3000 Jewish Refugees from Eastern Europe, Arab Countries Alded by Nyana in 1970

The New York Association for New Americans reported today that it aided 1000 Jewish refugee families–about 3000 individuals–during 1970. According to Philip Soskis, executive director, 400 of the families arrived here in 1970 and the rest were hold-overs from the previous year or two. About 50 percent of the newcomers were from Poland, Soskis disclosed to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that 100 Jews arrived here from Soviet Russia during 1970 and that 75 of those aided by his agency last year were from Egypt. The remainder were from other Eastern European and from several Arab and Middle Eastern countries. The NYANA is a beneficiary of the United Jewish Appeal which wholly funds its resettlement program in the Greater New York area. In addition, the agency receives grants from private foundations for scholarship. According to Soskis, it granted 361 scholarships to refugees last year, 267 to young college students and 94 to adults. In addition to resettlement, the NYANA provides vocational and rehabilitation services. Since 1949 it has aided 138,000 Jewish refugees. Expenditures for 1970 totalled $1,005,000. Soskis said the average cost of resettling a refugee family rose to $1300 in 1970 from just under $1000. He said many of the newcomers last year were highly qualified professionals. Others were evenly divided between white collar and commercial workers and those in technical, skilled and unskilled trades. Among the professionals were engineers, physicians, dentists, economists, musicians and teachers.

According to Howard M. Harris, NYANA president, nearly $55,000 was repaid to the agency last year by newcomers for funds expended to assist their resettlement. The repayment program was started experimentally a few years ago. NYANA has found that most refugee newcomers are eager to repay money extended to them by the agency at a rate they can afford once they are economically solvent, Elderly or handicapped persons, those with marginal incomes and young people just starting out are not asked to repay the agency. Harris reported Medical dental and drug expenditures in curred before the family was on its feet are excluded, as is hotel rental for the first two weeks in this country when newcomer families are considered “guests” of the American Jewish community Harris stated that through the individual handling of each case, monthly repayment rates are established according to the newcomer’s ability to pay. Should the family suffer reverses or unexpected expenses, the rates are adjusted accordingly. Many families, however voluntarily increase their payments as they prosper. Since the program started, total repayments have amounted to $158,000, Harris said. Immigration for 1971 is unpredictable as of now, he noted. Currently, it is less than for the first months of 1970 when Polish immigration continued high. But the where, when and how of refugee movement cannot be charted far in advance, Harris pointed out.