Jews in France Will Need $5, 000, 000 This Year to Aid Refugees

A minimum of $5, 000, 000 will be required in 1963 to meet the responsibilities in France faced by Fonds Social Juif Unifie, central Jewish welfare body in that country, and the Joint Distribution Committee, it was envisaged here today. The sum, which was seen as forecasting a deficit of at least $2, 000, 000 “if no additional funds are made available, “was reached here at a conference at JDC headquarters between the administrative heads of the two organizations, JDC and FSJU.

The review of the situation of the Jewish population of France, now swollen to a total of 500, 000 by the influx of refugees from North Africa, was made by Claude Kelman, vice-president of the FSJU, and Charles H. Jordan, JDC’s director-general for overseas affairs. “In a common effort to meet the crisis caused by the steady flow of Jews from other countries into France, culminated by the arrival in France last year of 120, 000 Jews from Algeria, ” said Mr. Jordan, “JDC is pouring into France every dollar it can spare from its worldwide obligations. We are seeking additional help from every possible source, and have had to draw funds for Jewish needs in France from many countries in Europe and elsewhere.”

“It will be impossible, however, ” Mr. Jordan emphasized, “to make up the $2, 000, 000 to be still needed without an unparalleled outpouring of generosity from the Jews of America to the United Jewish Appeal–the primary source of support for our work. ” Mr. Kelman revealed that the FSJU raised, in 1962, the equivalent of $1, 100, 000 over and above “considerable sums” raised for local programs by many Jewish communities throughout France.

“We have to raise even more during this coming year, ” the French Jewish leader said, “but even that will not be sufficient. A basic Jewish population of 300, 000, determined as they are to make every effort for integration of their refugee brethren, cannot begin to take care of the great number of the destitute and helpless among the 200, 000 who have entered the country in recent years. It is certain, however, that Jews in the rest of the world, particularly in America, will not fail to help.”