David J. Schweitzer, one of the leading workers in Jewish overseas aid services for the past 45 years, died today in Locarno, after a prolonged illness. He was 76 years old. Mr. Schweitzer had been director of overseas fund-raising for the World Ort Union in Geneva during the last decade.
For a period of 20 years beginning in 1920, Mr. Schweitzer represented the Joint Distribution Committee in Europe. In the 1940’s he directed the JDC project of resettlement of Jewish refugees in the Dominican Republic.
Mr. Schweitzer came to the United States from Russia at the age of 15. He received a bachelors degree at City College and a masters at Columbia University. He was for many years connected with the New York Federation of Philanthropic Societies and other social agencies. In 1937, he was decorated with the Chevalier in the French Legion of Honor for his services to refugees. Funeral services will be held here tomorrow.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.