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Einstein Appeals to American Jewry Not to Abandon Relief Work for European Immigrants

September 22, 1930
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An appeal to the Jews of America not to abandon in the future the help they have been giving to their fellow Jews of Europe to emigrate was issued today by Professor Albert Einstein. The Jewish leaders of Europe are alarmed at the report that the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society of New York was about to give up its activities in Europe on behalf of Jewish emigrants because of lack of funds.

Dr. Einstein said, “The situation of East-European Jewry, especially of the immigrant, is in the highest degree critical, and the abandonment of assistance by American Jews would be catastrophic. In the name of social justice for Jews everywhere I join in the call for the continuance of the brotherly help”.

A call to American Jews not to let the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society give up its work on behalf of the emigrants has also been issued jointly by Rabbi Leo Baeck, president of the German B’nai B’rith and Rabbis Ezra Munk and Meyer Hildesheimer, three of the leading rabbis of Germany. The appeal reads:

“We are deeply grieved over the report that the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), the old emigrant relief organization, is contemplating the abandonment of its great work in Europe. Support for our oppressed co-religionists of Eastern Europe is vital. In the name of human justice and Jewish ‘rachmones’ (pity) we ask that the relief work on behalf of Jewish emigrants be not abandoned. It is one of the greatest ‘mitzvoth’ (good deeds) possible. Particularly before Rosh Hashanah we appeal to you American Jews to strain all your efforts to help your brethren”.

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