Warburg Appeals for Aid to Jewish Federation in Present Emergency Situation

Facing the most critical relief emergency in the history of organized philanthropy, the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies has drafted a group of outstanding leaders of former years to direct its 1932 appeal to complete a budget of $3,923,000 for the support of ninety-one affiliated philanthropies, it was announced yesterday by former Supreme Court Justice Joseph M. Proskauer, president of Federation.

The group will be in effect a steering committee and will include Felix M. Warburg, one of the founders of Federation and its first president; Percy S. Straus, who was first chairman of the Business Men’s Council, the fundraising division of Federation; Arthur Lehman and Sol M. Stroock, former presidents; and George Blumenthal, head of Mount Sinai Hospital, the largest of the affiliated institutions.

The campaign, which will open on October 16, will be under the supervision of this group of what might be termed the elder statesmen of Federation, which is now the largest Jewish organization of its kind in the world.

Speaking for the committee, Mr. Warburg said, “Everyone is well aware of the conditions which men and women will have to face this year. Those institutions which will continue to serve the needy are being forced to make more of an effort than ever before to enlist the aid of the public. In the ninety-one institutions affiliated with Federation are not only men, women and children who have been dependent upon them for help for some years, but also many newly destitute; many who for the first time are not able to care for themselves. There was a time when we could give and be satisfied that the need had been met. Now we must seek out thousands of others that they may also give, for without help it will be impossible to aid the vastly increased numbers who are in need.”