Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Representatives of Jewish Rescue Organizations Split on Selection of Refugees

August 21, 1944
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Two representatives of the Joint Distribution Committee today left by plane for Turkey on a delicate mission of adjusting the misunderstandings arising between representatives of the Jewish Agency and the JDC in Istanbul over the question of rescue of Jews from the Balkan countries.

The misunderstandings are due chiefly to differences of opinion with regard to the system of selecting the refugees in Rumania for transportation to Palestine through Turkey. It is understood that Charles Passman, one of the representatives of the Joint Distribution Committee who left for Turkey today, also has been authorized by the executive of the Jewish Agency to act as he thinks fit in order to coordinate the rescue work. It was admitted here that the misunderstandings which have developed in Istanbul are greatly hampering the carrying out of the rescue work.

A transport of 367 Jewish refugees from Rumania arrived here today, consisting of 204 men, 122 women and 41 children. It was also learned here that Chief Rabbi Sholem Alsheikh of Yemen, who is 90 years old, left on foot for Palestine from Yemen. He has been known for more than sixty years for his Kabbalistic works and for the story of his travels over the Arabia desert to discover the lost ten tribes.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement