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Parley of Fraternal Societies Maps Drive for United Jewish Appeal

March 27, 1939
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Delegates of approximately 5,000 fraternal orders and mutual benefit societies with an estimated combined membership of more than a million, at a conference today at Temple Emanu-El, set April as the month for an intensive campaign for the United Jewish Appeal and called on American Jews to pool their “strength and resources” in behalf of the drive.

James G. MacDonald, chairman of the President’s Advisory Committee on Refugees, termed the situation of the Jews “the greatest tragedy not merely of the twentieth century but of modern times” and lauded the United Jewish Appeal as “rooted in our finest American traditions.” Other speakers were Dr. Jonah B. Wise, a national chairman of the appeal; Dr. Israel Goldstein, a co-chairman; Sholem Asch, the author, and David L. Podell, who presided.

Governor Herbert H. Lehman said in a message that “there was unanimous decision in adopting this program, as I trust there will be unanimous action in implementing it.” Senator Robert F. Wagner wrote expressing confidence that “your appeal will meet with overwhelming response on the part of citizens of every creed who cherish the universal principles of human brotherhood.”

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