Stress Supplementary Relief Need in Poland at Federation Convention

The need for a program of relief for Polish Jewry, supplementing the aid extended by the J. D. C. was described at the 21st annual convention of the Federation of Polish Jews of America, and an appeal issued to the landsmanschaften to undertake such work for the respective communities which they represent.

Two hundred delegates representing 86 affiliated organizations attended the sessions which opened Saturday evening at the Yorkville Temple and continued throughout the day Sunday.

The principal addresses of the convention were devoted to a description of the desperate plight of Polish Jewry by Dr. Aaron Singalowsky, of the World Ort Executive, Dr. Joshua Gottlieb, Vice-President of the Warsaw Kehillah and Dr. Max Weinreich of the Jewish Scientific Institute of Vilna.

Greetings were brought to the convention by Bernard Deutsch, President of the American Jewish Congress; Abraham Herman, President of the Hias; Herman Speier, Secretary of the Federation of Roumanian Jews of America; Dr. Henry Hurwitz, President of the Federation of Lithuanian Jews; Jonah J. Goldstein, Vice-President of the Joint Distribution Committee and Leopold Pilichowski. President of the Federation of Polish Jews of Great Britain.

Annual reports were rendered by Benjamin Winter, President and Z. (Continued on Page 4)

Tygel, Executive Director. Mr. Winter and Sol Rosenfeld, Vice-President of the Federation, presided at the sessions. A telegram of greetings was received from Nahum Sokolow, Chairman of the World Zionist Executive.

Criticism was levelled at the Federation by Dr. Singalowsky. Asking what the Federation of Polish Jews of America has done to justify its name, Dr. Singalowsky charged this body has made pledges which it has failed to honor. He urged the Federation to pledge less and do more.

Z. Tygel, answering Dr. Singalowsky, declared the sum of $200,000 has been sent abroad in the past year by 62 Landsmanschaften, for which the Federation claimed credit since these groups were called into being largely through the Federation’s efforts. He agreed, however, with Dr. Singalowsky that there is a lack of understanding of the meaning of constructive relief and that the funds were used for palliative purposes primarily.

In the resolutions adopted the Federation endorsed the work of the Ort as well as the United Palestine Appeal and the Hias. It also authorized an effort to bring about an affiliation with all Galician Societies. Other resolutions adopted asked all Jewish organizations and individuals to support the Haym Salomon Monument and make possible its erection by 1930; expressed its opposition to any calendar change which would alter the fixity of the Sabbath; suggested the formation of a Jewish Court of Arbitration. The President was authorized to appoint a committee to decide whether the “Verband.” monthly publication, is to be cut down.

The following officers were elected: Benjamin Winter. President; Sol J. Rosenfeld. Dr. I. Steinberg, Alfred B. Rosenstein, Harris Koppelman, Julius Stofsky. A. Harris, Vice-Presidents; H. Tuch. H. Goldman. Western Vice-Presidents; Jacob Gladstone. Honorary Vice-President; Herman B. Oberman. Treasurer; Z. Tygel. Executive Director.