Two major Jewish organizations announced today that they are making contributions to the victims of the earthquakes in Italy. The American Joint Distribution Committee’s president, Donald Robinson announced a contribution of $30,000 in its traditional role of representative of the American Jewish community for overseas relief. B’nai B’rith International’s president, Jack Spitzer, said his organization will contribute $1000 and that additional funds will be forthcoming from B’nai B’rith subdivisions outside the United States.
Robinson, in his announcement, also said that the JDC was making itself available for members of the American Jewish community and others who wish to make donations. Monies received for this purpose will be added to the basic JDC contribution, he said, adding that anyone wishing to donate should send funds to the American Joint Distribution Committee, Room 1914, 60 East 42nd Street, New York City, NY 10165.
Rolph Goldman, JDC executive vice president, said the JDC’s office in Rome has been instructed to contact Italian government officials and to make the JDC’s Rome office available to the relief effort, In addition, Goldman said, we are acting in cooperation with HIAS to recruit volunteers from among the Soviet Jewish emigrates in Rome who are awaiting visas to the United States.”
HELP FROM ROME’S JEWISH COMMUNITY
According to a cable received here from the JDC’s Rome office, the Jewish community of Rome has sent three truckloads of blankets and clothering to the collection center in Naples and is making a contribution of three million Lira and started on effort within the community to raise a total of 19 million Lira. The JDC said no Italian Jewish institutions have been directly affected by the earthquakes which have taken several thousand lives and have left hundreds of thousands homeless.
Spitzer, who made the announcement of the B’nai B’rith effort from Hong Kong where he is on B’nai B’rith business, said the presentation of his organization’s contribution will be made in Washington next week to the Italian Ambassador.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
