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American Council for Judaism to Start a “philanthropic Fund”

March 18, 1955
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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The American Council for Judaism, at its national conference here today, announced that preparations for the launching of a philanthropic fund “aimed at providing American Jews with a philanthropic institution operated on ACJ principles” are now being completed. Approval of the fund’s charter is expected around May 1, the conference was told.

It was revealed at the session that a special committee has been working for nearly a year in preparing the fund’s administrative structure. The charter bears the names of 87 incorporators from more than 40 cities. Twenty-six of the incorporators are also directors of the fund.

“The object of the fund is to alleviate poverty and distress in any part of the world, including Israel,” it was announced at the conference.” The Fund will, however, scrupulously avoid use of the monies it receives for propaganda purposes. It will avoid involvement in the political or national problems of any foreign state,” the delegates were told.

“The fund is not to be engaged in high-pressure campaigning,” the delegates were told. “Efforts will be made to win support on the basis of charity in the tradition of Judaism–voluntary, free-will offerings reflecting the conscience and the personal freedom of contributors.”

Monies received for the new fund will be used both overseas and in the United States. Donors may specify how they wish their gifts allocated–and to which beneficiary–provided that such beneficiary conforms to United States tax-exemption requirements and does not engage in activities contrary to the principles of the American Council for Judaism.

Grants to religious, scientific or literary institutions may be specified by contributors with the same provision regarding tax-exemption. A provision of the charter calls for approval by the executive committee of the American Council for Judaism of all organizations and agencies applying for eligibility as beneficiaries of the Fund. However, it is specified that in no event is the American Council for Judaism to be a beneficiary

CRITICIZES UNITED JEWISH APPEAL; PURPOSE OF FUND EXPLAINED

Addressing the opening session, Jerome K. Crossman, general chairman of the ACJ conference, referring to the Council’s establishment of a separate philanthropic fund, said:

“Year after year we have carefully probed this possibility, but have heretofore been deterred from taking definitive action with the hope that there would be a separation in the United Jewish Appeal of politics and relief. These hopes proved to be abortive, so we have regretfully accepted the situation and will now prosecute the only alternative. It will be made abundantly clear that Jews in the future will be in a position to contribute for relief and rehabilitation without giving substance and subsidies to a foreign state.”

Mr. Crossman referred to the charge, frequently raised against the Council, that it had raised the issue of “dual loyalty.” “This,” he said, “is fantastic. We have insisted that the vast majority of American Jews are in essence steeped in our formal philosophy but that they have been unwittingly compromising the integrity of their national status, as ‘Jewish’ nationalists exploited their religious and philanthropic impulses for ‘Jewish’ nationalist purposes.”

Charging Zionists with efforts “to exercise pressure upon candidates for Congressional office in the 1954 elections in favor of Israel, ” Mr. Crossman defended the “unquestioned right” of American citizens to try to influence U. S. Government policy. “This inherent right, however, is subject to one qualification,” he warned. “The motivation calling forth such attempt to influence must be predicated upon the tenet ‘What is good for America#'”

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