Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of Israel, told 2,000 Jewish leaders at a Waldorf -Astoria dinner celebration of the first anniversary of the Jewish state that American Jews hold the key to Israel’s” future, as checks totaling $15,451,920 were presented to him tonight for the United Jewish Appeal’s program of aid to immigrants reaching Israel.
Asserting that the Influx of large numbers of refugees without adequate means for absorption has created a grave situation for the people of Israel, Dr. Weizmann declared that he postponed his return home in order to impress American Jews with the urgent need for large-scale resources through the U.J.A. Originally scheduled to leave in time to observe the anniversary in Israel, President Weizmann delayed his departure until tomorrow in order to attend tonight’s U.J.A.-sponsored celebration.
“The people and government of Israel have embarked on a rigid austerity program receive the great waves of immigration,” the President said. “We are going to do without–without many things which some of you may consider absolutely essential to life–without luxuries and without many minimum comforts to welcome those who look toward our land with such faith in their eyes.By taxing ourselves to the limit, we can maintain our defense. By rigid controls and self-denials, we can with certain hardships bring our economy into line.”
Stressing the fast that “nothing will be permitted to jeopardize the record immigration program,” he cautioned against any delay in making available financial assistance to the Israeli agencies responsible for the reception and care of immigrants. “Cash is needed now–at this very hour,” Dr. Weizmann emphasized. “Everything depends on these critical days. With your help, we are going to keep the gates of Israel open. We are going to absorb 250,000 newcomers this year.
MORGENTHAU SAYS OUR GENEROSITY MUST MATCH ISRAEL’S AUSTERITY
Henry Morgenthau, Jr., general chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, told the guests that “if austerity is the badge of the Jews of Israel, then generosity and sacrifice must be ours.” Israel’s first birthday celebration, he said, must be “the beginning of a new and greater effort to see through to realization the dreams that are embodied in Israel.”
Edward M.M. Warburg, chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, disclosed that 24 Jewish displaced persons camps in Europe have been closed during the first year of Israel’s Independence as a result of the Jewish state’s “open door” immigration policy. Among the other speakers were: Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, Mayor William O’Dwyer, Mrs. David M. Levy, honorary chairman of the national Women’s Division of the U.J.A., and Harold J. Goldenberg, chairman of the national U.J.A, Campaign Cabinet.
Mrs. Chaim Weizmann, First Lady or Israel, making her only public address in the United States, today urged all-out support of the U.J.A, by the Jewish women of America. The address was made at a luncheon given in her honor at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, under the auspices of the Women’s Division of the New York U.J.A.
In tribute to Mrs. Weizmann, the more than 250 women community and organizational leaders who attended the luncheon, made special contributions to the U.J.A. Mrs. Felix M. Warburg, who presided, announced that in its first few months of campaign, the Women’s Division has raised more than $2,000,000 in New York and that the campaign will continue actively until the end of June.
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.
