B’nai B’rith Members, Units Purchased $3,000,000 in Defense Bonds, Monsky Reports

Members of B’nai B’rith had purchased $2,966,680 in defense bonds up to February 1, and various units of the organization have themselves invested $195,275 of their reserve funds in the bonds, Henry Monsky, president of B’nai B’rith, told the ninety-ninth annual meeting of the B’nai B’rith’s executive committee today at Essex House. Mr. Monsky emphasized that the total figures of sales represented only partial reports received from the 1,300 lodges, auxiliaries and youth chapters.

It also was announced that 160 B’nai B’rith units have thus far contributed $26,610 toward the organization’s pledge of $45,000 to the $50,000,000 war fund of the American Red Cross, in addition to an initial gift of $50,000 from the supreme lodge. Since the war began in 1939, B’nai B’rith has given the Red Cross a total of $90,000. This was in addition to more than $300,000 in cash, equipment and supplies given to other war relief agencies, most of them non-sectarian, during the past twenty-nine months. Approximately 5,000 members of B’nai B’rith and its youth organization are now in the nation’s armed services.

ARRANGEMENT REACHED BETWEEN RED CROSS AND B’NAI B’RITH

Mr. Monsky also announced at the meeting that an arrangement has been reached between the American Red Cross and the B’nai B’rith by which the latter’s 900 local lodges and auxiliaries will collaborate with the newly organized Red Cross Camp and Hospital Service Councils to meet the welfare and recreational needs of both hospitalized and able-bodied service men in army camps.

Efforts to advance a better understanding between Negroes and Jews, as a contribution to national unity, were reported by the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith. Colored leaders have welcomed these efforts and nationally recognized spokesmen of both groups have aided in developing material intended to foster inter-racial unity the League spokesman stated.

To provide more effective aid to young people below military age in adjusting themselves to war-time economic changes, three group vocational counselorships have been established in New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, the B’nai B’rith Vocational Service Bureau reported. The increased war-time importance of the 62 B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation directors and counselors in dealing with the guidance problem of college youth was stressed in another report.

David Blumberg, Los Angeles welfare leader and business executive, was elected a national vice-president of B’nai B’rith at today’s meeting. Mr. Blumberg succeeds the late Judge I.M. Golden of San Francisco.