More than 1,200 Jewish leaders, the largest group ever to attend a Jewish fund raising function in this city jammed the ballroom of the Pick Congress Hotel last night to hear David Ben-Gurion. The occasion, the dinner launching the 1967 drive of Chicago’s Combined Jewish Appeal for local, national and overseas nee netted the record sum of $2, 552, 000 in contributions. This sum represented a 27 percent increase over the gifts these 1, 200 contributors gave in 1966. The drive is seeking $6,750, 000.
The State of Israel and Mr. Ben-Gurion were praised by Max M. Fisher, Gener Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, and Rabbi Ralph Simon, chairman of the Chicago drive. Mr. Fisher calle ‘ the creation of Israel, in which Mr. Ben-Gurion played a major role, the fulfillment of a dream that summed up the longings of a hundred Jewish generations, “It was a hope which represented the deepest desire of a people oppressed and dispossessed for 2, 000 years. ” he said. Rabbi Simon credited Mr. Ben-Gurion with removing a 2, 000-year-old stigma of the “wandering Jew” with the simple declaration that no Jew who seeks a home in Israel would be denied admission.
Mr. Ben-Gurion, in his address, again appealed for Jewish contributions of manpower, know-how and technical skill to help develop Israel’s largest land area–the Negev. “The Negev, largely desert, which occupies 60 percent of Israel’s territory has great economic potential, ” the former Prime Minister said. “Given the industrial development that modern technology can make possible, the Negev can become a flourishing center of trade with East Africa, and thus speed the day of Israel’s economic independence. “
Early this morning, Mr. Ben-Gurion went to the Circle Campus of the University of Illinois to speak to the B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundations of Chicago. Some 1, 000 students attended, Mr. Ben-Gurion, who arrived here from Los Angeles Friday, was greeted by Mayor Richard J. Daley and by Lt. Gov. Samuel H. Shapiro, representing the State of Illinois. Representatives of Chicago’s City Council presented Mr. Ben-Gurion with an embossed scroll reproducing a City Council resolution, hailing Israel’s eldest statesman as “the giant of the 20th Century” for his achievements on behalf of the State of Israel.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
