in Australia actually advertises in the newspapers. In U.S.A. use is made of art shows, bridge clubs, majong clubs, etc. In Australia discussion groups are used, as opposed to games nights. It gives people an opportunity to talk about themselves and each other. Only do what is possible ; do not undertake too many tasks.

.Their Community Rights and Responsibilities ־ Youth .2 .South Africa ־ Mrs. Miriam Stein ־ Leader .Mrs. Hetty Mundy - England ־ Rapporteur

16 took part in this group. ־Youth are living today in an era of confusion and contradiction, but we still expect commit tment from thesn. In South Africa even the old find it difficult to be committed, how much more so the youth:? The society was so circumscribed because of racial differences.

interest ־ Theme should be I C - committment Jewish ־ J work ־ W

The Australian young Jew is very interested in his own country, as the Arabs outnumber Jews by 3 to 1 in Australia. They do have to be aware of the problems of being Jewish. They are very interested to inform themselves about the rights of the Israelis vis Arabs. In U.S.A. there is a system of counsellette groups. High school children do their own bit to take part in a certain amount of community work before they are sent out on communal work. South Africa had a unionette group, but it had not proved very successful. United Kingdom have a youth group known as "Jives" who do voluntary service, made up of secondary school children and young undergraduates. The League of Jewish women calls on them when necessary for help. .only to Israel ־ South African youth are not very much committed

3. Recruiting and Training. France ־ Madame J. Rozan ־ Leader .Argentina ־ Prof. Clara M. de Pechersky ־ Rapporteur

12 took part in the group. Excahnge views how women can be involved.

Recruiting is a severe problem in all countries. The person who wants to recruit others

86. must be committed to do it. If you are insecure yourself you cannot influence others. You must be trained to do it. It is almost impossible to be a good voluntary worker without tra ining. We must know our own limitations and we have many social techniques that can help us. The training must be done by well qualified professional people.

It was emphasised that a personal approach to future volunteers was essential in order to give them first hand knowledge of community needs, and then perhaps they will find their own projects.

Peer groups seem to work better together. However, there cannot be hard and fast rules, each group must find their own solution but in this era it can only be done with the help of professional people. Once a person is trained his contribution to whatever service she gives should give her tremendous satisfaction and reward.

־The motivations towards voluntary work come from our Jewish tradition. Each gener at ion did not invent social work and this we also have to emphasise.

4. Problems of Smaller Jewish Communities New Zealand ־ Mrs. Grace Hollander ־ Leader India ־ Mrs. Daisy Joseph ־ Rapporteur

We have.the problems of the smaller Jewish communities. The main problem is the lack ־of sufficient people. Most communities, such as India has a transport problem and approp riate accommodation for the aged people and no funds to maintain homes for the old. Most communities also lack volunteer helpers to assist in community services. It was suggested that we should involve young married people and get them to take responsibilities. Most communities have tried having meetings and discussions to get the young people to assist, but there has been no response. They do not want to accept responsibility. Young groups in New Zealand and Austral ia have organised meetings and camps etc. and they have been Try to have young people involved ־very successful. Very small communities should try this in projects with the elderly. Community centers have been successful. An effort should be made to involve young husbands as well.

Sport programmes should be introduced, larger communities must help the smaller ones and visit them ; etc. if they are to survive.

Migrants from other countries should be attracted to the smaller communities. Youngsters should be given responsibility so they can act independently and relieve the older ones.

The very young people must be given Jewish education. In very small communities small groups should be amalgamated and responsibilities shared.

Many communities have the same problems. A problem shared is less of a problem.

5. Community Services for the Handicapped England ־ Dr. Daphne Sasieni ־ Leader Mrs. Rosa Rosenblum - Mexico ־ Rapporteur 23 attended this group.

87. It was reported that in small communities certain groups organised transport for sick and handicapped to hospitals and elsewhere as-it is-not always provided by the hospitals.

Handicapped children and adults should not be treated as freaks and should be sent, if possible, to normal schools and integrated into society at an early age.

England had a holiday scheme. Perhaps children can be exchanged during vacations.

Difficulties are met in providing services in mental hospitals. Volunteers felt they were doing too little by just serving tea, etc. Music, rhythm and dancing might help break the ice. A kind of communication can be set up this way. Taking clothing, beads, make-up will also help. Taking mentally retarded children into normal home environment is a way of bringing them out and giving them communication. Children enjoyed this.

Scout groups can be formed in mental homes. Try to integrate some normal children into these groups. This has proved beneficial and most successful. Both sides benefitted.

Day Centers and Caring for the Aged.

Group of 30. Australia ־ Dr. E. Phillips ־ Leader .Australia ־ Mrs. E. Wieselmann ־ Rapporteur

The participants came from England, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

influenced by physical and psychological factors ־ Ageing is a continuous process

־Problems become more pronounced in the elderly e.g. financial, health, social, lonel iness, security, nutrition.

When working with the Aged, one must respect their integrity and one must try and understand grief.

Definitions and discussions on Sympathy and Empathy. The importance on training has been stressed by all participants.

Services.

Aim 1. To help the Aged in their own home. This is made possible by :

a. Day Centers & Clubs .especially in the evening ־ b. Regular social visits c. Meals on Wheels. d. Telephone chain link. e. Outings.

88. .to Doctors, Dentists, Hospital ־f. Transporl

g. Domiciliary Services.

Three stages of housing for the Elderly when own home becomes too difficult to maintain :

1. Flats with a Caretaker. 2. Old Age Homes.

3. Hospital, preferably connected with Old Age Home and just as a progressive step.

Discussion on Day Centres.

Most affiliates have Day Centres or Friendship Clubs :

]. How to activate passive members? 2. The value of creative work at the centres.

3. Can small communities run Centres?

REMEMBER : We do not offer charity - we offer service.

Loneliness is not confined to the poor or the Aged. It was felt that not enough time was set aside for workshops as some members need a little time to start participating and an exchange of ideas is the most stimulating feature.

Dr. de Herczeg thanked the leaders and the rapporteurs for their wonderful sessions. She then read a cable which had just arrived from Pnina Herzog President of the Council of Women Organizations in Israel "Deeply regret unable be with you at this time. No doubt shared by us all in Israel and the Diaspora is the unprecedented need today to involve Jewish women in the crucial efforts that face our people in strengthening of Israel, broad- ening and deepening Jewish education. Through unity of spirit and action expressed in complete involvement in Jewish affairs and support of Israel we have it in our power to determine events and not be controlled by them. Together we can face the future in confidence. 1 wish your deliberations every success"

Pnina Herzog

Dr. de Herczeg then announced that four invitations had been submitted for the forthcoming Convention in 1978. They were from

Consejo Argentino de Mujeres Israelitas ־ Argentina .1 2. Israel. Council of Women's Organisations of Israel, endorsed by the Minister of Tourism 3. South Africa. Union of Jewish Women of South Africa. 4. U.S.A. National Council of Jewish Women of the U.S.A.

Serious thought should be given to these four invitations as a vote must be taken on the last day.

89. MONDAY 28th April, 2.30 p.m. WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

* Dr. de Herczeg called the meeting to order and called on Mrs. Dorothy Rosenwald to present the Ways and Means report of the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Mrs. Betty Minz who was not present. Mrs. Rosenwald then presented the report.

THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE ־ Report

The Ways and Means Committee of the International Council of Jewish Women was charged at the mid-term Executive Committee meeting held in Jerusalem, to work with the Treasurer, to arrive at a schedule of dues which would meet the total budget of the International Council of Jewish Women.

The committee, consisting of Mrs. Isabel Brown, Mrs. Ruth Dolkart and the Chairman, Mr. Betty Mintz, met and submitted to Mrs. Shirley Stich their suggestions for the allocation of dues assessments. The proposed new dues schedule which has been submitted to the membership is, therefore, their recommendation to the International Council of Jewish Women.

It was not possible to implements at this convention a forther recommendation that there be a Workshop on Fund Raising techniques.

It is the recommendation of this committee that the Ways and Moans Committee be discharged as it has completed the directive given to it at the Convention held in Toronto.

*********

90. ׳ X ״"J

A2 "י־

TUESDAY, 29 th APRIL, 1975

3 > j

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f *

TUESDAY 29 th APRIL 9 a.m. JEWISH EDUCATION.

Dr. de Herczeg welcome those present. She drew attention to the fact that the theme for the past friennium period had been "Jewish Education of Adult Women" so this session is of supreme importance.

She then called on Mrs. Dahlia Gottan, the chairman of the Education Committee to take the chair.

Mrs. Gottan, in her opening remarks pointed out that Jewish education and education in general are hard tasks. If we speak of education in these turbulent times we find it particularly difficult. We must know what we want to educate form what are the values, what are the goals and what are the menas at our disposal to educate.

Even more so when we speak about Jewish education. I personally think that this subject is to be ־ the backbone of the International Council of Jewish Women. We are all women Jewish is something what we really have to know what we expect from ourselves and what is expected of us and how we are going to transmit it to further generations.

In this session on Jewish Education, I do hope we can discuss aspects for the future which will mean more success in our work.

She then presented the report.

JEWISH EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Report for Triennial Period of 1 9 72 -1975

DAHLIA GOTTAN ־ Submitted by Chairman

I. The objectives and goals of our committee were to strenghthen the Jewish consciousness of thdse we reach and to bring about discussions and new approaches to the problems of Jewish identity and a clearer understanding of the link between Diaspora Jewry and Israel.

II. Among the activities undertaken to achieve these goals1 were : (1) The I.C.J.W. Seminar on Jewish Identity in the Modern World (May 12 - 22, 1974) in the organization of which we took an active part ; (2) The introduction of two new columns dealing with the problems of Jewish identity, "From the Desk of the Jewish Education Committee", and "Off the Shelf". These were designed as introductions to the new programmes which we planned to present and develop. (3) The presentation of a major series of proposals for future programmes at the Mid- Term Session in Israel in Israel, in May 1974. Among the proposals were a Bible and Jewish Studies program, a Bible quiz, and a regular review supplement dealing

91. and fields such as־ with questions of Jewish identity in literature, art, music • sociology and psychology. The programme was, however, dependent upon the availability of a significant budget and so it was decided that the proposals be brought before the Triennial Convention in 1975.

III. Our main obstacles were two. One was as insufficient budget to initiate any carry out equally serious־ even the most basic of the proposals we outlined. The second obstacle was the lack of response from the affiliates to our request for ־־ from our point of view their recommendations and reactions to the material and ideas we were presenting. The response was minimal to the degree that we felt we were working in a vacuum.

IV. We are, therefore, enclosing a series of recommendations, for future activities, of material and programmes, which can be ordered and organized directly by the local affiliates according to their own budgetary resources and interests.

Mrs. Gottan then called on the first of two students, who were to address the forum on Jewish Education.

Firstly Naomi Medding, head girl of Mount Scopus College, a matriculation student.

When I discuss education today, I intend to treat it in its broadest sense. Professor Milton Friedman, the famous American economist said "schooling is not education". I tend to agree with him. As a plant grows due to a combination of soil, sunshine and rain, so does a person's ־mind need to draw from many factors to be educated. It is not only one factor which contrib utes to one's education, but many. It is true that the facts we learn at school help one achieve an academic education, but it is not this that really counts. It is the learning process, the method of enquiry which may be applied to any task one attempts that it is important. It is the development, the ability to think clearly, to listen carefully, to analyse what one hears and to digest it, that is the most useful. I think that I can narrow down my main sources of education to four areas - my home,• the school 1 attend, the youth movement I belong to and just general life experiences.

One's home is where one's education begins and in a sense it is the most important, as it is there one spends the formative years. What one learns there will most likely be among the most marked of one's memories. A child learns certain values and is given certain guidelines to live by. I come from a religious home and so incorporated in my education was an impartm- ent of the strength and beauty of a religious life. 1 think this has provided me with a very strong backing and will continue to do so. I believe that it is general rule, that people need something strong behind them to urge them on. It is also at home that one receives constant encouragement and constructive criticism throughout.

School is also a most important source of education. It is not just the academic education and the learning process which I described earlier, and one learns that it is important also, the social education. One learns about the world in the classroom and learns how to apply it in the playground. One meets a variety of people, teachers of different commitments and religion. But what is so important about meeting these people? It is not just being introduced that is so vital but talking to them, learning from their ideas, hearing their views, seeing how they think and comparing it to your views. It may be a rather unreal microcosm of the

92. world at large, however, it is a start. It is there you learn to relate to people for the first time. You are meeting people who don't accept you merely because you are a member of you now real ise that a successful friendship must ־ the family. You must prove your worth be worked out It's an education in people and therefore in life.

Being Jewish I attend a Jewish school, Mount Scopus, and I feel that this has helped me to strengthen my Jewish identity and, probably the greatest credit to the Jewish Day School movement, my peer group knows none of the fears of accusations of pluralism, nor suffer the qualms of the enigma of being a minority.

The youth movement is probably one of the most beneficial sources of education because it is voluntary. Apart from being a social education, it is one of the few places one has a group of young people gathering together because they share common ideals, discussing them and learning more about them. Apart from the discussing of common ideals, it is the beginning ־of learning the qualities of leadership, having the opportunities to develop one's organisat the need for which־ ional abilities and learning to cope with people and responsibilities arises throughout one's life. In my case it is Bnei Akivah, because I share the motivation, behind Torah V'avodah.

The most general and also most unprotected realm of one's education is one's general life experiences. Doing social work at the Montefiore Homes and helping non-Jewish children at places like Allembie gives one insight into how other sectors of society live. Being a student representative at inter-school meetings made, me realise how fortunate Jewish children are in the education they receive. Another way of seeing life and learning about it is by taking a holiday job.

,seeing how other live ־ Helping these people adds another dimension to one's education trying to understand, and learning how to give a little of oneself to aid others.

I feel that I have been most fortunate in being able to stretch out my roots, so to speak, as fcr as I have liked so as to obtain my education. However, I do feel that today in education ,society, the learning process׳more emphasis should be put on understanding all sectors of as Jews how to counter the problems of living in a predominantly non-Jewish society and general more practical application of what we learn in the classroom situation.

My education is far from over, I hope it never will be. To me education is a continuos process and I try to enlarge upon mine everyday.

Mrs. Gottan thanked Miss Midding, and cajfed upon Miss Paula Birenbaum, who had previously addressed a session, who is doing her teaching training at a College, is active in youth movements and who was sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women to a Leadership training course in Israel in December 1974.

Miss Birenbaum then spoke.

Generally speaking, although during the years of my secondary, secular education, I strongly felt the system did not give a true reflection of my entire personality and ability as a student, due to its "factor like" learning, and processing of facts, I did, however, manage to acquire a structure of discipline, an ability to make use of resources, develop thinking methods through the processes of learning, discovery and investigation. I also tried to strive for a social aim-to integrate with pupils from different family backgrounds. Thus, as a woman, I maintained a general awareness of the social environment in which I lived ; and since completing my secondary secular education that awareness has changed and developed and is continuing to do so. However, as a Jewish woman, I found that academic knowledge I felt one must have a Jewish way of life, practice it, and thus, have a ־ was not enough sense of identification. Because one who is Jewish, and does not practice Judaism, is susceptible to a secular way of life, and lacks a feeling of identification. If one practices Judaism, you adhere to a code, which gives you a direction in life. On the whole, the Jewish education I receive^ helped me to develop a love for precepts of Judaism, aim to be a Jewish adult, and in the future a Jewish wife.

I found that Judaism, does not subject the Jewish woman to male domination, and that there was no need for me to turn towards Women's Liberation Movements ; as both the female and male roles in Judaism are of equal importance. Just as the male is obligated to perform all the negative mitzvot, I am, as a Jewish woman, obligated to perform all the negative mitzvot. For instance, just as the Jewish man is not obligated to steal, to lie, or to kill, I too, am not obligated. Just as the Jewish man is obligated to perform all the positive mitzvot, I as a Jewish woman, am obligated to keep all the positive mitzvot. For instance, just as the Jewish man is obligated to observe the Yom Tovim, I am as a Jewish woman obligated even more, to keep the yom tovim, as I am required to put in a greater effort due to the preparation to the Hag.

In the days of the shtetl, Jewish education was more or less self-generating, through parents and community, and the distinctive form of Jewish life was incorporated in religious beliefs, customs, festivals and traditions, that continued in the course of that life. Then the Jewish education contained harmony and stability, but, today I feel, it has unfortunately, been disrupted. Because, Jewish life became less and less oppressed in the societies it existed in religious observances, and beliefs became less strict, and less influential ; and this meant a change in the traditional, rigid, Jewish way and life style. Today, by mentioning Shabbat or Pesach, one generally has a picture of the family together. We tend to think of them merely as family affairs, and not as observant yom tovim, thus, the observance has decreased and the reason for keeping mitzvot are different ; for instance, because its our tradition, or because we don't want to assimilate. Parents want their children to know they come from a Jewish home, and that they are Jewish. Parents want their children to attend a Jewish school, G: d Forbid their son may become a Rabbi". The religious״ ,but not for to long because essence has been destroyed. For instance, the approach today of why Moshe Greenberg can't ־ marry Mary Smith, is because it is unwise and G'd forbid daddy may suffer a heart attack hardly anyone says it is WRONG.

Those Who do keep religious rituals, do so as a matter of survival. This should not be a it's not a matter of how many of us are Jewish, it's a matter of how ־ reason for existence the quality. Thus, one could stop Moshe marrying Mary, by taking the ־ we are Jewish quantity of his Judaism, and improving the quality of his Judaism. I recall from my Sunday Talmud Torah days, I was taught about Judaism yet was not encouraged ; whilst at religious school, I wasn't taught so much due to the lack of facilities, yet, I was encouraged. I feel most strongly, that for the majority of Jews, it is necessary to provide some system to make

94. up for what is now lacking in the home, and comunal evironment. To have a proper Jewish education I feel, one must have a curriculum, a teacher'Vho has a direct relationship to ־Jewish education and the community, an environment, and of course, a student who has int erests. Although education cannot make a community, it can try to create one, that is, by having a life style. I feel by all means, Jewish schools should include a secular curriculum, as this is the student's main form of mobility after secondary school ; but one must be able to maintain and develop their Judaism, because if one is only secularly inclined, then one loses a great, Jewish, cultural heritage. One must in Jewish education today strive to preserve this heritage, yet, also be able to adjust to the modern era, and cope with its problems. The Jewish woman must study Judaism, and educate herself, and in turn educate her family, she must have knowledge, and not think of herself as a servant because she isN't.

Judaism, is a privilege, which as a Jewish adult, I have knowingly and willingly accepted as a way of life.

Mrs. Gottan then introduced Mrs. Kozminsky, who, since 1963 has been Headmistress of Yavneh Jewish Day School, which has grown in that time from 40 pupils to 360.

Mrs. Kozminsky was also asked by the Department of Semitic Studies of the Melbourne University to write a Hebrew Text Book, which she did in 1965.

־I would like to open my remarks by opening the curtain to a wider spectrum. Social scient" ists, in the field of anthropology of education tell us that the symbolizations of cultural life ־do not have their roots in race or any aspects of biology, but are learned results of a syst ematic consistent experience, to which the individual is exposed in the course of growing up.

The cultural life is transmitted to the child by a number of agents and those I would like to rank in their order, as the family, the social organizations of the society in which the child is born and its institutions, inner groups, technology and artifacts.

Firstly the family : First in line we find, of course, the mother and the father. We will omit the role of the father in this symposium. Let us take the role of the mother. From the very earliest moments of life the mother is the greatest influence on the child. She provides home With food, warmth and physical contact.

The child perceives and absorbs the mother through his senses. He can feel her, hear her, he can see and smell her. The first lesson in life is getting to know the mother. This gives the mother a very unique opportunity, a position of power to influence the child in his development of sense of values, attitudes, beliefs, and the child's outlook towards life. It is the mother who has the opportunity to provide the child with this consistent experience which can continue throughout the long period of time. In the light of this argument it is not necessary to stress the very strong role which the mother has in the bringing up of the child.

I would like to concentrate on education, as my specific topic given to me. I was asked to speak on the role of the Jewish Day School in relation to the topic under discussion.

95. i hope I have made point In showing that the mother Is teacher number one, because the first person any human being learns from in life is the mother and the first thing he learns is getting to know his mother and on this very important lesson, anything else he will learn in life will be based.

In my ranking of the cultural agencies which are so important In the process of socialization of any person into society to which he is born I have mentioned the institutions, the social ־organizations and the institutions within it, for a school is obviously a very strong institut ion in cultural system.

School life in western society usually begins between the age of 3 to 5. By the time the child comes to school he already has a enormous body of knowledge. This, of course, he ־has learned in indirect, informal ways. The school is different. The school is a formal educ ation agent, orderly and specialised. This is common to all schools but the Jewish Day Schools has yet another dimension.

We are charged with the task of imparting Jewish knowledge, Jewish cultural and the Jewish way of life to the child. This is more than a formalised approach can do. If we were to present Jewish knowledge as formalised learning we would be doomed to failure.

Mrs. Kozminsky then went on to outline the methods used in her particular school, Yavneh College, of how they approach the teaching of Hebrew.

The school ranges from kindergarten to Grade 6. The child comes at the age of 3. Being mindful of the way the child has lived up till now and being also mindfull of the fact the child is very perceptive and very impressionable and that he learns best in an informal indirect way, we endeavour to create for him the same conditions in which he lived before he came to the school.

We try to make the kindergarten an extension of the home, an extension of the way in which he lived and in this way we already eliminate the shock which always occurs to every child in every education system when he changes from one way of life to.another. Suddenly going to school is a discontinuity in his life. We try to make the atmonsphere where the shock will not be so great.

Yavneh employs both locally trained and Israel trained teachers.

In this way a dual atmosphere is created. The English teacher speaks English in the English class and the Hebrew teacher speaks Hebrew in the Hebrew class. In a natural way. We try to create a natural atmosphere in which he learns his mother tongue. The children acquire cn enormous vocabulary and communicate wonderfully. This process is continued in primary school. Here a more formal atmosphere is created. Here the teacher imparts a vocabulary which will eventually enable the child to read and write. The vocabulary is taken from the child's own world. At the same time this world must contain for him a full phonetic system of Hebrew language. The same methods are used in the Hebrew class as in the English class. In1 this way the process of learning Hebrew is painless, without pitfalls and without schocks.

