Maximum and to the United Jewish Appeal was pledged here today by 600 delegates from 30 communities at the closing session of the two-day Mid-Western Conference of the Labor Council of the UJA, representing the Labor Zionist Organization of America, the Farband and the Pioneer Women. principal speakers at the conference were Zalman Shazar and Eliahu Dobkin, Israeli members of the Jewish Agency executive.
Mr. Shazar, a former Minister of Education in Israel, told the delegates that “there are still hungry immigrants in Israel” because not enough funds are available to carry out urgently needed programs of immigrant rehabilitation settlement and integration. “Although Israel is making steady progress in its effort to achieve economic stability and independence,” he said, “there are still more than 85, 000 men, women and children who are living under primitive conditions because every available dollar has been going for increases in the means of production.
“The increase in productivity,” he continued, “has been made at the expense of social services. Lack of funds has prevented us from caring in the proper way for the unemployed and their children and for many social cases who have found shelter in Israel during recent years.”
475,000 PERSONS DEPEND ON U.J.A. AID, DOBKIN REPORTS
Mr. Dobkin urged the assembled leaders to expend every effort to make 1954a year of strengthening for the people of Israel and for distressed Jews throughout the free world. “More than 475,000 men, women and children throughout the free world are depending upon the UJA for life-saving aid in the coming year. I am sure you will carry forth the sense of great urgency and stir American Jewry to provide the funds to aid the people of Israel,” he stated.
Louis Segal, American member of the Executive of the Jewish Agency, told the conference that Israel’s drive toward economic stability has brought “positive and encouraging results.” “These gains,” he declared, “provide us with the hope that we are on the right path in our campaign to achieve full economic independence.”
Simcha Pratt, Israel consul in Chicago, said that increased aid and tighter security methods must be put into effect immediately if the State of Israel is to successfully complete her valiant struggle toward her goal of economic freedom and independence. “At this critical moment when the people of Israel desperately need our help for their survival, it is the duty of each and every one of us to join forces in a supreme effort and assure them that we do not intend to let them stand alone in their struggle,” he said.
Other speakers at the conference included Dr. James G. Heller, chairman of the Labor Council, Dr. Sara Feder, president of the Pioneer Women, and Samuel Goldsmith, executive director of the Combined Jewish Appeal of Chicago, who welcomed the delegates to the city.
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