A GUIDE TO THE GROUPS

U.S. Jews are not notably more prolific joiners than other Americans, but for those who wish to do so, there are more than 300 national Jewish organizations and countless local federations and societies eager to welcome them. The groups have diverse aims, many appealing to particular religious, nationality and age groups within American Jewry. Among the better-known organizations are those devoted to philanthropic fund raising, support of Israel and combatting prejudice. The most influential include:

UNITED JEWISH APPEAL (UJA). Founded in 1939, it is probably the most successful nongovernmental money-raising organization in the world. Thousands of volunteers annually help it solicit donations for humanitarian aid to Israel from other Jewish groups, local federations and individuals. Partly in response to the Yom Kippur War, the UJA raised $828 million in cash and pledges in 1973 and $897 million last year.

AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE. Established in 1906 by American Jews largely of German descent and initially opposed to Zionism (a position long since abandoned), it has 40,000 members and an annual operating budget of $9 million. Its general purpose is to protect the civil and religious rights of Jews, and reduce prejudice. It publishes the lively intellectual journal Commentary (circ. 60,000) and the American Jewish Year Book.

AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS. Launched in 1918 with a pro-Zionist East European membership, its purposes are nearly identical with those of the American Jewish Committee but are carried out on a more international level. The nationality leanings of the two organizations have lost most of their significance. It has 50,000 family members and a budget of $2,203,000.

B'NAI B'RITH (Sons of the Covenant). Founded in New York City in 1843, it is an international service organization with more than 500,000 members attached to lodges and chapters in 40 nations. Its $13 million budget is used for the cultural, recreation and social needs of its members.

ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE (ADL). An arm of B'nai B'rith, it was founded in 1913 to fight antiSemitism, mainly through continual monitoring and publicizing of evidence suggesting such sentiment. With a budget of $7.4 million and a staff of 300 people, it issues periodic public reports on trends in prejudice against Jews and tries to counteract such trends through community projects and legal action.

PRESIDENTS' CONFERENCE. More formally titled the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, it consists of the heads of 31 other American Jewish groups. It began in 1955 with just 16 leaders who felt the need for more unified group action in protecting Israel's position in the Middle East. When a U.S. President wishes to consult Jewish leaders, and vice versa, this is the group that most often represents American Jewry.

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