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Friday, October 23, 1942

THE JEWISH NEWS

National Leaders Appeal to Jews of
Detroit in ehalf of War Chest Driv

Refugees Look to U. S. for
Rescue Through the J. D.C.

O

NE STRAND OF HOPE to which thousands of
Jews in France are able to cling today. in the
face of mass arrests and deportations of thousands of
men and women to slave labor and the concentration
camps of devastated Eastern Europe is the prospect of
help from America, Dr. Jonah B. Wise, national co-
chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, pointed out
this week in a statement to Detroit Jews calling upon
them for whole-hearted support of the War Chest of
Metropolitan Detroit which includes in its budget,all
the Jewish causes hitherto supported by the Allied
Jewish Campaign.
Dr. Wise's statement is based on information re-
ceived from the United Jewish Appeal for Refugees,
Overseas Needs and • Palestine. Through the Allied
Jewish Campaign, the United Jewish Appeal is in-
cluded in Detroit's all-out War Chest drive for Com-
munity Fluid, USO and war relief overseas.
Tasks of Rescue and Relief
"The roundups of Jews in France, which rival in
horror the savagery of St. Bartholomew's Eve or the
worst excesses of the French Revolution, leave in their
wake urgent and tragic tasks of rescue and relief for
the Joint Distribution Committee," Dr. Wise said in
making public the latest report of the Joint Distribu-
tion Committee. It showed that the Gestapo is sparing
neither the aged nor the sick nor even veterans of the
French Army, many times decorated for valor in de-
fense of France. In some cases parents have simply
been snatched away, leaving children to shift for them-
selves; in others, mothers given the cruel option of
taking their children with them into the living death
of the concentration camps or leaving them, probably
forever, have chosen the separation, hoping that their
young ones might have at least a chance for survival.
The Joint Distribution Committee, the report stated,
has made superhuman efforts to alleviate this mass
human tragedy to the greatest extent. Children have
been taken into Joint Distribution Committee-supported
institutions - in unoccupied France, where they are re-
ceiving the best care that available resources permit.
Now, thanks to the efforts of the Joint Distribution
Committee and other American organizations, and the
sympathetic and active interests of the United States
Government and the other governments of the western
hemisphere, the opportunity has opened up for res-
cuing many thousands of these youngsters and bringing
them to safe havens in the New World, the report said.
For the deportees, themselves, the Join Distribution
Committee was able to do little except provide them
'with warm clothing, food and medicines against the
rigor of the eastern winter.
Non-Jews Are Given Relief
"Huge as is the task in France," Dr. Wose com-
mented, "It represents only a fraction of the rescue and
relief operations by the Joint Distribution' Committee
throughout the world. All this work is financed by the
United Jewish Appeal, which also supports the activi-
ties of the United Palestine Appeal for the strengthening
and defense of the Jewish homeland in Palestine as a
stronghold of democracy in the Middle East, and the
work of the - National Refugee Service in aiding new-
comers to this country to be good Americans and do
their share in our war effort."
A large part of the Joint Distribution Committee's
work is done on a non-sectarian basis, it -was pointed
out in Dr. Wise's report. At no time in its 28 years of
operation in many lands throughout the world, has the
Joint Distribution Committee refused help to a hungry
man, woman or child on the ground of religion, it said.
As a matterof fact, about 7% of its budget through the
years has been devoted specifically to support of -non-
Jewish and • non-sectarian relief efforts, including sub-
sidies for various purposes to such organizations as the
American Relief Administration, the Quakers, the Near
East Foundation, the International Students Service,
etc. Both its officers at home and its representatives
overseas work in close harmony with such organizations
as the Red Cross, Y. M. E. A., Quakers, Unitarians 'and
others to assure, through- their mutual efforts, the
greatest amount of help to the greatest possible number
of suffering people.
Assist Polish Refugees In Russia
One of the major activities of the Joint Distribution
Committee at present, the report went on, is its par-
ticipation in a non-sectarian program for aid to the
2,000,0000 Polish nationals, who are refugees in Russian
territory, most of them scattered in the far reaches of
Siberia. In this work, "the Joint Distribution Committee
in collaborating with the Polish Government-in-Exile
and, as •its specific share of the relief project, it is
shipping large quantities of medical supplies, including
the recent dispatch of complete equipment for six 1007
bed hospitals.
Altogether, the report said, the Joint Distribution
Committee is now operating in more than 30 overseas
countries and, this year, as for several years past, it
will give life-sustaining help to hundreds of thousands
of victims of war and Nazi persecution. Among the
other countries to which it is sending assistance for
refugees and needy native Jewish populations are
Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Algiers, Tang-
iers, Persia and Iraq. It is also financing large-scale
programs of assistance to 123,000 refugees in 18 Latin
American countries and helping them to adjust speedily
to their life in their new homes.
Avoid Aiding Enemy Economy
In all its operations, the report stressed, the Joint
Distribution Committee adheres to a rigid policy of
avoiding any action that would, directly or indirectly,
aid the enemy economy. The financing of operations
in such territories as unoccupied France, for example,
it was explained, is carried out entirely under the
supervision of and with licenses from the United States
Treasury Department. The feeling of our own govern-
ment about this work of the Joint Distribution Com-
mittee has been well indicated in statements by Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Joseph E. Davies, chairman of the
War Relief Control Board. In a message to the Joint
Distribution Committee last year, President Roosevelt
(Continued on Page 6)'

Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, Dr. J. Palestine Gives All-Out Aid
B. Wise and Wm. Rosenwald To Allies, Dr. Silver Reports
Issue U. J. A. Statements
R. ABBA ITILLEL. SILVER, national chairman of

D

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the United Palestine Appeal, added his voice to
the appeals issued to the Jews of Detroit to give un-
stinted support to the War Chest , of Metropolitan.
Detroit.
In a statement issued this week, Dr. Silver pointed
out that a fighting population of nearly 600,000 Jews
in Palestine, whose allegiance to democracy may we];
swing the tide of battle on the vital war front in th
ILLIAM ROSENWALD, chairman of the National
Middle East, looks to the Detroit War Chest for ai
Refugee Service, participating in the appeal for
and reinforcement. Dr. Silver stated that the peoph,.,
the War Chest of Metropolitan Detroit, revealed in a
of
the Jewish homeland in Palestine, the outstanding •
statement this weep that victims of Hitlerism who have
and whole-hearted allies of. the United Nations in the
fonnd a haven in the United States are now being
Mediterranean theater of war, rely on aid from Am-
retrained to partiCipate in 'the nation's war program in
erica to continue and intensify the courageous fight.
industries experiencing a shortage in manpower.
American support for the developinent and defense of
The task of converting the skills of refugees into
the Jewish homeland is provided by the United Pales-
assets for the struggle to destroy the Nazi regime is the
tine Appeal, one of the three constituent- agencies of the
responsibility' of the National Refugee Service, the
United Jewish Appeal.
agency which is represented in the War Chest through
The latest details about the struggle of Palestine -
the Allied Jewish Campaign of Detroit, embracing 55
Jews, in which 47,000 are directly enlisted as members.
local, regional, national and overseas bodies.
in the British and other allied forces and in the ranks
As an example of the type of retraining and Am-
of Palestine home defense, were made .public by Dr.
ericanization activity carried on by the National Ref-
Silver in behalf of the United PaleStine Appeal. Not
ugee Service, Mr. Rosenwald cited the case of three
only on the military front, but in the battle of pro-
men who had been inmates of concentration camps in
duction, Palestine is making immense contributions to
Germany and who only recently won an Army and
victory, his report shows.
Navy "E" for the lighting company which employs
Palestine as a Granary of Democracy
them.
"These facts show that the Jews of Palestine have
converted their country into an arsenal and granary of
Represented together with the Joint Distribution
democracy in the Middle EaSt," Dr. Silver commented.
Committee and the United Palestine Appeal in the
Units of Jewish troops from Palestine have fought
United Jewish Appeal for Refugees, Overseas Needs and
with unsurpassed .heroism in all the critical activities
Palestine, the National Refugee Service renders many
in the eastern Mediterranean -theater of war, the report
services to refugees and Americans of all faiths.
stated.. At the same time, industrial and agricultural
As part of its extensive program, the National Ref-
production in Palestine soared as the Jewish population
ugee Service has been instrumental in integrating many
threw itself into an unremitting effort to supply the
scholars, physicians and scientists of all faiths in the
armies. Palestine factories, the report revealed, are
war effort.
now 'turning out vast quantities of war materials, rang-
Assist Refugees of All Faiths
ing from surgical instruments to tanks and armored
Over a period of three years, 4,000 placements have
cars. They are also making another important contri-
been made for persons in these categories. Subventions