The children enjoy learning two languages. They are proud of their achievements.

96. The Jewish Day Schools has a very important task which is not totally formalistic. The teacher who is religiously committed has an enormous influence on the child. The teacher stands as a model for the child to emulate. The teacher's enthusiasm and interest is an enormous influence on the child's motivations to learn. This is why the method of teaching is so very important.

By teaching the child Hebrew we give him a feeling of wonderful achievement and of course mainly we give him the key to the total, full range of what we call yiddishkeit or the Jewish culture or the Jewish way of life.

־Our curriculum consists of Torah, dinim, Jewish history, the cycle of the Jewish year, fest ivals, holy days and of course Israel. We give a wide range of the most enjoyable experiences. I say experiences, because we impress on the children through his senses and through his experiences the things we want him to know, we want him to feel and live and we want him to carry these experiences into life.

We show him that Judaism is a reality, a way of life expected of every Jew and we give him the oppotunity to do so. Through our learning we open to the children the door to Jewish law, Jewish thinking, Jewish believing. We teach him our traditions, obligations observances and our history.

We look into the past, we look into the future and we live in the present.

The children enjoy the life as Jews. They do it willingly and happily.

We hope that when they leave us they will continue to do so. Here a great deal depends on the home and in particular on the mother.

We give them something worthwhile, something they will take with them and keep for the rest of their lives, something through which they will draw strength, to go on to be good, honest Jews, with a love of their way of Life, a love of Israel and strength to face whatever may come in their life.

Mrs. Gottan thanked Mrs. Kozminsky and called on the second panellist Mr. Henry Shaw. Mr. Shaw has been the Victorian HiI lei Director since 1970 and apart from an auspicious acadmic career has had two books published. He has worked in youth work for 30 years.

Mr. Shaw briefly brought forward questions which he hoped the ladies would discuss during these problems ־ their sessions on education. He emphasised the importance of these questions and said they were of paramount importance arid it was imperative that women, such as those attending this Convention discuss the matters.The first question is the one of the holocaust. There WAS a holocaust The children must know about it. They must be taught about it and they MUST NEVER FORGET IT. But it must not be given them in a crude and frightening way. Time after time all he hears is "Auschwitz, Auschwitz, Auschwitz ii! "

The second question is that of radical youth. Of course youth is radical. It was radical youth who last century started the Zionist movement. Thank G*d there will always be radical youth, BUT let them be radical about Jewish things. Direct them in the right direction. The question of keeping the commandments. This can't be taught it can be shown. One of his own great teachers had told him that" religion is not taught - it has to be caught". It is .the mother and the father וזו learned in the family by catching the whole idea fro

,difficult ׳Of course there are problems about youth. There are many problems, some are some are worrying and many have not and cannot now be solved, but women can discuss these matters and put them in the right perspective. What are the standards of Jewish youth. I doubt if ־ This is important. It is not the permissive society, or the sexual promiscuity earlier generations were more chaste, but the most important ,are the standards we have in our society.

Rabbi Lubofsky in his Shabbat service asked " i!s the Jewish community geared for Women's Liberation". I ask "Is the Jewish community geared to its present state of affluence and prosperity? Is the Jewish family geared to cope with wealth in the family in the present situation? A family should not be poor, the wealth should come gradually, but is it good for a child to have everything given to him on a silver platter? Is the averafje Jewish family geared to cope with the corruption of wealth wealth,, and do they know how to handle it? What are you showing your children? •What are they being shown as far as their economic situation is concerned?

particularly from fahters, is "I had to ־ The cry I hear time and time again from parents struggle and my child is not going to struggle like I did". WHY NOT?? What is wrong with struggle? I do not say to deprive the child of necessities, certainly not, but must he live in luxury? Must he at the age of 17 or 18 or 19 drive a Jaguar car? Please, in your sessions, discuss the question of standards. Children today know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Yes, we have the problem of drugs,:Jt is not as bad as it is made out. It is exaggerated. Some do smoke pot. Where do they get the money for such an expensive item? Some are even drug pushers, because they want that extra money. Please discuss this.

What else do I find? The most terrible thing I found when I arrived in this community, is or 18 or 19 finish with their evening, or their studies or their ־ thct when the children 17 lecture, out would come a pack of cards, a wad of / 1 0 and $ 20 not es and they started to play poker. Why haven't our community leaders spoken out against this organizing of illegal or is it a matter of the children ־ gambling nights. Why haven't the parenfsacted in this matter just copying their parents? They see it in their own homes, and what their parents do, they do.

I was horrified when I arrived in Australia, it was the height of the mining boom to find young boys investing their Barmitzvah money in stocks and shares, and rushing out of classes and lectures to listen to the latest market results or to the telephone to ring their what are the parents teaching their children? Some of them think ־ stockbroker. I ask again I am peculiar because I consider them wrong.

but it can also be a ־ University can be a very wonderful experience for a young person corrupting influence in their lives, it can be a very dangerous institution. Again it depends on our standards. If. the parents do not set an example, what can we do?

98. What is the good of all the schooling if after 18 years of age the wrong home influence comes into play?

Another point I must bring up. From a humble background, one thing I remember vividly are the discussions around the table. My father was not a terribly learned man, but with him and the family and with the rabbi, the late Rabbi Newman, whose wife is present, we had wonderful discussions. Jews have always been great talkers. What has happened to these "discussions". This had a strong influence on my whole life. The idea of having books, af discussing the latest books, of what is published, of what is going on in the book world mould and form a young person. Every home must have books - it is part and parcel of a books are the most important thing ־ Jewish home. Every Jewish home should have a library in a child's life.

־ Somewhere along the line has come the feeling that these things are no longer important they are no longer of value. Please talk about these questions, please discuss them, they are important matters, there seems to be just a mad rush for the $.

many, things should be introduced^ into the home by the ־ Many things should be different mother. These things worry me and they should worry you. These are the problems which face the youth community today - please discuss them.

Mrs. Gottan, in thanking Mr. Shaw drove attention to two suggestions put forward in her in particular the one in which she stressed the necessity for Jewish books in the ־ report home and the schools.

Rabbi Brian Fox, Minister of Temple Leo ־ Mrs. Gottan then introduced the third speaker Baeck in Melbourne. A Master of Arts with a degree in divinity.

Rabbi Fox in speaking of the Jewish Woman sustaining Jewish life brought a completely different attitude from all previous speakers. We talk about the change in the role the father and the mother, but we do not define what these changes are. If we are going to talk about the change in the role of the mother, we must go further than the traditional role of the Jewish mother. Traditionally there is a three point programme for the role of the Jewish mother (1) separating the dough (2) immersion and (3) lighting the candles for sabbath.

If that has been the role of the Jewish mother in definition we would be a poorer people today. We would not have survived if the Jewish mother had limited herself as laid down by Jewish tradition.

Once we come to understand what the role of the Jewish mother has been in action we will find that the majority of Jewish mothers have abandoned their role, have abonadoned their families and have abandoned their Judaism, in all areas other than the specific areas of what they are obliged to do in the family. In a sustainng ro\f, in the role of making sure that Jewish life survives,, that there is some kind of back bone to Jewish life, the Jewish mother have put themselves into the role of charladies and that is that. The Jewish mother sees herself as making the bed, making the meal, cleaning up and making her husband happy.

.not just the law as laid down but actual examples ־ Let us take examples from the tradition

99. a great leader; Rebecca who loved her son Jacob too ־ He went on then to speak of Sarah much and actually deceived her husband on her son's behalf; of Rachel, mother of Joseph and Benjamin ; of Leah, mother of the tribes that established the right of the people of Israel to the land of Israel ; of Hochabed who concealed her son Moses, and made sure that her child survived ; of Miriam the prophetess, G'd not only speaks to men but also to women ; Who has set the limitations on the woman's role when we have such wonderful examples in the past?

How wrciny woman have tied themselves to their families and their husband's families and have no warm relationships outside these families.

We say that the Jewish woman has been maligned by Jewish tradition. This is not so. In one dedicated her ־ tradition the Jewish woman has been a leader. Take the two Hannahs son to G'd, the other sacrificed her seven sons that Judaism might live.

The woman must take her part to be a Jew. She must not hide behind her husband. Many Jewish women of today fail their share of the standards of Jewish womanhood as laid down by examples in the past.

,you do not make things happen by passing a law ־ Our standards are not set by Jewish law you make things happen by following an example.

.do not be scared of your children ־ The Jewish woman's role in the sustaining of Jewish Life scared to say she does not like the way he acts or the ־ Today's mother is scared of her child wya he dresses. You are scared that he will go against you, that he will let us down in public. We are scared that he will make a fuss. Have the courage to state your opinion, to say you do not like the way he dresses, or say that you DO like the way he dresses. There is no reason to hide behind the fact that they are young and you are older. Do not be scared of showing weakness.

There are family arguments,!there will always be family arguments. Everyone some time or ־other will wonder "how did I produce a child like this". If you are interested in the sustain ing of Jewish life and the sustaining of the family life which is in crisis I suggest to you to ־be ready for the crisis that comes in your own family, particularly for those who have adol escent children,' because your child is going to go through a time of trying to find himself. Do not try to put yourself in his position, or put him in your position. Do not try to bring him into your line. Do not be scared of him, say what you feel, live what you are but just make sure that your child knows that after the argument and after the bad feeling that the door is .not for going out but for coming in ־ always open

make sure that he ־ If you want to sustain Jewish life do not replace your husband's role has his role too. Do not be the one who always fates the children to Synagogue, because your husband has a business appointment, do not be the one who fakes the children to school, do the discussing with the teachers, etc. etc. because the husband is busy. Do not let him make appointments at 5 p.m. on Friday. He knows that you like money, like the comforts that the money brings, but make sure that he plays his role. In the orthodox family this does not happen, but the majority of our community today is not orthodox and the mother must not allow herself to be exploited by the great g'd money.

100. Do not be scared of your husband.

־Also I meet the problem of the young engaged couples. They avoid discussions of basic differ ences, let things run along smoothly, and go ahead with a marriage that perhaps should not take place, and later when the problems are brought into the open and are discussed the husband and the wife drift apart and Jewish life is not sustained.

Everyone must define their own role. The role of the mother in the last generation might not suit you, and the role your daughter and her husband set might not be to your liking, but everyone must define their particular role.

It is very good for a wife to be diligent, generous, thrifty etc. etc. but it must be written ־in your heart that you stand for the survival of Judaism then we have a chance for the surv ival of Judaism in the family.

Mrs. Gottan thanked Rabbi Fox and called for questions from the floor.

Mrs. Gelman spoke briefly, quoting Bernard Shaw when he said "that education is what is left after you have forgotten all that you have been taught", but she would rather define it as "from the womb to the tomb". She felt that far too much stress is put on the role of the mother and the father must bear his share.

Mrs. Brilliant (USA) asked if Yiddish is encouraged.

Mrs. Kazminsky answered that today, when Hebrew is now a living language, and the language of the Jewish people it must be pushed very hard. Ivrit had to self impose itself on the Jewish people and it is now the mother tongue.

Mr. Shaw said that there was a request here for Yiddish, but at Mount Scopus the response was almost negligible. However, there are Yiddish classes held and this year a Yiddish day school has started in Melbourne.

Mrs. Winston Fox asked what has happened to the role of prayer. No one has mentioned it. We no longer seem to teach a belief in G'd.

Mr. Shaw in answering was forced to agree with Mrs. Fox. One rio longer prays, they dovened, gabbled, and talked about the stock exchange. We are a social ethnic group where prayer has taken a back position, it hardly exists. We have ceased to remember how to pray.

Rabbi Fox added to this by saying we no longer teach prayer in G'd. Many do not believe in "prayer in G'd". Many do not believe in the kind of g'd that Jewish tradition talks about. ־Jewish ideas are of G'd are 4000 years old. There is no intelligent discussion in the commun ity about G'd. This is a challenge.

Prof. Pechersky (Argentina) said that where many of us have failed in the role of mother, we are now succeeding in the role of grandmother. Rabbi Fox said that the role of the grandmother is much more profound.

101. The grandmother is so much more mature than the child or the grandchild. Even in the role of death the grandmother is more able to prepare herself, and thereby prepare the child or the grandchild.

Mrs. Newman (U.K.) asked what facilities there are for adult education for parents. Children learn in school but there should be adult education for mothers and those who want to help their children.

Mr. Shaw commented that he hated to admit it but year after year adult education classes are started but already by the second week they just flop.

Mrs. Gottan then outlined the set up for the workshops and the meeting broke up to form the five workshops.

* * * *

REPORTING BACK OF THE WORKSHOPS.

1. Assimijption and Students' problems : Drugs and Radical Youth.

Leader : Mrs. Rosettenstein (S. Africa) Rapporteur : Dr. Phillips (Australia) Drugs, aspirin, alcohol, smoke are accepted and the children follow suit with marihuana and LSD. .

What can be done in family life.to build up a strong generation? Knowing who they are and what they should do and do it voluntarily. The role of the mother ־leads to an. over-stress on the mother,, to a caricature of the Jewish mother ; the over protective mother, it is the father who has to take his part. If the father can take his child fishing he can also take him blue box collecting.

2. Jewish Education Modernised? Jewish survival in an Open Society ; Function and Programming : of Jewish Education.

Leader : Prof. Pechersky (Argentina) Rapporteur : Mrs. Samson (India) Education modernized should be by sense of direction and identification. By direction we mean knowledge of Judaism, ways of life, traditions etc. By identification we mean that they should join youth groups, and to achieve all this we have to think of the quality of the educators. Leadership must be of a very high standard. They must be educated strongly to be able to impart knowledge to the young.

Jewish identification : There is an uprising of ethnic minority groups, it is the thing to be different and; it is beautiful to be different. We have to teach our children there are many people in the world.

If we want to have respect we must respect others,.but we are Jews. We have given something to the history of mankind and we have to know it. As the prophets have said "Jewish values

102. are not good just because they are Jewish but because they have to make better human beings and then perhaps we will survive"

3. Does Judaism offer a moral code of law ; what happened to the Chosen People?

Leader : Mrs. Graham (U.K.) Rapporteur : Mrs. Rosenwald (USA) Equating Judaism with the Jewish way of life. The law of Judaism could control our lives from morning to evening and everything we do. The Jewish law is against self denigration ; laws about the training of children ; parents must teach a child a trade or a profession ; important to help a person to help themselves ; we also have a prominent responsibility for the protection of life, human, animals, etc. ; laws about.dumb animals, servants, plants etc. laws between husband and wife ; marriage and divorce ; protection of humans, respect for privacy etc.

.for strengthening the spirit ־ Laws for Shabbat, rest for all ; laws about Jewish holidays

Judaism stresses the idea of a personal G'd ; our individual soul is important and is part of .psalms are very uplifting ־ G'd ; In order to pray you must believe in, it

There was a discussion and criticism of people who use the law for relationship with Jews but no with others. This is not observing the Jewish law.

The law is a living law and a discussion took place about the non observant Jews in Israel. Many Jewish people in the Diaspora are disappointed in the lack of religion in Israel.

Can Jewish people in the Diaspora survive without being orthodox?

There is a Jewish ethic that the total orthodox tradition does not have to be observed in we chose the law rather ־ order to observe Judaism. We were really the Choosing people than being chosen.

4. Never forget Amelfek Should future generations be taught about World. War II and other holocausts.

Leader : Mrs. T. Hacker (Switzerland) Rapporteur : Mrs. Ross (New Zed land) This should definitely be part of Jewish education. It could become part of the Passover service and then will be accepted naturally.

Adult education programmes could be used to make the adults aware of the necessity of knowing to teach their children from their knowledge. Some of the group had had experiences in these things we talked about but some had not.

It must not be allowed to become solely history or something accepted in the minds of those who knew it. They must know because otherwise they won't realise that anti-Semitism is still and will always be with us.

103. that it is history but it must be accepted, as living history, and one suggested ״Some fell that it would help adults if perhaps they could visit Israel.

5. Jews versus Israelis ; A question of identity.

Leader : Mrs. A. Robison (USA) Rapporteur : Mrs. M. Malinek (Australia) ־It was accepted that the word "versus" does not mean "against". It means there are differ ences between the Israelis and the Jews in the Diaspora.

Must try to see what the differences are. There is the religious aspeqt. Disappointment of the Diaspora Jew when he goes to Israel and sees the lack of religious observance.

Although it is felt that Jewry to survive in the Diaspora needs religion, in Israel that is not the feeling of many. They live the Torah and they live it secularly and not religiously.

"I am an Israeli and you are a Jew in the Diaspora". This is as they see it.

Religiously and ethnically we will always keep together in the Diaspora. It is not Israelis responsibility alone to keep the Jews together.

Still inter-dependence between Israel and the Diaspora is indispensable.

Mrs. Gottan summed up the Session on Education briefly.

She mentioned that they were aware in Israel that they should be more observant, and efforts in that direction were being taken.

From the discussion the three pillars had arisen - religion, family and education.

She gave an example of soldiers seriously injured in the Yom Kippur war lying in, hospital and the two words on their lips were "mother and G'D".

knowledge, pride and commitment are what are ־ As she had mentioned in her introduction needed.

The whole discussion and the way of looking at the problems had all been optimistic.

It is good to educate.

We must not be scared to educate, it is our role as women to educate and make our husbands also aware of their role in the field of education. WEDNESDAY, 30 th, APRIL 1975

WEDNESDAY, 30th APRIL, 9 a.m.

CHAIRED BY MRS. PHYLLIS ROSENFELD, ICJW U.N. REPRESENTATIVE IN NEW YORK

UNITED NATIONS SESSION

Since all of you Have, in your Convention kits, written reports on the UN in New York and Geneva, at the Council of Europe, and your UNICEF and UNESCO representatives, I hope to make this much more personal telling you about the kind of work we do, the pleasures and frustrations we have and finally, what the UN expects of its Non-governmental organizations usually refered to as N.G.O.S., I hope that I may be able to convey more clearly exactly what the UN is, how if functions through its componertparts and agencies, and what our proper role is : exactly what an N G O can and cannot do.

The UN was established, as you all know, soon after World War II, with the hope that it would become a forum for discussion and action among the Member States. It was not to be a Super-Government, nor a federation, with power over Sovereign States ; - but a place where delegates from nations could come together to solve the political, economic and social problems of the world. In this fashion, it was believed that Peace could be maintained. War would be eliminated, and all human rights would be considered universal. The Charter of the UN defined the role of each part of the UN. First, the Security Council - a small body to take action in emergency political situations. On the other hand, the General Assembly consists of delegates from every Member State, can debate all issues, political and humanitarian, and adopt resolutions which are merely advisory in nature, without any ־formal means for implementation except through the voluntary agreement of those governm ents which sign the Declarations and Conventions adopted as resolutions. Please remember this as we consider the work of these bodies.

Let me say here that the work of the Security Council, and the actions of the General Assembly are reserved for delegates of governments only - the N G Os may observe these aspects of UN activity, but may not participate here at all. This is not an ideal situation from the point of view of the NGOs, for most of us are deeply concerned with what goes on in these bodies, but we must recognize that there are definite limitations to what we May do. We may, of couse, talk to delegates, and this is important. We tell them about our ־organization, its aims and programmes, and what we hope will evolve from their deliber ations. We are not always successful in bringing about decisions we would like, but at least we make the delegates aware of the ICJW and its interests, and we do express a point of view.

Next we come to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This is the only UN body to which international NGOs are accredited. It meets alternately in N.Y. and Geneva, and is primarily involved with social, economic, cultural and humanitarian issues. It is here for this is the parent body of the various ־ that we find our greatest ataa of responsibility Commissions (Human Rights, Status of Women, Social Development, Population, Environment), and here we have the only posibility to make any impact. These Commissions are small bodies, with an average membership of 30, and this affords us opportunity to make personal contacts with delegates. We sit in on all these sessions, with the right to make written statements or oral interventions (the latter are seldom done). We then inform all Affiliates about the work of

105. the Commissions. But,, and I must emphasize this strongly, in order to retain consultative status, we must report back on the activities of oOr Affiliates. There is an ECOSOC Committee on NGOs, which meets annually, to review the organizations with status and discuss their ־classification. All NGOs come up for review every three years, and this in not a mere form ality. We must account for our actions, and justify the retention of status by showing what our Affiliates are doing to further the goals and principles of ECOSOC. At all time ICJW must be aware that the religious NGOs have special difficulties, and we know that many Member States would be pleased to see us lose our status. If you feel deeply, as I do, that it is important for ICJW to retain its status, you must make a special effort during the coming year to report, to me on UN related activity, for we are up for review in 1976, and I must This too could be helpful ־ have this information if you would also put me on your mailing list bonet.

־Let me tell you now about the UN specialized agencies with which the ICJW has cons ultative status. The world has fallen into the habit of referring to these UN bodies through the use of initials. Unfortunately, these are quite similar, and often cause confusion. To illustrate :

The ICJW urges close cooperation at both the local and national levels with UNICEF, which stands for the UN Children's Fund. This agency, it should be mentioned, is almost -having its own Board, staff and budget, in fact, if has its own Charter. Absol ־ autonomous all are received from the voluntary ־ utely no funds for UNICEF come directly from the UN contributions of governments,, organi zations and individuals (the sale of greeting cards is an example of this).,This agency has always been, and remains, completely non-political. Itt functions only in those countries whose governments request assistance for the welfare of children. We must remember that, in the past, UNICEF and Israel have worked closely ; in fact, our own Zena Harmon was at one time Chairman of'the'UNICEF Executive Board. Originally, Israel accepted aid from UNICEF. In 1966,'however, Israel stated that she felt there were children in other parts of the world in greater need of this assistance, and that she no longer required it. Israel, as a nation has contributed annually to UNICEF. In 1973, after the Yom Kippur War, aid was again offered by UNICEF, and Israel accepted. UNICEF declares : "A needy chjld has no politics", arid it follows that policy faithfully. ICJW has had consultative status with UNICEF for many years.

