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Shanghai Rabbis Appeal for Aid; Volunteer Regiment Patrols Jewish Quarters

September 1, 1937
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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SHANGHAI RABBIS APPEALED TODAY FOR RELIEF FOR THE 5,000 JEWS AFFECTED BY THE UNDECLARED WAR. THEY SAID THE SITUATION OF THE JEWS WAS DESPERATE. FIVE HUNDRED WERE COMPLETELY DESTITUTE HERE AND ANOTHER 200 IN HONG KONG.

MANY JEWISH-OWNED SHOPS AND HOMES HAVE BEEN BURNED IN RECENT FIGHTING. THE KADOORIE CENTER HERE HAS EXPRESSED ITSELF AS UNABLE TO COPE WITH THE BURDEN OF ADMINISTERING RELIEF TO THE JEWS.

JEWISH QUARTERS OF THIS STRICKEN CITY WERE PATROLLED BY A JEWISH REGIMENT OF THE SHANGHAI VOLUNTEER CORPS PROTECTING PROPERTY OF THE INHABITANTS, EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND EVACUATING JEWS FROM DANGER ZONES TO THE FRENCH AND BRITISH SETTLEMENTS.

DEEDS OF EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM WERE ATTRIBUTED TO THE REGIMENT, COMPRISING 250 VOLUNTEERS GROUPED AROUND THE ZIONIST ORGANIZATION AND OTHER JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS. THE REGIMENT IS MAINTAINED BY THE MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT.

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF SHANGHAI, REPORTED BY ITS LEADERS TO BE LIVING THROUGH TERRIFYING TIMES, IS THE LARGEST IN THE FAR EAST. THE COMMUNITY WAS PLANNING TO CELEBRATE THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING THIS FALL.

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