The United Jewish Appeal conference, launching the 21st annual campaign of the UJA, concluded here today following strong appeals to American Jewry to provide maximum funds in the shortest possible time to meet the mass immigration crisis confronting Israel in connection with the movement of Jews from Rumania and other East European countries. More than 1,500 Jewish communal leaders from all parts of the country attended the parley.
A message to the gathering from Israel Premier David Ben Gurion expressed the hope that American Jews would “share with us both the great opportunities and the immense challenge posed by this fateful immigration trend.” The Premier said that “immigration has soared it the last few months and will go even higher.” He added, “our people are hard-pressed but fully determined to keep their pledge to welcome any and all Jews to our shores.”
An immediate response to Mr. Ben Gurion’s message and to the speakers at the conference came from leaders in attendance at a dinner last night who announced their own 1959 contributions and other large gifts already secured in their home communities. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of special awards to Israel Ambassador Abba Eban and to the noted comedian, Jack Benny. Both were guests of honor at the gathering. They were cited for their humanitarian services in behalf of immigrants to Israel and Jews in need overseas.
In their pleas, Ambassador Eban, Morris W. Berinstein, UJA general chairman, and Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman, UJA executive vice chairman, speaking at the dinner, told American Jews that it will be their duty this year to help 100,000 Jews leave East European countries for permanent settlement in Israel where they must be given a chance to start a new life. Mr. Berinstein told the audience “the 2, 000, 000 people of Israel are ready to give the newcomers the greatest gift anyone can give–their homes. We are only asked to give the more modest gift of our dollars but we must give them quickly and more generously than ever.”
Mr. Eban said Israel was rising “in strong heart and buoyant purpose” to meet “its must exalting challenge–the integration of our kinsfolk now streaming towards us from Europe.” He emphasized that Israel “with a new potentiality of industry, commerce, immigration, science and technology” could sustain a larger population than now. “This blessed increase will bring nothing but welfare and benefits to our nation within the framework of its abiding fidelity to international peace, justice and law,” he stated.
Rabbi Friedman warned that “the figure of 100, 000 Jews from Eastern Europe, particularly from Rumania, could be an under-estimate.” He said “there is evidence that more than that number are already registered for immigration.” The 1959 nationwide United Jewish Appeal seeks a $100,000, 000 special fund this year to aid the 100, 000 immigrants expected to pour into Israel from Eastern Europe. This special fund is sought “over and abc UJA’s regular 1959 goal of $105, 000, 000.
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.
