Haber Pays Tribute to Those Who Aided the JDC Since It Was Founded

Samuel L. Haber, honorary executive vice-president of the Joint Distribution Committee, paid tribute here tonight to the dedication and devotion of the communal workers who participated in JDC activities since its founding in 1914. In addition, he described in detail the work of the JDC over the decades as steadfastly committed to the survival of Jews and the future of the Jewish people and communities overseas.

In remarks prepared for delivery at the culminating exercises of the Hebrew Union College School of Jewish Communal Service where he was the recipient of an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Haber said: “During certain periods of time and in certain countries, the emphasis was on survival. In other times and places, on rescue, and at other times on reconstruction and rehabilitation.”

Haber, who retired last year after 30 years as the JDC’s executive vice-president, said that “Wherever we were, and wherever we are and may be in the future, we work through existing Jewish communal organizations. If none exist, we are instrumental in establishing them.”

As a consequence of this philosophy of operation, he noted, “we have been able to implement our goals with a relatively small cadre of communal workers in various disciplines–educators, community organizers, administrators, physicians, nurses and social workers.”

Haber, in detailing the work of the JDC around the world and in paying tribute to the hundreds of Jewish workers in various areas of specialization during his 30 years with the JDC declared: “Characteristics common to all were, a deep commitment to Jewish values, Jewish survival and the Jewish future; a missionary type of feeling for the tasks they faced; an ability to effectively cope with unexpected, strange and difficult situations; and deep compassion and warmth for the people for whom they worked.”