Frank R. Lautenberg, newly elected general chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, said today that the UJA is already ahead on pledges compared to this time last year but that he was not sure that “we are going to reach the goal of last year.” The 1975 target is $750 million. Addressing a press conference at UJA headquarters here, Lautenberg cited the declining American economy and said that if it gets any worse, “we are going to be affected. The question is, to what degree?”
Lautenberg said $670 million was pledged to the UJA in 1974 of which $220 million was raised in cash. He disclosed that with regard to pledges the UJA is ahead of the same period last year by eight percent. He attributed the increased pledges to the fact that Jews identify themselves more with the UJA and said American Jews felt more threatened today than they did during the Yom Kippur War because of the growing isolation of Israel and the Jewish people.
He said, “There is an inspired involvement on the part of Jews, particularly young Jews.” Lautenberg, who succeeded Paul Zuckerman in the top UJA post 10 days ago, stated that although the basic task of the UJA was to raise money, it also had the task of offering “a Jewish way of life with dignity and to build a constituency for the future.” He said American Jews have been mistaken in being “responsive to negatives.” He stated they should not react defensively but should emphasize their creativity.
REJECTS ISRAEL’S CYNICAL IMAGE OF UJA
Lautenberg said he was “surprised and disappointed” by the cynical image of the UJA he found in Israel. He said many Israelis believed that donors contributed to the UJA because their contributions were tax deductible. The large amounts given cannot possibly be matched by the tax deductions, Lautenberg said, adding that much loftier considerations motivated UJA donors. He said he hoped the negative image in Israel would change.
Asked if he was satisfied with the quality of speakers sent from Israel on behalf of the UJA, Lautenberg said that as far as quality was concerned, the answer is yes. But he said too many of the speakers came from Israel’s defense establishment. He said that American Jews, while interested in Israel’s security, had broader interests which included the arts, scholarship and other aspects of Israeli life.
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.
