New York U. J. A. Drive Reaches $28,000,000; Exceeds 1955 Campaign

An intensive summer drive by more than 2,000 volunteer workers has added $5,000,000 to the receipts of the United Jewish Appeal and brought the total raised, in the metropolitan area so far in 1956 to almost $28,000,000. This sum is $3,000,000 more than was raised in the course of the entire 1955 campaign.

This interim report, which covers contributions to the regular UJA campaign and to the Special Survival Fund, was presented today to top leaders of the UJA by Barney Balaban and Saniel D. Leidesdorf, chairmen of the summer campaign, at a luncheon in honor of Attorney General Jacob K. Javits. The tribute to Mr. Javits was based on his leadership of the UJA’s “person to person” drive during June, which launched the summer campaign.

In calling for continued effort on the part of the UJA volunteers, Mr. Javits pointed out that the drive must continue at its current accelerated pace because the UJA this year must bear the sole responsibility for resettling and rehabilitating the tens of thousands of immigrants who are finding refuge in Israel. In the past the people of Israel shared this obligation, but now all their resources must be concentrated on building their own security.

“Today’s Middle East crisis proves that the only dependable ally for a free nation is another free nation.” Mr. Javits declared. “We are realizing with increasing clarity, as a result of the events of the last few weeks, that we have such a potential ally in Israel. Since its creation, Israel has maintained its devotion to the free institutions of democracy. We can be completely confident that the help we give the people of Israel will serve only one cause–the cause of freedom and human dignity.”