The Joint Distribution Committee provided in 1956 assistance to 183,075 needy Jews in Israel, Europe and the Moslem world, including thousands of refugees from totalitarianism and terror, it was reported today by the J. D. C. headquarters. More than 100, 000 were Jews in the Moslem world, where one of every five Jews continued to receive JDC’s help. These included Algeria, Iran, Morocco and Tunisia.
“In 1956, JDC not only had to continue its normal program in 25 countries, but it also had to provide emergency aid to some 14, 400 new refugees from Hungary and Egypt who arrived in Austria, France and Italy during November and December, ” Moses A. Leavitt, JDC executive vice-chairman stated. He indicated that 1956 activities called for appropriations of more than $30, 000, 000. Funds for JDC’s overseas relief, rescue and reconstruction programs are provided chiefly by American Jews through the nationwide campaigns of the United Jewish Appeal.
The report, prepared by the research department of the organization under the direction of Dr. Boris Sapir, also indicates the continued assistance provided by Malben, the JDC welfare program on behalf of aged, ill and handicapped newcomers to Israel. In 1956 the program aided 16, 686 men, women and children in a network of old-age homes, hospitals, sanitaria, sheltered workshops and other institutions throughout the Jewish state, as well as through more than 780 reconstruction loans. Among those receiving aid were more than 8,800 receiving institutional care and 580 who were employed in sheltered workshops.
A total of 34,160 persons received aid in Israel, the report says, including more than 12, 000 who were assisted through JDC’s cultural and religious programs, and 5,467 who received vocational training in workshops of ORT. In all, JDC help provided vocational training through ORT to nearly 21, 000 in a dozen countries. Other assistance included the distribution of U.S. Department of Agriculture surplus foods to 85,210 men, women and children. The distribution included a total of 4, 779, 675 pounds, valued at approximately $915,114
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