The English-language Jewish press throughout the United States is virtually unanimous in deploring the dissolution of the United Jewish Appeal, a survey today showed. Editorials declare that the failure to renew the united appeal agreement marks a setback for the cause of Jewish unity. Excerpts from editorials follow:
American Jewish World, Minneapolis: “…there are not only the questions of Palestine, of relief and of the refugees involved. There is also the vital question of the unity and organization of American Jewry… This cannot be achieved when our efforts are expended on numerous campaigns.”
Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, Milwaukee: “The sentiment of regret characterizes the reaction of Jews in all communities in the nation to the decision…Most of us will feel disappointed in the thought that the Jewish unity as represented nationally in the United Jewish Appeal could only stand up for two years, even in the face of the greatest crisis that the Jewish people have had to face for centuries.”
Jewish Ledger, Syracuse: “It was with a great deal of regret…that we learned last week…the United Jewish Appeal would not be renewed for 1941 and the old system of separate national campaigns will be resumed.”
Jewish Press, Omaha: “The announcement…comes as a serious blow to the hopes of national Jewish unity…To permit disunity is an expression of weakness we can ill afford at this time.”
American Israelite, Cincinnati: “American Jews will read with regret the news… To the Jews of America the United Jewish Appeal was not only a fund-raising institution, but also a symbol of Jewish unity.”
Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia: “It is unfortunate that a clash of ideologies and a difference of opinion as to the relative merits of the chief Jewish causes made it imperative for the United Palestine Appeal to undertake a separate drive for 1941.”
Jewish Chronicle, Chicago: “We shall now see, at this critical hour, American Jewry divided, fighting and competing with one another. A fine spectacle, indeed.”
Jewish Herald-Voice, Houston: “We are of the firm belief that unity in Jewish ranks is the foremost problem to be solved in 1941. It is essential that we get together public opinion and force true coordination of overseas relief. This can be done.”
Jewish Transcript, Seattle: “Effort will be divided and we will be the center of jurisdictional disputes that will affect the whole body of Jewry. Efficiency under such conditions cannot be increased.”
Jewish Ledger, Hartford: “We are sorry…to read that there will be no United Jewish Appeal this year….It is too bad.”
Southern Israelite, Atlanta: “Deep regret is occasioned by announcement last week of the dissolution of the United Jewish Appeal….”
Jewish Chronicle, Detroit: “It is a tragic comedy that a handful of Jewish spokesmen could not reach an understanding on a matter of national Jewish unity…Would that mergers were in order: Instead, we are witnessing the moral collapse of movements to unite American Jewry.”
Among editorials which took a contrary viewpoint were:
Congress Bulletin, New York: “The dissolution of the United Jewish Appeal places the nationalist groups of American Jews on trial. The several years of so-called unity have had a demoralizing effect…The independent campaign of the United Palestine Appeal is a call to self-assertion on the part of those Jews who believe that the safeguarding of the Jewish National Home is a prior condition to the salvation of Jewish life in the Diaspora.”
The Reconstructionist, New York: “We…feel that the Zionist leadership was not only justified in withdrawing but morally obligated to withdraw from the United Jewish Appeal and run its own campaign for Palestine, rather than see the needs of Palestine slighted.”
Every Friday, Cincinnati: “We are not greatly alarmed by the split in the United Jewish Appeal….we carry the conviction that the existence of separate appeals will in no way diminish our own efforts to secure the greatest amount of cooperation between local groups.”
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.
