Samuel Rubin, Philanthropist, Donates $250,000 to U. J. A. Special Fund

The gift of $250,000 to the newly launched United Jewish Appeal special fund by Samuel Rubin, prominent American business figure and philanthropist, was announced today by Joseph Mazer, fund chairman.

Set up ten days ago by 370 American Jewish community leaders meeting in New York, the fund is an emergency effort to secure $25,000,000 “over and above” the amount UJA must collect in its regular 1956 nationwide campaign. Sums raised in the special fund will go to assure the ability of the people of Israel to receive and absorb 45,000 Jews from tension-ridden North Africa by next September.

Announcement of Mr. Rubin’s gift was made at a noontime meeting of the board of directors of the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York at the Sheraton-Astor Hotel. Mr. Rubin was recently elected chairman of the executive committee of the American Fund for Israel Institutions.

Explaining the reason for his contribution to the UJA special fund at this time, Mr. Rubin declared that “If we can successfully and quickly resolve the compound problems confronting Israel today, I am convinced we will be making a powerful contribution to the stabilization of the peace of the world.” Mr. Rubin’s $250,000 gift to the UJA special fund followed by only several weeks, his establishment on November 8 of a scholarship fund to enable talented students from all countries of the Middle East to study in Israel.

In announcing Mr. Rubin’s gift, Mr. Mazer declared that “Samuel Rubin has set a wonderful example for this special effort, showing himself to be a man of humanitarian understanding and vision.” The meeting of 120 members of the New York UJA board was addressed by Israel’s Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett. Edward M.M. Warburg, president of the national UJA, was chairman of the meeting.