Magnes Rallies Philadelphians Behind United Appeal Banner

The local campaign of the United Jewish Appeal was launched here last night by Dr. Judah L. Magnes, chancellor of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Dr. Magnes was the principal speaker at a dinner at the Hotel Benjamin Franklin.

Dr. Magnes called upon Jews to give because “it is money that you and I are giving as a ransom. We are not yet captives. We are buying our own freedom for this money. For how long? No one knows. This ‘Kesef kiporim’ is described in the Torah as money that is being used for sacred purposes for the sanctuary, for refuge in order that men may take hold of the horns of the altar and feel themselves safe.

“‘Kesef kiporim’ is used to atone for your own souls,” Dr. Magnes continued, “it is not money for charity. Do not give it if you think it is. This is money flesh to flesh, from blood to blood, from generation to generation. It is this red line of our tradition which we hear within us, spinning on into eternity.”

Judge William M. Lewis, who preceded Dr. Magnes, explained that “we are called upon to fight back a catastrophic hurricane whose terrifying clouds have burst over Germany and threatened to engulf our people everywhere. We must approach this United Jewish Appeal in terms of personal relationship to the threat of Nazism. If we fail in the task we have assumed, we shall give strength to the forces whose goal is the extermination of Jews not alone in Germany but in every land where they can penetrate.”

Though no definite quota was set, the local committee expects to raise approximately $200,000. Towards this sum, upwards of $60,000 was raised at the dinner, which was attended by 1,000 representative members of the Jewish community.