Joint Defense Appeal Decides to Withdraw from Miami Jewish Appeal

The Joint Defense Appeal, the fund-raising agency for the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, has decided to withdraw from the 1962 Combined Jewish Appeal of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, but both sides expressed the hope today that means would be found to cancel the withdrawal.

The reason for the withdrawal was given in a joint statement by David Fleeman, president of the Greater Miami chapter of the American Jewish Committee, and Paul Seiderman, chairman of the Florida region of the ADL. The statement said:

“The Joint Defense Appeal made its decision to withdraw from the Miami Federation based on the fact that for many years allocations by the local Combined Jewish Appeal have made it impossible for the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League to meet their responsibilities to the Jewish community. Since reaching our decision, there has been evidence that Federation leaders have indicated a desire to constructively discuss possible alternative possibilities.”

Sam J. Heiman, president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, also indicated a readiness to meet with JDA officials to find some solution for the impasse. He cited a Federation executive committee resolution on the impending withdrawal in which the Federation said that it “believes in the central fund-raising and planning purposes and objectives for which Federation was organized.” Also that it believes that the JDA should be a participant and beneficiary agency of Federation.

Withdrawal of the JDA from the campaign would not be in the best interests of the organized Jewish community and its progress in the future,” the Federation resolution said. It urged that “further meetings be held with the representatives of the JDA for re-discussion of their action.”