J.D.B. News Letter

(By Our Philadelphia Correspondent)

Let united Philadelphia answer the United Palestine Appeal!.

Behind this slogan, inscribed in large red and blue letters emanating from an open book, the size of a store-window on South Broad street–Philadelphia’s leading thoroughfare–is a challenge to the Jewish community of this city. The identity of the author of this slogan has not been divulged. It is said to have been written by an outstanding personality, one who is persona grata in every camp in the local community, and is anxious to bring home an important message to the entire community.

The significance of this slogan was enhanced when Rabbi Max D. Klein of congregation Adath Jeshurun consented to act as general chairman of the campaign. The same underlying motive governed both the choice of the chairmanship and the slogan. The moment the two were agreed upon–the chairman and the slogan–it became evident the campaign this year will differ in many respects from its six predecessors.

The campaign will open on May 6. Two new features characterize this year’s campaign.

In the first place the appeal will be made not only on behalf of Palestine but also on behalf of a united local community. To the oustider this may mean little. To the Jewish community of Philadelphia, this is not only of the deepest significance, but is fraught with a certain element of uncertainty, not to say danger.

Unity and communal solidarity have been a strong selling point in this community. For a number of years this word unity was used as a sort of Tetragrammaton. It was because the leaders appealed for a united community that the Federation–the second or the third largest of its kind in the country–was enabled to spend more than two million dollars a year in main## and new buildings. To the credit of Mr. Jacob Billkopf. executive director of the Federation. it should be said. he was the first to sound this new keynore when he came to this city more than seven years ago. It was the same keynote sounded two and one half years ago by the late Jules E. Masthaum that brought four millions of dollars in pledges for an elabcrabe building program for the same Federation. It was responsible for the expansion of the Y. M. and Y. W. H. A. from a small comparatively insignificant building on one of the side streets, to an imposing edifice–one of the largest and finest of its kind in the country–on the corner of Broad and Pine streets, in the very center of the city.

It is an open secret that in the past this spirit of unity was invoked in every city-wide endeavor except in the interest of Palestine. As in any other community. there are those who are not interested in the Zionist movement or in Palestine. But then these people are not vitally interested in each and every one of the other agencies for which they are constantly asked to contribute and to which they give considerable sums of money. These contributions they make quite frankly on the basis of unity and community solidarity. Why should Palestine be the exception? In Zionist circles this question is being repeated quite frequently. If a response to the Palestine Appeal is not essential to the unity and the solidarity of the community, then the Palestine groups may be found similarly indifferent when the next community appeal is made.

This is not a new feeling. It has been cumulating over a period of eight years and the slogan this year is not only an indication of this feeling but to some extent also in the nature of a challenge.

The choice of Rabbi Klein for the chairmanship is in keeping with this feeling. Spiritual leader of a congregation–Adath Jeshurun one of the oldest in the city–that is not particularly Zionistict a director of the Federation of Jewish Charities; next to Albert H. Lieberman chairman of the United Jewish Campaign for Eastern Pennsylvania, one of the most devoted workers in the Foreign Relief Campaign; held in the highest esteem in every element in the community. Rabbi Klein was agreed upon as the one who could appeal to the entire community.

The quota set for the current year is three hundred thousand dollars, which is considerably less than last year. The reason for the reduction is this:–Rabbi Klein made it clear under no condition would he permit any inflation of returns–a weakness from which most campaign suffer. The Jewish community, Rabbi Klein declared at one of the very first public meetings, shall know the whole truth whether it be to its shame or to its glory. The camapign is about to be launched. What are the chances? May 16–the date set for the closing of the campaign–will furnigh the answer.