The deplorable state of the boat people and the callous treatment these refugees from Indochina are receiving in many parts of the world has prompted the trustees of the Hawaii Jewish Welfare Fund to authorize a special fund-raising appeal on behalf of the boat people who have found safety in this state. Fund president Mort Feldman appointed Dean Jerrold Michael as chairman of the appeal.
In an address to the trustees, Michael pointed out that many parallels exist between the boat people and “our Jewish boat people of 1937-1939.” In both cases they were singled out for attack and ultimate death because of their racial or ethnic background, he said. And in both cases the rest of the world ignored them as they were being systematically destroyed.
As a result of the decision to launch the appeal, 195 responses have been received totalling more than $6700. Preliminary meetings have been held with Indochinese volunteer relief agencies, and some tentative fund allocations have already been agreed upon.
There will be no Bulletin dated Sept. 24 due to Rosh Hashanah.
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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.
