Emigdirect Head Appeals to World Jewry to Aid Work of Jewish Immigration Groups

An appeal to world Jewry to make a special effort to aid the emigration work of the international Jewish organizations responsible for the welfare of Jewish immigrants was made by Dr. Myron Kreinin. president of the Emigdirect, United Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Europe, at a conference of Jewish press representatives from Europe and America.

After outlining the actual state of Jewish emigration and pointing out that during the last few years countries of Jewish immigration had one after another barred their doors to immigrants, Dr. Kreinin said that American Jewry in particular should do all in its power to assist the HIAS not only in continuing its activities but in extending its activities with a view to helping the unfortunate Jews whom it is still possible to snatch from the torment of Eastern Europe by emigration.

Dr. Kreinin told the Jewish newspapermen that Australia, South Africa and Canada had introduced severe immigration restrictions which, although not particularly directed against the Jews, had hit them first and most seriously. Actually the United States and the republics of South America and to some extent France, still offer openings to the Jewish population of Eastern Europe who apart from economic miseries still suffer from various persecutions, he said.

The head of the Emigdirect called to the attention of the Jewish journalists the fact that the Jewish public was well aware of the work done by the Hicem since its inception, but that assistance and protection for emigrants is more than ever needed now in order to increase the Hicem’s activity so as to widen the possibilities of immigration into those countries that are still accessible. In this connection Dr. Kreinin said it was unfortunate that simultaneously with the difficulties of the Jewish immigrants an economic crisis had hit the United States which had greatly affected the work of the HIAS and was threatening all Jewish immigration work. The activity of the Hicem was maintained only through the generous support of the Jewish Colonization Association, Dr. Kreinin stated.