.the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ־ Then we have UNESCO This, ,too, is autonomous agency, with its own Charter, Board, budget and staff,, with headquarters in Paris. It was set up to serve as forum for the exchange of ideas, and,until recently, was non-political in its actions. But since the General Conference, in November, 1974, passed anti-Israel resolutions, denying Israel cultural aid and entry into a regional grouping, this cannot be said to be true. Over the past 6 years, the ICJW sought to have' its status upgraded and, as Tania Blum, our representative, has indicated in her written report, this was finally accomplished. Now, many men prominent ip the world of arts, of letters, and in the scientific community, have expressed their dismay at the actions taken, and it is to be hoped that ,there will be a reversal or reinterpretation of these decisions. Many of you come from Affiliates.in countries which are members of the UNESCO Executive Board, which will be meeting soon. 1 can only hope that you have responded to the Directive - I sent you, and contacted your governments. We must do this, and we must also remember to ask for cooperation from non-Jewish organizations when situations like this arise. Undoubtly,

106. there would be a much greater outcry if treatments similar to this were accorded a State other than Israel. It was difficult, but in N.Y. we did manage to get support for a written statement deploring the recent UNESCO action from the representatives of a few non- Jewish organizations, and we are grateful to them. I hope that many of you saw the statement, which was circulated to your Affiliate Presidents and UN Chairmen. In any event, we must make the distinction between UNICEF and UNESCO, for we do not wan to see children in want.

־I want to add here that as active NGOs in N.Y., Geneva and Paris, all your repres entatives take part in the work of the NGO Committees. Details on this can be found in our written reports, which I hope you all have read, but I should like explain briefly what it is like to serve as a Jewish NGO at the UN. There are about 300 NGOs with consultative status, and of these, 9 are Jewish. ICJW was granted status because of our expertise, knowledge and interest in human rights, women's rights, the welfare of children, and social development generally. But, like the other,Jewish representatives, because of our Jewish tradition, we react differently to many situations, and suffer many frustrations. Our heritage teaches us that we must be concerned with the well-being of all persons. We have a moral sensitivity to hunger and human suffering. We are interested in world problems, yet we are vitally concerned with Israel and the treatment accorded her at the UN, by the General Assembly and some of the Commissions and agencies. We are acutely aware of the use of a double standard, and the continued effort of recent years to isolate Israel. This is the obvious result of the increased membership in the UN, with many of the small new States following ־the general Afro-Asian line. We have mixed emotions as we sit at meetings. We see resol utions being adopted to combat many social evils, we see World Conferences convened to examine global problems such as the Environment, Population, Food Supply, Law of the Sea, Disarmament, I.W.Y. Of course, we support all that is being done in these areas, and we cooperate in efforts for improvement here. Yet, recently, we have felt a growing concern about Israel, and have been talking about the wisdom of ICJW's continued service at the UN. After much discussion, and constant consultation with the Israeli Mission, your UN representatives feel that we must remain. Miriam Warburg, consulted at the Council of Europe, Nettie Levy, so many years our representative in N.Y., Helaine Flaut, on the Executive Board of the NGO Committee on UNICEF, Tania Blum at UNESCO, Gisela Abraham, formerly at UNESCO, now a N.Y. alternate, and Louise Beck in Geneva - we all agree that we must stay where we are, and present the Israeli point of view wherever possible (after all, if we do not, who will?). This is our joint decision, despite the terrible resolutions of the Human Rights Commission against Israel, taken months ago in Geneva ; despite UNESCO's action ; and despite the General Assembly action of 1974, in respect to the P L O and Yasir Arafat.

We note that the UN Secretariat is increasingly aware that many people question the future of the UN itself, We are told that the UN wants to bring all NGOs into closer cooperation, to enlarge our sphere of activity, and to use the NGOs for the channeling of information to the general public. If this should occur, the ICJW will be pleased to be a part of such improvement.

I've mentioned the problems, but I did say at the beginning that there were pleasures too. This is certainly true. One is happy to work where there is even the slightest possibility of betterment for the world, and only the U.N. can claim any interest in bringing this about.

107. There Is the association with representatives of other N.G.O's many of whom share our growing concern for the future of all mankind. And finally, there is the wonderful feeling of true companionship with the I.C.J.W. representatives. I want to thank Louise Beck and Selma Schiffer in Geneva, Miriam Warburg in Strasbourg and Tania Blum in Paris for their co-operation and constant communication. Most of all, I want to thank the N.Y. committee, Nettie, Helaine, Gisela and Fran Crystal, our• newest recruit, for their unstinting assistance, and their warm personal friendship, which I cherish. And I do thank I.C.J.W. for giving me the opportunity to serve, and to meet all of you.

Mrs. Rosenfeld moved the motion :

"That the International Council of Jewish Women urge the United Nations to complete a declaration on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance and the forming of a Convention on the same subject, and be it further resolved that the I.C.J.W. request its affiliates to urge their Governments to uphold decisions of the United Nations designed to eradicate racial and religions discrimination in all forms.

This motion was seconded by Mme. Rozan of France and accepted without discussion.

Dr. de Herczeg then thanked Mrs. Rosenfeld, not only for her report, but for her representation of the I.C.J.W. at the United Nations. Mrs. Rosenfeld, on resuming the chair, spoke briefly on the International Women Year and added that "during the last sessions of the General Assembly our representatives grew more and more concerned. There was the election of an openly partisan president from Algeria, the invitation to the P.L.O. to participate in the discussion on the Palestine question, and then the ,honour1 extended to Arafat and the limitations on Ambassador Tekoah's right to speak, and finally there were the anti- Israeli, pro-Palestinian resolutions which were adopted .... While this was going on, in Paris at UNESCO, Israel was again being isolated. Your representatives Always wath happenings in Israel, we know world opinion and the reportings of the mass media. We are far from happy.

We did see a slight feeling of hope when State Secretary Kissinger of the U.S.A. went back to the Middle East for some more shuttle diplomacy. But as you know that has apparently failed, or to be more hopeful, we can say it has been temporarily suspended."

Mrs. Rosenfeld then called on the first of two speakers. Mr. Max Teichman, senior lecturer in Politics at the Monash University.

His topic was to be.the role of the super powers in the Middle East, the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. He said that Russia and America had not been the first major actors in the Middle East. Until the 1950's Great Britain and France were the MAJOR OUTSIDE INFLUENCES THERE. Before the 19th century Russia and Britian tried to play a major role in,the Eastern Miditerrean district,.especially in the area around Constantinopla. Constantinopla was a danger point, or at least the point where Russia and Great Britain met. As far a Breat Britian was concerned it was the best paint at which to keep Russia out of the Eastern Mediterranean and therefore make it more difficult for her to gain influences in the Middle East. At the same time Great Britain was trying to see.that Russia did not gain influences over Persia. In

108. Russia has been an actor in the Middle East for a long time, much longer than ׳,other words America has.

The discovery of oil increased the importance of the Middle East. Before that its major importance was that it was a staging post on the way to India and Asia, and of course the opening of the canal increased this situation. It was already a strategic area and an area in which Australia was always interested.

Our major contribution to this situation was to help Britain keep the Middle East clear, and in particular the canal open, as it always was an area of Importance.- Clear from the Turks, Germans and the Russians as far as Australia was concerned, and as far as Australia was concerned it has always been an area of considerable strategic importance. It was only in the 1950's that we started to turn our strategic interest away from there towards the north of Australia. The discovery of oil increased greatly the importance of the Middlemost by making it the key to the industrial economics of the West and the economies of the Third World. \

The stake of the U.S.A. and Britain and owners of most of the oil companies until at least a few years ago, their stake in the Middle East was obvious, and the whole west, their ־stake also was obvious and still is. The possibility of Russia being able to increase her lev erage on the western alliance and the western economy in addition to gaining political and ־military influences for herself in an area in which she had long ,been interested, the depend ence of the west on oil gave Russia an extra opportunity, which she has started to realize. Her interest goes back even further than that.

The oil situation gave Russia the opportunity to increase her influence everywhere.

Early British policies vis a vis the Jews and the Arabs in the Middle East before 1949 : The British were accused of being pro Arab when they wanted to keep in with the Arab rulers who were, as far as they were concerned guaranteeing security for the oil companies and who were anti communist and anti Russian and who could be relied on not to want to increase Russia's influence. There was a clear logic in Britain wanting to keep in with the Arabs at this time. The prospect of an Anglo-Jewish conflict was distasteful to the British because it would force them to choose between self interest on the one hand and their feelings of responsibility to the Jews. Feelings which were greatly magnified after the events of the last war. This British dilemma, because the oil was so important to them) lead to them being accused of double-dealing and hypocrisy.

The U.S.A. has the same problem, only in a greater degree and she now finds herself in much the same dilemma today only much worse than was Britain in 1956.

The break-down in the control of the British over the Arabs, due partly to their declining power but also to the rising Arab nationalism brought the U.S.A. into the Suez Crisis and revealed disunity between the USA and her western allies - britain and France on the other hand.

The dispute was really over (a) the best way to preserve the interest of Israel and on the other hand (b) preserving western oil. This dispute in 1956 has been replayed recently

109. only people have changed sides. Britain and France seemed to be riding on the coat tails of Israel because they wanted to put Nasser down, he was supporting the Algerian revolt, which was bad for France and for Great Britain in the Middle Hast. Mr. Teichman went on to say that h3 , together with a lot of others thought it would have been good if Nasser had been put down at that time.

Sympathy for the Third World has bedevilled the whole Israel question and dilemma and still does. What has been going on in the U.N. is really just a continuity of the ambig- uity that was in 1956. A lot of people pooh-poohed Arab nationalism but now they must face the fact it is a political fact - a reality, and the question is now to deal with it.

The appeal of Arab nationalism and anti imperialism, particularly the events in Persia in 1951,in Egypt,, in Iraq and in Aden and in French north Africa. It was inevitable that Arabs in Jordan should take on some form of nationalism.

Britain after 1956 started to realise this and was more than pleased that the USA was prepared to take on the job. It enabled Britain to have their cake and eat it too. The Arabs have been ruled by the Turks, and the British and the French. They even came for a part imperial ism and־ under the indirect control by the Americans and it was inevitable that anti ׳ western feeling would spread through this whole area. It was obvious that the Arabs־cnti would want to do their own job. Russia would like to replace the USA in influence.

The spin off of the new nationalism is racialism and militarism, and we are seeing all this coming out of nationalism. It had elements of radicalism in it which of course commends it to western intellectual western radicals and western liberals. However, there is not a great deal of socialism in Arab nationalism.

Nationalism raised the question of a mass base. Conservatives do not react well to a mass basis; A mass basis produces demagogues, propagandists, party bureaucrats and the like. Conservatives cannot stop this process going on. This situation creates a military estate and expressionism. However, conservatives who are part of a nationalist movement; cannot turn the clock back, and find they are saddled with expansionist or revisionist aism and military values. They try to make their states strong while trying to choke off internal moves for reform.

This whole process, whether if ends in a mass populous Arab movement or a conservative one with a strong military basis is bad news as far as the stability of the area of the Middle east is concerned. This is what has happened. USA is in a very difficult position. Their present policy of selling the most modern arms and neuclear equipment to the Middle East states is very short sighted and will prove to be a Pandora's box which ultimately will have to be opened. She thinks that others will do this if she does not. She might think that, the more they struggle to be independent, the more independent of Russia the Arabs will become. She probably thinks that the stronger they become the more they are capable of defending the area against Russia. This might be why she is pouring arms into the Arab world. The USA Russian and־ and the western powers could use Iran for example against Russia, for she is anti communist, but a conflict over oil with Russia would be distasteful. Russia could not be־ anti happy with the thought of a nucleur war right on her border but also USA wouldn't be happy either. The whole matter also helps USA's balance of payment. This arms trade is making

110. Israel's life a lot more difficult. What is the value of Israel to the USA? She is the best possible military base for USA or the west that they are likely to get in the middle east and in the eastern Miditerranean. More so; since Cyprus and Greece. By comparison we can look at Australia's total exports which are 9 billion and USA's arms export alone which is 10 billions. It could be compared with Britain exporting arms to Pakistan and India a mischief which has led to bad feeling to this day.

As long as the USA wants a military option in the Middle East, Israel is the best base she can possibly have. Israel has a large military establishment on the spot. America would be loathe to give it up. USA would have to alter her military plans a lot before she could afford to write off Israel.

־What future does USA see herself having in the Middle East? This question Is up for disc ussion now, and no one knows how it will go. What is the value of Israel to Russia? As long as Israel exists it keeps the conflict going and It gives Russia a real role in the Middle East as an ally of the Arabs and of course the end of Israel would mean that the Arabs would show Russia the door at once. So it is in Russia's interest to keep Israel In circulation. Oil has intensified this position, and the Arabs have found that they can by arms from anybody. If the Russians won't give them to them, the Americans will or even the French.

Russia fears an economic collapse In the west. With the result of continued Arab pressure she wants to get techonological knowledge from the west.

She knows this would be followed by political changes which would not be in Russia's interest. She fears a fascist reaction therefore she would want to mollify Arab oil pressure.

She does not really see a chance of communism coming in, she has seen this before, like in Germany. She must want to moderate Arab behaviour in all directions. What can Russia Do? to moderate the behaviour of the Arabs.? Russia and the USA could guarantee an Israel with smaller bodders but this would leave Israel vulnerable, in the light of the equipment the USA has given them and she would have far less room to operate. Such a guar- an tee would be. dicey to say the least. The whole basis of such a guarantee is uncertain, to talk about a guarantee in a bedrock way means one of them might have to intervene and who is going to do it? Neither of them would like the other to do if. They would be too susp- iclous of each other.

The Arabs are in a position to tell them both where to get off, and the situation is now getting out of control both for Russia and America. The whole international situation is getting out of their control and the day when Russia or America do the deciding about whether there will be war here or not, is over. Perhaps we are seeing It happen in the Middle East. The prospect is indeed gloomy.

־Mrs. Rosenfeld thanked Mr. Teichman, called on Mr. Sam Lipski, editor of the Austral ian/lsrael Publications to comment on Mr. Teichman's remarks, to draw of few of his own conclusions and then throw the subject open to discussion.

is there anything we can do while apparently the world ־ Mr. Lipski,s first question was goes under.

111. He well remembered in 1970 or 1971 when he listend to the U.N. General Assembly discussing the question of whether to expel Taiwan and give China the seat. The discussion went on all day and evening and the will never forget the scenes of joy by the Third World not so much on Taiwan't grave, but what seemed obviously on ד delegates as they danced the grave of USA diplomacy. It did not seem so much that China was in and Taiwan was out .a new force ־ but that there was a new power

This was a new force that could not be ignored and the whole old crowd had better watch out. The presentation of Yassir Arafat could be viewed in the same light - it was an West victory. The rights or wrongs of the Arab states in question seemed־ U.S. and anti־ anti of less importance than the fact that the Third World was beating the west. Arab nationalism naturally has been brought into the Third World influence. The fact that Israel has become dependent upon the west, because she depended on her so much in the 1967 war cannot be ignored. No matter how clever, how independent Israel becomes she is dependent on the USA, we are not in a position to show the world something, we are dealing with a clash of historical j3roportions and Israel has indeed ended up on the wrong side of the trade. However, the Arabs still have to rely on the USA a great deal also. There are things that they must get from the U.S.A. and cannot get from Russia. The nature of Arab nationalism over a period is.distinct because its long term objective is Israel's removal. Meanwhile they ־are prepared to co-exist as an immediate tactical need. They are very clever at distingui shing between the long term strategy and the immediate needs.

of Zionism has been its inability to ־ One of the weaknesses of Jewish nationalism distinguish between long term objectives and short term tactical needs of the moment. The long term objective of the whole of Israel for the Jews is very much tied up with emotion. Also Israel is an open democratic society. Our emotional long term objectives and needs are very different from short term and no distinction has been made between these two objectives. Our short term one of peaceful co-existence at the moment is drowned in our emotional long term one. Our leaders find it hard to distinguish between the two.

Now what are the dilemmas of the USA. The politics of the USA towards the Middle East do concern the six million Jews of the USA the Jews of the whole world and Israel. We must not forget there are very powerful Jewish interests in the USA, they do not, however, counter-balance the power of the Arab oil lobby on the one hand or of a political free American interest in the Middle East.

We must remember that in 1956 the Jewish leadership in the USA faltere. On the possible accusations of dual loyalty and it had not yet come of age in regard to its power. Ben Gurion admitted that two things pressured him to stop the war (a) the sheer power of the USA who said "pull back and get out" but also American Jewish leaders came to him and said he had to do it.

The situation has changed radically. The leadership of the Jewish conclave in the USA is now more hawkish than the government of Israel and could be said to be too quick to jump on the ; bandwagon of protest, in its efforts that the USA should not seel Israel down the line, and some of it has been mis-timed and has not. helped Israel.

There is the danger of Jewish leadership going too far. Even if there is an occasional

112. sense of excess what is important is that they have to muster all their forces not to allow policies which will damage Israel's security. This is not a guarantee but it is a feature which must be considered, in the light of the presidential election in 1976 etc. etc. The US Congress of 1975 post Vietnam is not Hie Congress of, say, 1972, when it could pressure Israel arms sales etc. There is a definite beginning of a shift. It is not a shift that Has to be drastic, but it is obvious that Israel must adjust to it. The Jewish interest together with the stratetic interest of the USA make the situation just a little less gloomy.

Regarding the relative strength of Israel and the Arabs, both are mostly still bedevilled by what took place in the first three days of the October war, they forget the following 19 days. The Arab armi«shave changed, while they believed in Israel's invincibility they no longer have this belief. Israel's army, now in 1975, has been drastically overhauled from nay־: top to bottom, the over-confidence which had prevailed has gone. The Yom Kippur war be likened to Israel's Pearl Harbour - and you don't have two Pearl Harbours in one generation. In the short term Israel will still be able to cope, if Russia does not interfere, even though the USSR has armed the Arabs and one must distinguish between survival now and the enormous cost for the future. It is true we are in the '1seven lean years" but we must live through them.

Mrs. Rosenfeld thanked Mr. Lipski and called for questions and comments fron the floor.

Questions were many and heated and the session ran well over the time allotted to it until-it finally had to be closed as guests invited for lunch and the afternoon session had arrived.

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113. WEDNESDAY, 30 th , APRIL, 1975

AFERNOON SESSION DEDICATED TO INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR

At the International Wonen's Year Luncheon some 400 ladies were present and the guest speaker was Mrs. Elonore Manderson, of the National Advisory Committee of Australia and a member of the Prime Minister's Department, re Women's Affairs, who had at the request of Mrs. Elizabeth Reid -absent from Australia- taken her place as guest speaker.

Mrs. Rosenfeld welcomed her and Mrs. Manderson spoke briefly of what has been achieved in Australia for International Women's Year.

־The Australian Government does have a history of some sensitivity towards the situat" ion of women in Australia over the last three years it has introduced certain measures which we hope will have long term effects.

1) Established schools to advance the educational needs of women and girls ; 2) ensured that the retrenchment programmes are geared to suit the needs of women ; 3) established a compensation scheme for women working in the home ; 4) established extensive child-care centres.

International Women's Year has not just the aim of helping women, but of co-operation and co-ordination between men, women and children.

She stressed the point that what has been achieved in I.W.Y. must not be forgotten in 1976, but must be continued.

She emphasised that we must not stress the equality of women alone, but the equality of men and women and that the aims are for women to have a choice of what they want to it is not just for the elite or the educated, but that all women must have a free choice ־ do to choose what they want.'1

Mrs. Rosenfeld then called on Mrs. Marvin to take over the chair.

Mrs. Marvin said that we must not overlook the achievements of International Council of Jewish Women's aims in I.W.Y. The women of the world must ; review and evaluate the progress which has been made in the following fields :

1) the promotion of equality between men and women ; 2) full integration of women in the total development fields ; 3) the recognition of the aim of women's increased contribution to the strengthening of world peace.

"We are stimulating new international action programmes which if combined with publicity and promotional impact and activities will continue to make a mark in the years ahead and it will help to improve the position of women and their contribution to society. The main purpose of the International Women's Year must not be set aside once 1975 is over but we must continue towards the goals which we set ourselves in this year". 114. Mrs. Marvin then called on the first of the panelists, Mrs. Eve Mahlab, a lawyer. Her subject was "The Promotion of Equality between Men and Women".

"As Jews we have always been interested in furthering greater opportunity and greater equality for all people.

As Jews we know what it is like to be denied rights and in the past we have been denied opportunity as well. We have a special empathy for any other groups struggling for equality.

Many arguments are given for denying women equal rights :

,They say there is greater absenteeism from women in jobs. This has been refuted (׳1 because women in Ihe past have been concentrated in areas which have low wages, low skills and in particular there has been little advancement for women, so the turnover amongst women has been greater. Because of the areas in which they work, not because they are women.

2) The argument that it is not worth investing in their education because they will leave to have children, has also been proved false ,- as a greater number return to the work force for longer and longer periods.

3) For too long a particular role has been asigned to groups, as if it is a G'd given thing that "the role of women is in the home". What has historically been convenient is no longer law.

4) For too long women have been absent from the groups and parties which make the decisions and the laws and they have been discriminated against because of this.

5) We have just gone along with the status quo and this must now change".

The second panelist was Mrs. Grace Hollander of New Zealand, who recently attended the International Council of Women meeting in Paris. Her topic was "Full integration of women in the developement effort".

"International Women's year is not an extension of women's liberation. This year is for _not just the educated or the elite. This year is for men and women as ־ women everywhere partners in progress. In the developing countries it has tragic implications. For women are stifled by tradition, crippled by illiteracy and tied down by manual labour. Even in the countries where women receive a basic education they are stifled by prejudices not only of men against women but of women against women".

She gave a brief report of the meeting in Paris where 2500 women attended.

"This is a year for action". Women must distinguish between feminism and feminity and close the gap between the infelligensia and the disadvantaged.

Women must be encouraged to take up political work at a higher level. Women were not yet warped by power, and must see that they never became so. Women must be literate.

