The New York Chapter of Hadassah announced today that it was cancelling its dinner-dance at the Waldorf-Astoria that was scheduled for Nov. 17 because of security problems to the guests due to the presence of Palestine Liberation Organization representatives at the hotel. A letter to the hotel management signed by Olga L. Mack, president, and Barbara Traub, dinner chairman, stated:
“At the very time an important Jewish event is to be held in support of a medical institution in Israel devoted to the care and welfare of all peoples in that area–be they Jew or Arab–a set of turbulent conditions have been created which threaten the security of our distinguished guests and the large number of people expected to attend. Such conditions were hardly contemplated as a permissible ambience for our function; They are, in fact, distinctly antithetical to that function–a circumstance which must be and should have been known to you. We deem this a serious and regrettable situation, particularly in view of our past good working relationship.”
The event, honoring Dr. Gisella Perl and Dr. Howard A. Rusk is for the benefit of the Hadassah Medical Organization. Over 800 people and distinguished guests are expected. Arrangements are under way to move the event to the New York Hilton Hotel.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
