American Joint Distribution Committee Renews Drive for Emergency Relief Fund

Continuing developments in Eastern Europe and Germany, hostile to the well-being of the Jews, and aggravation of conditions which have already reduced Jewish populations in Eastern and Central Europe to overwhelming despair and suffering, have greatly magnified relief duties of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Rabbi Jonah B. Wise, National Fund-Raising Chairman of the overseas Jewish relief agency, declared here. He appealed to the Jews of the nation to support the Joint Distribution Committee in its emergency life-saving program and to furnish it with sufficient funds to meet contingencies arising out of the situation confronting their brethren overseas.

Support of the Joint Distribution Committee was also strongly urged by Dr. Cyrus Adler, President of the American Jewish Committee, and Bernard S. Deutsch, President of the American Jewish Congress, who, in letters to Rabbi Wise, pledged the cooperation of their national organizations to the relief agency which for the past eighteen years has represented American Jewry in furnishing aid in emergencies such as the present.

Campaigns in various communities throughout the country held in connection with the 1933 National Appeal which were temporarily interrupted by the banking holiday, are being resumed, Dr. Wise declared, and will be intensified in view of the present situation overseas. The New York City Appeal, announced earlier in the month, is renewing its efforts under the leadership of Dudley D. Sicher, Chairman, and a distinguished supporting committee.

The Los Angeles Jewish community despite the banking holiday and an earthquake which has added to the philanthropic obligations of its members, is proceeding with plans to inaugurate a Joint Distribution Committee appeal in May. Other Jewish communities throughout the nation have also gone ahead with their plans for drives after the temporary cessation of activities caused by the financial situation.