New Jersey State Conference Accepts $750,000 Quota of United Jewish Campaign

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

The $750,000 quota for the state of New Jersey in the $15,000,000 United Jewish Campaign was accepted at a state conference held here yesterday under the chairmanship of Felix Fuld. Over one hundred leading Jewish citizens of the state were present.

David A. Brown, national chairman of the United Jewish Campaign, delivered a spirited address in which he pleaded for an understanding on the part of American Jews of the tragic situation now confronting the Jews in Eastern Europe. He drew a picture of the “roads of life.” One road, he said, was a rocky one, on which men have as their purpose “get to the top,” promising themselves that once they achieve their pinnacle they will help others less fortunate. The other road, he declared, was less rocky and more beautiful, as it led the way to greater achievement by helping others as we go along.

A resolution adopted unanimously by the conference read:

“Whereas, the United Jewish Campaign was launched at the Philadelphia Conference held on December 12 and 13, for the purpose of raising over $15,000,000 for reconstruction, medical, cultural, child care, agricultural settlement, refugee and relief work in foreign lands, under the auspices of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the American Jewish Relief Committee, and the People’s Relief Committee; and

“Whereas, the responsibility and duty of carrying on the splendid humanitarian work inaugurated at the beginning of the world’s great war, to relieve the suffering of our people in all parts of the world, until such time as they will have become self-sustained and self-respecting, is imperative:

“Now therefore, be it resolved, that the delegates and representatives of the Jewry of the State of New Jersey here assembled, ratify and endorse the campaign inaugurated at the Philadelphia conference and pledge their cooperation and assistance toward making the campaign the success it merits; and

“Be it further resolved, that the sum of $750,000, the quota allotted to be raised in the State of New Jersey, as its share toward the national fund of $15,000,000, be and the same hereby is accepted; and that the Executive Committee be authorized to apportion this sum amongst the various Jewish communities in the state in accordance with their population and financial ability.”

The possibilities of joint drives in the interests of both the United Jewish Campaign and the United Palestine Appeal, were foreseen when the conference with one dissenting vote adopted the following resolution

“Whereas, the state organization of the Keren Hayesod, at its conference held on January 3, formulated plans for inaugurating its campaign in the State of New Jersey, to raise its quota for Palestinian work; and

“Whereas, the conducting of separate campaigns in a single community might operate to the disadvantage of one or the other

“Now, therefore, be it resolved, that this conference recommend that in such cities where it is practical and feasible, the representatives of this organization cooperate with the representatives of the United Palestinian and other local needs, in conducting a single drive to raise the funds required by such cities and all of such purposes.”

Final action on the recommendation incorporated in the resolution was left in the hands of a state executive committee which the representatives at yesterday’s conference elected.

Mention of the Keren Hayesod in the foregoing resolution refers to the annual conference of the North Jersey Region of the Keren Hayesod held in Newark last Sunday. In a resolution adopted by the representatives at that conference, it was stated that: “The Executive Committee for New Jersey is authorized to entertain any proposal that may be submitted to it or to inaugurate any proposal it may see fit with respect to the conduct of this drive, on the distinct understanding, however, that any arrangements to be made are to be subject to the approval and consent of the National Executive Committee of the United Palestine Appeal.”

The quota for the Palestine Appeal in New Jersey for this year has been announced as $300,000.

The dissenting vote on the resolution adopted at the conference was cast by Rabbi Solomon Foster of this city. The resolution brought about a discussion, Rabbi Foster moving that it be referred to the state executive committee for its consideration with power to act, and David A. Brown. Michael Hollander and several others arguing for its adoption.

Mr. Brown was asked by the Conference for his opinion when the resolution came up for consideration.

“My suggestion is that you pass the resolution and leave the entire matter in the hands of the already elected officers,” declared Mr. Brown.

Mr. Brown and Mr. Hollander pleaded for harmonious action by the representatives at the conference. Mr. Brown declared that although he was not a Zionist, he was a “real, true lover of Palestine. A real true lover is not a man who makes a lot of noise,” he said. He recalled to his hearers that in 1923 he managed the Zionist campaign in New York. “No one will ever get me to say an unkind word about Palestine,” he added.

An enthusiastic climax was reached just before the passage of the resolution when Mr. Hollander turned to Mr. Brown and exclaimed: “Fifteen million dollars is a mighty small sum for the work of aid we must do in Europe–fifty million would be nearer right. So far as Newark is concerned you can write my check, Dave, and put me down for any amount you want from me.” Sentiment developed at the meeting for Mr. Hollander to head the Newark campaign.

Other resolutions adopted thanked the convening committee of the conference, Mr. Brown, the Newark Y. M. Y. W. H. A.’s and the rabbis who attended the conference and pledged the loyal support of the organization to Mr. Fuld.

Others who addressed the conference were Mr. Goldowsky, chairman of the North Jersey Region of the Keren Hayesod; Nathan Kussy, and Dr. Pollak.

A campaign for $50,000 to enlarge the facilities of the Beth David Hospital, at Lexington Avenue and 113th Street, New York City, was started Sunday night at the Hotel Astor with prominent officials of the City and County in attendance. More than $30,000 in pledges was received.

Among those at the speaker’s table were Justice Louis D. Gibbs, County Clerk William T. Collins, Health Commissioner Louis I. Harris, Welfare Commissioner Bird S. Coler. Judge Francis Mancuso, ex-Congressman Isaac Siegel and Judge Albert Cohn.