Bogota Jews Appeal for Urgent $1,000,000 Loan to Rebuild Economy Wrecked in Riots

An urgent appeal for a loan of $1,000,000 to construct the economic life of Bogota Jewry, which was virtually wrecked during recent riots in the Colombia capital, has been issued by the Jewish Emergency Committee of that city which was organized by Maximo Yagupsky, American Jewish committee director for South America, who conducted an on-the-spot investigation.

According to information received here by the Committee, the financial losses suffered by the Bogota Jews during the recent anti-government disturbances amounted to 9,600,000 pesos, while Jewish losses outside Bogota came to 1,500,000 pesos. There is no doubt that the entire Jewish economy in Bogota faces the danger of a breakdown which may force them to emigrate,” the Emergency Aid committee warned in ?alling upon Jewish organizations to come to its assistance with a loan to be repaid ten years. Its report also emphasizes that plans for borrowing the $1,000,000 ?ust be completed within the next 15 days.

“Of 151 Jewish-owned business establishments in Bogota,” the appeal stated, 121 were ruined, and of these 58 were burned to the ground.” Immediate assistance is required to enable small manufacturers to purchase machines and to help small businessmen whose stores are in ashes, the appeal says, stressing that the aid plan does not bear the character of philanthropy. “The reconstruction plan will enable the Jews of Colombia to continue our annual contributions for the rebuilding of Palestine, as well as the aid we have furnished other important Jewish causes and institutions,” the appeal pointed out. It is signed by the following Colombia Jewish leaders: Jacob Auerbach, of the Zionist Federation; Jehuda Heinpling, of the Chevra Kadisha; Dr. S. Rosenthal, of the Emergency Committee; S. Guberik, of the Jewish Center; Jacob Bibliovich, of the Cooperative Aid Committee; Joseph Kouselewitch, of the Emergency Committee, and Dr. Aaron Bentchetrit of the Central Committee.