“moral Sanctions” Planned Against Argentine Jews Who Do Not Contribute to U.J.A.

Jewish leaders here believe that at least 80 percent of the Argentine United Jewish Appeal campaign for 50,000,000 pesos ($12,500,000) will be achieved before the drive ends this month, it was learned today. Extraordinary measures are being instituted to guarantee the success of this first united campaign for overseas relief and Israeli needs.

The leaders of the campaign have just announced that special tribunals will be established to apply moral sanctions against Jews who do not contribute to the appeal. Persons who do not contribute will not receive a special card without which they may not attend any social or cultural activity of the Jewish community. The Chavra Kadisha, largest and most powerful Jewish fraternal and burial society in Argentina, has threatened that Jews who do not aid the DP’s and Israel will not be buried in Jewish cemeteries.

Contributions are fixed by local committees at two percent of the assets of businessmen and industrialists and half-a-month’s salary for workers. All Jews who have associated themselves with any Jewish organization in the past receive a note from the committees to visit their headquarters and pay their quota. During the period of the drive no other campaigns may be held by any Jewish organization.

For the first time in the history of Argentine Jewish relief campaigns non-Jews are also participating in the drive. Included in the United Jewish Appeal are the Ayuda, Central overseas relief group; the Jewish National Fund; the Palestine Foundation Fund; and an organization active in behalf of the Haganah.