115. Practical action is needed.not recommendations and resolutions.

They must be better educated.

60% of women in developing countries are illiterate. It is important that a group such as the International Council of Women must be maintained. It represents women of 68 countries. It was unfortunate that at the meeting in Paris overtones of politics were appearing.

"Let us achieve something before the burning fires of I.W.Y. turn to ashes".

Mrs. Eve Goldenberg of Canada was the third panellist. Her topic was "Women's increased contribution to the strengthening of world peace".

She hoped to raise questions to provoke our thinking.

1) Peace is not just a business of war but is an attitude. 2) Attitudes change and become very different. 3) We must give first priority to education, the educating of women is the education of a family.

She spoke against the use and promoting of military toys. e.g. we face a crisis in the United Nations. Women must be in the movements and positions where decisions are made.

Knowledge is power, let us use our power for peace.

The more we understand other people the more we can promote peace."

Mrs. Rosenfeld then resumed the chair and threw open the topic for comment and discussion. II Mrs. Ada Norris, Chairman of the Australian National Committee for I.W.Y. The power lies in our own hands to change the role of woman and her opportunities, if we want to use that power. We represent the shock troops of women. Woman must be prepared to be masters of their own fate. The real meaning of I.W.Y. is there must be equality and women must be able to choose. It is not yet a 100 years since the University of London admitted women students on an equal basis. For over a thousand years education has been available at university level for men. We are the elite and we must see to it that other women have access also to education on our level. Equality is indivisible and we must not compromise on it. We must work for full legal equality. The time for complete equality and status in law and practice has come and inequalities in this sphere will.become things of the past."

Although the United Nations has decreed the year 1975 as״( .Dame Phyllis Frost : (Aust IWY we must be sure there is a follow-up from 1975 into 1976. It has been decided that next February 29th will be the world harvest for the Hungry Day in order to bring the whole of humanity development and peace.

Women make decisions at every level at home and ״: (.Senator Margaret Guilfoyle (Aust elsewhere. We want more women in the Australian parliaments. In a certaining that we want

116. more independence, therefore we must assume more responsibility. IWY in this country must succeed because it is a voluntary organisation which is celebrating it and through it the idea will reach the people1.'

Mrs. Thea Hacker, Switzerland : The women of Switzerland only received the vote in 1971. IWY was celebrated in January and they are getting government and legal action going. (l)The constitution is going to be changed giving equal rights to men and women (2) ־together also there will be a complete change in civil codes and this will include the equal ity in family care, inheritance, property ownership etc.

At every kind of fair and conference they are bringing in the influence of IWY. It has had a tremendous influence on the formerly non-interested."

Our own women have״: .Mrs. Evelyn Rothfield, Victoria, former President of N.C.J.W been in the forefront in the fight for equality.

In the kibbutzim men and women are equal. We need co-operation not competition in education and amongst people'.1 She appealed for Israeli women to make contact with arab women.

Dr. Daphne Sasieni, Great Britain : Appealed for women to educate themselves about the needs of minorities. The League of Jewish Women in the U.K; was the only Jewish organisation which reported in depth to the commission on abortion report, etc. Until the law is altered it will be hard for women in many spheres.

The task of women is to be interested in the rights of the״ Mrs. Julie D^litz, Victoria community. We must support women who are willing to go ahead and represent us. Women have been sadly lacking "the nectar of encouragement".

Mrs. Betsy Lew, Victoria ; Sounded a note of warning" Women should be aware of using their power well. We must educate our own women to use their power especially in the field of politicals and finance and to use it well.

Mrs. Dahlia Gottan, Israel : Described the IWY celebrations in Israel which included arab women. The women of Israel are doing many things for arabs. 20 years ago only 9% or .now 93% get schooling ־ arabs were at school

Mrs. Laurel Renof, Sydney : Referred to women medical drop outs which have been mentioned, but as usual, no reference has been made to male drop outs. She also suggested that women should protest against the sale of military toys in toy shops and the giving of such toys as gifts.

Frances Boyd, United Nations Association : She referred to the distinguisehd Jewish dutch doctor of medicine, Ellita Jacobs, who tried to stop the first world war. She had called the first international congress of women and visited 22 prime ministers, 2 presidents, the Pope and one king in her efforts. Our delegates at the June Conference in Mexico would be speaking on behalf of half the world's population.

117. ־Mrs. Dora Winikoff, Victoria : We, as women, can help to stop the disgusting exploit ation of women as sex objects in commercial enterprises. This exploitation gives rise to false values"

Mrs. Manderson referred to the fact that a United Nation's conference was being calling on the subject of communication, the media and advertising.

Mrs. Ada Norris said the image of women in the media should be a subject for the United Nations seminars around the world. She had made a great many contacts in the U.N. and had got minimal answers from those she had approached.

we only get the coverage ־ Mrs. Hollander N.Z. :"as regards the media, it serves us right we deserve"

Mrs. Noble U.K. :"we could achieve so much if we co-operated and co-ordinated with every other womens organisation in our country. Women should participate in the business of legislation. We should put ourselves into the position where our comments and criticism is called far before our legislature is passed."

We must work for better coverage in the media. So much״ Mrs. Rosenbaum, Melbourne of our work is being lost if we do not get it into the media"

We must have economic recognition of our work. Men do not want to ׳: Mrs. Ada Norris co-operate with us, it is alright for us to say to co-operate with them"

Mrs. Rosenfeld then thanked all the panelists and those who had commented and asked questions.

She then moved the adoption of the Topical Statement on the International Women's Year. It was unanimously adopted.

Mrs. Rosenfeld then mentioned a subject that had not been mentiaoned throughout the discussion. She said that we must help to counteract propaganda on campus. It iswur responsibility to see that women exercise the rights they have and use their opportunity to make full co-operation and as full partners in the interest of progress, development and peace.

The sesion then adjourned.

* * * * * * *

118. REPORT - UNITED NATIONS REPRESENTATIVE, NEW YORK

1972 - 1975

Submitted by Mrs. Harold Rosenfeld.

In reviewing the events of the past three years, your New York representatives at the United Nations have mixed emotions. We have become heavily involved in the work of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in many new areas. While we have always been concerned with human rights, the role and rights of women, social development and the work of UNICEF & UNESCO, presently we are also an active part of vital NGO committees devoting time to the environment, food problems,'population growth and International Women's Year (IWY). In the past, the I.C.J.W. representatives were more likely to submit individual statements on subjects within the scope of our resolutions and Affiliate interest ; now we tend to act cooperatively with other international NGOs. It is felt that there is a greater impact on delegates from the Member States in the face of joint action, and consequently, the I.C.J.W. has co-signed many statements. Aware of the growing concern of the entire world with the problems which have arisen, i.e., pollution, food shortages of alarming proportion, great population growth, etc., we have been pleased to participate in the efforts to make a common approach to the search for solutions.

As NGOs, we are not permitted to be active politically, and we have been careful not to do so. But we have been aware of changed attitudes at the United Nations, and the resulting shifts of emphasis which have occurred. As an example, we cite the subject of human rights. This should encompass all the rights of man contained in the United Nations ־Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Covenants on Civil and Polit ical Rights and on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights. We now find that in United Nations parlance, human rights violations are primarily those relating to '1apartheid11. The present majority in the General Assembly (G.A.) is greatly distrubed over the white man's treatment of the black man, stressing the need for an end to colonialism and the protection of Liber- ation movements. The mistreatment of black man by other black men is never mentioned ; yet Israel is always condemned for the mistreatment of Arabs, without any discussion of the hostile terrorist acts committed against the Israelis. A double standard exists when human rights are examined, and we deplore this lack of equal treatment.

As a further example of the failure to take action on human rights, we see the constant references to the need for the elimination of racial discrimination, but no definite efforts to secure the Elimination of Religious Discrimination. Although this item has been under consideration since the mid 1960s, debates in the Third Committee and the G.A. have brought about no progress, and no tlrpft declaration has been agreed upon.

An instance of omission, rather than commission, can be seen in considering terrorism. Certainly this has been a matter of grave concern to the entire world. The Secretary-General in 1973 asked for this item be included on the agenda of the G.A., but here again the debates in the Sixth Committee and the G.A. have only resulted in tirades against Israel, and no concrete action to define or outlaw this threat to humanity has been taken.

119. The fall of 1974 has been the most difficult period for your U.N. representatives. After the 29th G.A. opened it became obvious that only two topics were of interest : "apartheid" and Israel. The President (Bouteflika of Algiers) was, for the first time, openly partisan in his announcements and decisions. Despite the refusal of the Security Council to oust South Africa from the U.N., President Bouteflika, with the support of a large majority vote (91 to 22, with 19 abstentions), refused the South African delegates the right to participate in ־the voting of the G.A. and the delegates subsequently returned home. An item, the Quest ion of Palestine, had been added to the agenda in addition to the general one on the Middle East, and an invitation was extended to the Leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to be present for the debate.

The vote here was 105 in favour, 4 against, with 20 absentions. When Mr. Arafat appeared with a holster in his waist, he was accorded the honors of a Head of State, and Israel's right to speak was greatly restricted during the 10 day period given over to this topic.

To add to our disconfort, the 18th General Conference of UNESCO, meeting in Paris in November, 1974, refused the Israeli government the right to join the European regioanl group, and denied financial aid to Israel for educational and cultural purposes because of the so-called "dangerous" archaelogical work. Your New York representatives met with other Jewish organizations, and then led the efforts in the NGO Committee on Human Rights to have a statement written and submitted, deploring UNESCO's actions. This statement was signed by 28 representatives of organizations in their individual capacities.

However we may be disturbed over certain attitudes on the political side, we must remember and report the positive accomplishments as well. The U.N., in embarking on a Second Development Decade (1970-1979), was acutely aware of the economic lag of the underdeveloped countries, and over the past three years has recognized the potential gain to be realized from the activities of women. 1975 was designated as Internationa! Women's Year (IWY), with three definite goals. The world is to seek the Equality of Men and Women, the Integration of Women info Development, and the Contribution of Women to Peace. Your New York representatives have been closely involved with the NGO Committee on IWY, isgned statements on this subject, and have worked for the U.N. Conference on־have co IWY to take place in Mexico City in June 1975. We have sent a Directive to our Affiliates, giving specific suggestions for study and action, and have alerted our Mexican Affiliate to participate in the preparations for the Conference. In our U.N. session at the Triennial Convention in Australia, we will devote time to this topic, and for all of l.C.J.W. throughout the world, April 30 th, 1975 will be IWY Day.

The membership of the U.N. has, over the past three years been gravely concerned with the alarming food shortages which have occurred, and also with the ever-growing population. A World Population Conference was held by the U.N. in Bucharest in August, 1974 which was attended by a member of our Swiss Affiliate. A World Food Conference was later held in ־Rome. At both of these, the world was urged to take full notice of the problems, and govern ments were asked to subscribe to global plans of action. In New York your representatives attend the regular sessions of the Population Commission and sit on the NGO Committe on Population. vVe are also active members of the NGO Committee on Social Development and the Sub-Committee on Food Problems. We subscribe to the policy of access to education oh

120. so that- everyone may have the knowledge to control the number and ־ family planning spacing of children. Unlimited population growth in a world of limited food production, with polluted air, rivers and seas, can only lead to universal starvation. We, therefore, commend the U.N. for its active attention to these matters, and urge further conference on the Law of the Sea, so that this too may be controlled, improved and conserved for the future.

Closely related to the above is the preservation of the human environment. This was the subject of a U.N. Conference held in Stockholm in June, 1972, which was attended by members of our Swedish and Australian Affiliates. An Environment Secretariat has been ־established in Kenya, and your New York representatives attend the session of the Envir onment Commission and also sit on the NGO Committee on the Environment.

Your New York representatives have a full schedule of attendance at the U.N. We cover the 13 weeks of the G.A. every fall! and sessions of the Security Council when they are related to Hie Middle East. We also sit in at the sessions of the various Commisions, Human Rights, Status of Women, Population, Environment and the Sub-Commission on'the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, all of which discuss subjects of interest to I.C.J.W. As active NGOs, we sit on al I the related NGO committees. Our Committee has, of necessity, been enlarged, and we meet once a month as a group to discuss our common concerns, and problems which arise from our attendance at meetings. Our correspondence and telephone calling is limitless. We write reports on all the sessions we attend, and send Directives to our Affiliates for future action. But, to retain our status ־at the U.N., we must report regularly to the U.N. and its related agencies, on the activ ities of our Affiliates. We do express our thanks to those U.N. Chairmen who have sent us ial, but must ask again that those who have not done so of late, will take this as an־mata urgent appeal for all information in the future. We send to all U.N. offices copies of all our reports, directives, and the I.C.J.W. Newsletter, but our consultative status is greatly dependent on the UN - related activity of our Affiliates.

The past three years have been very busy ones, which have caused us to re-examine our relationship with the United Nations. We have decided, upon consideration, that there must be global action, if we are to make a secure and peaceful world, with dignity for all men, and proper resources for the maintenance of those who exist. There must be one forum where each country may express its feelings, where others will listen and observe, and where a proper decision can be made for each problem. It is not a perfect body, but man himself is far from perfect, and we must make do with the material we have at hand. If we persist, and we must, we can see improvement only as the result of endeavours. So we continue, and hope that patience will bring its own reward.

I have made no mention of our work with UNICEF, and will only say that because of the urgency of the World Child Emergency, there will be a separate report on this aspect of our efforts. I should like to take time here to thank the Geneva representatives, for their dedicated work and their constant communication with New York. And I should like to thank the representatives at the Council of Europe and at UNESCO in Paris for their reports to me, and their general helpfulnees. Lastly, but not less importantly, I must express my gratitude to all my alternates in New York, who have been most faithful in their assistance to me. Special thanks go to Mrs. I. Lee Levy, our consultant, whose knowledge and counsel I use at all times, and to Helaine Plaut, for her excellent and devoted work at UNICEF.

121. REPORT by REPRESENTATIVE TO UNICEF, ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK

Submitted by Helaine K. Plaut

Since my election to the Steering Committee of the NGO Committee on UNICEF (1972) I have been working primarily with that particular agency of the United Nations. And let me emphasize the name by spelling it out : U-N-l-C-E-F, United Nations Children Fund. UNICEF is not UNESCO nor is it UNRWA (the United Nations Relief Works Administration, ־concerned with Palestine refugees). Why do I emphasize this' ! do so because of the confus ion concerning these separate and distinct institutions in their relationship with Israel, among the supposedly knowledgeable, who seem to use their names interchangeably, and foist upon one the duties, responsibilities and acts of another, distressingly often, recently, even in high places and among high-minded persons.

From its inception, UNICEF has provided, and continues to provide aid to assist children "on the basis of need, without discrimination because of race, creed, nationality status or political beliefs". Although UNICEF is a subsidiary organisation of the United Nations, if has its own Executive Board and its assistance policies have been in no way affected by recent actions of the United Nations General Assembly in the political field. All of UNICEF aid to the countries of the Middle East, including Israel, as well as to over 100 countries around the world, is provided directly to governments concerned and only on their request. Its funds come from contributions allocated by governments and fund-raising in the private million children ־sector. Because of the world emergency in the situation of children -400500 are confronted with starvation on a scale so enormous if is all but impossible to comprehend - ־much of UNICEF's present efforts are devoted to relief and rehabilitation, including, nat urally, the provision of food, Long term programs such as equipping of health centres, ־establishing clean water systems in rural areas, teaching people how to raise food, and train ing of teachers, may in some instances have to be curtailed or deferred.

As representative of ICJW, whose concerns for humanity are broad, I am proud to devote my time to providing a bit of light and truth concerning the distinctive work of UNICEF. At the same time, I have been equally concerned that UNICEF be kept aware of the many programs for children in which ICJW affiliates are engaged. It is important to realize that our work in the field of child welfare is closely related to UNICEF's and that the two organisations have much to contribute to one another. I have submitted substantive information on Day Care Programs, and in particular, on the NCJW-USA Center for Research in Educ- Children and Youth in the Second" .׳ d• ion of the Disadvantaged in Israel to UNICEF studies Development Decade" and "The Young Child". I deeply appreciate the efforts of the number of affiliates which conscientiously supplied me with relevant material, and wish only that the number had been greater. My particular thanks go to our affiliates in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States for they have not only kept me informed of their UNICEF related activities, but have worked closely with the National Committees for UNlC£F in their own countries.

The major portion of my working time has been devoted to the publication of the NGO- UNICEF Newsletter, where as Editor, I hope I have served UNICEF as well as ICJW with honour.

122. ־What I have done In the last three years which is of greatest importance and consequ once to me, is to reach the conclusion that, despite and perhaps even because of, the frustrations and failures resulting from occurrences permitted and inactions suffered at the United Nations, I shall continue to do the best I can. Certainly the UN is not working well. Certainly its social and humanitarian accomplishments are overshadowed by its political shortcomings and failures. But right now, it's all we've got, and I wonH throw in the sponge.

One final note : my personal life over the past years has been deeply enriched not only through association with ICJW, with its humanitarian ideals and purposes, and with UNICEF, but also through the opportunity to work with Nettie Levy and Phyllis Rosenfeld, who have done so much to make ICJW representation at the United Nations a vital force for good.

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REPORT - I.C.J.W. REPRESENTATIVE AT UN GENEVA.

APRIL, 1975

by LOUISE BECK

Once again your representative in Geneva is reporting to you about her activities at the United Nations in Geneva. My alternate and I have attended most of the relevant meetings at the Palais des Nations here. Whilst the physical surroundings have improved, and beautiful new conference halls have been built in the very fine park looking down on the lake, the political atmosphere is not as good as it was, and I fear things are going to get worse.

A major component of this scene is the New Economic Order : much is spoken of this, and basically it involves the control by Third World countries of their own resources. Under the New Economic Order, third world countries are to be in a position to control the markets and sale prices of their products. Unfortunately for the third world, there now is a very vocal and influential fourth world, which has no natural resources at all, but also claims its share of world prosperity. These new forces are changing the face of the UN, as these countries, together with the USSR and communist bloc countries consistently vote together on any issue presented.

־As for the Non-Governmental Organisations, we can lobby governments or their del egates, and on occasion do so. It is surprising how often we can come together with other NGO's and sign joint statements which do have effect on the Commissions. This is all the more remarkable when the wide range of interests represented by NGO's are considered. Your representative has signed, on your behalf, statements on torture and capital punishment, but has always avoided signing certain others on the grounds that the interests of ICJW memberB in various member countries might conceivably be compromised. This is a point which has always to be watched. 123. The NGO's are sufficiently influential to have found their own enemies at the UN, ־for example quite recently the Human Rights Commission condemned the NGO's for interf ering in the internal affairs of various countries by mentioning them by name, and it was a pleasure to see so many NGO's coming together to defend themselves.

NGO committees meet every three months ; and we are active on three of them, namely, the Committee on Human Rights, the Sub-Committee on the Status of Women, the Sub-Committee on Development. These committees organise various seminars, and some major UN activity is often taken as a basis for them. For instance, the Sub-Committee on the Status of Women used the beginning of International Women's Year as an opportunity for a seminar on this subject. Similarly the Human Rights committee organised a five-day day meeting on־seminar on racial discrimination, and this September there will be a five the European migrant worker. The ICJW has already signed a statement on this latter subject/ which is highly relevant to the work of our organisation.

As I write this report the Human Rights Commission is still meeting. This has been quite gruelling ordeal, but a consolation for the considerable frustrations has been the very cordial relation which have developed between the ICJW and the Israeli Ambassador and his staff. When the Palestine Liberation Organisation spoke in the debate on the Middle-East, the Israeli delegation walked out, but we were pleased to be able to furnish them afterwards with a detailed account of what the PLO had said.

Unfortunately, there are very few Jewish NGO's in Geneva, and certainly insufficient to be a realistic political force, but the relations between those are very good and advice is freely given and taken.

The Human Rights Commission's debate on the Middle-East was most frustrating. Cont- inual references to Israeli desecration of the Arab and Christian holy places, even when patently unsupported by evidence are very depressing when they are so widely believed. One almost despaired when a draft resolution condemning the imprisonment of M. Capucci was passed by an overwhelming majority.

A ray of sunshine in the darkest gloom was the performance of Ambassador Ronn of Israel. His reasoned and impassioned report was unfortunately without effect, as the majority of the delegates vote with the USSR regardless, but a delegate of a neutral Western country came up to us after the speech and commented that he was an "Ambassadeur Extraordinaire".

Other NGO activities are less political and less exciting, but often more constructive. For example an NGO office with a full-time organiser has been established in Nairobi, Kenya, now that the UN Environmental Agency has moved.there from Geneva. We attended the first briefing held in Geneva by the Chairman of the UN Human Settlements Committee. He told us of the plans to hold a conference on the campus of the University of British Columbia in the summer of 1976. VVe do hope our affiliates in Vancouver will be able to participate in this important and interesting conference.

I have left International Women's Year to the end of this description of the activities of committees. This is hardly because I consider it less important than the others. The UN Conf- erence in Mexico City this June will certainly be most rewarding to all whodttend, and will

124. have effects of this utmost Interest to our members. The themes for IWY are Equality, Dev- elopment and Peace ; all laudable aims which we can and will support in good conscience. As your representative, I have been on the committee which is organising a parallel meeting; for the NGO's in Mexico City.

I am sorry to be unable to attend this memorable Triennial Convention, but as your are ־all gathered here let me take this opportunity to appeal to you for information on your act ivities in fields related to the UN, such as social work, development, literacy and so on. Remember the UN is our forum our only forum and it is important that you keep us informed.

Finally, allow us to send you fond greetings from Geneva and to wish you all the best with your endeavours during the next three years.

REPORT : UNESCO, PARIS

Submitted by MRS. TANIA BLUM

I shall not be able to give a triennial report about UNESCO Paris, because my first initiative, after I was designated to represent ICJW at the International Organisation cons- isted in taking all necessary steps to change our initial non consultative Status C into a consultative ono (Status B).

This took quite a bit of time and gave me the opportunity to get in touch with various people in charge of different Departments of UNESCO what might perhaps be useful for the future. But without any doubt, I have mixed feelings when ! attend Conferences or Symposia.

