J.D.C. Decides to Finance Transportation of 45,000 Jews from No Africa

The Joint Distribution Committee, at its 41st annual meeting tonight, decided to make available from its regular 1956 budget the sum of $3,760,000 for the transportation of up to 45,000 Jews from North Africa to Israel.

The decision was taken following the adoption of a budget of $29,200,000 for JDC activities in 1956. More than 500 leaders from all parts of the country attended the meeting at which Edward M.M. Warburg was re-elected JDC chairman for the eleventh successive year. Others re-elected included Moses A. Leavitt, executive vice-chairman, and Dr. Joseph J. Schwartz, director-general for overseas operations, now on leave. Mr. Warburg is also national president of the United Jewish Appeal.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Warburg said: “We have carefully gone over our budget and cut our programs down to the bone in order to leave every available resource at the disposal of meeting the problem which has arisen in North Africa, and particularly the problem of immigration from North Africa and other parts of the world to Israel. Ours will be a double contribution. Not only will we waive our participation in the $25,000,000 Special Fund which the United Jewish Appeal has now launched, but in addition we will take on this further burden of reabsorbing into our budget the immigration costs up to the figure of $3,760,000.

“It is a source of great satisfaction to all of used the JDC leader declared, that in this manner we can lead the way in indicating how seriously we consider this problem. I am sure that all will applaud this further evidence to the partnership which exists between our organization and our colleagues in Israel.

Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the principal speakers at the meeting Mr. Leavitt, reviewing the JDC program, emphasized that “Israel faces her greatest crisis” and expressed the hope that “the United States, Britain and France will use all their skill, all their statesmanship and all of their persuasive powers to keep the peace in the Middle East.

Before adopting the budget, the delegates heard an analysis of the proposed allocations from Morris Laub, JDC assistant secretary. Dr. Joseph Schwartz delivered a brief address in memory of Moses W. Beckelman, late JDC director-general for overseas operations. The delegates adopted a resolution of support for the two nationwide United Jewish Appeal campaigns. “We fully support the establishment by the United Jewish Appeal of a Special Fund to secure $25,000,000 for the absorption and resettlement of 45,000 North African Jews in Israel and that the Joint Distribution Committee waive its right to share in the proceeds of the Special Fund.”