More than 50,000 Jewish servicemen on duty in the United States armed forces in various parts of the world will participate in the observance of Passover which begins at sundown tomorrow. Jewish chaplains will officiate at Seders arranged for Jews in the Army, Navy and Air Force in such far off places as Korea, Japan, Alaska, Guam and the Philippines.
The National Jewish Welfare Board said today that Passover food and supplies have been provided for all Jews in the armed forces and in veteran hospitals. Shipment of Passover supplies by the J.W.B. began last December while the last 1,000 Passover food-boxes were placed aboard ship with two infantry divisions which left for Japan shortly before the holiday.
The Joint Distribution Committee announced that it had shipped more than 700,000 pounds of matzoth and other Passover supplies to needy Jewish survivors in eleven European countries. The announcement was made by Moses A. Leavitt, J.D.C. executive vice-chairman, who indicated that the bulk of the supplies were purchased overseas, chiefly in Holland. Almost half of the supplies have been sent to the 45,000 Jews of Hungary who are still receiving J.D.C. aid. Many of this group, Leavitt indicated, are aged and ill, and unable to provide for their own needs.
A Passover appeal to the Jews in the United States to mark the holiday with redoubled efforts in behalf of the United Jewish Appeal was issued today by Edward M.M. Warburg, General Chairman of the U.J.A. Mr. Warburg said that the holiday season would signal the opening of 600 additional local drives, bringing to 1,100 the number of communities taking part in the U.J.A. nation-wide campaign.
The Union of Orthodox Rabbis and other rabbinical groups in the United States have proclaimed the Passover week as a season of special dedication to the 1951 campaign of the United Jewish Appeal, it was announced today by Monroe Goldwater, president of the U.J.A. of Greater New York. The proclamations issued by the rabbinical organizations laid great stress on the necessity of giving cash to the U.J.A. immediately.
JEWISH AGENCY EXTENDS PASSOVER GREETINGS TO AMERICAN JEWRY
Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the American Section of the Jewish Agency, issued a Passover message to the Jews in the United States in behalf of the Agency. The message emphasized that “The Jews of America, generously giving their wealth and resources, have assumed the role of a modern Moses in helping to lead their brethren from the bondage of poverty and oppression to a life of freedom and opportunity in the new-born nation of Israel.”
Jacob Blaustein, president of the American Jewish Committee, said in his Passover message that his organization is “intensely solicitious and hopeful for the young state of Israel” and “grieves at the lot of the Jews under the iron heel of dictator ship.” Mr. Blaustein emphasized that the American Jewish Committee will continue to aid Israel in its efforts to become a viable, self-supporting state. “We are gratified at the clarification achieved with respect to the relationship of the state of Israel to the Jews in America,” the message stated.
Rabbi Irving Miller, president of the American Jewish Congress, said that Jews in the United States can greet this Passover with the firm knowledge that, despite the shadows which events continue to cast upon mankind, the instruments for the achievement of human freedom are being constantly strengthened and improved. He also declared that it is gratifying to note that not only Jews but Americans of all faiths have become fully and sympathetically aware of the need for maximum support for Israel.
Julian Freeman, president of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, pointed out in his message that Passover this year comes “in the midst of our great mobilization of all forces in our communities” in behalf of Jewish needs everywhere. “It is a mobilization of enrich our cultural and educational life, to strengthen democratic forces here and everywhere,” he said. “It comes in the midst of a new chapter of the continuing modern Exodus. This time it is not across the Sinai Desert, but in an airlift from Baghdad to Lydda.”
Passover messages were also issued by Rudolf Sonneborn, national chairman of the United Palestine Appeal; Benjamin Browdy, president of the Zionist Organization of America; Louis Lipsky, chairman of the American Zionist Council; Harris J. Levine, president of the Jewish National Fund, and Rabbi Bernard J. Bamberger, president of the Synagogue Council of America which represents the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jewish religious bodies in this country.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