UNESCO implements, or rather is trying to implement objectives and programmes given by United Nations. For instance in the last two years symposia are held on "Human Rights", "Education", "The International Books Year", a symposium on "Racialism", on "Population", and now "International Woman's Year".

UNESCO, as an Organisation of Member States, is the "Jmage of the World" ... the Non-Governmental Organisations represent millions of individuals, with tendencies, activities and ideologies ... So the NGO's have to exert a continuous pressure on the Repres- entatives of the Member-States. And this Status of NGO's vis a vis the Member-States is the central theme at each General Assembly of the NGO's because it has not been clearly defined as yet, or if so, it has not been put into force.

Perhaps this sentence will help you to understand why it is so difficult in the present serious situation to speak up and to really feel that the various motions put forward cont- inuously by us, have yielded any positive result.

May I now submit the report of the last 18th General Assembly held in November, 1974 in Paris.

125. which is rather long but which covers 5 weeks of Conference, will be ,־This report divided into 2 parts ; in the first one, the main facts of this meeting will appear ; in the second one, we'll try to put down a short evaluation.

1. THE FACTS :

136 Member States are now present, with the admission of North-Korea, Guinea Bissau, ־New Guinea, qs an associate member. Por ־ Republic fo San Marin, Namibia and Papousia tugal has been heartily re-welcomed. The liberation Movements recognised by ALIO as well as PLO were present as observers.

The Director General, Mr. Rene MAHEU, retired, after two 6 year terms, and has been replaced by Mr. Amadou-Mahsar M'BOW, from Senegal.

The work was divided in 5 Committees, dealing with : Education - Exact and Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences and Cultural information, other items.

The budget of 169.992.000 Dollars was easily voted with 10 absentions bringing an increase of 42%, but with a growing rate of 3% with inflation. Mr. Maheu and the 77 poorest countries were hoping more ; the largest givers (USA, USSR, Europe States) were hoping less. A consensus was found on this number proposed by the Executive Council.

The main trend was Development. In this view, one pushed to decentralisation, enforcement of regional offices. The next general conference will take place in Nairobi, Kenya.

In this aim, much importance is given to Science and Technology, and to Unisist, organ of diffusion. Concern sciences are mainly these of earth, as ecologic ones, research for new kind of non-polluant energy, geology, meteorology, etc., as well qs scientist training. The problem of hunger through the world was debated, the Senegal representatives saying that, if nothing was done, deserts will soon spread and resources exhaust in tropical Africa, UNESCO wi II participate to the special programme for assistance. Mr. Maheu proposed to gather voluntary contributions to increase the help. But developing countries, as Guinea refused, unwilling to be helped in a charitable way. As well, they are mistrustful of technology transfer, which could render them more dependent from the countries which are the givers, as the Indian delegate said.

The same care of not receiving foreign "models" can be seen in Culture which has been ־to be authentical, witness of autonomy and self dignity. Information, specially by mass media is wanted, but not one-sided said some African delegates. So, in priority : Development. Then democratisation of Education wi th regard to equality of chances, life-long education, recycling for adults, developments for books, importance for the education of women. A good resolution was easily adopted about the IWY, with a high consensus Education in rural areas ־is strongly requested, with a view on the difficulty to transfer new knowledge on the land workers' ; Migrant Workers' education ; is cared for.

As for illiterates, even if their percentage lessens, their number increases, because of the population growth.

More political items, the Conference spent a lot of them :

126. AS FOR CUTTING UP OF THE WORLD IN REGIONAL AREAS, CHINA DENIED TO ־ URSS THE RIGHT TO BELONG TO ASIA ; A FAVOURABLE VOTE STATED IT, NEVERTHELESS, IN EUROPE AND IN ASIA. USA AND CANADA FOUND THEMS- ELVES IN EUROPE ; WHEN ISRAEL HAD TO BE PLACED, THE AD HOC COMMITTEE FOUND PLACE NEITHER IN EUROPE NOR IN ASIA, AFTER 2 VOTES OF 30 AGAINST 30, THEN OF 35 AGAINST 25.

as for the Conference on European Security, China and Albania strongly attacked USA and USSR, denying any "detente" accusing them to be aggressors, war-responsible, criticizing URSS of having occupied a friendly state and of pursuing a "frenetic arm race for expansion of armaments".

As for Chile, we had to hear during a long hour a quarrel between Chile and Cuba delegates, about a resolution which passed condemning Chile.

As for Cyprus, a very harsh debate opposed Turkish and Greek delegates.

- AS FOR THE RESOLUTION ON CULTURAL GOODS IN JERUSALEM, THE DEBATES LASTED 2 DAYS LONG IN COMMISSION, AND HALF A DAY IN PLENARY. EXPERT PROFESSOR LEMAIRE's REPORT ABOUT THE EXCAVATIONS UNDERTAKEN BY ISRAEL PRECISED CERTAIN SUPPLEMENTARY CAUTIONS WHICH HE REQUESTED, BUT RECOGNIZED THAT NO HARM HAD BEEN DONE TO THE HOLY PLACES AND MONUMENTS. DELEGATES FROM BELGIUM, FRANCE, DAHOMEY, COSTA-RICA, VENEZUELA PROPOSED AMENDMENTS FOR A NEW STUDY FOR THIS VERY HARSH RESOLUTION OUT OF THE PURPOSE, PROPOSED BY THE ARAB AND THE SOCIALIST COUNTRIES. ALL THIS WAS REJECTED. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED AND THE LAST PARAGRAPH OF IT, ASKING THE DIRECTOR GENERAL TO GIVE UP HIS ASSISTANCE TO ISRAEL WAS ADOPTED BY 59 VOICES AGAINST 34, 24 ABSENT- IONS AND 20 ABSENTS.

As for Education in Uruguay, mastered by military dictature.

As for the document on Peace, international understanding and cooperation, education for human rights and fundamental freedoms, were adopted with many amendments ; one of them stipulating the difference between good and bad wars. This dangerous item reflected deep contradictions.

colonialism, was more־The programme against racism, apartheid, colonialism, neo easily adopted.

II, EVALUATION :

Let us see which seems to be the positive and the negative aspects of this conference.

1. Many items were discussed by 136 member-states. Problems are in full light. Hopes are ״shown. We can understand here this thirst for development, for education, for self culture, for one's dignity ; this need for rural education ; this urgency to face famine, this request for justice and not charity ; for equality, and not dependency. We notice

127. this care for a better environment, a research for clean energy sources ; we notice this desire for education for all, particularly girls and women.

We found here the care of safeguarding the cultural patrimony of humanity (Pnilas, Venice, Borobudur, Katmandu, valley, sites in Syria and Indonesia). Fundamental research is favoured, as well as technical adaptation. Artistic creation is favoured too. ־Fight against all kind of discriminations and hopes to see the countries ratify the intern ational Covenants are going on. Peace, international cooperation are spoken of. All those are positive elements.

2. Unhappily, with sorrow, we noticed deep wrongs which prevent these hopes to be achieved.

A great number of States, either small or feeble, are bound together under the flag of groups". When some of these groups join their־a leader; what leads to create "state votes, they are sure to get a majority. This majority, obtained in advance, takes off any interest in the votes, and wrongs the world balance. And too, being sure to get ־their majority these states propose very harsh resolutions, in opposition to what happen ed in the last years, when, uncertain of what will happen member states were looking for a consensus.

Another point is that many states, willing to safeguard their friendship, with all big powers, even if they do not approve a resolution, do not vote against it and abstain. ־For example, a vote about peace was approved by 17 voices against 7 and 49 abstent ions.

And, we are afraid to watch how the states are gathering along a religious and ethnical trend, which will one day create certain dangerous racism. It is spoken of "Arab countries" of "Black Africa" of "Socialist States " of "European States", etc ....

During this Conference, UNESCO transgressed its mission for Education and Culture, becoming a political battle-field, where the member-states, far from any international spirit, exhibited their nationalism, their search for their strict interest, favouring their "clients" bowing down before oil producers or arms salesmen.

We would see UNESCO, temple of spirit, becoming an intellectual market, decisions ־have sometimes been taken in an incoherent and absurd way, when some friendly countr ies voted, for example in an opposite side when 6 developing countries are counted ־among the 11 which get the biggest financial reserve in the world where a member .where־state Israel is situated no

We could hear the most passionate, the most hateful speeches. Words as "liar, thief, brigand, Hitler", have often been used. When China spoke USSR or during the quarrel condemning Israel. We are ashamed of such an atmosphere.

We were hoping that the document about Peace will bring some sunshine ; this did not happen, words as : "totalitarism" echoed to those of "imperialism", "hegemony", "Zionism", etc.

128. Even NGO's were attacked by Chin? asking for the exclusion of these which would maintain their branches in Taiwan. The solution was postponed for 2 years.

The WILPF representatives, among their activities, obtained from the President of the ־General Conference the authorization for reading in plenary, a letter written by Pres ident Rene CASSIN, Nobel Peace Prize and one of the authors of the UNESCO Charter, expressing his motivated indigation about the resolution on cultural goods in Jerusalem. Helene Berthoz, Mr. Cassin's niece, read this letter.

Reactions from many personalities, articles from the two Directors General of UNESCO published in french newspapers requesting tolerance and understanding, confirmed our judment and our sadness. We think that the ethical vocation of UNESCO, recalled by the Delegates of Dahomey, Belgium and others, has been mocked during this conference.

It seems to us that a fundamental revision is necessary in order to save UNESCO.

No other comment is necessary after this, and we all know what the reaction in the whole world has been, after this fateful General Assembly.

In early November, all NGO's were invited by the new Director General of UNESCO Mr. M'Bow. His long and very good speech expressed his deep wish and decision to cooperate more than ever with NGO's and he deplored the decisions of the 18th General Assembly. Nevertheless he confirmed that ANOTHER General Assembly can outdo what this one has decided by vote. Numerous were the bitter protest votes of the representatives of the NGO's. Mr. M'Brow listened to all of them, and answered. He seemed decided to undertake whatever steps were in his power to delay at least the ־reprecussions of some resolutions passed at the Assembly. He asked all NGO's of what ever religious or political composition to remain within UNESCO because this was the only way to undertake a positive work in common.

INTERNATION WOMAN'S YEAR

From February 26th to 28th, a symposium on "International Woman's Year" took place in Paris. This meeting considered whatever actions to undertake in the field of education, communication and culture in order to further the three main aims of IWY : ־Development and Peace, A number of actions were proposed at the internat ־ Equality ional, regional, national and local level to pave the way for new policies and strategies on which the future of mankind will־ at the governmental and non-governmental level depend.

to change the image of the ־ We have to intensify educational and cultural programme woman in the world - and train woman to become a major agent in the promotion of peace.

Women have to become aware of their place and role in today's society.

I just want to mention the 4 topics dealt with : a) Equality, Development, Peace ;

129. b) Implication of Equality between sexes ; Peace and international understanding ;

; keys to change ־ c) Education and Information d) The role of communication in transforming the status of woman.

־The conclusions of the symposium generally were that the Status of woman must be impr oved by all means available in the national and international law in order to do away with all types of discrimination based on sex - and to bring about equality of educational .political and civic rights ־ economic ־ opportunities and social

The United Nations Conference on International Woman's Year will fake place in Mexico and it was the big wish of the NGO's to be able to take an active part in this very important meeting.

In September next, Mrs. M.P. HERZOG (Director of the Department of Human Rights at UNESCO), intends to take up in Paris in a 4 days symposium the topics on which no solution was reached.

The decisions of the 18th General Assembly of UNESCO urged the Jewish non-Govern- mental Organisations to re-examine their position. They now meet regularly. (Bnai Brith, Consultative Council of Jewish Organisations, ORT, ICJW, International Council of Jewish Welfare Organisations, World Jewish Congress) in order to undertake global action and the representatives of Bnai Brith and Consul. Council of Jewish Organisations shall contact personally the other NGO's who might support their latest motion in order to hopefully submit it to the Executive Board Meeting of UNESCO in May.

״we'll be in a better pos ־ We feel that by staying within UNESCO for the time being ition to do useful job in all fields of interest to us and to Israel.

******

130. REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF I.C.J.W. AT THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

975ו - 972ן

submitted by Miriam Warburg

Since the Triennial Conference of ICJW in Toronto of May 1972 a number of events and developments at the Council of Europe, which were of interest to ICJW, have to be reported.

The main event during this period was an invitation which had been extended by the Council of Europe to Mrs. Golda Meir, who was at the time still President of the State of Israel, to address the Autumn-Session of the Consultative Assembly (the Assembly of the Parliamentarians of the then 17 member-states of the Council) in 1973. Her address, which was delivered during the week preceding the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, was an outstanding success. Rarely has any previous speaker drawn such a huge audience.

Apart from attending three times a year the Meetings of the Consultative Assembly, your representative went regularly to the meetings arranged for the representatives of International Organisations interested in questions relating to Human Rights and made a number of new suggestions. Only a few of them can be listed in this short report.

1) Your representative suggested that similar meetings to those arranged by the Human Rights Division should also be extended to other departments of the Council, like the Social Department, the Legal Department, the Education and Culture Department, etc. This suggest- ־ion was received with great interest and the first meetings between NGO's and other depart ments of the Council have subsequently been organised. The first of them took place with the Directorate of the "Protection of the Human Environment". Your rerpesentative mentioned the booklet which ICJW had prepared with the Directorate on the problem "how the house f wives could help in the fight against the deterioration of our Human Environment" (see previous report) and proposed that the Council should publish a number of rather small booklets on the same lines, like guides for people who "move house", who "drive cars" who "work in industrial enterprises or on the land" etc. These suggestions were received with greatest interest.

2) In addition your representative made a number of proposals for the cor.memoration of the 25th Anniversary of the "Declaration of Human Rights", which cannot all be listed here but were passed on to the Information Department of the UN too (Doc. H ־ which subsequently (73)31).

3) A joint suggestion of B'nai B'rith and ICJW namely to organise a "Colloquium on the Comparison between "Human Rights" and the "Teachings of Judaism" was realised by the Institute of Human Rights on a world-wide scale in Montreal between April 18th and 20th, 1974.

"together with the "International Council of Women ־ ICJW was asked to submit jointly (4 (suggestions for "International Women's Year" (see enclosure ־ and B'nai B'rith

131. 5) For a project to organise in 1976 a Colloquium on "Teaching Human Rights in Primary ,lesson on Racial-Discrimination־ and Secondary Schools", ICJW was asked to submit a model which had already been prepared by them some time ago.

PREPARATION FOR RETIREMENT :

Your representative contributed to a report under discussion on this problem by the Consultative Assembly a special item, namely that a woman should have the same right as a man to pass on her pension rights to her husband if he survives her. This principle has now been adopted by the Council of Europe for its own staff, which means that in future the widowers of women, who had been employed by the Council of Europe, will benefit from the pension rights of their wives if they survive them.

SEMINAR ON VOLUNTARY SERVICE ;

Your representative also attended a Seminar on Voluntary Service, which took place under the auspices of the Council of Europe under the chairmanship of Lord Caradan - the famous author of article 242 of the Security Council in connection with the conflict in the Near-East. ICJW were the only NGO's whose Statement - containing a number of new and .(was included in the final report (see enclosure ־ constructive proposals

BROCHURE ON THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS :

Both the library of the UN in New York and Geneva have asked your representative to send them copies of the little brochure on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was published by the NGO-Committee for the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Declaration jointly by B'nai B'rith and ICJW. As all these brochures - apart from the French edition - are out of print (there were 66,000 copies originally printed in 6 languages), your representative could only supply the two libraries with the French Edition and received later on a special letter of thanks from both Institutions.

SECOND EUROPEAN CONFERENCE OF ICJW IN PARIS : (4th and 5th November, 1974)

This Conference which was extremely well prepared and attended will be reviewed in a special report. I shall, therefore, not repeat its findings.

A GENERAL MEETING OF NGO's HAVING CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE :

This meeting was convened for the first time in January 1975 and drew a great audience.

There were two items of special interest to ICJW : a) Your representative suggested the setting up of a permanent NGO-Committee, which so far does not exist at the Council of Europe in contrast to the UN and made a number of suggestions for activities which might be carried out by such a Committee. The proposal was received with greatest interest. b) The Commemoration of the international Year of Women. The general opinion was that not only legal questions with regard to Women's Rights would have to be discussed but to a great extent also the Social Problems which prevent the women to play their full role in Society. ICJW mentioned amongst others the need for married women to keep up with the developments in their pre-marriage professions during the years which they devote to the upbringing of their children. The Council of Europe has now prepared a special document in connection with this important problem.

FIFTH SEMINAR ON INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Strasbourg 5 ~ November 1973

MEMORANDUM

SUBMITTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

We should like to make a few suggestions with regard to some problems connected with international voluntary service.

־It is most important to find additional ways of increasing the funds available for vol .1 untary service. In our view there is one source which is not considered frequently enough. We are too accustomed to the idea of handing out medals, certicates and similar signs of appreciation to people whom we want to honour at some special occasion, be it for serving an important cause for a long period, for retirement from such work or on their death. Enquiries have shown that in most cases the names of the recipients and the reasons for their awards were soon forgotten.

We are of the opinion that those awards would have greater and more lasting practical value if they were to take the form of scholarships or special projects in one of the developing countries, bearing the name of the person whom we want to honour. Their friends, their families, their admirers, their countrymen and the organisation with whom they were connected may be only too happy and proud to help establish such funds. They may even be prepared to enlarge these funds later by new donations or by remembering them in their wills and thus keep the memory alive for a very long time.

2. For the highly qualified volunteers which are needed, it is often a great sacrifice to leave a job which offers good prospects, financially and otherwise. One of the means to overcome this difficulty may be to try and work out arrangements throught the Council of Europe whereby the employers consent to re-employ those volunteers after they have comp- perhaps along similar lines to those taken by some European ־ leted their voluntary service countries with regard to military service. In this way it may be easier to attract the type of person we need most.

133. 3. One of the many other serious drawbacks Is, as we all know, the fact that people in developing countries trained in vital agricultural work are moving from rural to urban areas which offer more facilities, thus increasing the number of jobless and unemployable in the towns.

One of the remedies for this lies in our ability and willingness to bring these facilities to rural districts, which is already being done in some countries. Travelling orchestras , art ,bars־exhibitions, films, etc., have been arranged to avoid the feeling of isolation. Coffee holiday trips, sports clubs, etc. have also proved beneficial.

As many of these places are rather small and isolated, one might consider creating - apart from the above-mentioned facilities ־ 11centres" which serve a wider area and which could also serve educational, economic and other needs.

*******

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS INTERESTED IN QUESTIONS

RELATING TO HUMAN RIGHTS

LETTER SUBMITTED BY DIFFERENT WOMEN'S ORGANISATIONS

Strasbourg, 5th April, 1974

Dear Mr. Vasak,

In answer to your request at the 18th Meeting of International Organisations interested in Questions relating to Human Rights of 24.1.74 to make some suggestions for the Commem- oration of the International Year for Women, we should like to make the fol lowing remarks :

We share the views expressed by the European Union of Women (Mrs. Pitz, Savelsberg) which were supported by the International Alliance of Women (Mrs, Flitz)at the 17th Meet- ing of International Organisations interested in questions relating to Human Rights of May 17^, 1973 in pointing out that they did not suggest the setting up of a "Commission on the Status of Women at the Council of Europe, which could be considered as parallel to the Commission of Human Rights - but of a European organ for the improvement of the women's position in State and Society.

We should therefore welcome if very much indeed, if the Council of Europe would see its way to create a Documentation Unit which deals with problems relating to Women and that NGO's interested in these questions should be strongly associated with this venture.

If this could be arranged, we would propose that during the International Year for Women a Colloquium should be organised, where the most up-to-date problems relating to women could be discussed and experiences could be exchanged.

134. Sd/ - Mme Jurdant Mme G. Bloch Mme M. Warburg

Mr. Karel Vasak Direction des Droits de 1' Homme Council of Europe Strasbourg

* * * * * * Jt •k׳

BUSINESS SESSION

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE

Mrs. Ann Robison, U.S.A., chairman of the Resolutions Committee, presented the Res- olutions and went through them, point by point, and her amended copy, as drawn up by her .committee was presented as well as the topical resolutions־sub

Mrs. Fox addressed the meeting and discussion took place as to whether the Resolutions, like in so many organisations, have become cumbersome and unwieldy.

Mrs. Robison mentioned that a similar situation had arisen in the U.S.A. and certain resolutions had been drastically streamlined, but when put to the meeting, they had almost all been put back in. Mrs. Marvin speaking further said that it was not that they had been put back in, but because they had been cut they necessitated a lot of explanation.

She suggested that a committee be set up to study the Resolutions to eliminate, if necessary, some of the history and that a shorter version be put to the next Convention.

Mrs. Robison mentioned that it must be kept in mind that resolutions are a "guide to action". In the resolutions one finds out whether and where we stand on certain action. We must have a little bit of history. Perhaps they can, however, be streamlined.

Mrs. Fox said that the main point can often get lost in too much preamble, affiliates get tired before they have reached the crux of the resolution.

Mrs. Noble (U.K.) and Mrs. Hollander (N.Z.) both emphasised the importance of the history in the resolutions. It was then moved that a Committee will be set up to work on the streamlining of the resolutions, bearing in mind the opinions that had been expressed.

Mrs. Robison gave a relevant quote from Margaret Mead - "Only as we come to terms with our past and our present is there a future for the oldest and youngest among us".

After this discussion, all the items were separately approved.

