Joseph Mazer to Head Special $25,000,000 Fund of the U.j.a

Joseph Mazer, one of New York’s most prominent Jewish leaders, will head the United Jewish Appeal’s effort to raise a special $25,000,000 fund earmarked for emergency financing of immigration and settlement programs in Israel in addition to the sums UJA will seek to raise in 1956 through its regular nationwide campaign.

Announcement of Mr. Mazer’s appointment to organize and head the special fund project was made today by Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman, UJA executive vice-chairman. Plans to set up such a fund as a separate project from regular campaign efforts were determined this past week-end by 370 community representatives from all parts of the country and members of the UJA 57-man National Campaign Cabinet, at an extraordinary national leadership meeting at the Waldorf Astoria.

In accepting the chairmanship of the special fund, Mr. Mazer said: “The people of Israel consider it their solemn responsibility to keep the doors open for those fleeing unrest and uncertainty in North Africa–even at a time when Israel’s very existence as an independent nation is threatened.” He pointed out that “over 100,000 Jews in trouble areas of North Africa are actually registered for emigration, and the figure of 45,000 we propose to help represents a painful compromise with human need.”

In addition to the $25,000,000 special fund, other sums raised by the UJA through its regular campaign, the goal for which will be adopted next month, will go toward the agricultural and economic development of Israel, and other programs of rescue, relief and rehabilitation carried out by the UJA’s three constituent agencies–the United Israel Appeal, Joint Distribution Committee, and New York Association for New Americans.