U.S. Jewry Asked to Help Israel and Needy Jews During New Year

Jews throughout the United States were asked to rededicate themselves during the High Holy Days to the task of helping the development of Israel and the rebuilding of the economic, religious and cultural life of Jews in other countries, in Rosh Hashanah messages issued today by leaders of the major American Jewish organizations.

Morris W. Berinstein, general chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, made public a Rosh Hashanah message by Israel’s premier David Ben-Gurion to American Jews stating that the support they have given Israel’s newcomers “has contributed greatly to the continuing and heartening progress Israel’s made in the Jewish year of 5719.” The Premier expressed confidence that American Jewry “will continue to do the utmost in the year 5720 with that same spirit of devotion that has been the mark of your deeds and actions for many years.”

Edward M. M. Warburg, chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, called upon American Jewry to remember during the High Holy Days celebration also those thousands of Jews “who do not celebrate, but can only pray,” He emphasized that while many of the harassed Jews have achieved independence and dignity in Israel, in the United States and elsewhere, there still remained those “who are helpless and afraid. Let our help reach out to them, so that next year they too may have cause to rejoice,” he appealed.

Abraham Feinberg, president of the Israel Bond Organization, pointed out in his message that American Jewry has greatly helped the development of Israel during the year past, through the acquisition of Israel bonds, and said: “As Americans and as Jews, we seek to reaffirm and demonstrate our faith in the survival of freedom, the dignity of the human being and the truths of our moral teachings. In our concern for the uninterrupted up building of Israel and the welfare of its many thousands of immigrants, the year ahead offers opportunities for renewed endeavor in support of the Israel bond drive.”

Dr. Dewey D, Stone, national chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, stressed in his message that there are today more than 400,000 men, women and children in Israel when look to American Jewry for the means to complete their rehabilitation and resettlement. “We cannot, we dare not disappoint their hopes or be found lagging in our efforts to complete the sacred task of rescue which history has placed upon us.” he said.

LEADERS OF JEWISH CIVIC GROUPS GREET U.S. JEWS ON NEW YEAR

Leaders of Jewish organizations engaged in fighting for human rights emphasized in their Rosh Hashanah messages that the new Jewish year arrives at a time when men of good will everywhere pray for a major breakthrough in the cold war. This was especially emphasized by Herbert B, Ehrmann, president of the American Jewish Committee; Dr. Joachim Prinz, president of the American Jewish Congress; and Label A. Katz, president of B’nai B’rith.

Mr. Ehrmann called upon American Jewry to “once again explore their spiritual heritage and their personal commitment to its fulfillment.” Dr. Prinz expressed hope that Soviet Russia will, during the new year, cease its “harsh and unyielding policy of suppressing Jewish religions and cultural life in the USSR and permit the Soviet Jews to resume contacts with Jews in other lands.” Mr. Katz urged the Jews of the United States to reaffirm for themselves “the externalities of Judaism” during the High Holy Days.

Rosh Hashanah messages were also issued by Philip M. Klutznick, president of the American Friends of Hebrew University; Dr. William Haber, president of the American ORT Federation; Rabbi Max Davidson, president of the Synagogue Council of America; Dr. Lewis Webster Jones, president of the National Conference of Christians and Jews; and by the presidents of the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox rabbinical groups in this country.