* * * *

135. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

־ RESOLUTIONS 1975 1978

CHAIRMAN MRS. Ann Robison U.S.A. VICE-CHAIRMAN 18 Jul 1975

1. JUDAISM AND JEWISH AFFAIRS

A, JUDAISM

WHEREAS the ICJW believes that Judaism bequeaths to every Jew a rich inheritance of ethical and religious values and a strong sense of personal, family and communal responsibility, and

WHEREAS the ICJW believes that transmitting this heritage through education and implementing its principles strengthens Jewish identity, the Jewish community and our commitment to Jews throughout the world, and

WHEREAS the ICJW believes that the understanding and application of Jewish ethics, religion and culture lead to positive Jewish living as well as to concomitant contributions toward a democratic and just society as well as to the survival of Judaism and the Jewish people with their distinct ethics, culture and religion, and

WHEREAS the ICJW bel ieves that a knowledge of these historic values imposes a sense of personal responsibility for their application to modern life,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to maintain and strengthen Jewish life in all its forms and foster and promote the knowledge of Jewish religion, history, ethics, culture and traditions, as well as the Hebrew language, among its members, their families and the Jewish community, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to initiate and support creative programs which will demonstrate the relevance of Jewish tradition, history and values to society today, and thus to foster the lifelong study of Judaism and Jewish culture, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW encourage its affiliate organizations to work for greater participation of Jewish women and Jewish women's organizations in the affairs of the Jewish and General Communities.

B. STATUS OF WOMEN (Religious)

WHEREAS the ICJW manifested its concern about problems often present in Jewish get, chalitzah, agunah, polygamy and inheritance-as interpreted ־ marriage and divorce in Jewish Law, Jby adopting at its 1966 Convention, a Petition addressed to the Rabbinical Authorities and Organizations throughout the world, requesting them to meet in a Rabbin- ical Assembly to study these problems and to find an interpretation to overcome them, and 136. WHEREAS the ICJW presented the Petition to the Chief Rabbis of Israel , Rabbi Nissim and Rabbi Unterman at the time of the ICJW Convention in Jerusalem in 1969, and

WHEREAS ICJW affiliate organizations and other organizations from 28 countries have now signed the Petition representing over one million Jewish women throughout the world, and

WHEREAS and Addendum to the petition was presented by the ICJW to Rabbi Ovadia and Rabbi Goren, the Chief Rabbis of Israel in May 1974, and

WHEREAS the Rabbinical Authorities have not yet signified their intention to comply with either the specific requests of the ICJW Petition or the Addendum, and

WHEREAS women suffering hardship under Jewish Law frequently need hel p and advice ־in order to carry out the halachic requirements of the Batei Din and other religious author ities.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW urge affiliates to educate their members concerning The Status of Women in Jewish Law by means of programs, seminars and meetings ־thereby making possible more effective representation to the Rabbis and Rabbinical Author ities, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliates to pledge themselves to discuss with all religious leaders the content of the Addendum presented to the Chief Rabbis of Israel in 1974, and to urge them to implement its terms, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW recommend to its affiliates that they press the need for Rabbis and Rabbinical Authorities to publicize their compassionate interest in the ־work they are doing to alleviate problems ; and to request that statistical data be dissemin ated concerning cases considered and assisted at Batei Din throughout the world, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliates to make known to their religious leaders their willingness to cooperate in the solving of the difficulties of individual cases.

C. ANTI-SEMITISM

WHEREAS the ICJW is deeply concerned that in the third decade after the Holocaust, in a world of new alignments and shifting power the Jewish peopl e are the victims of new forms of discrimination and anti-Semitism to and alarming degree,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to join with local, national and international Jewish and non-Jewish organizations in maintaining ־vigilance against anti-Semitism, or 11anti-Zionism" as it is often cal led in inimical intern ational parlance, and in fighting its manifestations wherever and whenever they appear.

137. D. ISRAEL

WHEREAS the ICJW believes that the State of Israel brings strength and dignity to Jews the world over and that the survival and development of Israel are central to the continuity of Jewish life, and

WHEREAS the ICJW notes that the State of Israel, which since its establishment in 1948 has welcomed and given dignity and freedom to Jews from all corners of the world, is determined to continue this open-door policy to enable Jews to find a permanent home there and a haven among their brethren, and

WHEREAS the ICJW is aware that because of the large expenditure Israel is forced to ־bear for defense and to meet its special responsibilities toward its citizens of all faiths, Isr ael needs help to maintain itself on a sound social and economic basis.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW call upon its affiliate organizations to promote programs and initiate activities which will create a better understanding of Israel and the problems it confronts, and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW cal I upon its affiliate organizations to associate themselves with and support efforts directed toward enabling Israel to secure a just and lasting peace and toward fostering its social, economic and cultural development.

E. PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

WHEREAS the ICJW realizes that a climate of peace in the Middle East would make it possible to implement comprehensive plans which would call on the resources and talents of the entire region and would redound to the benefit of all the population, and

WHEREAS the ICJW notes that the atmosphere of Arab hostility in the Middle East, the recurring full-scale wars and the continuing wars of attrition, present a grave threat to world peace while the proliferation of arms in the area is diverting funds which would otherwise be available to promote the common welfare, and

WHEREAS the ICJW deplores the isolation of Israel in the units of the United Nations.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW ask its affiliate organizations to appeal to their respective governments to use their best efforts, in the United Nations and in their bilateral contacts with other nations, in behalf of direct negotiations between Israel and her Arab neighbors so as to bring about conditions which will ensure speedy and concrete steps toward; the establishment of a just and durable peace among all the nations in the Middle East.

F. SOVIET JEWRY

WHEREAS the ICJW is outraged at the increased persecution and harsh punitive measures inflicted upon those Jews who seek to emigrate, and

138. WHEREAS the ICJW desires to record its profound concern at the repressive measures and cruel harassment which cause hardships and suffering for Jews in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and make it impossible for them to exist either as a rel igious of cultural entity, and

WHEREAS the three million Soviet Jews are identified both as a nationality group and as a religious faith, whose rights though specifically guaranteed in the Soviet Constitution are significantly denied them, and

WHEREAS the ICJW is deeply distressed by the plight of those Soviet Jews who, having been forcibly separated from their relatives by war and Nazi cruelty, are not permitted to emigrate to join their families,

־THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW ask its affiliate organizations to partici ־pate in efforts to cal I these facts to the attention of the Jewish and non-Jewish commun ities as well as to their respective governments and to appeal to their governments, and to appropriate non-governmental organizations to urge the Soviet Government to accord to Soviet Jews the same rights and facilities which are given to other cultural , rel igious and national groups, in particular the following rights :

1. to use the Russian, Hebrew and Yiddish languages in fostering their rel igious, cultural and historical heritage,

2. to practice and to teach to their children religious worship and observance,

3. to manufacture or obtain food and objects required for religious observance,

4. to establish Jewish communal organizations within the Soviet Union,

5. to communicate freely with their fellow Jews in other countries, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to entreat their governments to request that the Secretary General of the United Nations use his good offices to intercede in behalf of the Soviet Jews, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW ask its affiliate organizations to appeal to their governments to urge the Soviet authorities to implement fully their stated policy of allowing Soviet Jews to be reunited with their families in Israel and elsewhere.

G. SYRIAN JEWRY

WHEREAS the ICJW is grieved by the continued tragedy inthe lives of the members of the once proud Jewish community of Syria, and

WHEREAS the 'CJW protests the humiliating restrictions, brutal persecutions, harassment and arbitrary arrests suffered by this small remnant of Syrian Jewry,,

139. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW call upon its affiliate organizations to bring the tragic condition of the Jews in Syria to the attention of their respective governments and to appeal to them to use their influence to urge the Syrian Government to cease the persecution of its Jewish citizens, to ensure their human rights and dignity and to permit them to emigrate.

IL NATIONAL AFFAIRS

A. EDUCATION

WHEREAS the ICJW believes that it is the duty of government to provide full educational ־opportunities which will equip all young people to achieve the full potential of their abil ifies, without regard to sex, race, color, creed or national origin, and with regard for the special needs of the disadvantaged, and

WHEREAS the ICJW further believes that education facilities should be made available ,school years through high school־to all from the pre

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to work for a complete system of free public schools which will provide quality education for everyone and to support legislative measures and financial commitments to ensure these opportunities.

B. HEALTH AND WELFARE

־WHEREAS the physical and mental health and welfare of its people should be of prim ary importance to every nation, and

WHEREAS adequate health and welfare care, based on continuing research should be available to everyone from the young child to the aged, and

WHEREAS sound family planning contributes to the stability and welfare of the home, and

WHEREAS drug and alcohol abuse have caused great damage to the persons involved, their families and the society.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW encourage its affiliate organizations to endorse and participate in every way open to them in programs for the prevention, control and elimination of controllable diseases, including mental disease, and in programs for rehabilitation, health education and welfare, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliates to support programs aimed at improving health care services, including the expansion of medical training institutions, the establishment of more and better health care facilities, medical research, and the delivery of services, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to promote programs for family planning including research, education and clinical services for all, and

140. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to work for legislative measures to initiate and carry out needed programs for the benefit of children ־and youth, and other groups with special needs and to raise the standards of existing serv ices, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliates to work for the expansion and development of quality comprehensive child care programs available to al I children, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to support laws and voluntary endeavors which aim to promote and educate for sound family planning, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to work for public understanding of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction as being medical and social problems and to support programs of education, research, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

C. ENVIRONMENT

WHEREAS the ICJW believes that the quality of human life depends on the solution of environmental problems intensified by the nature of a massive urban society and technolog- ical developments, and

WHEREAS the ICJW is keenly aware of the danger to the health of both present and future generations due to the pollution of the air, water and soil, and

WHEREAS the ICJW is anxious regarding the inadequate supply of food for the present and future generations.

WHEREAS the ICJW recognizes the need to safeguard the environment for the conservation of nature and the countryside, which is our heritage to pass on to our children, and

-cognition of govern®•׳ WHEREAS the ICJW knows that inherent in the solution is the ment and its citizens of their mutual responsibilities.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to appeal to .their respective governments to initiate and actively support effective measures for the protection and conservation of the environment, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to appeal to their respective governments to work for international agreements concerning environmental effects of underseas and outer space exploration, research in ecology and the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and

BE. IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW request its affiliate organizations to draw the attention of their members to the urgency of these problems and impress on them the vital role which national women's organizations can play in these matters. D. STATUS OF WOMEN

WHEREAS in many countries the economic and political rights and privileges of women and their rights as individuals are restricted, and

WHEREAS in many countries rights already legally gained are not fully exercised,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to increase their efforts to educate the women concerning those rights of which they are being deprived and to work to prevent discrimination and exploitation in employment, in property and other rights on the basis of sex or marital status.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its affiliate organizations to seek the cooperation of their respective governments in securing de facto and de jure equality of men and women in civil, political, humanitarian, economic and cultural aspects of life.

E. WOMEN IN COMMUNAL AFFAIRS

WHEREAS THE ICJW recognizes the contribution women are making for mankind through their communal work, both through their organizations and through their individual efforts, professional and voluntary,

־THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW urge its members, through their organize tions and/or governments, to participate fully in all phases of communal, national and international activities that will improve human relationships and social and economic conditions throughout the world.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW call upon its affiliate organizations to promote programs for the training of volunteers for social and community service.

F. YOUTH AND SUCCESSOR GENERATION

WHEREAS the ICJW believes that the strength of the future lies in the youth of today and that youth has the ability, energy and vitality to meet the tremendous challenges of modern life, and

WHEREAS the ICJW is desirous that the daughter and son generation assume its full and rightful responsibility in a!I fields of endeavor,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW call upon its affiliate organizations to welcome, encourage and support the voluntary and professional efforts of young people toward the betterment of mankind, and

־BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ICJW call upon its affiliate organizations to activ ate young men and women and encourage them to assume leadership responsibility on all levels, local, national, and international.

142. III. WORLD AFFAIRS

A. UNITED NATIONS

WHEREAS the ICJW believes that the foreign policies of nations should be directed toward developing conditions for world peace wherein human beings everywhere may live their lives in dignity with the greatest measure of economic, social and political freedom, and

WHEREAS the ICJW believes that to accomplish these goals the member states of the United Nations must recognize the interdependence of nations, make use of the resources of the world organization and conduct diplomatic negotiations under the humane, ethical and moral principles enunciated by all faiths and all governments represented in the United Nations, and

WHEREAS the ICJW believes that the greatest potential for world peace is achieved by dialogue among all nations and that membership of the United Nations does not necessar ily mean acceptance of a country's political beliefs, and

WHEREAS the ICJW deplores action which would debar any sovereign member nation from participation in the United Nations and its specialized agencies,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW aid its affiliate organizations to work to understand the United Nations, its specialized agencies and the international Court of Justice and urge their respective governments to make use of them in such a way that they may serve as important media through which the conditions of peace and freedom may be achieved throughout the world, as envisioned in the United Nations Charter.

B. UNITED NATIONS - SECOND DEVELOPMENT DECADE

WHEREAS the ICJW, fully in accord with the aims of the Second Development Decade of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and cognizant of the important and useful role women can play in the efforts toward the attainment of these goals,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW alert its affiliate organizations to become informed about the many areas of concern of the Second Development Decade and support them by working in their behalf at the national and local levels.

C. HUMAN RIGHTS

־WHEREAS the protection of individual rights on an international scale has been rec ognized by the United Nations in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as basic to a just and peaceful world, and

WHEREAS the dignity of human life and the right to live are fundamental, and

WHEREAS discrimination and intolerance when practiced or condoned by any nation destroys human dignity and limits national development,

143. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW ask each of Its affiliate organizations to urge its government to :

1. support and implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Genocide Convention and all other Human Rights Conventions,

2. support the abolition of the death penalty except for the crime of genocide,

3. condemn and punish all acts of terrorism,

4. press for the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination and to seek solutions to those problems which lead to the denial of civil and religious rights,

5. ratify the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and

6. uphold the right of Jewish communities throughout the world, as guaranteed under the Declaration of Human Rights, to freedom of expression, to the assertion of their cultural, spiritual and religious values, to education in the spirit of Jewish traditions, and to .religionists abroad־freedom to emigrate and to travel for fromal official contact with co

D. DRUGS

־WHEREAS international trafficking in dangerous drugs causes much misery and degra dation and in particular is a source of corruption and destruction of young life,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW ask its affiliate organizations to support all national and international organizations engaged in the suppression of this nefarious trade,

E. DISARMAMENT

WHEREAS modern weapons of destruction have been developed to the point that they threaten to destroy the world, and

WHEREAS the ICJW recognizes the danger that nuclear testing in the biosphere will contaminate the environment and lead to the deterioration of our genetic heritage,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ICJW ask its affiliate organizations to urge their governments to make a determined effort to work to ensure b world in which all men may live in dignity and peace :

1. through international agreement on general disarmament which will include effective inspection,

2. through eforcement and extension of the treaty to ban nuclear weapons testing and provide for inspection essential for effective control,

144. 3. through support by international agreements of all peaceful means of preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the enforcement and extension of the treaty providing for the cessation of nuclear weapons testing under inspection essential for effective control.

4. through international agreements to outlaw chemical and bacteriological warfare and the production of such weapons,

־through the creation and maintenance of international agreements to secure the neut .5 rality of outer space and underseas, and

6. through continued international cooperation in developing peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

* •X & * * *

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

TOPICAL STATEMENT

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR

The International Council of Jewish Women, assembled at its Triennial Convention in Melbourne, Australia April 25 - May 1, 1975 adopted the following statement :

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women, as a woman's organization, is encouraged by the designation by the United Nations of 1975 as International Women's Year; and

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women has long been aware of the need for equality before the law for men and women ; and

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women has long been concerned with the inequality of women in access to education, employment opportunity and in appointment aid election to public office ; and

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women has noted with deep regret the discrimination against women in respect to their civil and political rights ;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the International Council of Jewish Women urge its Affiliates to support the specific goals and principles set forth by the United Nations in the observance of 1975 as International Women's Year : Equality between Men and Women, Integration into Development, and Contribution to Peace ; and

145. the International Council of Jewish Women request its ־BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, thai ־Affiliates to urge their governments to sign the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimin ation Against Women ; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Council of Jewish Women urge its Affiliates to request their governments to enact legislation, as required, to guarantee to women full equality with men before the law.

***********

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

TOPICAL RESOLUTION

UNICEF AND THE WORLD EMERGENCY FOR CHILDREN

The International Council of Jewish Women, assembled at its Triennial Convention in : May 1, 1975, adopted the following resolution־ Melbourne, Australia, April 25

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women is deeply aware of the depth of poverty and suffering which are increasingly the lot of millions of children because of the world economic situation ; and

WHEREAS, UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is uniquely equipped to act as a channel for the greatly increased assistance so desperately required ;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the International Council of Jewish Women, through its affiliates, give its complete support to UNICEF in its humanitarian efforts to meet the emergency needs of children in the developing countries ; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Council of Jewish Women, through its affiliates, encourage and assist fund-raising programs on the national and local levels.

************

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

TOPICAL STATEMENT

WORLD POPULATION

The International Council of Jewish Women, assembled at its Triennial Convention in : May 1, 1975, adopted the following statement ־ Melbourne, Australia, April 25

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women is deeply aware of the dangers of the unprecedented and 6piraling growth of world population in both the advanced and developing countries ; and 146. WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women is cognisant of the need on national and local levels, to promote activities that would improve knowledge and awareness relative to population and development; and

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women is concerned with achieving and maintaining an optimal balance between the world's population and the natural resources thereof; and

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women is deeply concerned with the preservation of the quality of family life ;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the International Council of Jewish Women request its Affiliates to urge their governments to enact Legislation and establish programmes which embody the principles set forth at the United Nations World Population Conference ; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Council of Jewish Women urge its Affiliates to support educational programmes which encourage sound family planning.

******* ***

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

TOPICAL STATEMENT

HUMAN ENVIRONMENT

The International Council of Jewish Women, assembled at its Triennial Convention in : May 1, 1975, adopted the following statement ־ Melbourne, Australia, April 25

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women is keenly aware of the damage to the health of both present and future generations because of the limitation to and pollution of the world's natural resources of air, water and earth ; and

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women is desirous of safeguarding and preserving the total environment, the natural heritage of mankind ;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the International Council of Jewish Women urge the United Nations to place within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights an additional ;supporting environment־ article guaranteeing the right of the individual to a clean and health and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Council of Jewish Women affirm its support of the United Nations' efforts and programmes for the preservation of the Human ־Environment, and support and cooperate with the United Nations agency created to accom plish the goals agreed upon at the Environment Conference ; and

147. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, thai• the International Council of Jewish Women request its Affiliates to work, on both the local and national levels, with other organizations, on ־programmes designed to protecs the Human Environment, and to urge their respective gov ernments to draw up long range plans for halting the abuse of natural resources and for preventing pollution, and that Affiliates offer their full assistance in any action recommended by their governments.

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

TOPICAL STATEMENT

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE

The International Council of Jewish Women, assembled at its Triennial Convention in Melbourne, Australia, April 25 - May 1, 1975, adopted the following statement :

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women, whose people have, through the centuries, endured and suffered the scourge of religious intolerance as well as racial discrimination, has a special responsibility in promoting programmes to ensure to all people the rights embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Covenants on Human Rights, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination ; and

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women deplores the failure of the Commission on Human Rights to make any progress in the formulation of a Draft Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Religious Intolerance ; and

WHEREAS, the International Council of Jewish Women views with deep regret the lack of real progress by the United Nations in eradicating the evils of racial discrimination ;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the International Council of Jewish Women continue to request its Affiliates to disseminate information and take cooperative action to mobilize public opinion to combat these evils ; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Council of Jewish Women urge the ־United Nations to complete a Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Religious Int olerance and the framing of a Convention on the same subject ; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the international Council of Jewish Women request its Affiliates to urge their governments to uphold decisions of the United Nations designed to eradicate racial and religious discriminations in all forms. BY - LAWS COMMITTEE

Mrs. Brown then took the chair for the BY LAWS SESSION.

Mrs. Brown presented the amendemtns for voting as amended by the Executive committee:

(moved Mrs. Fink (Aust) seconded Mrs. Hacker (Switzerland ־ Preamble (c) to be deleted

Article II : a new (d) to be added - moved Mrs. Hacker (Switz) seconded Mrs. Gelman (Aust) moved Mrs. Robison (USA) seconded Mrs. Rosenbloom ־ a new (e) to be added (Mexico)

Article IV (b) a vote was taken as to whether there should be 10 or 12 vice presidents, before the amendment was put to the vote. Mesdames Robison and Hacker spoke for 12 and Mesdames Fink and Stick for 10. Voting resulted in 12 being accepted. Amendment pub by Mrs. Robison (USA) seconded by Mrs. Hacker (Switz)

Article IV (f) amendment moved by Mrs. Sasieni (UK) seconded Mrs. Rosenfeld (USA)

Article IV (g) and (h) to be brought in line and numbers moved to (j) Moved Mrs. Marvin (USA) seconded Mrs. Robison (USA)

Article V. Section 1 (b) : amendment moved Mrs. Sasieni (UK) seconded Mrs. Marvin (USA)

Article V. Section 2 (e) amended moved Mrs. Cohen (Aust) seconded Mrs. Rosenfeld (USA)

Article V. Section 2 (h): Addition moved by Mrs. Noble (UK) seconded Mrs. Rosenfeld (USA)

Article VI (b) and (d) editorial changes

The acceptance of all the amendments to the By Laws was moved by Mrs. Cohen (Aust) and seconded by Dr. Sasieni (UK)

A motion of appreciation, endorsed by Mrs. Rosettenstein of South Africa was moved for the work of Mrs. Brown has representative for the Chairman of By Laws seeing she took over the tremendous job.

(new By Laws as amended attached).

149. LAWS ־ BY

of the

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN

1978 ־ 1975

PREAMBLE

(a) WE, Jewish Women, believing that a closer fellowship, a greater unity of thought and purpose, and a nobler accomplishment will result from a widespread organization, affiliate as the INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN in order to further the best and highest interest of Jewry and also of all humanity.

(b) THE organization shall be non-partisan in political matters, but it may issue statements, or take action on issues in consonance with its resolutions. However, on new issues, statements or other actions shall require the unanimous consent of its affiliate bodfes.

IN these By-Laws the following words shall have the following meaning :

(a) THE "Organization" shall mean the International Council of Jewish Women.

(b) "Affiliate" shall mean a Jewish Women's organization which shall be admitted to membership of the Organization in the manner shown in the By-Laws.

