Rabbis Urge Settlement of Conflict Between Chigago Combined Jewish Appeal and U.J.A.

The Chicago Combined Jewish Appeal and the United Jewish Appeal were urged last night “to arrive at a settlement immediately” by the Chicago Rabbinical Association, which reprosents the entire Reform and Consorvative and part of the Orthodox rabbinate of this city.

The appeal was addressed to A.G. Ballenger, president of the Jewish Federation of Chicago; Reuben L. Freeman, chairman of the 1950 Chicago Combined Jewish Appeal; Harris Perlstein, vice-president of the Jewish Welfare Fund of Chicago; Henry Montor, executive director of the national United Jewish Appeal; and Julian B. Venezky, chairman of the U.J.A. National Campaign Cabinet. The appeal reads:

“The Chicago Rabbinical Association, representing the entire Reform and Conservative and part of the Orthodox Rabbinate of this city, meeting in full session on Februrary 8, having heard with the despest disappointment and concern the report of failure on the part of the Chicago Combined Jewish Appeal and the United Jewish Appeal to arrive at a satisfactory understanding re the 1950 campaign, unanimously expresses its complete disapproval of separate campaigns in our community, convinced that both the U.J.A. and local welfare needs will suffer.

“Above all, we feal it our duty to preserve the unity of our Chicago Jewish community. We are firmly convinced that continued delay in arriving at an agreement will irreparably injure all causes concerned. We therefore urge both parties to arrive at a settlement immediately. The Chicago Rabbinical Association stands ready to lend its assistance to effect an understanding.”

(At the national headquarters of the United Jewish Appeal in New York, officials refrained from making any comment on the appeal.)