Bialystoker Relief Committee

In 1919, World War I came to an end. But Bialy- stok’s troubles began, for it was caught in a conflict between Russia and a resurgent Poland. At that time Mr. Sohn founded the Bialystoker Relief Committee in America and, despite the carnage, he went to Bialystok as its delegate, ignoring his personal safety. From then on he was perceived by Bialystokers and _ non- Bialystokers, Jews and gentiles, as a dedicated and pro- foundly humane man. He was the driving force, the inspiration, behind the Bialystoker /andsmanschaft’s far- flung philanthropic efforts. ...

... This was not easy. Six months in Prague and eleven months in Paris were agonizing steps toward that goal. While in Paris, Mr. Rybal contacted the local Bia- lystoker community, made wonderful friends and joined a Bialystoker relief committee, where he was able to assist other Jandsleit passing through Paris.

... While the Stimme has done much to enshrine the past, it also helps the Bialystoker /andsmanschaft in America expand. Who can adequately assess the work of the Bialystoker Relief Committee, after World War I, which sent millions of dollars to save Bialystok’s institutions? Moreover, the Stimme popularized the Bia- lystoker Center and Home for the Aged in New York, the international headquarters of the /andsmanschaft. It encouraged Bialystoker Jews in America and elsewhere to send assistance to our unfortunate brothers and sis- ters in Bialystok during World War II. The magazine has also helped reunite relatives who had been out of touch for many years. ...

... In this difficult hour, as prisoners in Cyprus, we, who as Bialystokers have shared a common destiny, address our attention to you, Bialystoker Relief Com- mittee. We recognize that you, better than anyone else, will do everything possible to support us both morally and financially. ...

... Thanks to the great financial subsidies from Amer- ican Jewish organizations (‘‘Joint,”’ Bialystoker Relief Committee and private philanthropists), Jews in Bialy- stok began to recover slowly. The new democratically ...