Conference of New England Communities Contributes $1,150,000 Advance Gifts to U.J.A.

More than $1,150,000 was contributed today in advance gifts to the United Jewish Appeal at a “freedom assembly” here opening the Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire phase of the 1951 nationwide United Jewish Appeal campaign. The funds, made on account of community 1951 U.J.A. campaigns, were presented by more than 500 leaders representing 32 New England communities.

Pointing out that millions of dollars are needed immediately to transport to Israel and erect temporary housing there for 100,000 homeless Jews in Iraq and other Moslem and European countries, Rep. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr. told the conference that “unless the United Jewish Appeal is immediately provided with these funds, a human tragedy almost without equal in the history of mankind may take place.”

Declaring that the peoples of the United States and Israel have a common stake in freedom, Hen. Roosevelt hailed the approaching third anniversary on May 11th of the establishment of the state of Israel. “The existence of Israel,” Mr. Roosevelt told the assembly, “is a stimulant to other peoples of the world in their fight for independence. Its existence is like a torch of freedom to people all over the world who seek freedom. “Israel,” he continued, is an island of progress in a desperate sea of backward feudalism.”