Jewish Communities Aid Stricken Earthquake Areas

Almost immediately upon the heels of the news that Long Beach and neighboring Southern California towns were struck by the earthquake last Friday, the B’nai B’rith District Grand Lodge Number Four, with headquarters at San Francisco, began to make investigations through the various lodges of the southern part of the State in order to see what assistance could be given.

David Blumberg, Grand Lodge representative, called a meeting Saturday night of all Grand Lodge officers at the home of Mrs. Rose Corn, executive secretary of the Women’s Grand Lodge, at which Mrs. Rose Bertram, president of the Women’s Auxiliary Grand Lodge and about twenty other members were present to discuss way and means of helping the stricken Jewish families. It was decided to enlist the Jewish communities of the other cities in Southern California, and through the Officers Conference of B’nai B’rith Lodges of Southern California, machinery was started for the organization of relief stations and for the supply of food. Three truck loads of food were sent down to the two stations opened in the Temple Emanu El, of which Rabbi Harvey B. Franklin is the spiritual leader and Temple Sinai, where Rabbi Freedman presides. An information bureau for relief purposes was also established in the offices of the Los Angeles B’nai B’rith lodge.

Aaron Riche, president of the Officers Conference was on the scene of the quake Friday night. Having a police permit, he was allowed to spend some time in Long Beach. Mr. Riche contacted Emergency Director Charles S. Henderson, and unofficially offered the aid of the B’nai B’rith lodges, which was accepted. At the meeting held Saturday night at the home of Mrs. Corn, a committee consisting of David Blumberg, Rose Bertram and J. J. Lieberman was appointed to work out plans of cooperation with the officials of Long Beach in relief work.

The Jewish business sections and residential sections of Long Beach were badly hit, according to Mr. Riche.