VIRTUAL JEWISH MUSEUM

Jewish War Relief

There were dozens of agencies that sprang up or joined the War Relief effort, in many cases along ethnic and geographic lines. Belgian, Greek, Polish and Serbian were common. Jews were concerned with co-religionists in Eastern Europe and Palestine. An early version of the Zionist flag appears half blue and half white with a gold star in the center.

Central Relief Committee

The Central Committee for the Relief of Jews Suffering Through the War was organized in October 1914. Its supporters were Orthodox Jews, with strong Eastern European connections. This fund-raising letter pictures labels that were enclosed as a tool for gathering funds.

Central Committee Labels

These are the labels. The letter states "If every Jew in America contributes 5 cents a day...for only 19 days, it would amount to 1 million and a half. Do your share. Begin today!"

Central Committee Funds

This letter from October 1916 to the US ambassador in Turkey, informs that over $7,000 has been made available for local distribution. This committee was more Zionist and showed more concern for Middle-Eastern/Palestine Jews than did the Reform based American Jewish Relief Committee.

Central Committee Button

The Central Committee issued this lapel pin, using the same image that appeared on their letterhead. The name 'Central Jewish Relief Committee' appears above in English and below in Yiddish. The refugees are portrayed leaving their homes in flames, approaching a figure draped in the US flag, arm extended with food.

American Jewish Relief Committee

In late October 1914, Louis Marshall of the American Jewish Committee, Louis Brandeis, Oscar Strauss, Cyrus Adler, Felix Warburg, Judah Magnes, and other wealthy and influential Jews organized 'The American Jewish Relief Committee for Sufferers From the War'. Here we have one of their envelopes, no doubt soliciting support for their cause. By war's end they had distributed over $16 million in Europe and Palestine.

American Jewish War Relief

This button may well have come from the American Jewish Relief committee, since it specifically mentions 'American'. Below, it reads 'In their name I Plead'. A female refugee figure looks to America with outstretched hands. The Jewish flag pictured predates the Zionist flag we are familiar with. It is half blue, half white, with a gold Star of David in the center.

Jewish People's Relief Committee

Secular, Yiddish -speaking, labor and socialist Jews who did not feel represented by the existing groups, formed 'The People's Relief Committee for Jewish War sufferers' in August 1915. Not long after, they joined the 'Joint' too. These working class Jews made modest contributions. They operated until 1924 and this registered envelope, which probably contained funds, was sent in March 1922.

People's Committee Donation

This is a receipt for a 5 cent donation to the People's Relief Committee. Notably, it is also named in Yiddish, and signed in Yiddish too. The donation of 5 cents is small, but meant much more in 1915 than it does today.

People's Relief Button

Using the same forlorn refugee figure that was on the receipt, this button asks for relief donations. Above, in Hebrew, 'The voice of Your Brother's Blood Calls to You' based on Genesis 3:10. Below, 'The Jews Look to America for Help'.

Jewish Relief Campaign Button

This was a far-reaching campaign but it is unclear what organization was behind it. The donation was symbolized by a loaf of bread that it would provide.

Jewish Relief Campaign

A well known and often reproduced poster from the war years is related. It reads 'Jewish Relief Campaign' on the bottom. A large mythic figure presents A Loaf of Bread (!) on a tray. The backdrop is the New York City skyline. The campaign extended to New Jersey and as far west as Oklahoma.

Chicago Relief Label

The relief committees reached out to local charities for support. Each committee raised its own funds and then contributed them to the Joint for distribution. This Chicago label for 1 Cent shows a war amputee, an orphan, a woman (widow?) with children and an elderly man, all against the backdrop of ruined buildings.

Joint Distribution Committee

The 'Joint' was intended as a temporary collaboration of 3 existing religious and secular Jewish organizations: the American Jewish Relief Committee, the Central Committee for the Relief of Jews Suffering Through the War, and People's Relief Committee. It was initially assisting Jews in Palestine under the Ottoman Empire, but soon expanded to address the growing crisis in Eastern Europe due to the war.

Donations to JDC

Funds poured in to the JDC from many businesses and organizations.

