Gov. Lehman, Prof. Einstein Laud Jta’s Importance in Jewish Life

Government Herbert H. Lehman, Prof. Albert Einstein, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Wendell L. Willkie and many other Jewish and non-Jewish personalities today joined the numerous organizations and institutions throughout the country in sending messages of congratulations to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on the occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary.

Governor Lehman, in his message, stated: "I have been acquainted with the work of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency ever since its inception. It has devoted itself to the gathering and distribution of information concerning those of our faith here and abroad. It has furnished to the press and to individuals accurate and impartial information and has frequently interpreted Jewish life to the non-Jewish world. It has rendered a very real service. Please accept my congratulations and my best wishes for continued success."

Prof. Einstein sent the following message. "The information disseminated by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency regarding all major problems concerning Jewish life is considered by me as of great merit and importance. The JTA has made a valuable contribution to the solidarity of the Jewish people and we can, therefore, not be without it."

Wendell L. Willkie, in a statement, wrote: "I was delighted to learn that this is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and want to offer my most sincere congratulations on the refine work you have done and are doing. The Agency has at all times lived up to the best traditions of newspaper coverage. I hope that in the years to come you will have even greater success in a world where freedom of the press as you have practiced it, will be once again assured to all peoples."

Mrs. Roosevelt, in a letter of congratulations, declared: "I have been interested to learn that the Jewish Telegraphic Agency is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of its existence and I am happy to have an opportunity to extend congratulations and best wishes to all those connected with this organization. I hope that during the years to come the Agency will be in a position to render even greater service to those it has served so faithfully for a quarter of a century."

Mrs. Felix M. Warburg, in lauding the JTA, said: "I never miss reading the reports of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and feel that it keeps me in close touch with the Jewish happenings all over the world. May the time be not too long distant, when there can again be more hopeful news of our poor brethren in the war-torn world. With good wishes for the next 25 years of the JTA in a better, juster world."

ZIONIST LEADERS PRAISE JTA AS A NATIONAL JEWISH INSTITUTION

Judge Louis E. Levinthal, president of the Zionist Organization of America, sent the following message of congratulations: "During the past twenty-five years the Jewish Telegraphic Agency has rendered immeasurable service not only to the Jewish people but to the cause of justice and truth, which are best served by the dissemination of accurate information to the largest number of people in the quickest possible time. This quarter of a century has witnessed world-shaking events, many of which have had a catastrophic effect upon our people. There is no doubt that the JTA has played a vital role during this period, and by means of its world-encircling chain of correspondents, has been enabled to record accurately Jewish conditions which might otherwise have escaped notice and attention. For this accomplishment alone, it is deserving of highest praise. Those of us who are interested in Jewish life have come to regard the JTA as a pillar of the community-one of the necessary national institutions of the Jewish people."

Dr. Israel Goldstein, president of the Jewish National Fund of America, in his statement, declared: "The Jewish National Fund of America has had numerous occasions to appreciate the services of the JTA. Later this year the Balfour Declaration will have its 25th anniversary. These years, punctuated by the phenomenal development of Jewish life in Palestine and by the persistent struggle of the Jewish people against efforts to whittle down the Balfour Declaration, have been eventful and needful. Palestine, which is central to the life of the Jewish people, has occupied a great part of the attention of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency during these 25 years. May the JTA grow in strength and influence, so as to be in a position to serve the Jewish people in the eventful war and post-war periods which are ahead."

Mrs. David de Sola Pool, National President of Hadassah, said in her message: "In times like these, when anti-democratic forces, of which anti-Semitism is not the least dreed manifestation, threaten the ideals for which America stands, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency fulfills a great function not only in the interests of the Jewish people but in support of democracy and freedom everywhere. We congratulate you on your achievements and your services of the past twenty-five years, and we assure you that Hadassah will always continue to turn to you for valid and authentic news."

Mrs. Edward Jacobs, member of the executive of the Jewish Agency for Palestine and prominent Hadassah leader, in congratulating the JTA, stated: "During the last quarter of a century, when it became of paramount importance to understand the position of the Jews the world over, and when it was necessary to receive information quickly in accordance with the instantaneous transmission methods of the times, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency proved of inestimable help. I am grateful for the assistance received in having an all-world canvass for my own particular tasks on behalf of Jewish endeavor."

A.S.W. Rosenbach, President of the American Friends of the Hebrew University, said: "The Jewish Telegraphic Agency is to be commented for its service in unfolding accurately and faithfully all sides of the Jewish scene throughout the world – the good news with the bad news, the stories of disintegration of Jewish hope with the stories of progress and growth. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency has always shown an understanding of the importance of Hebrew University as a constructive force in Jewish hope, and has helped immeasurably in presenting it to the non-Jewish Press as well as to the Jewish Press. May the Jewish Telegraphic Agency’s task be lightened in the coming years by an ever-increasing measure of news of rehabilitation and general achievement."