Four thousand women from New York’s five boroughs and Westchester and Long Island suburbs rallied in the New York Hilton to launch the 1972 campaign of the Women’s Division of the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York. They started the 35th annual independent women’s drive for the contributions of women in support of the humanitarian aid programs which UJA finances for immigrants to Israel and Jews in areas of distress and danger all over the world.
New York City Commissioner of Consumer Affairs Bess Myerson delivered the principal address. Asserting that “no pious statement ever eased persecution,” she assailed the “head tax” imposed on emigrating Soviet Jews and called upon UJA volunteers for a maximum effort to raise funds required to assure their successful resettlement in Israel. The first woman rabbi in New York, Rabbi Sally J. Preisand of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, presided over an opening candle-lighting ceremony dedicated to the forthcoming 25th anniversary of the independence of the people of Israel.
Presiding over the rally were the 1973 chairmen of the New York UJA’s Women’s Division, Mrs. Herbert J. Dreifuss and Mrs. Ben.S. Marcus. The only portion of the program reserved for men was a presentation of the UJA Women’s Division’s Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial Award to philanthropist William Rosenwald, a top leader of UJA from its inception is 1939. Ambassador Yosef Tekoah made the presentation. Premier Golda Meir sent an especially taped message of greeting to Rosenwald.
The rally last week marked the beginning of an effort by women volunteers to secure for the UJA the 1973 contributions of women residents of the eight counties covered by New York UJA’s drive. The giving of women is entirely separate from any sums the men in their families may be contributing to UJA. In the months ahead, as part of a New York UJA drive for $150 million this year, the Women’s Division aims to better substantially the $8.5 million raised in 1972. The funds now Bought will help transport and resettle 70,000 immigrants expected in Israel during 1973, tens of thousands of them from the Soviet Union.
Foreign Minister Christer Vikmann of Sweden announced today that his government has instructed Swedish diplomats in Syria and Iraq to report all instances of discrimination and persecution of Jews in those countries.
An El Al stewardess who was severely injured in the Lod Airport massacre last May 30, became a bride Sunday night. Antonia Akaria, who at one time faced the loss of a leg, was married to Stefan Deutch, a naval officer. The ceremony was performed by Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren. Miss Akaria spent months in a hospital undergoing treatment for her injuries. Doctors had almost decided on several occasions to amputate Miss Akaria’s leg but changed their minds. She proved how right their decision was when she danced with her husband.
The Polish Embassy in The Hague said it would “consider” transmitting to Warsaw a petition signed by 115 Dutch parliamentarians on behalf of former master spy Leopold Trepper.
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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.
