C.j.w.f. Delegation Studies Needs of Jewish Refugees in France

The problems that faced the Jewish communities of Europe during the immediate postwar years are well on the way to solution, but the Jews of America are now called on to work with these communities on newly-emerging problems brought on by the uprooting of vast numbers of Jews in their native lands, and the attendant migrations that have followed, Louis Stern, of Newark, N. J., stated here today at the conclusion of a five-day visit by the third overseas delegation of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds. Mr. Stern is president of the C. J. F. W. F.

Very much in the minds of the delegation were the needs of France, brought about by the influx of North African repatriates and refugees who have swelled the Jewish population of this country from 350,000 to more than 500,000 in little over a year, Mr. Stern pointed out.

“The French community was in no position to solve the problems brought about by such an influx by itself,” he said. “The needed extra help is forthcoming not only from American organizations, but also from the other European communities through a campaign sponsored by the Standing Conference. This is not, however, a problem that can be solved overnight, and it will be with us for some time to come.”

The Joint Distribution Committee office here was host to the delegation during its stay in Paris. Other agencies with which the delegation met were the Fonds Social Juif Unifie, the central French Jewish Welfare Body; the Standing Conference of European Jewish Community Services; United Hias Service; and the World ORT Union. The delegation left today for a visit to Vienna, following which it will spend two weeks in Israel, studying the needs in that country which American Jewish organizations are helping to meet.