An important change in the administration of the European work of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, aimed at bringing the organization “closer to the European scene,” was announced here today at a meeting of the group’s Plan and Scope Committee in the Chanin Auditorium.
The change brings to the United States Dr. Bernhard Kahn, who has been chairman of the European Council of the J.D.C. since 1924, to become honorary chairman of the Council. To fill the position of chairman in the Paris office, the committee announced appointment of Morris C. Troper, for many years auditor for the J.D.C. and identified with its activities in other roles for the past two decades.
Mr. Troper, it was announced, will sail for Paris within a month. He will be accompanied by Dr. Kahn, who will induct him into his new duties before returning to establish permanent residence in the United States where he will act in an advisory capacity to the J.D.C. on European affairs.
The change was effected by a special Policy Committee, appointed by the Executive Committee last winter, comprising James N. Rosenberg, as chairman, and Paul Baerwald. In his announcement of the change, Mr. Rosenberg paid warm tribute to the “great skill and devotion” with which dr. Kahn had performed his complex task abroad and expressed the conviction that in his new duties he would be in a position to give the J.D.C. “the benefit at first hand of his wide knowledge to aid us in making the many decisions which must constantly be initiated on this side.”
In accepting the Council’s chairmanship, Mr. Troper, who has had extensive experience in the J.D.C.’s European activities, stated: “These are critical times. If you think it necessary to draft me for service you may do so. while I appreciate the honor, I am also aware of the responsibilities. I know I can count on cooperation from everybody in the organization. If you so desire, I am ready to go and to do my best.”
At a meeting of the Board of Directors, held in conjunction with the Plan and Scope Committee session, Edward M.M. Warburg, son of the late Felix M. Warburg, was elected vice-chairman of the J.D.C. The board received the annual report of the organization for 1937, containing a memorial chapter on Mr. Warburg, who died in October of that year. the chapter traces the history of the organization and Mr. Warburg’s contribution toward its development.
Reporting to the Plan and Scope Committee on the progress of the J.D.C.’s national campaign for $5,100,000 for overseas relief and reconstruction, Rabbi Jonah B. Wise, campaign chairman, and Isidor Coons, director, revealed that $2,789,322 had been raised during the spring phase of the campaign. The campaign records showed that 1,323 communities and districts throughout the United States and Canada participated in the drive in comparison with 982 for the same period during 1937. The report pointed out that more was raised in the first half of the current campaign than in the entire year of 1936 and that the figure exceeded the first half year total for 1937 by $419,000.
Among speakers at today’s session was governor Herbert H. Lehman, who voiced high praise for the J.D.C. accomplishments and urged American Jews to give “as generously as they can, of their substance and their good will, of their efforts and their influence, to the J.D.C. program.” other speakers included Harold K. guinzburg, of Viking Press, a member of the J.D.C. Board of Directors; James G. McDonald, chairman of President Roosevelt’s Advisory Committee on Political Refugees, and Prof. Joseph P. Chamberlain, chairman of the National Coordinating Committee for Emigrants and Refugees Coming from Germany.
Mr. Guinzburg reported on his recent European trip, giving his impressions of the Evian conference on refugees, which he had attended. He emphasized the importance of cooperation and exchange of information between Jewish agencies engaged in the same or allied fields of work. In this connection he praised the work of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, declaring it had kept Jewish leaders at Evian well informed of important developments bearing on the conference.
Following is the text of the announcement by the Policy Committee, as read by Mr. Rosenberg:
“The Executive Committee will recall our meeting of April 20th at which it was decided that in these critical times it has become necessary that we be closer to the European scene; and that this could best be accomplished by having Dr. Bernhard Kahn, Chairman of our European Council, on this side of the water, thereby giving us the benefit at first hand of his wide knowledge to aid us in making the many decisions which must constantly be initiated on this side. This had been discussed with Dr. Kahn in New York last Winter. The threat of Austrian developments and the increasing complexity of our problems were only too plain. With these and other considerations before us, and having the hearty approval of Dr. Kahn, it was at that meeting decided that Dr. Kahn should be freed of the exacting administrative duties which chairmanship of the European JDC Council entails so as to have him here with us most of the time. This decision required us also to find a new chairman of the European JDC Council.
