The flood stricken residents of the Johnstown, Pa., Jewish community are receiving emergency humanitarian aid totalling $100,000 from Jewish Federations across the country, it was reported here by the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds which has organized the assistance program. About 180 of the 550 Jewish residents were displaced from their homes or had their businesses damaged during the flood last July.
The program to provide help for displaced Jewish families and children in Johnstown, including relief, counseling, shelter and other services, was reviewed by CJF president Jerold C. Hoffberger for the CJF board at its September quarterly session. He noted that immediately following the flood, CJF staff members arrived in Johnstown to analyze the needs and formulate necessary aid programs, in conjunction with the local Jewish Federation and that a professionally qualified caseworker has been brought to the community to help disaster-stricken families.
Almost half of the $100,000 emergency money will be targeted for families in the Johnstown downtown area, many of whom are elderly, and for businesses that suffered severe flood damage. Small businessmen are also being assisted to resume their operations pending qualification for Federal Small Business Administration loans. The Johnstown Federation has also established subcommittees to supervise the personal counseling and business loan programs.
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