United Jewish Appeal Decides to Raise $32,000,000 in 1944; Largest Drive in History

A nation-wide campaign to raise $32,000,000 among Jews in America in 1944 for rescue and reconstruction activities was proclaimed by the executive committee of the United Jewish Appeal at a special session at the Biltmore Hotel. Dr. James G. Heller, national chairman of the United Palestine Appeal. William Rosenwald, honorary president of the National Refugee service and Dr. Jonah B. Wise, vice chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, were elected to serve as national chairmen of the 1944 campaign of the U.P.A.

The quota of $32,000,000, the highest figure ever sought in any drive carried on by American Jews, was adopted on the basis of the enlarged needs of the agencies constituting the United Jewish Appeal. It was pointed out that while carrying on their wartime aid program, the Joint Distribution Committee, United Palestine Appeal and National Refugee Service, have been required to take on new responsibilities directly linked to the liberation of large numbers of Jews by Allied victories and the need for a greater volume of assistance to restore Jewish communities freed from Axis oppression.

A statement issued by the executive committee of the U.J.A. said: “In 1944, the Jews in the United States will be confronted with a dual challenge – that of saving from destruction large numbers of victims still in the grip of oppression and enlarging the tasks of reconstruction for those who have already been liberated by the Allied armies. In helping assure the survival and restoration of the Jews in European lands, in furthering the war effort and reconstruction program of the Jewish homeland in Palestine, and in integrating refugees who have found a haven in the United States, American Jews are not only rendering a historic service to their people, but are making a valuable contribution to the revival of human freedom and the winning of the peace. Those whom we help today will help rebuild a better world tomorrow.”