Christian Leaders in Philadelphia Urge Support for Jewish Relief Fund

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

Representatives of the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish faiths participated Sunday afternoon in a mass meeting called by the American Christian Fund for Jewish Relief, and pledged their unqualified support to the fund.

The American Christian Fund for Jewish Relief was hailed by speakers of prominence as one of remarkable importance, the bridge which united men and women of all faiths on a common platform of humanity toward one’s fellowmen.

The meeting which took place in the Academy of Music was addressed by Mayor W. Freeland Kendrick, Cardinal Dougherty, head of the Roman Catholic Church in this city, Mr. Ernest Trigg, former President of the Chamber of Commerce; Miss Irma May, social worker, and Rabbi Wm. H. Fineschreiber.

A sum of money, the total of which was not announced, was raised at the meeting.

A message was read from Dr. S. Parks Cadman of New York, Co-Chairman with Justice Victor Dowling of the National Drive of the American Christian Fund for Jewish Relief, and the President of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America.

The movement was hailed by Cardinal Dougherty as a duty which the Christians owe to the Jews for unjust persecution as well as a testimonial of thanks for the Jewish contributions to modern life.

“No man who has red blood in him will hesitate to stretch out a helping hand to the starving and suffering Jews. ‘I am a man and everything that appertains to man is not alien to me’ should be the spirit behind this Christian movement,” Cardinal Dougherty declared. “We all have the same human nature, origin, and we hope we are all destined to the same end.

“Just before the World War, during and after it the Jews were the victims of pogroms, despoiled of their goods and sent wandering. Throughout the ages, the Jews have ever been the victims and borne the brunt of every disaster affecting humanity. The marvel is, not that they have survived. but that centuries of suffering and ostracism have never been able to break their will. Wherever they have gone, they have contributed to the well being of the countries in which they lived.

“To their credit be it said they have never forgotten their glorious past.

“Their contribution to modern civilization is their indomitable will, their unflinching perseverence and their boundless charty. The charity of the Jews is at once a reproach and an inspiration to us. We own them sympathy and cooperation because our forefathers unjustly persecuted them and because of their contribution to modern life. I trust that this meeting will bring them financial aid, and above all that it will unite us with the bonds of charity.”

The fund was lauded by the Chief executive of the city in his address introducing Cardinal Dougherty. “As Mayor of Philadelphia I am honored and pleased, both officially and personally to come here and support this worthy movement for God and humanity,” Mayor Kendrick said.

The purpose of the meeting and the aims of the Christian Fund for Jewish Relief were explained by Mr. Ernest T. Trigg, Chairman of the Comunittee in Philadelphia, who was the presiding officer of the afternoon.

“This is a call to all of us to aid a great work in the interest of humanity. We are not asked by the Jews to do this. The movement is sponsored by the Christians of America, Catholics and Protestants alike. Our own conscience calls on us to give. The Jews of America can not discharge this tremendous task alone; it is too big.

“The Jews of Europe are suffering intensely through no fault of their own. Changing philosophies of government, economic collapses and race animosities are responsible for their condition. $62,000,000 has been expended for their relief by American Jewry while they have at the same time contributed to non-Jewish causes. Our Jews do their share and more than their share in all causes.

“The money which we contribute, great as the need is, is perhaps secondary to the new hope and faith incident to the knowledge that the Christians of American are behind them.”

Rabbi William H. Fineschreiber hailed the meeting as the beginning of a federation against the bigotry, suspicion and prejudice that throttle civilization. “I see in this meeting, an indication of the profound changes in the hearts of men. For over 2,000 years we Jews have borne the brunt of every calamity. For all these years we had to fight for our rights, our children and our King, Through all these years the hearts of our people yearned for the words from our Christian brethren saying: ‘I sympathize with you.’ And now it has happened. The Christian churches have united in taking the hand of their Jewish brethren. It doesn’t matter how much money is raised so long as the princes of the Catholic and Protestant Churches have come together to say the kind word. It is this which I should like to broadcast. The fruits of this meeting can not be foretold or measured.”

In Dr. Cadman’s message, which was read before the assemblage, he declared that “the call of the Jews is uniting us as did the call of the Allies in the World War. I agree with Owen D. Young that the supreme value of this movement is to break down the barriers of bigotry.”