The World Upended

A Joint Effort: JDC's Beginnings, 1914-1921

The World Upended

In 1914, the powerful empires of Europe and the Near East collided in war. More than half of the worlds Jews found themselves caught in the line of fire. Already hampered by discriminatory restrictions and poverty, they now faced mortal danger from starvation, violence, and disease. As the war raged on, American Jewish communities showed generosity, and an unprecedented degree of unity, through a Joint Distribution Committee.

A camel train passing through the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. Palestine, c. 1914, <em>Library of Congress, LC-DIG-ggbain-11825</em>.

In August 1914, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Henry Morgenthau, Sr. cabled New York philanthropist Jacob H. Schiff imploring that $50,000 be sent as immediate aid for Palestines Jews. Within two days, the money was committed with contributions from Schiff, Louis Marshall, the American Jewish Committee, and the Provisional Executive Committee for General Zionist Affairs. U.S.,1914, <em>NY_38786</em>.

Morgenthau also cabled Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan to enlist U.S. government assistance in transporting the funds. The U.S.S. <em>North Carolina</em>, an armored ship, arrived at Jaffa harbor on October 6 carrying supplies and $50,000 in gold to the desperate Jewish population. A later ship brought additional funds and supplies. Mediterranean Sea, c. 1914, <em>Library of Congress, LC-D4-22805</em>.

Cries for Help

The Ottoman Empire cut off all contact between Turkish-ruled Palestine and the outside world. Jews there lost access to their sources of income and faced hostile actions such as arrests and confiscations. Immediate relief from a small group in New York was the first step towards American Jewish involvement in the crisis.

To avoid duplication, the American Jewish Relief Committee and the Central Committee met to unite their efforts. A November 27, 1914 letter noted their agreement. Both agencies would place their independently raised funds in the hands of the Joint Distribution Committee of Funds for Jewish War Sufferers (generally known as the Joint Distribution Committee, or JDC), which would represent them equally in deciding how to spend the money. <em>AR 14-18, File 1.1</em>.

Louis Marshall (left) and Cyrus Adler were two of the eminent American Jewish Committee leaders involved in the creation of the American Jewish Relief Committee in 1914. The former became its chairman, the latter its campaign chairman. At the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, they played a significant role in securing minority rights within the nations newly carved out of defunct empires. U.S., c. 1920s, <em>American Jewish Committee Archives, PHB06004</em>.

Initially, each participating organization of the Joint Distribution Committee independently raised funds, which were then pooled. At the Central Relief Committee, Financial Secretary Morris Engelman (center), Treasurer Harry Fischel (right), and staff received contributions from Orthodox congregation members through a Passover campaign. Many contributors were immigrants with ties to communities abroad. Even small contributions often involved self-sacrifice by the donors. U.S., c. 1918, <em>NY_03487</em>.

The Jewish People's Relief Committee of America, organized in August 1915 by labor and socialist groups, joined JDC that November. Money was raised at bazaars, weddings and other gatherings, through tag days, flag days, flower days and from people on the street. Even contributions of a nickel were acknowledged with printed receipts. <em>AR 14-18, File 60</em>.

A Strong Response

In order to maximize funding for war sufferers, the American Jewish Committee (mostly Reform Jews of German background) formed the American Jewish Relief Committee in October 1914. The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations (chiefly Eastern European-born Jews) created the Central Relief Committee. Within a year, organized labor and socialist groups formed the Jewish Peoples Relief Committee of America.

The committees organized on a national scale to raise funds from three distinct segments of American Jewry, all contributing to a Joint Distribution Committee. <em>JDC 1914 Organization Chart</em>.

Jewish War Relief Workers from all over America met in New York on October 28, 1917, probably the most representative gathering of Jews in America at the time. Meeting on a day which U.S. President Wilson had designated for prayer for the Armed Forces, participants resolved: to make every personal sacrifice in defense of the ideals of our country. U.S., 1918, <em>Four Years of Relief and War Work by the Jews of America, 1914-1918, by Morris Engelman</em>.

JDC raised almost $9 million by 1917. This map showed how the money had been spent. U.S., 1917, <em>Bulletin of the Joint Distribution Committee, November 1917</em>.

Strength in Numbers

Worsening conditions abroad required greater fund-raising efforts. Each successful campaign added to a growing sense of unified purpose at home and helped expand JDCs work abroad.

President Wilson lent the weight of his office, designating January 27, 1916 as a special day for contributing to Jewish war relief funds. <em>New York Times, January 13, 1916</em>.

Funding campaigns, especially those of the Central Committee, were often tied to the Jewish calendar, such as this Yom Kippur appeal of 1917. <em>Abel Pann; AR 14-18, File 29</em>.

JDC posters helped galvanize public awareness and involvement. U.S., c. 1917, <em>Lou Mayer; Boston Public Library, 07-01-000051</em>.

An estimated $16.5 million was raised by the end of the war. This famous poster depicted a serene figure of America offering her abundant bounty to widows, orphans, and refugees. U.S., c. 1917, <em>Alfred Burke, Johnstone Studios; Library of Congress, LC-DIG-ppmsca-05663</em>.

Raising Awareness in America

Posters, publicity campaigns, and passionate speeches helped broaden support among Jews from every part of the country and economic level. Non-Jews were apprised of the mounting dangers through the press.

The World Upended

A Joint Effort: JDC's Beginnings, 1914-1921

The World Upended

Cries for Help

A Strong Response

Strength in Numbers

Raising Awareness in America

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