A growing economic and cultural revival among be 100,000 Jews of Poland–in striking contrast to the deterioration of conditions of the displaced persons’ camps of Germany and Austria–was reported today by William ##in, Joint Distribution Committee Director for Poland, who returned to the U.S. last week after spending 18 months in Poland.
In a press conference at the offices of the Joint Distribution Committee, Dr. Bein declared that the Jews of Poland have made “amazing strides” towards re-establishment, self-support and cultural expression in the past year and a half. The Jewish population of Poland is relatively stable today and some 33,000 Polish Jews are now engaged in gainful pursuits,” he reported. “Jews are hard at work re-building the social, economic and religious structure of the Jewish community,” he declared. However, a large segment of the population–the aged, the ill, the incapacitated and the orphans–remain unemployable and will continue to require direct belief assistance provided by the JDC.
Pointing out that a significant shift in occupations has accompanied Jewish efforts towards self-support, Mr. Bein said that Polish Jewish breadwinners, for the most part, are now earning their livelihoods in 200 JDC-supported producers’ co-operatives, in factories, mines, and on farms, in contrast to their former occupations as private merchants and artisans. He laid stress, however, on the fact that Jews now working are able only to meet current expenses of living, and are consequently dependent on supplementary relief assistance, in many cases, to meet family for personal financial emergencies. Jewish reintegration into the Polish economy has been accomplished, Mr. Bein said “through the courageous efforts of Polish Jewry, the cooperation of a friendly government, and programs supported by the JDC.”
The cultural aspects of Jewish life in Poland are most encouraging, Mr. Bein stated. He disclosed that Jewish newspapers are being published again and Jewish theatres, often with the help of government subsidies, have been reopened throughout the country.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
