The Federation of Jewish Philanthropies and the United Jewish Appeal were among nine Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and non-sectarian organizations which yesterday received a total of $764,231.58 as racing’s contribution to charities. The funds were raised at a nine-day Victory meeting held last month at Belmont Park under the auspices of the Turf Committee of America, which is headed by Herbert Bayard Swope.
The checks were presented by Mr. Swope to George Z. Medalie, Joseph M. Proskauer and Joseph Willen, representing the Federation; and to Rabbi Jonah B. Wise and Attorney General Nathaniel L. Goldstein, representing the UJA.
During the presentations Mr. Swope said that racing was performing a legitimate service and pointed out that New York tracks had, in all, given the profits of 19 days to charity. Yesterday’s gifts raised New York racing’s total contribution for the season to $1,892,670.59, since all five New York racetracks set aside two days during the regular racing season during which all profits were turned over to charity. New York racing’s donation for the three war years has totaled $3,961,518. Since 1942 racing’s national contribution will be nearly $16,000,000 – the largest of any single sport.
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.