(d) A "Triennial period" shall mean the three years between each Convention.

(e) A "delegate" shall mean a person duly appointed by an Affiliate to represent it with voting power.

ARTICLE I. NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

(a) THE name of this Organization shall be the INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN.

ARTICLE II. OBJECTS OF THE ORGANIZATION

(a) TO promote friendly relations and understanding among Jewish women of all countries.

(b) TO further the best and highest interests of humanity in the fields of social welfare, civics, education and peace, and to encourage the education of trained volunteers.

150. (c) TO uphold and strengthen the bonds of Judaism throughout the world.

(d) TO show solidarity with Israel and support its efforts to secure a just and lasting peace.

(e) TO encourage each Affiliate towards fostering Israel's social, economic, educational and cultural development.

(f) TO cooperate with national and international organizations working for goodwill among all peoples of the world, and for the promotion of equal rights for all humanity.

(g) TO support the declaration on human rights of the United Nations.

(h) TO encourage each Affiliate to work for the improvement of the social, economic and legal status of women, Jewish and General.

(i) TO assist Affiliates in program formulation and implementation by exchange of publications and other relevant material.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP OF THE ORGANIZATION

(a) ANY Jewish women's organization which represents a cross section of Jewish Women in any country may apply to the Extension and Field Service Committee for affiliation to the organization, and if approved, shall thereupon become an Affiliate.

(b) ALL Affiliates shall be independent of each other and shall be completely autonomous.

(d) ANY Affiliate whose policy is found to be at variance with that of the Organization shall be asked to withdraw from membership. The decision shall rest with the Convention.

(e) ANY woman who professes the Jewish faith and is in agreement with the aism and activities of the Organization may apply to the Extension and Field Service Committee to become an Associate Member providing there is no Affiliate in the country in which she resides.

(f) SHOULD an Affiliate be formed in a country where there are already Associate Members all Associate Membership shall cease immediately.

(g) AN Associate Member shall have the right to attend the meetings of the Organization as an Observer and to receive the publications of the Organization.

־h) ANY Associate Member who is found to be at variance with the policy of the Organ) ization shall be asked to withdraw from Membership.

151. ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS OF THE ORGANIZATION

(a) THE Administration of the Organization shall be conducted by the Officers, Executive Committee, standing committees and ad hoc committees.

(b) THERE may be a Honorary President and Honorary Vice-Presidents. There shall be a President and twelve Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Treasurer of the Administrative Committee, and a Secretary. There may be assistant Treasurers and assistant Secretaries.

(c) AN Honorary President may be elected at a Convention. She shall hold office for life or until resignation. There shall never be more than one (1) Honorary President.

(d) HONORARY Vice-Presidents may only be elected at a Convention. They shall hold office for life or until resignation•

(e) THE President shall be elected at a Convention and shall hold office until the next election. She shall not hold office for more than two (2) triennial periods in succession.

(f) TWELVE Vice-Presidents, nominated by the Affiliate of which they are a member, shall be elected at a Convention and shall hold that office until the next election. They shall not hold office for more than two (2) triennial periods in succession.

(g) AN Affiliate shall be eligible to be represented by a Vice-President if it has been affiliated to the organization for at least two triennial periods.

(h) THE Treasurers and assistant Treasurers shall be elected at a Convention and shall hold that office until the next elections. One of the Treasurers and one assistant Treasurer shall be b^rsed in the United States and the Treasurer of the Administrative Committee and an assistant Treasurer shall reside in the same country as the President and shall be nominated by the Affiliate of that country.

(i ) THE Secretary and assistant Secretaries shall be elected at a Convention and shall hold that office until the next elections. They sahll reside in the same country as the President of the forthcoming Triennial period and shall be nominated by the Affiliate of that country.

(j) IN the case of a vacancy in the office of President, Vice-President, Secretary or assistant Secretary, Treasurer or assistant Treasurers, the Administrative Committee may appoint a successor to hold office until the next Convention.

IN case the President cannot continue in office for certain reasons, nor the local Administrative Committee, the Executive Committee may appoint an interim President to hold office until the end of the emergency but not longer than the next Convention. The interim President shall be one of the Vice-Presidents of the Organization and her seat of residence such that the smooth functioning of the Organization is assured.

152. ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES OF THE ORGANIZATION

Section 1. Committee Structure.

(a) THERE shall be the following Committees : Executive, Administrative, Standing, Program, and Ad hoc committees. The President of the Organization shall be an ex- officio member of all committees.

(b) THE Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Organization, the Honorary President, the immediate Past President, the International Council of Jewish Women's accredited representatives to the United Nations and its specialized agencies, to the Council of Europe, and to the governing board of the World Jewish Congress, and Chairmen of the Standing Committees.

־c) THE Administrative Committee shall consist of such members of the Executive Commit) tee as are able to attend and the President of the Affiliate of the country in which the Committee meets (if she is not an Officer).

(d) THE Standing Committees shall be named and set up at the end of every Convention. Chariman. The Chairman־Each Standing Committee shall have a Chairman and Vice of the Standing Committee shall not hold that office for more than two >2) triennial periods in succession.

(e) AS many Ad hoc and Program Committees shall be set up by the President of the Organization as she may deem necessary from time to time.

(f) EACH Affiliate shall be entitled to nominate a member to each Standing Committee.

(g) THE President of the Organization shall appoint the Officers and Members of all Standing, Ad hoc and Program Committees, with the approval of the Executive Committee and with the consent of the President of the Affiliate to which the Officers and committee members to be so appointed belong.

(h) ALL appointments to committees shall conform to the triennial period.

(i ) REPRESENTATIVES appointed to the committees shall act as individuals in accordance with their best judgment on behalf of therr Affiliate bearing closely in mind the program and policies of their respective Affiliates.

Section 2. Rules and Functions of Committee :

(a) THE functions of the Executive Committee shall be to determine such matters of policy as are necessary to carry out the resolutions. The Executive Committee shall hold at least one meeting during each triennial period. A quorum representing at least four (4) affiliate countries is required.

53. THE function of the Administrative Committee shall be to administer the business of the Organization ; to carry out the policies laid down by the Executive Committee, and to report to the Executive Committee. The Administrative Committee shall meet at least once during each of the first two years of the triennial period. The venue of the meeting shall be at the discretion of the President of the Organization. Three members shall constitute a quorum.

A standing Committee shall be set up to be known as the By-Laws Committee, the functions of which shall be to consider any suggested amendment and/or revisions of the By-Laws.

A Standing Committee shall be set up to be known as the Resolutions Committee, the functions of which shall be to consider and prepare resolutions for the Convention ; to compile any suggested resolutions sent to it by Affiliates, together with its own resolutions and comments, and to send these to each Affiliate for study at least six (6) months before the convention. Resolutions shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members present for adoption.

A Standing Committee shall be set up to be known as the Nominating Committee, the function of which shall be to consider and submit to the Convention the list of candid- ates for each office to be filled. It shall consist of at least four members in the country of residence of the Chairman, and Correspondents from other Affiliates each of whom ־shall have a vote equal to that of members of the Committee. The Nominafing Commit tee shall hold a meeting at the time of the Mid-Term Executive Committee meeting. Four members or Correspondents present, representing at least four Affiliates, shall constitute a quorum. The President may appoint alternates with the approval of the Affiliate of which the alternate is a member. If necessary, the Nominating Committee can reconvene prior to the Convention.

Nomination of the President

At least four months prior to the Mid-Term Executive Committee meeting, the Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall notify the members and Correspondents of the Committee, the Officers of the Organization, and the Affiliates that suggestions may be made for the office of President. Suggestions must be received prior to the Nominating Committee meeting. Immediately after the Nominating Committee meeting, the Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall obtain the approval of the Affiliate and the consent of the candidate who obtained the highest number of votes in the Nominating Committee for the office of President. In the event that the candidate shall not be approved by the Affiliate of which she is a member, or that the consent of the candidate shall not be obtained, the. same procedure shall be followed for the person who receives the next highest number of votes, an so on.

Nomination of Vice Presidents

At least four months prior to the Mid-Term Executive Committee meeting, the Chairman ־of the Nominating Committee shall notify members and Correspondents of the Commit tee, the Officers of the Organization, and the Affiliates that suggestions may be made for the list of the twelve Affiliates each of whom, on election to the list, shall be ־entit'ed to nominate one of their members to serve as a Vice President of the Organ ization. Suggestions for the list of Affiliates must be received prior to the Nominating Committee meeting. After the Nominating Committee meeting, the Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall submit to the Mid-Term Executive Committee for its considertaion and action the list of the twelve Affiliates who received the highest number of votes in the Nominating Committee. Following the action taken by the Mid-Term Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall inform the Affiliates selected to submit the name of one of their members to serve as Vice President.

Nomination of Treasurer and Treasurer of the Administrative Committee and Assistant Treasurers and Secretary and Assistant Secretaries

The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall obtain the names of these officers to be submitted to the Convention in conformity with By-Laws Article IV (h) and (i).

(f) PROGRAM and Ad hoc Committees may be set up by the President, the functions of which shall be to deal with special subjects as required. The Program and Ad hoc Committees: shall operate for a limited period of time.

(g) A Standing Committee shall be set up to be known as the European Committee the function of which shall be to promote close coordination and exchange of information between European Affiliates. The Chairman shall call a meeting at least once during each triennial period.

(h) A Standing Committee on Finance.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS OF THE ORGANIZATION

(a) THERE shall be a meeting of the Organization every three (3) years which shall be known as the Triennial Convention of the International Council of Jewish Women.

(b) THERE shall be a meeting of the Organization at the mid-point of every triennial period to be known as the Mid-Term Executive Meeting.

־c) THE time and place of the next Mid-Term Executive Meeting and the next Conven) tion shall be determined at each Convention.

(d) THE Mid-Term Executive Meeting shall consist of the members of the Executive Committee according to Article V Section 1 (b) and any other members of the Org- anization at the discretion of the President. Only members of the Executive Meeting shall have the right of vote.

(e) THE Convention shall consist of the Officers, Honorary Officers of the Organization, the immediate Past President, Officers of Standing and Ad hoc Committees, delegates and representatives appointed by the Affiliates. 155. (f) THE Executive Committee shall determine prior to the Convention the number of votes allotted to each Affiliate. When more than one Affiliate operates in a country such Affiliates shall have a combined vote which shall be equivalent to those allotted to any other Affiliate. It shall also determine the procedure generally of the Convention.

(g) THE voting members of the Convention shall be the current Officers and Honorary Officers of the Organization, the immediate Past President, the International Council of Jewish Women's accredited representatives to the United Nations and its specialized agencies, to the Council of Europe, and to the governing board of the World Jewish Congress, and Chairmen of the Standing Committees, and the delegates.

(h) NO one shall vote in more than one capacity.

(i ) A majority of voting members representing at least from two-thirds (2/3) of the Affiliates registered at the Convention shall constitute a quorum.

(j ) THE President shall be mandated to bring up for discussion any subject of excepcional importance which is not on the agenda provided that such subject has been submitted to the Chairman of the appropriate Committee or Affiliate and that it has been agreed that it should be discussed.

ARTICLE VII. FINANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION

(a) AFFILIATES shall pay into the Treasury of the Organization a per capita fee or annual fee. Such fee is to be fixed at each Convention.

(b) IF it is anticipated that the fee will be changed. Affiliates must be informed at least three (3) months prior to the Convention.

(c) AN Associate Member shall pay into the Treasury of the Organization an annual fee, such fee to be fixed at each Convention.

(d) THE Administrative Committee shall have authority to adapt the amounts payable to meet exchange difficulties or currency regulations in various countries ; dues shall be stated in United States currency ; the equivalent monetary value in the standard currency of other countries shall be acceptable in payment thereof.

(e) THE fiscal year shall be from May ist to April 30th.

(f) THE Administrative Committee shall have power to determine allowances for transport and other expenses incurred for the benefit of the Organization by officers and members of Committees and representatives appointed to external organizations within the limits of the budget. ARTICLE VIII. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES

REPRESENTATIVES who wish to visit countries officially in the name of the Organiz- ation must be authorized in advance of their visit by the President of the Organization together with the Chairman of the Extension and Field Service Committee.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS

(a) THESE By-Laws may be amended at a Convention and shall require for adoption of two-third majority of voting members present.

(b) AMENDMENTS which have been proposed by the By-Laws Committee shall be circulated to each Affiliate at least six (6) months prior to the Convention.

(c) A postal referendum for amendments to the By-Laws may be held three months prior to Convention upon recommendation of the Executive Committee and shall require for adoption a three-fourth (3/4) vote of all Affiliates.

* * ז5י it

These By-Laws were passed at the Triennial Convention in Melbourne, Australia 1975. Dr. de Herczeg then called on Mrs. Stich to present the budget for the forthcoming triennial .־ period 1975 78

Mrs. Stich reported on the budget :

ESTIMATED RECEIPTS ESTIMATED EXPENSES Dues : Recurring :

Argentina $ 330 Salaries & Taxes $ 3,200 Australia 360 Telephone 200 Belgium 100 Postage 900 Brazil 100 Stationery, Printing 650 Canada 900 Newsletter Bulletins 2,350 Chile 100 Israel Service & Information Centre 1,200 Ecuador 100 Travel to Meetings 700 England 720 Public Relations 125 France 250 Dues to other Organizations 100 Germany 250 Committees : Hong Kong 100 United Nations 600 India 20 Status of Women 200 Iran 100 Jewish Education 300 Israel 250 European Committee 800 Italy 100 Other Committees 100 Luxembourg 100 Rent 400 Mexico 100 Sundries 100 New Zealand 100 Professional Fees 50 Portugal 70 SUB-TOTAL 11,975 Sweden 100 Switzerland 250 Non-Recurring : Union South Africa 1,700 (1/3 of total cost) United States 8,625 Uruguay 100 Brochure 100 $ 14,925 Office Equipment 100 Report of 1975 Convention 250 1978 Convention 1,700 Israeli Seminar & Publication 1,200 Interest on Reserve President's travel to : Accounts 3,000 1975 Convention 350 Mid-Term Executive Committee Meeting 350 Field Service : General 900 European Workshop 500 Latin-American Workshop 500

TOTAL RECEIPTS $ 17,925 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 17,925

158. She drew attention to the fact that the receipts are based on the newly adopted dues schedule.

Expenses were difficult to estimate because of spiralling inflation. The non-recurring expenses : These were 1/3 of estimate because the budget was what was estimated for one year.

She then called for questions :

Mrs. Marvin queried the amount of $ 1200 annually for the Israeli Seminar and Public- ation. Quite a deal of discussion took part on the question with Prof. Pechersky, Mrs. Rosettenstein, Dr. de Herczeg participating. It was considered that the report of this Seminar is of such importance, that it is sent to organisations outside the I.C.J.W. and that as it is representative of our organisation and of the Seminar in general it cannot be a duplicated, second-rate publication and that it is important that it look of a sufficient standard to draw the attention of other organisations and other Jews in other countries.

On the other hand, on a question of Mrs. Gelman, re the $250 allotted to the report of the convention, it was reported by Mrs. Stich that as this is purely an internal publication, it is duplicated in the most inexpensive manner, and is an expense of the Administration, not of the country holding the Convention.

The question of the expenses of the Field Services Committee was explained that it has not been incorporated into the general budget - not separate as previously. This committee had moved from England to Switzerland during the triennial period. Actually England had not spent much, but as it is now subdivided there has been an increase in the allocation to allow, in the main, for travelling and correspondence.

Mrs. Landa (USA) and Mrs. Bath (Australia) moved and seconded the adoption of the proposed budget.

Mrs. Stich thanked the ladies, and mentioned that in the budget no new concepts had been introduced, except for the change in the schedule of fees and the consolidation of the two budgets.

Dr. de Herczeg then thanked Mrs. Stich, mentioning that for the coming triennial period a Finance Committee has been set up and the Chairman of this Finance Committee will be the chairman seated in the U.S,A. and will be Mrs. Stich.

Dr. de Herczeg then called on Mrs. Gelman, correspondent of the Nominating Committee to give the report as the Chairman Mrs. Hollanberg of Canada was not present.

Mrs. Gelman then read the report as attached. REPORT OF THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE TO THE 1975 TRIENNIAL CONVENTION

Mrs. Mina Hollenberg, Chairman - Canada Mrs. Benjamin Robinson, Vice-Chairman - Canada Mrs. Harold Lorie - Canada Mrs. M. Paperny - Canada Mrs. M. Vigoda - Canada Mrs. Nora Frankel - South Africa Mrs. M. Gelman - Australia Mrs. Yvette Heilborn - Brazil Mrs. L. Mann - England Mrs. Leonard H. Weiner - U.S.A. Mrs. Gladys Wolff - Sweden

he Nominations Committee, it is our pleasure to present the following־On behalf of l report and the proposed Slate of Officers for the triennial period 1975-1978.

The Nominations Committee held 2 meetings in Canada. Unfortunately, because of distance, correspondents were unable to attend. Nominations were received from 17 countries (18 affiliates) and from the majority of Officers and Members of the Nominations Committee. The current By-laws were adhered to, nominations tabulated resulting in the following proposed Slate of Officers.

The Nominations Committee believes that the wishes of the Affiliates with regard to their nominations for Vice-Presidents from their respective Affiliates is o prime importance. This committee suggests that the current nominations procedures be simplified and that a "face to face" meeting of the Nominations Committee be held at the Mid-Term Executive Meeting. We are happy to note that the By-laws Committee will be presenting amendments to this effect.

Our sincere appreciation to the Affiliates and Officers for their prompt responses and to the members of this committee for their close co-operation. In spite of distance, communication and co-operation with our President and the Administrative Committee has been excellent.

Respectfully submitteed,

Mina Hollenberg, Chairman, Tony Robinson, Vice-Chairman.

160. HONORARY OFFICERS

.U.S.A ־HONORARY PRESIDENT Mrs. Joseph Welt

HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT Mrs. Benjamin Robinson Canada Mrs. Alfred Rubens England Mrs. Ronald Brown U.S.A. Mrs. Shoshana Hareli Israel

(Honorary Officers are elected for life and do not require re-election. However, their names should be announced and those present introduced.)

*****

PROPOSED SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR THE TRIENNIAL PERIOD 1975 - 1978

PRESIDENT : Dr. Rosa S. de Herczeg Argentina

VICE-PRESIDENTS Mrs. Sara B. de Breitman Argentina Mrs. Mina Fink Australia Mrs. David Kline Canada Mrs. Tania Blum France Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox Great Britain Mrs. M. Kashfi Iran Mrs. Pnina Herzog Israel Mrs. Lea Rosettenstein South Africa Mrs. Lidia W. de Radoszkowicz Uruguay Mrs. Adolf Robison U.S.A. Dr. Clara Feinstein Switzerland Mrs. Grace Hollander New Zealand

TREASURERS : Mrs. Melvin Stich U.S.A. Prof. Clara M. de Pechersky Argentina Mrs. Leonor de MatzAer-Ass't Argentina

SECRETARIES : Dr. Deborah L. de Schlesinger Argentina Mrs. Enriqueta de Rosenfeld, Ass't Argentina

161. ־Dr. de Herczeg then reported that there had been four invitations for the 1978 Conv ention : Argentina, Israel (endorsed by the Minister of Tourism) South Africa and U.S.A.

Mrs. Landa (USA) Mrs. Rosettenstein (SA) and Mrs. Gottan (Israel) each spoke for their invitation, Mrs. Landa announcing that should the Convention be in America it would be held in Atlanta, Georgia ; Mrs. Gottan stating that as 1978 will be the 30th anniversary of the State of Israel extra festivities can be anticipated ; and Mrs. Rosettenstein stating that they had a Government clearance, and there would be no discrimination efd should our Indian delegates wish to attend.

Mrs. Marvin then moved that the slate of nominations be accepted.

This was accepted unanimously.

Dr. de Herczeg then called for voting for the holding of the 1978 Convention, there to be bloc voting from each country.

The deliberating body of the 10th. Tirennial I.C.J.W. Convention voted to celebrate the 11th. I.C.J.W.,s Triennial Convention in Atlanta (Georgia), U.S.A., and Mrs. Isabelle Brown, ICJW Honorary Vice-President accepted to be the Chairman of the next Convention.

WEDNESDAY EVENING APRIL 30th 1975 - FAREWELL DINNER

Mrs. Malvina Malinek, President of the Victorian Section of the N.C.J,W. in the chair.

She welcomed all present, all delegates on behalf of the Hostess State and expressed sincere thanks to Mrs. Mina Fink, convenor of the Convention for the work she had done.

She then expressed thanks to the co-ordinators and their committees which Had been ־responsible for the smooth running of the Convention : Programmes Committee ; Public Rel ations Committee ; Ways and Means Committee ; Banquet Committee ; Registration Committee ; Information Desk ; Decor ; Catering ; Exhibitions ; Husbands activities ; Secretariat ; Hospitality ; Physical Arrangements at Beth Weizmann ; Billeting and special thanks to Mr. Graeme Solomon who had consistentlysiooc and single-handedly recorded the entire convention.

She expressed sincere thanks to the Jewish press for their co-operation.

Mrs. Gloria Malinek and Mrs. Trudy Kotron were then called on to propose the Loyal toast to H.M. the Queen and the President of the Stare of Israel.

Following the Dinner, Mrs. Leah Rossettenstein (S.A.) addressed the gathering.

162. She expressed her appreciation at being present at the convention and "1 think South Africa has been particularly privileged to be asked to propose the vote of thanks to the Australian affiliate". This Convention has been a memorable one ... they have put in three years of effort and it has been a massive undertaking. Following the midterm executive meeting in 1974 in Israel Mrs. Gelman personally visited South Africa and through her efforts South Africa has four delegates, instead of their usual two at this convention.

I know when we return to S.A. our delegates will be tremendous ambassadors for the I.C.J.W.

None of us can fault the Australian affiliate.

They even presented every individual delegate with a free planted in Israel in our a tree grows, has branches and the branches spread. Our affiliates are like branches ־ honour and they spread the message of the l.C.J.W. throughout the world"

Mrs. Vera Cohen M.B.E. then proposed a toast to the Victorian Section. "I feel very very honoured. I have had many honours bestowed upon me, but tonight I am especially honoured to have been asked to carry out this pleasant duty. Australia offered the venue three times during my presidency for triennial conventions but were beaten each time. This time we have succeeded.

