American Jewish Organizations Map Plans for Rehabilitation of Jews in Europe

Far-ranging rehabilitation and settlement plans for the liberated Jews of Europe have been prepared by the organizations affiliated with the United Jewish Appeal, it was announced here today. The announcement was issued following the presentation of a report of the executive committee of the United Jewish appeal at a meeting in the Biltmore Hotel.

The report said that in recent months as each new country has been freed from the Nazi grip the opportunities for bringing rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance to the Jews in those areas have been greatly expanded, necessitating substantially increased expenditures on the part of the agencies of the United Jewish Appeal. It reveals that the Joint Distribution Committee is now expanding its relief, rescue, and habilitation program in almost every corner of Europe. New headquarters have been stablished in the major capitals of the continent, and J.D.C. representatives are already at work in the areas of greatest need, setting up new programs for Jews in the liberated areas. “In addition to the expansion of its activities on the liberation fronts, the J.D.C. is also going forward with its far-flung program of refugee aid in all parts of the world, including the Latin American countries,” the report states.

“Homeless and displaced Jews who cannot or will not return to the territories from which they were driven by oppression look to Palestine to give them a new home,” the report continues. “The resources of the United Palestine Appeal, which made possible the absorption in the Jewish homeland of 300,000 Jews since the beginning of the Nazi regime, must be devoted to enlarging the possibilities for the immigration and settlement in Palestine of a maximum number of the uprooted. With the aid of the J.P.A., which enabled Palestine to play the role of the major haven for Jewish refugees throughout World War II, these Jews must be given an opportunity to find freedom and peace on the soil of the Jewish homeland. Provision must be made for relief and adjustment of the newcomers. New land areas must be acquired for the establishment of new agricultural settlements to speed their absorption. Industry must be developed to enlarge economic opportunities.”

“Most of the 300,000 refugees who have found a haven from Nazism in the United states — and many thousands of Americans — have loved ones scattered to the ends of the earth by war and persecution,” the report points out. “The National Refugee Service is already engaged in seeking them out, putting them in touch with their families, adding in their reunion. It stands ready to make a major contribution to this vital restorative work which must soon be undertaken as an international program.”