bution by converting Palestine into a convenient repair
have been made to outstanding refugee scholars and
base for war machines and vehicles, damaged or worn
medical scientists, many of whom have assumed res-
in the grueling campaigns on the Libyan Desert. Ship.=
ponsibilities in the war effort in which their special
yards are working day and night repairing war and
skills and knowledge are proving of considerable value.
merchant vessels.
The refugees' des:re to belong and contribute to
"A Thorn In Ilitler's Flank"—Secretary Knox
American life finds direction in the social adjustment
These are some of the factors, the report pointed
activities of the National Refugee Service. This agency
out, underlying Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox's
refers newcomers of all faiths to English classes and to
message to the United Palestine Appeal, in which he
Americanization opportunities. More than 57,000 such
declared:
services have been rendered in the last three years.
"The land of Palestine looms large on the immediate
horizon
as the strategic key to the control of the
Before 1942, the N. R. S. helped to turn the abilities
Middle East . . . Palestine is a tiny country on the map
of 1,500 refugees .into fields valuable to national econ-
of the world, but it is shaped like a thorn. It 'is a thorn
omy and defense by retra;ning. Since Jan. 1, nearly
indeed in the flank of Hitler. We must strengthen that
500 persons have entered N. R. S. retraining classes,
thorn until it becomes a sword that will halt the tyrant's
in more- than 16 trades and occupdtions, many of them
eastward march. In Palestine Hitler faces the wrath
vital to the War effort. This agency has also provided
of the people he has starved and tortured and degraded ,
1,139 loans, totaling more than $150,000, to refugees
. . . It is my earnest hope that some of the fortitude of
for establishment of businesses, the purchase of farms,
America can be passed on through your organization to
etc.
the valiant defenders of our common cause in Pales-
Since the beginning of 1942, the N. R. S. has re-
tine."
settled 620 individuals, bringing to over 14,000 - the
One of the great assets of the Allied cause in th(
number of persons who have been removed to cities
Middle East, the report pointed out, is that at this
and rural areas throughout the country, away from the
strategic spot there exists a large and • intensely loyal
crowded ports of entry. The N. R. S. is also taking
Jewish population, including great numbers of skilled
steps to, speed the Americanization of the refugees. It
scientists, technicians and workers ready to devote the
has made 8,143 referrals to civilian defense, educational
last ounce of their strength to the Allied cause. More
and cultural opportunities in the last eight months. By
than
400 new factories have been' established in Pales-
affording financial assistance to refugees without means,
the N. R. S. has helped establish a social service record . tine since the war began, -and many existing factories
have greatly expanded for prodUction, the report states.
which indicates that no refugee . has had to turn to a
public agency for help. Among those whO have re-, -There are now 1,300 factories engaged in production
classified as essential for the war effort, and Sir Dougla.
ceived direct aid have been individuals of all faiths af-
Harris, .chairman of the Palestine War Supply Board
fected by Hitler's expropriation lawS.
has described - the increase in military production as
In addition to the above activity, it should be noted
"incredible." Much of this expansion has been made
•
that the National Refugee Service cooperates closely
possible through the financial assistance of the United
with other organizations in the field—the American
Palestine Appeal.
Committee for Christian Refugees, the . ..American
