Leaders of the United Jewish Appeal, Joint Distribution Committee and the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds today paid tribute to Judge Maurice Bernon, noted Jewish leader, who died in Cleveland yesterday of a heart attack.
Judge Bernon, who was 68, was at the time of his death a member of the UJA’s top-level National Campaign Cabinet; chairman of the National Council of the Joint Distribution Committee; member of the executive committee of the CJFWF, and vice-president of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland. He was a past president of the Cleveland Bar Association.
Officers of the United Jewish Appeal, led by UJA general chairman Edward M. M. Warburg and UJA executive vice-chairman Dr. Joseph J. Schwartz, long-time associates of Judge Bernon both in the Joint Distribution Committee and the United Jewish Appeal, paid tribute to him “as one of American Jewry’s most dedicated leaders, ” “Judge Bernon, ” the UJA officers declared, “was devoted and selfless as no other man has ever been in the cause of the United Jewish Appeal. His efforts were unflagging, tireless and always on call. “
Officers and directors of the Joint Distribution Committee said in a statement: “It was remarkable that Judge Maurice Bernon, who was for more than seven years, until the day of his death, chairman of the JDC national council. should have been able to carve for himself a niche in so many areas of human endeavor. Many knew him as a public official or as an outstanding attorney, but thousands more all over the country had reason to know and admire him for his efforts on behalf of Jewry, particularly harrassed and distressed Jews overseas.”
Tulian Freedman, president of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, said in his statement that Judge Bernon will be missed as president of the East Central Region of the CJFWF, as member of national board of directors, executive committees, and other important committees. “We have depended greatly upon his fine mind, his broad experience, and his deep understanding.”
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