National Refugee Service Launches Its First Drive for Funds

Jewish communities all over America were called upon today to aid victims of racial and religious persecution who find asylum in the United States in a message issued by William Rosenwald, President of the National Refugee Service, at the meeting of the NRS Board of Directors here today.

A national campaign for funds to continue the work of guiding the immigrants from refugee ship to citizenship was proclaimed by Rosenwald. This is the first time that the National Refugee Service has made a direct appeal for funds.

“The Board of Directors of the National Refugee Service, consisting of community leaders from every section of the United States, authorized the campaign at their meeting here under the chairmanship of Prof. Joseph P. Chamberlain of the Columbia University Law School,” he said.

He pointed out that discontinuation of the United Jewish Appeal, from which the National Refugee Service received its funds in 1939 and 1940, has made it necessary for the National Refugee Service to seek funds on its own behalf.

In a message addressed to community leaders throughout the country, Rosenwald declared that the program of aid and guidance of refugees continues to be a primary responsibility. Thanks to the recognition of this principle by the Welfare Funds and other campaigns, the responsibility for the refugees in this country has remained in channels of private philanthrophy, he continued.

“This is the only coordinated program for intelligent guidance of the immigrant ‘from refugee ship to citizenship,'” he stated.

The National Refugee Service will confer in advance with community leaders to the extent of the contributions to be asked for in their localities, it was stated. It was emphasized that the appeal would in all cases be made as part of unified local Welfare Fund activities or similar campaigns.

The national drive for funds will be headed by Rosenwald. Executive posts will be filled by community leaders from all parts of the country, including Prof. Chamberlain, Albert D. Lasker of Chicago, Louis E. Kirstein of Boston and Robert K. Straus of New York.

Harry Greenstein, executive director of the Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore, told the assembled officials at yesterday’s opening session that “the refugee problem is not a New York problem but one of national import and responsibility which necessitates a partnership between the National Refugee Service and the rest of the country in support of the National Refugee Service.”

Prof. William Haber, executive director of the NRS, said “we must maintain America as a country of refuge,” adding: “The National Refugee Service is not solely a relief organization. Our work is not declining. There is every reason to expect full quotas during 1941. We expect 1,000 a month from Germany alone.” He declared the National Refugee Service had ended the year with a cash deficit of $300,000.

William J. Shroder, chairman of the board of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, said:

“The Jews of America will be judged by the manner in which they handle the American refugee problem. Whatever is necessary must be done in handling the problem. Refugees must not be excluded from the normal channels of American life if they are to become good Americans. We owe it as Americans to prepare the newcomers to enrich American life. Our first duty as Americans is the support of the American needs.”