President Woodrow Wilson and JDC
Urged Americans to support war victims abroad by contributing to fund administered by JDC.
In the aftermath of World War I, JDC found itself addressing tremendous needs in Europe and Palestine. JDC’s response included developing child care programs for orphans, vocational and agricultural training, and health care assistance. President Wilson urged Americans to support war victims abroad by contributing to the Greater New York Fund, which was administered by JDC. While he was a devout Christian, he compelled Americans to take heed and donate to the fund, despite race or creed.
JDC Representatives commemorate Jewish Relief Day by meeting with President Wilson to express their gratitude, 1916
“We must try to visualize the true significance of the facts that three million children are undernourished; that six million men and women are utterly dependent upon outside aid for the preservation of life; that hundreds of thousands of our fellow beings are stricken with typhoid fever…”
Woodrow Wilson’s relationship with JDC went back earlier, however. During the tumultuous war years, Wilson had signed a U.S. Senate resolution declaring January 27th, 1916 Jewish Relief Day. Funds raised that day exceeded $2 million.
