Aj Congress Lauds Federal Food Stamp Program for N.Y. As Aid to Observant Jews on Welfare

When New York City institutes use of the Federal Food Stamp Program for welfare clients September I. it will have the support of the American Jewish Congress, which for more than a year pressed for such an addition to the existing surplus food program. In a letter this week to the city’s Commissioner of Social Services, Dr. Jack R. Goldberg, the American Jewish Congress noted with approval that the stamps will enable observant Jews on welfare to buy kosher foods. The letter from Herman Brown, director of the Congress’ Metropolitan Council, offered Dr. Goldberg the organization’s cooperation in any campaign the Social Services Department might undertake to inform welfare clients that the stamps will be available and may be used to purchase kosher food as well as foods required by those on diets restricted for health reasons. “We felt that a food stamp program was particularly needed,” Mr. Brown wrote, “because the Department of Social Services had some time previously rejected a request for an increased allowance by a welfare client who maintained kashruth–a decision subsequently upheld in the New York State Supreme Court.” Kosher foods are generally more costly than the non-kosher type.