“To carry out these important steps, the executive Committee created a Policy Committee of which I was appointed Chairman; Mr. Baerwald serving with me. The importance of the post of European Chairman is well known to you. So also is the fact that this position has long been held and its complex tasks performed with great skill and devotion by Dr. Kahn. Naturally, Mr. Baerwald and I gave much thought to this matter, regarding it as particularly important the even, steady flow of our work must continue. Finally we decided that the man best equipped for this responsible post was our good friend, Morris C. Troper, with whom we have all worked shoulder to shoulder for the last twenty years. We privately informed the officers of the JDC as to our views. They enthusiastically approved our choice.
“Mr. Troper needs no introduction. His effective participation in JDC affairs is known to you. He has made over a dozen extended visits to Europe for work of the JDC, Foundation, the Agro-Joint, the American Society for Jewish Farm Settlements in Russia. He has not been merely our auditor, but a wise, experienced adviser, alert to our problems and with thorough understandings of our work, our policies, our aims. He has worked in the field in Poland, Russia, Latvia, Rumania, Germany, Austria, etc. For years he has seen the problems with his own eyes. He has met and known many of the Jewish leaders both here and abroad. As Executive Vice-Chairman of our Greater New York Campaigns, he has come into contact with American givers and leaders and their points of view. His money raising activity has been so successful that but for the importance of the European task we would have been loath to spare him to go abroad.
“We knew what a sacrifice we would be asking him to make. His prestige as a Certified Public Accountant is known to you. Only lately he has been re-elected to the distinguished office of President of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants; he is also Chairman of the Advisory Council of the State CPA Society Presidents of the entire United States. His reputation in his profession is national.
“Above all this, he is a man whom we love. Nobody can help getting along with him. He has not only proved executive ability but also has the invaluable gift of making friends, or inspiring confidence and affection wherever he goes.
“When we spoke to him and told him that the plan was in harmony with Dr. Kahn’s views, he at once expressed his disposition to meet our wishes. After consultation with his good wife — formerly a valuable JDC worker — and also with his partner, Simon Loeb, he said to us, and I think I can almost quote his words — ‘These are critical times. If you think it necessary to draft me for service you may do so. While I appreciate the honor, I am also aware of the responsibilities. I know I can count on cooperation from everybody in the organization. If you so desire, I am ready to go and to do my best.’
“Hence, the Policy Committee has the privilege of nominating Mr. Morris C. Troper to become Chairman of the European Council of the Joint Distribution Committee.
“Our gratification at having been able to arrange with Dr. Kahn for the continuance of his invaluable service in the manner described above will be shared by all of you. In order that Europe may know that Dr. Kahn’s new tasks and responsibilities will not diminish his deep interest or his close contact with the problems in Europe, we propose that Dr. Kahn shall now be named honorary Chairman of the JDC European Council.
“Mr. Troper plans to sail with his family for Europe within a month. Dr. Kahn will also shortly return to Europe to induct Mr. troper into office and give him every possible backing and support. Dr. and Mrs. Kahn will then come to this country where they will be our welcome friends.
“We are glad to inform you also that Dr. Kahn will not only be available here for constant advice as to overseas problems and for visits to Europe, but also in relation to the important business of our national campaigns.
“We hope that Dr. Kahn will also have time for meetings with leaders throughout the country so as to acquaint them even more intimately than heretofore with the affairs of the JDC.
“In working out this program, we have had keenly in mind the importance of seeing to t that the steady continuance of our activities shall be assured. We are convinced that the program here proposed accomplishes that purpose and at the same time lends additional strength for the work of the JDC organization.
“The structure of our organization, both here and abroad, will remain unchanged, with Mr. Hyman as Executive Director and Secretary of the JDC continuing his splendid work with the assistance of our able and loyal staff.
“Speaking for Mr. Baerwald and myself, we hope that these plans which have seen developed after much thought will meet with the approval of the Executive Committee. We know that Mr. Troper can count on your support and cooperation and that you join with us in our welcome to Dr. Kahn.”
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.