JDC in Constantinople

To better serve the Middle Eastern communities, the Joint had offices in Constantinople. They helped local mostly Sepharadi Jews and also dealt with a rising population of refugees from Russian territory. This letterhead, in Hebrew, English, and French, was sent to the Bulgarian community, dated 2 August 1921. The area was under Allied occupation after the war. In French, the letter apologizes for the delay in sending funds and assures that they will arrive soon.

Linas Hatzedek

*** change To better serve the Middle Eastern communities, the Joint had offices in Constantinople. They helped local mostly Sepharadi Jews and also dealt with a rising population of refugees from Russian territory. This letterhead, in Hebrew, English, and French, was sent to the Bulgarian community, dated 2 August 1921. The area was under Allied occupation after the war. In French, the letter apologizes for the delay in sending funds and assures that they will arrive soon.

Argentina Aid to Jewish Refugees

This label represents a donation of 1 Argentinian centavo to the Central Committee for Aid to Jewish Refugees from the War. In fuzzy letters it shows the cause in Yiddish and Spanish. Argentina accepted many Jewish refugees from Russia in the wake of the war. Earlier agencies were later organized into SOPROTIMIS - 'Immigrating Israelites Protection Society' in 1922. They helped with language, job education and employment. They were still active after WWII and up until 1965.

Aid From Jamaica

The Jamaica War Stamp League, founded in Jamaica in 1915, collected funds for the British Red Cross and the relief of Polish Jews. Also for the Royal Flying Corps - hence the airplane design. The labels were sold for 1/2 British penny at local post offices. The 2 cancellations are from 'Spalding' and 'Bog Walk', Jamaica. These labels raised 1000 pounds for their causes.

Germany.War Aid

In Germany, too, Jewish groups donated to aid those suffering from the war. This label, for a 10 pfennig donation, represented "War Aid from the Central Union of Jewish Self-employed Craftsmen in Germany" for 1914-15.

German Craftsmen.20 pf

"War Aid of the Union of Jewish Craftsmen in Berlin". This label represents a 20 pfennig donation.

JKUV Berlin Children's Aid

This sticker is also a receipt for a 10 pfennig donation. It was gathered by the 'Jewish Children's Aid Organization in Berlin' abbreviated JKUV. The cause - 'Donation for Poor Jewish Children of Soldiers'.

JNF.War Aid in Germany

The Keren Kayemet LeYisrael (Jewish National Fund) issued this label to acknowledge donations. In this case it was not for purchasing land in Palestine. Rather it was for war aid. In German it reads: "The proceeds of this Help Stamp are designated for the wounded soldiers and for the suffering families of the war".

Aid to Palestine.Vienna

Recognizing early on that the Jewish communities in Palestine were suffering greatly due to the war, aid organizations in Europe endeavored to help. This unused ticket represents a donation to the 'Aid Commission 1915 for Palestine'. It is described as 'Iron Mogen Dovid Nail Donation'.

Hilfsverein der Deutschen Juden

The 'Relief Organization of German Jews' was founded in 1901 to improve conditions for Eastern European Jewry, especially in light of the Russian Pogroms. During the war it assisted in relief efforts and distributed American relief funds. This envelope went from them in Berlin in 1916 to their counterpoint organization in New York, HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid society).

Polish Soup Kitchen

This sticker advertises the Kuchnia Ludowa, in Hebrew "Welcoming Guests". In fact it was a soup kitchen for needy Jews in Poland. A Jew in typical garb of the period is pictured eating soup. There is no date, but it is from the period.

Aid.'Current Issues'

This booklet, printed in Jerusalem in 1915, surveys and updates wartime relief activities: Generosity of the American community, underserved Chareidi community, Frankfurt efforts, various soup kitchens. Also, cooperation between Sephardic & Ashkenazic communities vis-a-vis the Ottoman government. And the Central Committee/Joint sending funds and also 900 tons of foodstuffs.

Joint Distribution Committee

WWI.Aid.27.RJF label.1 mark 001 (2)

Jewish Welfare Board Label

Using a familiar image, found on their brochure and on posters, the JWB also raised funds by distributing these labels. "When we go through this, we need all the help and comfort you can give". On the bottom "United War-Work Campaign--Week of November 11, 1918".

German Jewish Relief

An American made button. Unsure if it is WWI or WWII.