The sum of $631,013 has been raised for the reconstruction work in Palestine by the United Palestine Appeal of Greater New York, according to a report presented to a conference of sectional officers of the Appeal at the Hotel Astor on Tuesday night. Morris Rothenberg, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Appeal, presided. It was pointed out that the campaign in New York City has been going on for two months, having been officially launched on January 31st.
The sectional chairmen heard reports on the status of the campaign, which showed that the income for this year was slightly higher than for the same period last year. A number of the functions at which funds will be raised are still to be held, according to the report presented by Dr. I. M. Rubinow, Executive Director of the campaign.
In his introductory address, Mr. Rothenberg urged that contributions to the United Palestine Appeal be converted into cash as quickly as possible, so that the funds may be sent to Palestine. He urged that an effort be made to exceed the amount received last year by the New York drive. In addition to the sectional chairmen and officers, other speakers at the conference were Louis Lipsky, President of the (Continued on Page 4)
Zionist Organization of America and Nahum Sokolow, Chairman of the World Zionist Executive.
Declaring his belief that greater funds could be secured in America for Palestine than had already been obtained, Mr. Sokolow said that he believes “in the great heart of Jewry; our need is to find the key to open it. We must, however, keep our fund-raising effort on a high level, and not permit it to be lowered by some of the cheaper methods of campaigning.”
Referring to a speech he had heard delivered by the late General Foch in 1917 before the Lancashire Legion, in which the General had said to the members of that British battalion: “The fate of the war is in your hands,” Mr. Sokolow said that the fate of the campaign rested in the hands of the officers of the United Palestine Appeal. He declared that the community was responsive to a call in proportion to the personal service and initiative displayed by the officers.
“The fate of the Jewish National Homeland depends on America,” was the statement made by Mr. Sokolow, pointing out that despite the various hopeful signs that now show on the horizon support must be continued for the pioneers in Palestine. He said that much that is done and said in Palestine revolved around the part that America is playing and will play in the development of the Jewish National Homeland. During his remarks, Mr. Sokolow paid high praise to Mr. Morris Weinberg, of Brooklyn, Vice-President of the Municipal Bank, for the service he has been rendering the Zionist movement in this country. It was pointed out that during the past year, Mr. Weinberg has served as banker for Zionist ends to the extent of several hundred thousand dollars.
Among the sections that have reported receipts beyond the half-way marks of their quota are West Side, which has raised $57,000 of its $100,000 quota; Bronx, which has received $48,000 of its $80,000 quota; Westchester County, which reports $28,000 of a $40,000 total; East Side, which has raised $44,000 of a $50,000 quota; Flatbush. which has $30,000 toward its $50,000 goal; Boro Park, which has $49,000 of its $65,000 quota, and Brownsville and East New York, which has raised $62,000 toward its $75,000 goal. Dinners are still to be held in Washington Heights, Eastern Parkway, Williamsburg, Harlem, and Bensonhurst.
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