“Tens of thousands of Jews, the ‘now or never’ emigrants of 1950, may soon be trapped forever in Eastern Europe and the Near East unless the American Jewish community provides immediate help to move them to Israel, “Dr. Joseph J. Schwartz, European director of the Joint Distribution Committee, yesterday warned 300 delegates and guests attending the combined South East Regional Conference sponsored by the J.D.C. and the United Service for New Americans.
The Jewish leaders from nine states–Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky and Louisiana–within the region also heard Arthur Greenleigh, executive director of the U.S.N.A., describe the responsibility of Jewish communities in connection with increased immigration to the United States. The U.S.N.A. official said “the American Jewish community has the responsibility to stand squarely behind the Jewish newcomers during the five-year period until they become American citizens.”
The delegates adopted a resolution pledging increased support of the United Jewish Appeal, and–in line with decisions reached at the National Planning Conference held in Washington last week-end–to use their best efforts within their home communities to make available to the U.J.A. a minimum of $50,000,000 before the year’s end. They also “fully and wholeheartedly” endored the decision of the National Planning Conference to launch 1951 U.J.A. campaigns at the earliest possible date.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.