$55,000 Spent by J.D.C. for Jewish Relief Work in Bessarabia

Relief granted to Jewish colonies suffering from bad crops, as well as relief to various Jewish institutions in Bessarabia, amounted to nearly $55,000 during the last three years, according to a report from Dr. Bernhard Kahn, European Director of the Joint Distribution Committee, made public by David A. Brown, National Chairman of the United Jewish Campaign.

This does not include the large subventions given during the same period by the Joint-Ica Foundation to credit societies in Bessarabia, as well as loans for reconstruction work. The Foundation has recently voted a new fund of $60,000 for further credits to the Jewish Cooperative Loan societies in Bessarabia; $25,000 has been extended as credits for furnishings tools, machinery and raw materials to artisans; and another $20,000 has been granted in the form of credits to the new Jewish colonies, to help them make payments to the Government for land allotted to them.

The largest single amount from the special relief fund, $17,800, had been spent in 1926 for the purpose of helping the colonies which were suffering from bad crops. The Passover relief of the same year also amounted to $2,500.

Among relief measures undertaken and institutions subsidized were: Reconstruction of houses injured by flood in Lublin and Ramanowka, $7,500; Repair and equipment of the Girls’ Orphanage in Chisianu, $3,000; Shoes and clothing for children, $2,000; Reequipment of Boys’ Orphanage in Chisinau, $2,300; Hospital in Chisinau, $3,000; Summer colonies throughout Bessarabia, $2,500; Soimech-Noiflim Society, $1,500; Professional schools in Chisinau, $1,000.

In addition, subventions were allocated to Jewish hospitals in Balti, Orhei, Soroka, Britschany, Kalarash, Ackerman, as well as to homes for the aged, Talmud Torahs, Schools and other institutions in various towns, the report stated.