David A. Brown, who was one of the leading figures of the Joint Distribution Committee in the years after World War I, was buried here today following memorial services held at Temple Beth El Brown Memorial Chapel. The chapel was named in his honor when the synagogue was built 35 years ago. Mr. Brown died in New York City this week. He was 83 years old.
Brought to Detroit from Edinburgh, Scotland, Mr. Brown entered business in 1896, founding a number of firms. in 1921, as national chairman of the JDC, he directed a campaign to raise $14,000,000, a sum considered fantastic at the time. The goal was oversubscribed.
He headed a commission to investigate the conditions of European Jews in 1922 and in 1924 toured the United States and Canada for the Palestine Foundation Fund. He served on the JDC board from 1920 to 1937 and the board of the Palestine Economic Corporation from 1926 to 1936. He toured the United States for the Keren Hayesod in 1924. His activities received recognition when he was awarded the Zeta Beta Tau Gottheil Medal in 1926.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