The same thing is true of the vast increase in agri-
Friends Service Committee, the Catholit Committee
cultural production, the report added. In addition to
for Refugees—and its resources are' made 'available to
intensified cultivation of Jewish farms, the United Pal-
these organizations. It maintains the most •extensive
estineAppeal is making possible the purchase of ad-
file of refugee records in the United States; and ,affords
.land which is brought into production by the
ditional
all refugee agencies in this country 'clearance: service.
most modern methods of scientific agriculture in the
It also collects and makes available - to all such
s. hortest possible time. As quickly as possible, newly
(Continued on Page 6)
agencies information which assists aliens•to fulfill .thee
new obligations under present "enemy alien" regula-
tions." In this work it is of great .assistance to our'.Gov-
ernment as well as to the. refugee himself.
. Humanitarian Endeavor. Vital to War
Effort, Says F. D. It.
Compiled -FeoMthe - itecor4s of the
The significance of humanitarian endeavor in war-
. Jeivish Telegraphic Agency
time as a means of upholding the ideals of democracy -
PARIS—While
it would be wrong to suggest the
which all free men are struggling to defend in the
possibility of pogroms . against Jews in France, the
present conflict was stressed by Mr. Rosenwald as he
anti-Jewish - prOpaganda and agitation of the notor-
made public a letter froin President Roosevelt in en-
ious anti-Semite and Royalist, 'Leon Daudet, is mak-
dorsement of the United Jewish Appeal.
ing progress here, a well-infOrmed Jewish spokesman
In his message, President Roosevelt said: "In these
told a JTA correspondent.
days when inhumanity and cruelty are taking toll of
ROMESignor • Preziosi, one of the leading anti-
so many innocent victims throughout the world, it is
Jewish journaligts •in Italy, charges in his magazine,
more than ever necessary for us 'to uphold the ideal
"La Vita Italiana," that there are a dibroportionate
of helpfulness to others. Organizations such as the
number of Jews in the Italian Government agencies
United Jewish Appeal are giving concrete evidence of
which forms a "serious danger to Italian public
the determination of free men that persecution, home-
life."
lesness and racial discrimination shall be banished.
Through the support which is extended to this organ-
RIGA—Four Jewish candidates have been elected
ization and to other similar organizations, we can rein-
to the Lithuanian Sejm, incomplete returns from
force the humanitarian front as a vital sector in our
general elections indicate. Two are represent - •
war effort."
of the "Agudas Israel," one was nominated by
Mizrachi and the other by the National Democr
In describing the aims and activities of the United
party.
Jewish Appeal agencies, Mr. Rosenwald observed that
they were engaged in programs of wide scope embrac-
WASHINGTON—The administrative committe
ing not only work of life-saving, but that they had
the Federal Council of Churches, meeting h
initiated reconstructive and rehabilitative measures
condemned all masked and secret societies.
which have benefitted - Christians as well as Jews.
MOSCOW—Because .of the fact that the P
The United Jewish ; Appeal isconducting its cam-
consular representative in the Ukraine ref us
paign in behalf of the Joint Distribution Committee,
issue visas to Polish Jews who wish to retu
United Palestine Appeal and National Refugee Service,
their homes, the Ukranian government has suspe
under the leadership of William Rosenwald, Rabbi
ed the repatriation of all Poles until the Po
Abba Hillel Silver and Rabbi Jonah B. Wise, National
authorities grant visas to all who deserve them.
Chairman.

Refugees Help in U. S. War
Production, Rosenwald Says

•

Twenty Years Ago This Week

