More than 900 American Jewish leaders at the national inaugural conference of the United Jewish Appeal today gave a demonstration of their concern for the thousands of Jewish refugees now fleeing oppression in Egypt and other countries by contributing a record start of $35, 100, 000 in gifts to launch the 1957 nationwide campaign of the UJA.
The amount represents the largest starting sum ever achieved by the UJA, and probably the largest ever secured by any American philanthropic cause at the opening of its campaign. It compares with the $26,500, 000 brought forward here at this time last year by a similar gathering of UJA’s top supporters and Jewish communal representatives.
William Rosenwald, general chairman of the UJA, declared today’s outpouring of gifts “an inspiring indication of the resolve of American Jews not to let Jewish refugee lives be lost as they were in the Hitler period, and not to let today’s refugees become a social and economic burden for the people of Israel, who are receiving most of them.”
The UJA leader pointed out that the $35, 100, 000 includes contributions to two UJA fund-raising efforts–the Appeal’s regular 1957 campaign and a special UJA Emergency Rescue Fund for an “over and above” amount of $100, 000, 000 The Rescue Fund seeks to save 100, 000 new Jewish refugees expected in 1957. The proceeds to the regular campaign are for further help for 525, 000 recent immigrants in Israel and distressed Jews overseas already being aided by UJA.
Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman, executive vice-chairman of the UJA, told the conference that 10, 000 Jewish men, women and children are leaving Egypt, North Africa, Hungary, and other East European countries monthly “in search of safety and freedom. ” Most of them, he stated, could look only to Israel for resettlement.
Mrs. Golda Meir, Israel’s Foreign Minister, who was scheduled to be one of the speakers, was heard briefly over a special close circuit telecast from New York in greetings to the delegates. The delegates were also greeted by Reuven Dafni, Israel Consul, and were addressed by Governor Abraham Ribicoff of Connecticut and by Charles Jordan, European director of the Joint Distribution Committee.
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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.
