Emergency Conference Stresses Need for $500,000 Bessarabia Famine Fund

The raising of a fund of $500,000 for emergency relief work in Bessarabia for the purpose of tiding over 40,000 Jewish families, victims of the famine, until August 1, was set as a goal at a special mergency relief conference held Sunday afternoon at Pythian Temple, New York City.

The conference was called under the joint auspices of the American Jewish Congress, the Roumanian-Bessarabian Relief Committee and the United Roumanian Jews of America. Although representatives of many Landsmanshaften and societies were invited, a small number of delegates was present.

Disappointment and indignation at the lack of response to the emergency call was a recurring note in the addresses delivered by Dr. Stephen S. Wise, Jacob Fishman and Abraham Goldberg. Inefficiency on the part of the temporary organization was partly blamed for the small attendance. The speakers frankly criticized American Jews of Bessarabian descent for their lack of interest, as demonstrated in the fact that the delegates present announced the raising of $3,300 to date toward the sum sought, which had been determined upon and spoken of at a number of previous meetings and gatherings held during the last month since the news of the suffering in Bessarabia reached America.

The conference unanimously decided that every avenue of solicitation will be utilized. The opinion was expressed that while Bessarabian Jews in America should take the initiative in responding to the appeal the situation is such as to command the interest of all American Jewry. In addition to a public solicitation of funds, the Conference, in a resolution, expressed its hope that all Jewish organizations in America, regardless of affiliation, will consent to a voluntary tax on their membership for the purpose of swelling the fund.

The first public appeal for funds will be launched in New York at a mass meeting to be held shortly. Philadelphia has pledged to raise $25,000.

The organization of the campaign was placed in the hands of a Committee of which Morris Cooper is Chairman, and Morris Robbins, Abraham Katzman, Dr. Stephen S. Wise, Joseph Tabadchick and S. Silverman, Vice-Chairmen. Abraham Goldberg was named Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Mr. Morris Cooper presided at the sessions Sunday. Addresses were delivered by Dr. Stephen S. Wise, Jacob Fishman, Abraham Goldberg, Bernard G. Richards, Max Silverstein, Herman Speier and C. Grossman of Philadelphia.

The initiative for Bessarabian relief must be undertaken by Bessarabian Jews in America and not left to organized bodies in American Jewry in the opinion of Dr. Wise. The 60,000 Bessarabian Jews in America are rich enough to raise the entire sum needed. (Continued on Page 4)

and should certainly take the initiative, he said.

The Joint Distribution Committee, he stated, will agree to have this fund raised by a special Committee since the J.D.C. funds are exhausted because of its commitments.

The conference in a resolution adopted took cognizance of the aid already extended by the J.D.C. and expressed its confidence that the committee will continue its relief work for Bessarabian Jews. After some discussion the conference referred the wording of this resolution to the Executive Committee.

Criticism of the slowness of Bessarabian Jews in organizing the appeal and their failure to utilize the Jewish press for soliciting funds, was made by Jacob Fishman, Managing Editor of the “Jewish Morning Journal.”

Following an appeal by Herman Speier, Secretary of the United Roumanian Jews of America, the Conference authorized the launching of an appeal for clothes. Mr. Speier disclosed that an agreement has been reached whereby all packages, containing clothes, food or other supplies will be admitted free to Roumania provided they are sent through the United Roumanian Jews of America.

Another resolution expressed the hope that Jewish newspapers throughout the country will open public subscriptions for funds.