Rabbi Frederick A. Dopplet of Temple B’nai Israel, Elmira, N.Y., was cited today by former President Herbert Hoover as not only one of the most active workers for the Finnish Relief Fund in upper New York State but as being ready to endure hardship himself in the drive for funds for the aid of Finland.
Rabbi Dopplet, it was disclosed at Finnish Relief Fund Headquarters, first made a radio appeal in Elmira which raised $200. He then wrote Mr. Hoover that he had "underestimated the innate sympathy and regard" that Americans of all faiths had for Finland, and enclosed a check for $1000 representing further contributions.
He was so successful, in fact, that a committee from the neighboring towns of Van Etten and Spencer — which contain numerous Finns — asked the Rabbi to address their mass meeting to raise further funds. The Rabbi, Mr. Hoover disclosed at headquarters here, had to drive through a blinding up-State blizzard to address the meeting.
In a message to Rabbi Dopplet, which was read at the meeting, Mr. Hoover stated: "I want to express my deepest gratitude to you personally and to the people of Spencer and Van Etten for your interest in the Finnish Relief Fund. As a spiritual leader of a race which knows only too well the suffering that follows tyranny and oppression, I find it particularly fitting that you should speak in behalf of the oppressed people of Finland…"
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