Food or Work: Discussion on Best Method of Providing Relief for Stricken Jewish Population of Warsaw

Rabbi Professor Schorr presided yesterday at an urgent meeting of the Jewish Rescue Committee held here to consider what action to take in connection with the Government scheme for providing relief for the unemployed and starving population,, in so far as it affects the Jewish section of the population. The President of the Rescue Committee, M. Denbrun, reported on the negotiations with the Government Commissariat, explaining that before the Government decides what part of the relief funds are to go for the Jewish relief work, it wants the Jewish Rescue Committee to supply complete figures giving the numbers of the distressed Jews in Warsaw.

M. Giterman objected that issuing food parcels, or providing meals for the hungry Jews would not solve the problem. The Jewish merchant or artisan who had lost his means of livelihood was anxious not to let the whole world know of his plight and he would not easily be persuaded to show himself in public kitchens to receive public charity. Nor was it the best way to provide meals for the children in the schools. The poorer children would be humiliated in the presence of the other children. He urged that the relief activity among the Jews should be rather of a productive character. The money received from the Government should go to providing credits for the victims of the crisis to help them to become again self-supporting.

M. Apenshlak objected that there was no time now for such wide-reaching constructive work, at a time when people were starving. Dr. By chowski objected to food parcels, suggesting that some people would be found who would sell the parcels and start a regular trade in them. The only way was to feed the needy in the food kitchens. The Recue Committee finally decided to ask the Jewish Community and the Jewish Merchants’ Federation to collaborate with it in the work.