Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

United Jewish Appeal Lists 10 Major Needs in European Crisis

February 13, 1940
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Declaring that vast possibilities exist for proving immediate relief, rehabilitation and resettlement assistance through the $23,000,000 goal 1940 United Jewish Appeal for Refugees and Overseas Needs, Chairmen Abba Hillel Silver and Jonah B. Wise today issued a list of ten major, immediate needs of the U.J.A.’s constituent agencies. The list follows:

(1) War victims in Poland must be fed and clothed. One meal a day must be provided for a minimum of 200,000 adults at a cost of $360,000 per month; at least 150,000 children must also be given food. The Joint Distribution Committee must expand its relief activities in Poland.

(2) The war refugees who are now in Lithuania, Rumania, Hungary and other countries must be given the means of existence. At least 75,000 of the 170,000 refugees from Germany who are now in havens in European lands, require support either in whole or in part. Aid must be rushed by the J.D.C. to prevent wholesale deportations to Germany. Refugees in Latin America are also in need of assistance.

(3) Thousands in Germany and Austria who still have the opportunity to emigrate to Palestine, to the Americas, to Australia and elsewhere, must be provided with the means of transportation or face the threat of concentration camps, or expulsion to Lublin.

(4) Jewish communities in Rumania, Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia and Estonia must receive funds to maintain their economic, educational, child care and medical program

(5) Immigration to Palestine, which has not been reduced by the war, must be supported because of the extraordinary pressure to emigrate upon Jews from Germany and other Nazi areas. Widespread homelessness has driven large numbers to seek haven in Palestine.

(6) The Jewish community of 500,000 in Palestine is facing severe economic problems as a consequence of the war. Special measures must be taken to promote industrial and agricultural progress and to help 80,000 men, women and children who have felt the shock of the economic recession.

(7) The establishment of new colonies and the purchase of land must be maintained through funds provided by the United Palestine Appeal in order to extend the development of Palestine to enable it to absorb the continued flow of refugee immigration.

(8) Refugees coming to the United States in accordance with Federal Immigration quota require assistance in finding new anchorage in American life.

(9) Resettlement of refugees to assure soundest means of integration is one of many problems confronting the National Refugee Service, which is called upon to assist newcomers with relief, employment, retraining and education.

(10) Refugees waiting their turn in Cuba, England and other lands to come to these shores require special assistance and guidance on migration conditions.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement