Evening star., 1948-02-26
The United Jewish Appeal

The United jewish Appeal
To the Editor of The Star:
The national campaign of the United Jewish
Appeal to raise a minimum of $250,000O00 in
1948 for relief and rehabilitation overseas, for
mass immigration and settlement in Palestine
and for refugee adjustment in the United States
has been launched.
The goal of 25O000,O00 is unprecedented In
the annals of private philanthropy. The sum
which the United Jewish Appeal must raise
this year represents the largest fund ever
sought by any voluntary relief organization In
the history of this country.
The Jews of the United States have under
taken this unparalleled task to bring to reali-
zation the opportunities for large-scale immi-
grafton and reconstruction In Palestine made
possible by the United Nations decision for the
establishment of an independent Jewish state.
The provision in the U. N. decision that a
minimum Of 5000 Jews from the DIP camps
in Central Europe and the Island OF Cyprus
be permitted to enter Palestine this year, con-
stitutes major challenge to American Jews
who must provide the funds for the care and
reception of the immigrants, among whom
will be $4,000 orphaned children, their refrain
ing and settlement on the land or in urban
communities Not the least important factor
at this time Is the adequate protection Of the
lives of the 100000 Jews now Palestine and
of the many thousands of women and children
who are to be brought into the country in the
coming months. Those who escaped extermi-
nation under Hitler must not be exposed to
destruction in the land Of their liberation.
5 The United Jewish Appeal is the combined
fund-raising organization for three major
American agencies: GO the Joint Distribution
Committee, which this year requires $685. 900
for its far-f1ung program of relief, rehabili-
tation and reconstruction for more than
million Jewish survivors in Europe, CD the
United Palestine Appeal which will need
$283 156 900 for immigration, settlement, the
acquisition of land for new rural and urban
communities, the housing and economic alb
sorption of new immigrants and for purposes
of security, and 60 the United Service for
New Americans, which requires $13, ,664 900 for
its work of reception, adjustment and integra-
ton of the refugees who find haven In the
United States.
In all, the total needs of the agencies of the
United Jewish Appeal for 1948 amount to
1895 1857 900. The s25o0 900 quota of the UJA
Is the minimum that must be provided by
American Jews to meet those needs.
The United Jewish Appeal regards this years
fund raising effort as destiny campaign,
since the new opportunities for mass imni-
grafton into Palestine represent turning
point in the lives of the homeless and dis
placed Jews of Europe, 250000 Of whom are
still in DIP camps. In the year 194S, the funds
of the uJA are required to support an
unprecedented program of resettlement and
reconstruction. With the transfer of $1,000
Jews from the DIP camps to Palestine and
with the immigration of substantial number
Of others to the United States this year, there
is the prospect of dissolution Of Jewish dis
placed persons centers in Germany and else
where within reasonably short period OF
time.
The opening of the gates of Palestine to
increased immigration has also revived the
hopes OF large numbers of the $4,000 Jews
remaining in Eastern Europe who are In great
distress as result of the residue of anti
Semitism and the changing economic structure
in that part of the continent.
In 1948, opportunities must also be created
for the rehabilitation of large numbers Of Jews
who wish to remain in the lands where they
now reside so that they may become self
sustaining.
The program which the United Service for
New Americans has been carrying on in be-
half of the newcomers in our own country
has once again demonstrated that the victims
OF persecution can make an outstanding con-
tribution to the economic and cultural develop
ment of the United States.
HENRY MORGENTHAU, Jr.