The first important Allied Jewish Campaign to open in an American city was virtually assured of success when it was announced that $180,000 was raised towards the Detroit quota of $305,000 at the opening dinner of the campaign Sunday night at the Hotel Statler.
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver of Cleveland, who made the principal address, moved his audience to action with an appeal for European relief and Palestine upbuilding. In a stirring plea for the local Hebrew schools, which are included in the Detroit drive, Rabbi Silver declared that if it were up to him he would put a stop to every social effort until the problem of education is solved. Dr. John Slawson, campaign director, pleaded for the establishment of a community center, which is one of the items in the drive. Henry Wineman, campaign chairman, was toastmaster and other speakers were Adolph Finsterwald and Clarence H. Engass.
Among the contributions announced were $15,000 by Henry Wineman, or five percent of the quota; $7,500 each by Meyer Prentis and Andrew Wineman; $5,000 by David Simons; $3,000 each by Fred Butzel, Samuel Summer-field, Alfred Hecht and J. W. Allen; and $11,000 in anonymous gifts. Tracy MacGregor, president of the Community Fund, headed the list of non-Jewish contributors with $1,000.
More than a thousand volunteer workers have enrolled to canvass the Detroit community and Henry Wineman, chairman of the campaign, and his associate leaders, hope to reach the goal in ten days. In Detroit’s drive, besides the items for the Jewish Agency and the Joint Distribution Committee, are included the following causes: $100,000 for the purchase of a site and planning for a Jewish community center; $50,000 for the United Hebrew Schools; $15,000 for the Hebrew Free Loan Association, and 25 other local, national and international causes.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
