Jewish Volunteer Activities in American Red Cross Lauded; Data Given

Jewish participation in the American Red Cross is lauded in a statement issued here today by Norman H. Davis, chairman of the organization, in connection with voluntary Red Cross activities.

“Reports from Red Cross chapters reveal that groups of members of Jewish organizations as well as individuals the country over have taken active part in Red Cross volunteer activities,” the statement says. “And while the nature of this work is generally of greater interest to women, many men have found a spot in the Red Cross where their training and experience is proving of great value and service.

“Not only in the field of production such as surgical dressings are these groups at work, but they take an active interest in serving as nurse’s aides and Gray Ladies, in the Red Cross Motor Corps and in performing essential clerical work as Red Cross staff assistants,” the statement points out.

“Reports from Mrs. L. Perlman, national director of the Woman’s Supreme Council of B’nai B’rith, show some 6,500 members of that organization actively at work in these and other branches of Red Cross volunteer services,” the statement discloses. “Similar reports from the National Women’s League of the United Synagogue show upward of 6,000 members participating in these activities, while an additional 15,000 have completed Red Cross first aid and nutrition courses. Three hundred members of the League are also serving the Red Cross as instructors in various branches.

“From the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods come reports that approximately 54,000 members have been enrolled in Red Cross work,” the statement continues. “This figure not only includes, in addition to production, canteen and other volunteer services, the members taking first aid, nutrition and home nursing courses. The National Council of Jewish Juniors reports that in most of its sections war activities, including Red Cross work, have superseded the more normal projects. Similar reports of cooperation with the Red Cross have come from others.

“Insofar as men are concerned, many of them are at present active in helping to raise the 1944 War Fund of $200,000,000, the minimum needed to carry on Red Cross work during the year. Many are also serving as instructors in first aid and other subjects, they are active on standing committees of the chapters, such as disaster relief, and in some instances they have helped in production of surgical dressings and other supplies,” the statement concludes.