Mrs. Rosenwald of U.S.A. gave brief but sincere thanks on behalf of the husbands present and said they had "been delighted and rejoiced at the tremendous convention".

Mrs. Isabel Brown was then called upon to carry out the installation of officers, of the ,She called forth all Vice Presidents, the treasurer .־ l.C.J.W. for the period 1975 1978 assistant treasurer and the secretaries and presented them. She said they "were a top notch experienced team of proven leaders" and were now heading a wide network of affiliates throughout the world to help promote the aims of the l.C.J.W.

She declared them duly installed.

eleected President of the־Mrs. Malinek then called on Mrs. Rosita de Herczeg, the re l.C.J.W. who was given a standing ovation.

Mrs. Brown expressed the deep pleasure of all at the re-election of Dr. de Herczeg and said "we love you for your charm and your warmth and your firm leadership. You are our ambassador all over the world and under your leadership we leave this convention confidently feeling that the l.C.J.W. is in very good hands"

Dr. de Herczeg thanked Mrs. Brown, spoke briefly and sincerely of her deep gratitude and humility at being re-elected and then gave her address.

Tfc •h it it

163. President's acceptance speech

The exciting days of the Convention are over, business finished and we dearly hope that these deliberations have given a new perspective to our work and will bring constructive results in the years to come. It is difficult to find the right words to express, in name of all those who were privileged to participate in the 10th Triennial Convention of I.C.J.W., our gratitude and adn iration to the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, its magnificent leadership, my wonderful friends, Mina Fink and Sylvia Gelman and every and each of this Australian team, who have organized for us such an outstanding Convention.

Once again I stand in front of you with mixed feelings having been reelected for a second term for the office of President of I.C.J.W. which I consider, as I told you many times, the highest honour a Jewish woman living outside of Israel can have conferred on her.

When making a profound selfsearch, I was wondering which is the real meaning of being reelected. Is it a failure for not having fulfilled the first duty of a leader by training qualified successors, or is it the recognition of a job well done, wanting to ensure the conclusion of tasks started during the previous Administration? It does a lot of good to my ego to believe that in my case the second of the alternatives is valid. So with bowed head and humble heart, I accept your decision.

If the responsibilities were great in 1972, when I took over the presidency of I.C.J.W. for the first time, they are overwhelming to-day. We are living in a different and changing world, where little can be foreseen. We have to be ready to face new challenges and be prepared to plan accordingly our every-day's activities.

־Our aims are clear. The vital importance of continuing a constructive dialogue, estab lished during I.C.J.W. events organized in Israel, between Jewish women of the Medinat and those living in the Gola, has become evident, and so has the fact that the destiny of every Jew, wherever he should reside, is indissolubly united to the fate of Israel. On the other hand, Israel has realized that the only ally in whom she could and can trust in moments of real anguish and danger are the Jews from all over the world.

During 1972-1975, I.C.J.W. has committed itself to Jewish education of Adult Women. Now, as a natural consequence of this commitment we have chosen for the next Triennium as Leitmotiv : '1Strenghtening Jewish family life". If we want to survive, we must do it throqght the family. It is the Jewish family which has kept the spirit of our people and preserved it throughout centuries of persecution and rejection. Now we face other challenges, the world is in a turmoil and I deeply believe that, by strengthening family life, we will day. You will ask ne how־have a fair chance to overcome the disarray which is the rule to to proceed : This will be the objective of the nexty triennial period : obtain the opinion and sound advice of the most knowledgeable personalities in this field : rabbis, professors, psychologists, etc. We will make public and inculcate their thinking, we will try to bring these ideas to our affiliates throught our Seminar and urge them to organize working groups in their midst to elaborate the different principles.

In this International Woman's Year very much is said about the full recognition of

164. women's role in every field. I believe that to strengthen Family life, it is also important to consider Men and their right place as husband and father in the basic social unit, which is the family in our civilization. I hope that inspite of this statement, you will continue granting me your confidence and support.

Before concluding, i would like to assure you that i assume this second term in office with the greatest entfvusiasm/ praying to the Almighty to give me strength and courage to fulfil the tasks which lie ahead of me and so justify the confidence you have place in me.

I am fortunate to count with the collaboration of practically all the Administrative Committee, which shared my responsibilities during 1972-75, and who are well known to you. I dearly hope to continue receiving the most valuable support present and past leadership of ICJW has granted me during the last years. Only with the united effort of all these who are part of this wonderful International family can we face all that the future has in store for us, and lead ICJW from strength to strength.

Lord grant that there be peace for Israel and all mankind.

Dr. de Herczeg then presented the Australian N.C.J.W. with a replica of the President- ial gavel made of olive branch of Israel as a momento of this memorable convention.

She also announced that in honour of the Hostess section of Victoria 100 trees had been planted in Israel.

Mrs. Malinedk thanked Dr. de Herczeg and said no more fitting gift could have been given to Victoria.

She then called on representatives of the sponsoring organisations of the Farewell Dinner to bring greetings.

Mrs. S. Rosenkranz, vice-president of the State Zionist Council of Victoria brought greetings on behalf of his president and organisation saying "it is a pleasure indeed to be associated with our Convention. This convention has enriched life in this community. We are now witnessing international Women's Year. Women are striving for full participation in political and economic life. We have Jewish women throughout history who did not wait for Women's liberation to play their part in the life of our people- Deborah - Hanah and many women sacrificed themselves and participated in the struggle for the right of the Jewish people. In our own time women have activiely participated in the draining of the swamps of Israel, in the defending of the borders and in maintaining the State of Israel. The holy place. You are the high priestesses ־ "the Jewish home as the "Mishkan׳Bible refers to of this mishkan for if is in your hands that rests the destiny of every Jewish human being. You mould the child from its cradle, you mould its character and when you leave this Convention you must uphold these principles which your president has mentioned - strive for greater Jewish identification, strive for greater identity with Israel, strive for peace, peace in Israel and for all mankind.

Mr. Abe Kanatopsky, vice President of the Jewish National Fund of Australia brought greetings on behalf of his organisation and expressed pleasure at the way in which the J.N.F.

165. -particularly in the field of the Queen Compet ־ he N.C.J.W. always work together־! and ition.

Mr. Walter Lippmann, president of the Australian Jewish Welfare and Relief Society brought greetings. He expressed extreme pleasure that this convention had been held in Australia. "It has done something to the Melbourne Jewish community. It was left to the women of the Melbourne Jewish community to show the initiative, the capacity and the tenacity to bring an international Jewish conference to Victoria and Australia. We have never had one in Australia before, it is high time Australia is put on the Jewish map.

When you, the delegates go back remember that the 70,000 Jews of the fifth continent are playing a role far beyond their numbers. We are grateful to the women of the NtC.J.W. for bringing this convention to Australia.

We may be a long way away but we are part of the Jewish people and we hope that ־ this international conference will help to make the Jewish world realise that there are Jews .participating Jews active Jews on this continent ־ strong Jews

It has been an inspiration to us, to see the tremendous enthusiasm and devotion which has gone into this contention, what can be achieved when a band apply themselves to a single purpose.

Mrs. Mina Fink then tabled the messages which had arrived and expressed especial thanks to the Australian Jewish Welfare and Relief Society who share their premises with the N.C.J.W. for the inconvenience they had been put to and especial thanks to the Beth Weizmann staff for making their building available for a full week for the convention.

She expressed a special thanks to Mrs. Ruth Winston Fox who, at a time when Australia was wondering when the first registration for the Convention would arrive, sent a letter saying she was bringing a delegation of 40 women.

Mrs. Fink then called on a representative of all Australian States to bring greetings. Delegates of Canberra, Gold Coast (Queensland) Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland then spoke.

Mrs. Landa of U.S.A. then spoke briefly of her pleasure in extending to all present their sincere wish that as many delegates as possible would be present at the 11th triennial convention to be held in May (the spring) of 1978 in Atlanta Georgia. Invitations had been given from the Governor of Georgia, and the Mayor of Atlanta, and she sincerely hoped that the U.S.A. could emulate the wonderful example set by Australia.

Her appropriate quote that "as the twig is bent, so grows the,tree" seemed appropriate when it was brought to mind that the theme for the forthcoming triennial period was "STRENGTHENING JEWISH FAMILY LIFE"

*******

166. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

The N.C.J.W. of Australia was the hostess affiliate to the 10th. Triennial Convention of International Council of Jewish Women, the first international Jewish Congress ever held in Australia.

On the first day, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Councillor Ronald Wal ker, offered a civic reception at the Town Hall for l.C.J.W. office bearers.

The same day, a get together for all delegates, was kindly offered in their beautiful home by Mr. and Mrs. David Levine.

On Friday evening, home hospitality was extended to out of town guests.

On Saturday morning the guests attended the Shabath service at St. Kilda Hebrew Congregation. Rabbi Lubofky, B.A, addressed specially the group. After service, a Kidush was offered to the guests.

The official opening took place on Saturday night, with a festive Banquet in the distinguished presence of His Excellency the Honorable Sir John Kerr K.C.M.G., K. St. J., Governor General of Australia.

The banquet was presided by l.C.J.W. International President, Dr. Rosa S. de Herczeg. Rabbi Lubofsky, B.A., made the invocation.

By courtesy of the National Gallery of Victoria Women's Association, selected private homes with interesting art collections, opened their doors to the delegates.

pleasing־An exhibition of Maskit handwoven rugs and wall-hangings made a lively, eye background to our daily deliberations. An exhibition of Australiana and Australian Judaica was also offered.

The Prime of Victoria, Mr. R.J. Hamer and his wife, received delegates at a Government reception. The Prime Minister assembled for this occasion his Cabinet Ministers, Ministers with Portafolio and Members of Consular Corps.

The social events offered and enriching experience in human contacts for all who were priviledged to attend this well organized Convention.

An outstanding exhibition of ritual silver, from the New York Jewish Museum and the photographic exhibition of Jerusalem, were displayed at the Art Centre for the Victorian people.

A farewell and installation dinner gave the right culmination to this outstanding event, which was the 10th. Triennial Convention.

* * -k rk 167.

POST -CONVENTION EXECUTIVE MEETING

THURSDAY, 1st MAY, 1975

168.

MINUTES OF THE POST CONVENTION EXECUTIVE MEETING OF THE I.C.J.W.

HELD ON THURSDAY 1st. MAY, 1975

IN THE CHAIR : Dr. Rosa S. de Herczeg - I.C.J.W. President.

PRESENT : Mrs. G. Hollander New Zealand Vice President Mrs. L. Rosettenstein S. Africa Vice President Mrs. L. Brown U.S.A. Honorary Vice President Mrs. D. Rosenwald U.S.A. Chairman By Laws Committee Mrs. P. Rosenfeld U.S.A. Representative U.N. Mrs. R. Winston-Fox United Kingdom Vice President Mrs. M. Fink Australia Vice President Mrs. C.M. de Pechersky Argentina Treasurer of the Administrative Committee Mrs. T. Hacker Switzerland Representative to W.J.C. Mrs. D. Gottan Israel Chairman, Jewish Education Committee Mrs. S. Gelman Australia National President of Australian N.C.J.W. Mrs. E. Noble United Kingdom Chairman, Community Services Committee Mrs. R. Rosen New Zealand President N.Zealand NCJW Mrs. S. Samson Indfa Chairman Cultural Committee NCJW of India (guest at meeting) Mrs. D. Joseph India Secretary, Community Services Committee, India (guest at meeting) Mrs. E. Landa U.S.A.. President N.C.J.W. of U.S.A. Mrs. M. Malinek Australia President NCJW of Victoria, Hostess State Mrs. A. Robison U.S.A. Vice President

THANKS : Dra. de Herczeg in opening the meeting, once again reiterated the thanks of all ־present and of all delegates to the Hostess affiliate for the wonderful organization, hospit ality and efforts in organizing this, the 10th Triennial Convention. It was carried with acclamation that this had been one of the "best Convention in the history of the I.C.J.W.

CHAIRMEN OF STANDING COMMITTEES : As had been agreed at the Pre-Convention Executive Meeting, permission and agreement was asked of the prospective nominees for the various positions of Chairmen, before they had been appointed. The following had been duly as the "Cabinet of the President" for the ensuing three years :

169. BY LAWS COMMITTEE : U.S.A. Mrs. D. Rosenwald Ill W 68th, Street Kansas City, Missouri 64 113 U.S.A.

NOMINATING COMMITTE : Switzerland Mrs. Clara Feinstein Ob dem Hoelzli 7, 4102 Binningen Switzerland

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE : Switzerland Mrs. Thea Hacker Engelgasse 65 4052 Basel Switzerland

COMMUNITY SERVICES United Kingdom Mrs. Edith Noble Room 4, 2nd floor COMMITTEE Woburn House, Upper Woburn Place London WC 1 H OEP England

FIELD SERVICES COMMITTEE :(1) Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox 4 Morton Crescent (United Kingdom, Southgate, London for Europe) N 14 7AH England

(2) Mrs. Esther Comarofsky Acapulco No. 70, Mexico, for Latin 5° p. D.F. America (To be Mexico confirmed)

JEWISH EDUCATION COMMITTEE : Mrs. Daiia Gottan 8 Yosef Tzvi Street Israel Ramat Gan Israel ־ Tel Aviv

Mrs. L. Rosettenstein 310-314 Happiness South Africa House 120 Loveday Street Johannesburg, South Africa

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE : Mrs. Silvya Gelman 466 Punt Road, Australia South Yarra 3141 Victoria Australia

STATUS OF WOMEN IN JEWISH LAW : Israel Mrs. Pnina Herzog Hechal Shlomo (The name of this committee has been (The nomination of King George St.58 changed at this Convention to Mrs. Herzog has to be Jerusalem - Israel confirmed) 170. STATUS OF WOMEN : Israel

FINANCE COMMITTEE : U.S.A. Mrs. Shirley Stich 200 East 64th Street (previously known as New York, N.Y. Ways & Means Committee) 10021 U.S.A.

NEW COMMITTEE : Discussion took place as o the naming of a new Committee which will deal with travel, seminars attendance, inter-affiliate relations, etc. After various suggestions it was finally decided that the new Committee would be called :

INTER AFFILIATE TRAVELS COMMITTEE under the chairmanship of Mrs. Ruth Winston-Fox, United Kingdom, 4 Morton Crescent, Southgate, London N 14 7AH, England.

U.N. REPRESENTATIVE IN NEW YORK : Mrs. Phi 11 is Rosenfeld 52 B Troy Drive Coordinator of all Springfield- International Forums New Jersey 07081 (Such position engenders U.S.A. a great deal of flexibility)

Mrs. I. Levy c/o S. Sebba Consultant in N.Y. 12 Spaniards Close, London N.W.11, England

Alternate Representatives :

Mrs. R. Plaut 440 East 56th St. New York, N.Y. 10022

Mrs. Giselle Abraham 145 East 84th St. - Ap. 6 c New York U.S.A.

Mrs. F. Crystal 25 Sutton Place South New York, N.Y. 10022 U.S.A.

UN REPRESENTATIVE IN GENEVA : Mrs. Louise Beck 44 Chemin des Coudriers 1211 Geneve 28 Switzerland

Alternate : Mrs. Selma Schiffer 18 Ave. de Bude 1202 Geneva - Switzerland 171. REPRESENTATIVE TO THE France Mrs. Miriam Warburg 61, Allee de la COUNCIL OF EUROPE IN Robertsau 67, STRASBOURG Strasbourg, FRANCE

Alternate :

Mrs. R. Bloch 23 Boulevard de L'Orangerie Strasbourg, FRANCE

REPRESENTATIVE TO France Mrs. Tania Blum 26, rue de Franqueville UNESCO IN PARIS 75016 Paris - FRANCE

REPRESENTATIVE ON THE Mrs. Thea Hacker Engelgasse 65 GOVERNING BOARD OF 4052 Basel THE WJC Switzerland

All the above representatives are members of the Executive Commi ttee of the I.C.J.W.

At this Convention it had been decided that all Chairmen of the Standing Committee are also members of the Executive Committee.

COMMITTEE ON JEWISH EDUCATION :Mesdames Rosettenstein, Noble, Landa, Malinek, Gelman and Gottan took part in a discussion as to whether the present Committee should be split into '1Jewish Education" and "Secular Education" ; whether a new committee dealing with Secular education should be set up, etc. It was finally decided that the Committee should retain its present name and other forms of education are actually covered by other existing committees. The promotion of Jewish Education as such is a major part of the work of the I.C.J.W.

CORRESPONDENTS : As passed at the 9th Triennial Convention, each Chairman of Standing Committees is to immediately appoint three additional members from the same country as soon as possible, so that work may commence immediately. Correspondents are to be appointed by all affiliates to each and every standing committee. These will hold office for the full three years till the next Triennial Convention. Appointment of correspondents must be made to the Committees Chairmen with copy to Buenos Aires headquarters.

The above point was stressed again by the President, namely, that all affiliates immediately appoint correspondents to all Standing Committees.

I.C.J.W. AFFAIRS COMMITTEE : It was requested that all affiliates appoint an I.C.J.W. Affairs Committee. As had been decided at the last Triennial Convention, if there is an I.C.J.W. vice-president in the country, she must be the Chairman of this Committee.

WORKSHOPS : There are to be two Regional Workshops during the coming triennial period: (1) One in Latin America. An invitation had been received and accepted from the Consejo Uruguayo de Mujeres Judfas, to hold such a Work- shop in Montevideo, possibly in April/May 1977. 172. (2) An Invitation had been accepted from the League of Jewish Women of United Kingdom to hold the European Regional Conference in London. Mrs. Noble undertook to take the matter back to the United Kingdom to discuss the timing of such a Conference, so that it is not held too close to the next Trienrrol Convention, scheduled for May 1978.

ISRAEL SEMINAR : A Seminar will be held in Israel, following the Mid-Term Executive Meeting, at the end of October 1976, the theme to be "JEWISH WOMEN FACING A WORLD OF TURMOIL". Mrs. Gelman (Australia) asked that the Seminar be divided into Sessions to allow for individual discussions, and that in particular themes of interest to young Jewish women with children should be part of the programme.

REPORT ON SESSIONS : The President asked that all those chairmen who had chaired sessions at this Convention should make a precise report on the session and send it as soon as possible to International Council of Jewish Women headquarters in Buenos Aires. It was requested that a copy of such report also be sent to Melbourne in order to facilitate the preparation of the minutes of this Triennial Convention.

EVALUATION SHEETS : The President of the Convention stressed the importance of filling in these sheets carefully.

RESOLUTIONS AND BY LAWS : The final draft of these must be sent to Headquarters (with a copy to Melbourne) as soon as possible.

PUBLICATION ISRAELLi SEMINAR : Affiliates were requested to inform Headquarters of the numbers of copies they required. .

BROCHURE : The brochure published after the 1972 Convention will be used, with the addition of a page stating the new slate of officers and Committee Chairmen.

NEWSLETTER : For financial conveniences, it has been decided to have a Committee in the U.S.A. to edit the Newsletter, and Mrs. Ann Robison has agreed to be the Editor, responsible for the publication. The President stressed that the Newsletter will continue being the voice of the Administrative Committee. Affiliates must send their news to Argentine, where Headquarters will decide what is to be published and this, together with the President's letter ־and other material, will be forwarded to U.S.A. There will now be two publications per year one at Pesach and one at Rosh Hashanah. Deadline to receive the news in Buenos Aires for the next Newsletter : JUNE 30th, 1975. The Nesletter will be despatched to the affiliates straight from the U.S.A. Argentine and Mexico will combine in order to send out a Spanish translation to Latin America.

Mrs. Gottan brought up the question of the Jewish literature column, and it was felt that as the Newsletter is actually the voice of the l.C.J.W. and publishes in the main news from the affiliates. Jewish literature matter will be used as "fillers" and not as a feature in the issues.

News of general interest will be used only if there is space.

173. Mrs. Gelman, of Australia, has been requested to write an article for the next issue on the 10th Triennial Convention. The Hostess affiliate was also requested to send to Argentine a copy of all general and Jewish publicity printed in Melbourne concerning the Convention.

TRAVELLING ALLOWANCES : The question of whether the I.C.J.W. or individuals affiliates should subsidise or help subsidise the travelling expenses of delegates travelling overseas, ־was discussed at length. 1) The question of affiliates setting up "travelling funds" was discus sed ; 2) whether young women, who are potential leaders, could be subsidised ; 3) whether representatives attending international forums should have their fares assisted ; 4) how such selections could be made ; etc. etc. was all discussed.

Fox and seconded by Mrs. Fink was passed to the effect that־A motion, put by Mrs. Winston "THE ICJW SHOULD BE READY TO ASSIST FINANCIALLY, IF NECESSARY, THEIR REP- RESENTATIVES AT INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS IN THEIR TRAVELLING EXPENSES TO ENABLE THEM TO FULFIL THEIR OBLIGATIONS, WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE BUDGET". Mrs. Brown suggested that this be further discussed at the mid-term executive meeting.

A further motion was passed that "IT IS RECOMMENDED TO THE AFFILIATES THAT THEY ADOPT A SIMILAR POLICY OF FINANCING THE ATTENDANCE OF POTENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS AT IX.J.W.

1978 CONVENTION : Four affiliates have extended invitations to hold the 1978 I.C.J.W. ־Convention in their countries. The deliberating body of the 10th. Triennial I.C.J.W. Conv ention voted to celebrate the 11th. I.C.J.W. Triennial Convention in Atlanta (Georgia) U.S.A., and Mrs. Isabelle Brown, I.C.J.W. Honorary Vice President accepted to be the Chairman of the next Convention.

a poem written by Mr. Ronald Brown quote ־ The Meeting concluded with an emotional note

I am not so good at poetry I am even worse at prose I cannot say quite cleverly What everybody knows

So I'll just rise and shout but loud While standing on my toes Hail to our beloved President Our Argentina Rose.

174.