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Writings by Victor Schulman

-1950-
February 24, 1950—"Letters to the Editor," Southwestern Jewish Press, Feb. 24, 1950: Maxwell Kaufman, Editor, Jewish Press: In the last issue of the Press you published Mr. Fisher's letter which suggested that each contributor to the United Jewish Fund should be able to designate on a percentage basis, how his or her contribution should be divided among the various types of agencies such as Overseas, Religious, etc. Not only is this a very constructive suggestion, it is also a plan that has been under consideration by the writer and other officers of the Fund, but which, because of certain very serious objections, cannot be recommended.  To illustrate just one of the basic disadvantages of such a plan, it is not logical to assume that by dividing the campaign into types of agencies you would also be dividing the contributors into rival factions, each one of which would try to influence other contributors to pledge their contributions to a particular group of agencies? In effect you would have several campaigns within the General Campaign and this could only lead to disunity and even the eventual dissolution of the Fund. There are other and equally important weaknesses in such a plan but which space does not permit to be detailed. Let us, however, see if our present method of allocating is not only the best but one which is actually representative of the wishes of all contributors. First of all, it should be kept in mind that the Allocation Committee is purposely a very large one so that it represents every shade of thinking in our community. Not only do Fund directors participate in the business of the Community but, as in the case of our all day session on Sunday, February 12th, the Presidents of all local Jewish organizations as well as other individuals in the community were invited to take part in the discussions and to exercise the right to vote on all the issues. Various agency representatives addressed the committee, all agencies were carefully studied and a patterns of giving established by a majority vote of the approximately forty committee members present. This was only the first in a series of meetings  by this Committee as it will take many more hours of careful study and impartial consideration before definite dollars and cents allocations can be made to the various agencies.  I submit that not only is our present procedure in keeping with truly democratic principles, it is by far the most effective way by which every segment of our Jewish Community can have the opportunity of stating its case and casting its vote, thus achieving the unity that can only result from concerted rather than individual action. —Victor Schulman, President, United Jewish Fund of San Diego.

April 28, 1950—"Letters to the Editor," (Exchange between Sol Goodman and Victor J. Schulman, starting with Goodman), Southwestern Jewish Press, page 2:  Dear Mr. Kaufman: I would appreciate a column or two space in the next edition of the "Press" with regard to the letter (appearing in the April 14 edition) of one Mr. A. Fisher who, truthfully speaking, is unknown to me and any of those that I know.  I just want to correct Mr. Fisher's misunderstanding regarding a certain agency that he refers to. I am a contributor to the United Jewish Fund and I might say that to my knowledge there has been no pressure against the Allocations Committee or against any other Committee in connection with the Allocations Committee. That agency has simply resigned as a beneficiary of the United Jewish Fund. To explain the reasons why would take up too much valuable space in the "Press" so, expressing it briefly, according to the experiences of last year, they were slighted and belittled when they were allocated less than some of the local agencies and this treatment did not measure up to their traditions. May I call your attention to the fact that this very agency is responsible for the Second Anniversary of Israel celebrated here on the 23rd of this month. In asking why they do not help to collect the $25,000 in pledges that has not been collected for 1949, may I call your attention to the fact that some members of that agency did go out to collect the unpaid pledges. I would also like to know what they key men and women are doing in that regard. If they are not doing anything, why are they so outstanding and deserve to be considered as the key men and women of our community?  In conclusion, I would suggest that Mr. A. Fischer, or anyone else, not write such open letters because the writing and answering of these letters might develop to a point where the community will not like it.  I will sign myself as a contributor to the United Jewish Fund, Yours very truly, Sol Goodman.  (Editor's Note: The following explanation and answer is offered by the United Jewish Fund in reply to the above letter): Dear Mr. Kaufman: The Histadrut Council has officially notified the Fund that it has withdrawn as one of its beneficiaries and will conduct a separate campaign shortly after the conclusion of the Fund campaign. This withdrawal is a result of the Fund declining to give the Histadrut a dollar and cents allocation prior to the conclusion of the campaign. The Histadrut asked the Fund for a pre-campaign guaranteed allocation to an amount greatly in excess of allocations of previous years. The directors of the Fund have taken the position that since no allocations are made to any national or overseas organizations until the campaign has been concluded and the actual amount of money raised a known fact, it would be unfair to all of its beneficiary organizations to give preferential treatment to the Histadrut, and that the Fund could only assure each agency that its request for an allocation would be given fair and impartial consideration at the proper time. Further, since it has already been decided by the directors of the Fund that from 83 to100 percent of all of the net proceeds of the campaign will go overseas, practically all to Israel, there is already ample assurance that by far the greatest part of the total moneys raised will go to exactly the same place and, in many cases, for the identical purposes which the Histadrut organizations are participating in. The Fund, through its leadership, has on several occasions attempted to convince the Histadrut officers about the purposes of all organizations can be best served by having a single unified drive and that a separate campaign may be injurious to the very causes Histadrut as well as the Fund are primarily interested in.  Such attempts, however, have been unsuccessful inasmuch as the Histadrut has been unwilling to continue as a beneficiary agency of the Fund in the absence of the pre-campaign allocation which the Histadrut stated they must be guaranteed in order to refrain from a separate drive. Very truly yours, Victor J. Schulman.

September 8, 1950—Victor Schulman (President, United Jewish Fund), "Rosh Hashonah Message," Southwestern Jewish Press, page 1:  On behalf of the Officers, Board of Directors and Staff of the United Jewish Fund of San Diego, I offer the warmest and sincerest wishes for the New Year to the entire Jewish Community of San Diego. In this year 5710 which we are just completing, San Diego Jewry joined with communities throughout America to help Jews from Europe, from Moslem countries, and from remote places all over the world to find a new life in Israel, and to bring our share of Displaced Persons able to come to the United States.  Jewish communal life throughout the country continues to flourish. In our community the year 5710 brought problems and challenges which were met and accepted. The strengthening of Jewish Community Life in San Diego continues. It is our earnest desire that 5711will find all of us working and planning for the best interest of the community.