Hoover Lauds American Jewish Philanthropy

The extraordinary generosity and liberality of the American Jew is glowingly praised by Herbert Hoover, Secretary of Commerce in a statement for the Rosh ha-Shannah number of the JEWISH TRIBUNE.

Writing on “The Jew As a Philanthropist” Mr. Hoover pays special tribute to the Joint Distribution Committee which cooperated with the American Relief Administration. Mr. Hoover’s statement follows in full.

“During the nine years that I have been actively connected with the larger American measures of relief to Europe, I have had intimate association with various Jewish organizations engaged in these labors. I have frequently had cause to comment upon the extraordinary generosity and liberality of the American Jews in their charitable contributions. Indeed their voluntary contributions exceeded that of any other American group, and ranged from the stinted savings of the poorest workman to the full outpouring of those in more fortunate positions.

“During the acute periods in Europe, in order to assure the maximum saving of life and prevention of suffering within our resources, it was necessary to establish the closest cooperation in administration of American relief measures, and this cooperation has been given by the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee with unexampled breadth of vision and singleness of purpose.

“While the larger voluntary Jewish funds have in the main been intended for their own religious folk, the American Jews have subscribed royally to general funds, and in the administration of their own special funds have pursued steadily the broad-minded policy of cooperation in relief of all suffering and literally hundreds of thousands of non-Jewish peoples were embraced in their efforts equally with the Jews. This broad sympathy so impressed the many countries in Eastern Europe as to shame the persecution of the Jews, which, during the periods of utter chaos, was incipient in many communities.

“Not only has there been this great out-pouring of generosity, but there has been a great measure of personal service. I have served with the representatives of Jewish groups in joint efforts. I have had many Jewish men and women upon my own staff in such work for we, too, covered much relief of Jewish suffering with other funds. There is no written appreciation that can form adequate tribute to the service these men and women have given so wholeheartedly, so efficiently and at great personal sacrifice. The real appreciation and gratitude to those who gave of their means and service comes from the hears of the millions whom they have served.

“There is no brighter chapter in the whole history of philanthropy than that which could be written of the work of the American Jews during the last nine years”.