(Jewish Daily Bulletin)
Samuel J. Weil was unanimously chosen chairman for Connecticut of the $15,000,000 United Jewish Campaign at a state conference held here Sunday. The conference, attended by 200 delegates accepted the quota of $350,000 for Connecticut.
“I have given a great deal of thought to this matter, and have come to the conclusion that I have no right to seek pleasure while my people across the seas are in such bitter distress,” Mr. Weil declared in accepting the chairmanship, which would necessitate his giving up a planned tour through Europe. “I shall remain here, giving all my time, night and day, until Connecticut’s quota is raised.”
The conference was held in the Hotel Garde, and David A. Brown was the guest of honor.
Abraham Spelke of Stamford, Associate State Chairman, stated that he would emulate Mr. Weil’s example and cancel his bookings for a European trip. Judge Jacob Caplan and Police Commissioner Hyman Jacobs of New Haven, and Rabbis Leon Spitz, S. S. Tedesche and Jurman pledged their support.
Mr. Brown’s address was divided into two parts, the first dealing with the Russian colonization movement in which he recounted what he had seen in the five-weeks’ tour he made last Spring accompanied by Dr. Rosen of the Jewish farming settlements in the Ukraine and Crimea.
“All they want is a little financial aid to get started, and no more. They are willing to put up with anything, so that they can make good. Black bread and coffee for breakfast, black bread for lunch, black bread and weak tea for supper. And they are satisfied. They don’t ask for luxury. They ask to ge given a chance.”
In the second part of his address, Mr. Brown spoke of the terrible situation in Poland. “The cables that come to my desk every day describing the horrors there would drive a man mad if it were not for the knowledge that every effort is being made to help.” Soup-kitchens were being opened, orphan asylums were closing and death was stalking hundreds of victims. Many were moved to tears by Mr. Brown’s address.
Mr. Brown stated that Saturday morning he had received guarantees totalling $900,000 toward the million dollars which the Joint Distribution Committee is borrowing from New York banks in order to meet the situation both in Russia and in Poland.
Mayor John B. Tower welcomed the delegates at the afternoon session.
The following officers were elected for the Connecticut campaign:
Samuel J. Weil, New Haven, chairman; Abraham Spelke, Stamford, associate chairman; Alexander Cahn, New Haven, treasurer; vice-chairmen, Hon. Jacob Caplan, Joseph H. Ullman, New Haven; Hon. H. P. Koppelmann, Benjamin S. Haas, Hartford; Herman J. Weisman, Waterbury, Nestor Dreyfus, New London, Dr. S. L. Quitt, Greenwich; Jacob B. Klein, Israel J. Cohn, Bridgeport; Benjamin Epstein, Winsted; Dr. Samuel N. Dietz, South Norwalk; Asher Papish, Danbury; George LeWitt, New Britain; M. M. Wilder, Meriden; Jacob H. Bellin, Ansonia; Abner Schwartz, Norwich; Israel J. Poliner, Middletown; Louis Tunick, Torrington.
Honorary vice chairmen were named as follows: Col. Isaac M. Ullman, Louis M. Sagal, Samuel Persky, Israel Gordon, Judge Isaac Wolfe, Major Louis M. Ullman, New Haven; Isadore Wise, Solomon Elsner, Harris Chesky, Samuel A. Goldsmith, Hartford; Samuel Roodner, South Norwalk.
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