The 1948 United Jewish Appeal campaign for $250,000,000 for overseas relief and Palestine needs was launched here this week-end with the announcement of a special drive for $50,000,000 within the next ten days. The greatest philanthropic campaign to be launched by the U.J.A. or any private agency in the world was opened at a two-day national conference of hundreds of Jewish communal leaders.
The raising of a cash emergency fund of $50,000,000 was revealed to the U.J.A. parley by Henry Morgenthau, Jr., general chairman. A minimum of $5,000,000 will be Collected daily from today until March 2, this period to be known as the “Ten Days of Decision,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of President Truman, Attorney General Tom C. Clark said that the President regarded the U.J.A. campaign as “one of the most important undertakings that any group ever embarked upon,” Clark characterized the support for the Building of Palestine as “an investment in the peace of the world of tomorrow” and suppressed the view that “the troubles that now beset this new Jewish state set up through the United Nations will soon he overcome.”
The Attorney General compared the difficulties of the Jewish settlers in Palestine with those of early American pioneers. “Just as there were many things that beset those pioneers who suffered here in our country 160 years ago,” said Clark, so I know that those who now suffer in Palestine shall come through in just the lease way that those Americans did. I feel certain that all thinking people and those who believe in and practice brotherhood will see to it that this young state receives the assistance that it needs in order that it might carry out its destiny.”
WORLD PEACE ENDANGERED IF U.N. FAILS ON PALESTINE, MORGENTHAU SAYS
Morgenthau, who delivered the keynote address at the parley, pointed out to the delegates that the decision in Palestine would affect the peace and security of the entire world.
Declaring that neither a Jewish state in Palestine nor peace is possible if the N. fails, Morgenthau said that “the Arabs have declared war on the U.N.,” thereby imperiling world peace. “If the U.N. fails,” he asked, “then who knows where the first atomic bomb will fall?” He stated that the Jews of the world and particularly of Palestine “are now “being put to the test” and expressed the hope that American Jewry would have “the backbone, stamina and gabs” to help realize the dream of centuries.
Edward M.M. Warburg, chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, said that “every ounce of food J.D.C. puts into Europe is a vote for peace.” He estimated that the J.D.C. in 1948 would have to spend $30,000,000 to offset the inadequacies of intergovernmental aid programs in meeting the needs, of displaced Jews in Europe and Cyprus. He said 75,000 Jews would be helped with U. J.A, funds to reach the new Jewish state in Palestine and an additional 20,000 would emigrate to various countries including the United States.
Warburg stated that United Nations establishment of a Jewish State in Palestine would not only “help reduce the problem of the homeless and displaced Jews Europe” but also benefit millions of others by promoting expanded industry, agriculture and opportunity in the Middle East.
USNA HEAD FORECASTS EARLY ACTION BY CONGRESS ON DP IMMIGRATION
Edwin Rosenberg, president of the United Service for New Americans, expressed confidence that Congress would shortly enact legislation permitting larger numbers of European refugees to enter the United States. He said that assistance given to Jewish refugees by the United Service and to Christian refugees by Christian welfare agencies, had been instrumental in creating favorable public opinion for more liberal-fed immigration regulations.
William Rosenwald, honorary president of U.S.U.A., said that “American Jews lace the challenge to carry on an unparalleled reconstruction program in 1948” through the U.J.A. He pointed out that 25,000 Jewish refugees had been admitted to the United States in 1947 and been helped to speedy adjustment to American life with the aid of the U.S.S.F.A. “The role which United Service has played in providing a systematic and effective adjustment program for new immigrants,” he stressed, has been a significant factor in the widespread support for favorable Congressional faction for liberalizing immigration policies.”
Dr. Israel Goldstein, national chairman of the United Palestine Appeal, pointing out that the U.J.A. goal for 1948 is the largest ever undertaken by American Jewry, said that the U.J.A. “is an earnest of their resolve to back up the decision of the U.N.” Much larger resources in the form of government grants and mm will be needed, he said, for the settlement of a million Jews in Palestine, but it is important that Jews themselves should be the first to respond.”
GOLDSTEIN, ROSENWALD, WISE RE-ELECTED NATIONAL CHAIRMEN
Edmund I. Kaufmann, of Washington, D.C., was named chairman of the National advisory Committee, and Mrs. David M. Levy, of New York, honorary chairman of the Rational Woman’s Division. Isidor Coons and Henry Montor, of New York, were re-chosen is executive vice-chairman.
Other officers include Samuel Rothberg, of Poerta, Illinois, as national chairman for Initial Gifts; Rudolf G. Sonneborn, of New York, head of the National Trade and Industry Division; Julian B. Venezky, of Peoria, chairman of Regions; and Milton Kahn, of Boston, head of the Interim Committee.
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