A $100,000 check, part of the $1,000,000 campaign for the Palestine Histadruth, was presented tonight to Israel Mereminski, secretary of the Histadruth, at the ninth annual “Third Seder” of the National Labor Committee for Palestine, held at the Hotels Astor and Commodore with about 5,000 persons attending.
The 5,000 persons, who had raised $20 each for the campaign, heard speeches by Senator Alben W. Barkley, Senate majority leader, and Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the Jewish Agency, and messages of encouragement from President Roosevelt and Senator Robert F. Wagner, chairman of the recently formed American Palestine Committee.
Dr. Weizmann, in his address, reiterated his conviction that a Palestine Jewish Commonwealth would emerge as a part of the “reasonable and common-sense solution” of the world’s problems after the “right side” won the war.
“There may be other programs offered,” he added, “but none will suffice or endure save the recreation of the Jewish National Home among a family of democracies.”
Dr. Weizmann paid tribute to the leadership of both President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, terming them together the Moses and Aron of modern times in whose hands “lies the future of humanity.” He praised the work of the Histadruth and called on American Jews to complement the all-out aid for the democracies with all-out aid “to that outpost of democracy which we have created in Palestine, and in which the Histadruth has had such a noble share.”
Presentation of the check was made by Joseph Schlossberg. Others on the speakers’ lists included Israel Sieff, British Zionist leader; Hayim Greenberg, Mereminski, Morris Feinstone, Alexander Kahn, Isaac Hamlin, David Wertheim, Louis Segal, Dr. May Bere, Dr. Israel Goldstein, David Pinski and Samuel Burstein.
President Roosevelt’s message said: “My hearty greetings to all who join with the National Labor Committee for Palestine in celebrating the ancient Jewish Passover. I trust this celebration of a time-honored festival will inspire all who participate with a new determination to exemplify in twentieth century terms the highest teachings of the ancient culture of Israel.”
Senator Wagner’s message declared: “I know you will redouble your humanitarian endeavors to keep open the doors of Palestine for all present victims of persecution and to build toward the day when the Jewish commonwealth will take its rightful place among the free nations of a free and peaceful world.
“All friends of Palestine must recognize that it stands today at the very center of resistance to the forces of aggression and as a bulwark for the defense of the Suez Canal. Palestine’s manpower, its industries and resources are being dedicated to the cause of freedom for which Britain and her allies struggle. Every assistance to Palestine at this grave hour therefore represents direct and immediate aid to the democratic forces upon whose victory depends the fate of Palestine as well as the survival of civilization in the modern world.”
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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.
