Tens of thousands of Jews overseas are now in more desperate need than at any time since the end of World War II, Morris Laub, who just returned to the United States to take up his new duties as assistant secretary of the Joint Distribution Committee, declared today at a press conference here.
“The emigration of more than 592,000 Jews from Europe and the Moslem world during the past five-and-a-half years has seen the neediest group remain behind,” Mr. laub insisted. “Today thousands of aged, ill and handicapped men and women–the so-called ‘hard core’–who are still dependent on the J.D.C. for survival, are beset by new fears–fear that they may be the victims of increasing world tensions, fear that aid to them may be halted before a permanent solution can be found.”
He added that if intensive J.D.C. rehabilitation can be maintained an estimated 50 percent of the “hard core” will oventually be able to achieve economic independence. He also reported that the J.D.C. in 1951 will aid Jews in Moslem countries by a child feeding program, a medical program and a schooling program.
Moses A. Leavitt, J.D.C. executive vice-chairman, who was also present at the press conference, pointed out that the J.D.C. is also helping the “hard core” cases through Malben, the J.D.C.-Jewish Agency-Israel Government institution for the care of “hard core” cases. He reported that at the present time Malben is caring for 3,300 men and woman in Israel and that the number will increase at least to 5,700 by the end of the year.
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