The need for an expanded reconstruction program for Jews who will remain in Europe was emphasized today at the annual conference here of Joint Distribution Committee directors of 18 countries in Europe and North Africa. Noel Aranovici, director of the J.D.C. reconstruction department, said that the increase of nationalization measures in Eastern Europe has created an “economically displaced persons” class among former middle class Jews in those countries.
Moses W. Beckelman pointed out that East European governments have been concentrating on bringing industrialization into agricultural areas and that these plans have not yet reached the stage where government factories are able to provide employment for large numbers of semi-skilled workers. He added that it was particularly important to note that “all individual enterprises, especially for artisans, continue to be tolerated.”
Mr. Beckelman said that in Poland the J.D.C.-supported Bank of Rehabilitation has extended some 650 individual loans during the first half of this year, while a similar number of loans were granted in Hungary during the same period. Other speakers at today’s session urged increased support for existing credit institutions in Western Europe.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
