J. D. C. Leader Predicts Insecurity for Jews in North Africa

A period of “insecurity and uncertainty” for the Jews of North Africa was foreseen by Moses A. Leavitt, executive vice-chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, upon his return today to the United States, after a three-month survey of JDC operations overseas.

“As a result of recent economic and political developments in North Africa and other Moslem countries,” Mr. Leavitt declared, “there may be new emergencies requiring assistance for thousands of men, women and children.

“The Jews in these areas look today to American Jewry for assistance in surviving during the next period of insecurity and uncertainty. This aid is vital in helping them to become healthy useful elements in North Africa if they remain, or in Israel if they go there.”

Mr. Leavitt, whose overseas survey tour took him to South America, Israel and Europe, attended the recent JDC country directors conference in Paris. Pointing to a sharp decrease during the past several years in the number of displaced persons requiring JDC aid in Germany, Austria and Italy, he indicated that JDC’s major job in Europe today is “the strengthening of communities and community institutions, as well as a growing emphasis on rehabilitation programs designed to make needy Jews economically self-sufficient.”

ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMMIGRANTS IN SO. AMERICA

He predicted that within the near future JDC might be able to reduce the volume of its aid to these areas and prepare for its eventual withdrawal. He noted the outstanding contribution made by Malben, JDC welfare program on behalf of aged, ill and handicapped newcomers to Israel. “Not only is JDC thus serving the needs of 100,000 distressed persons,” he declared, “but it has greatly lightened the burden of the Israel Government and of the Jewish Agency by enabling them to concentrate on other problems, including the absorption of hundreds of thousands of new immigrants.”

The JDC vice-chairman was most enthusiastic about his visit to South America, calling it the “continent of the future.” He was particularly impressed by the “boundless possibilities” for the expansion of industry and agriculture there, and the opening of new opportunities for immigrants.

“I was happy to see many newcomers reaching South America in such numbers from countries of surplus population,” he said. “Those Jewish immigrants who wish to do so will be able to find opportunities to create new lives for themselves, so long as they have some understanding of the problems which they will face. They must have not only advice and understanding from those who receive them, but material help until they are able to become self-sufficient.

“I was happy to be able to tell the Jewish communities of South America that JDC is prepared not only to continue its assistance programs, but to put its 40 years of experience and know-how at the disposal of the local communities in helping to solve the problem of the newcomers,”