6 Jews Perished, 100 Injured in Florida Disaster, Survey Shows; Jews Begin Reconstruction of Destroy

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency) Report of Special Representative on Scene of Disaster

The Jewish population of Miami and the surrounding area laid in ruins by the hurricane is not in need of bread relief. They require constructive help in the form of loans with which to rebuild their ruined houses and their trade. This was made clear today at a conference of local Jewish leaders, called for the purpose of organizing a central Jewish relief committee. Both the Orthodox and Reform elements participated in the conference which took place at the Gralyn Hotel. A joint executive was elected, with David Cromer as chairman; D. Apte and H. Magid, vice-chairmen; A. Aronovitz, secretary and Isadore Cohen, treasurer. Rabbi Murray Alsted, Orthodox, and Dr. Jacob Kaplan, Reform, were appointed counsellors.

The survey made by the representative of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in Miami, Hialeach, Coral Gables, Cocoanut Grove and Hollywood shows that the Jewish population suffered little in proportion to the general population. Only five Jewish families applied for help at the relief headquarters of the Red Cross in Miami, which is supplying kosher food for the Jewish sufferers.

A committee of Jewish attorneys was organized today to give legal aid to the Jewish victims of the disaster. Warning of the possibility of typhoid fever from the infected water supply was issued by the municipal authorities here. The devastated area is still without electric light and telephone service.

Isadore Shwartz, one of the Jewish victims, was buried today. He died when a sheet of tin fell during the storm and fractured his skull.

The Orlando lodge of the Independent Order B’nai B’rith informed the Miami Jewish aid committee of a large sum being raised at Orlando for the relief of the Jewish population in the stricken area.