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Community Currents
Southwestern Jewish Press, June 22 1951,  page 2

By Albert Hutler, Executive Director, United Jewish Fund

666 Campaigns Held in 1950—In a report of the Social Welfare Department of the city of San Diego just issued, the United Jewish Fund was listed as the lowest in campaign expenses within the "big six" fund raising organizations. Interesting to Fund contributors is Director Cooley's statement that money drives, "when properly conducted, is the best as far as the donor is concerned, because the greatest portion of his money goes to the purpose for which intended, and the most profitable as far as the charity is concerned, because such a large portion of the money collected is available for the charitable use—nearly 95 cents of his dollar."  Money drives cost 5.1 percent; use of commercial enterprises, 57.8 percent; merchandise sails 58.7 percent; entertainments, 20.9 percent; Public dances, 48.7 percent; card parties, fashion shows, 30.5 percent.

Report of the "Joint"—Another report that has come across my desk is "The Year of Emergencies" the 1950 report of the Joint Distribution Committee, one of the beneficiaries of the United Jewish Appeal. In spite of all obstacles, JDC in 1950 scored an imposing record of achievement. It gave a new home to 174,500 Jews, bringing 162,000 of them to Israel.  Food and other relief was given to more than 140,000 Jews in Europe and North Africa, and protective care to 48,000 children, mostly orphans. Medical care was provided for 80,000 a month, 50,000 were helped to achieve self-support. In 1951, the report reveals 400,000 Jews in Europe and Moslem countries, and in Israel still look to the agency for a chance to work, and in many cases just to live.

For Ida Nasatir Fans—I quote from a recent letter of Ida Nasatir, who expects to return to San Diego in late September: "Your tactical handling of requests for talks for me will be a life saver, since you know me well enough to know that I do not want to slight smaller groups yet it is both physically and psychologically impossible to appear before all groups individually. In other words, I hereby appoint you as my agent to make whatever dates for me, starting in October, that are requested." It is hoped that every organization and individual will cooperate with Ida's request and clear with me.

Displaced Persons—Arthur Greenleigh, executive director of the United Service for New Americans, visited San Diego recently, and spoke to community leaders interested in the DP resettlement program. He gave hope that the DP bill would be extended, advised the Emigre Committee that they could expect about 20 additional units and predicted that the vicious McCarren Bill on immigration would be defeated in Congress. He also congratulated our community on its fine record of cooperation in the resettlement program.

Voice of America—The first letter  selected by the San Diego Voice of America Committee for world wide broadcast over the Voice of America was that of Mrs. Charlotte Haas whose loss to Germany was America's gain. Her letter is well worth reading by all of us.