J. D. C. Appropriates $310,000 for Emergency Needs of East Europe, Russian Jews

Cablegrams from Dr. Bernard Kahn, European Director of the Joint Distribution Committee, which were presented to the Executive Committee of that body at a recent meeting, confirm reports of dire suffering of large sections of East European Jewry, due to the extraordinarily rigorous winter conditions prevalent all over the continent, to crop failure and famine. These conditions have most seriously affected the Jews of Bessarabia, Moldavia, Lithuania, Poland and other sections, Dr. Kahn cabled. Announcement to this effect was made today by David A. Brown, National Chairman of the United Jewish Campaign.

Instancing the seriousness of the situation, Dr. Kahn stated that three-quarters of the Jewish population of South Bessarabia are in dire straits, and the same is true of the Jews of Middle Bessarabia and Kishineff.

At the same time, the Executive Committee of the Joint Distribution Committee received an urgent cablegram from Dr. Joseph Rosen, asking for immediate additional funds to meet pressing needs of large numbers of Jews in Russian cities, many of whom require palliative relief and aid in securing employment.

Many cultural institutions throughout Eastern Europe have sent the most urgent-pleas for immediate help to prevent the break-down of their activities, Mr. Brown added.

To meet these emergencies, the Executive Committee of the Joint Distribution Committee decided that, notwithstanding the straitened condition of its treasury and the possibility that unless collections of pledges to the United Jewish Campaign are accelerated (Continued on Page 4)

it would be necessary to borrow money from the banks, prompt action was necessary, and it accordingly appropriated the sum of $310,000 for additional relief work and to provide for other contingencies throughout Eastern Europe and Russia during the year.

For the relief of the situation in Bessarabia, the Joint Distribution Committee and the American Joint Reconstruction Foundation have, prior to this action, set aside sums for credit and emergency relief and are cooperating with other relief bodies, including the Alliance Israelite Universelle and the Hilfsverein.

In response to a number of requests from individuals and landsmanschaften desirous of making contributions toward the relief of suffering Jews in Bessarabia, the Executive Committee of the Joint Distribution Committee has authorized the following statement: “The Joint Distribution Committee is not in a position to accept and transmit remittances earmarked for specific individuals or towns, or for specific activities; it will be glad to accept contributions for general relief purposes in Bessarabia or other countries, subject to its general discretion and program. Persons desiring to make contributions for general relief in Bessarabia may forward checks directly to the office of the Joint Distribution Committee, 40 Exchange Place, New York City. In accepting such funds, the Joint Distribution Committee will assume only the responsibility of remitting them to its European office to be applied by Dr. Bernard Kahn to the general Joint Distribution Committee program of relief in Bessarabia.”

Bemard Liebenstein, advertising man and former business manager of the “Jewish Morning Journal,” and with “The Journal of Commerce, died Sunday, in his fifty-sixth year. He is survived by a widow, Ella.

For “The Journal of Commerce” Mr. Liebenstein prepared special sections surveying business conditions in Soviet Russia and Italy after visits to those countries.

Funeral services for Abraham Finkelstein, for more than twenty-five years clerk of the Manhattan Surrogates’ Court, who died Saturday morning, were held Sunday. More than 500 persons attended, including a number of city officials. Interment was in Montefiore Cemetery, Long Island.

Mr. Finkelstein was 61 years old.