The Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds is coordinating a current effort to aid Jewish communities in Western Pennsylvania and New York which were damaged by tropical storm Agnes last month. The effort was announced by Max M. Fisher, CJF president. Fisher reported that CJF staff and members of other national Jewish agencies had visited the affected communities.
In Wilkes-Barre, one of the hardest hit by the storm, most of the 1500 Jewish families have moved temporarily to other cities. There, as in Elmira, NY and Harrisburg, Pa., special funds and bank loans are being made available to the stricken families, Fisher said. Trained staff has been sent to help in replacing damaged religious articles and in restoring synagogues, according to Fisher. People from neighboring towns are also aiding in the cleanup and fund-raising actions.
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