J.D.C. to Provide Ort with $1,600,000 in 1959; Agreement Signed

The Joint Distribution Committee will provide $1,600,000 during 1959 for the vocational training programs of ORT, under an agreement announced today. The amount budgeted by ORT for all its 1959 programs in 20 countries is $5,750,000. Under terms of the pact, ORT will make up from other sources the difference between the JDC grant and the total which it requires.

The agreement specifies that the American ORT Federation will refrain from conducting independent fund-raising campaigns in the United States, but will be permitted to continue its membership activity and solicitation. The latest pact is the 13th signed between ORT and the JDC since the end of World War II. During the past 12 years, JDC financial assistance to ORT has totalled $16,495,000.

A major provision of the agreement for 1959 continues large-scale assistance for the vocational training of Jews in Poland, both those repatriated from Russia and the needy among the so-called “settled” population. The contemplated program also includes funds for vocational education and training programs conducted by ORT in other parts of Europe, Israel, North Africa and Iran during the coming year.

The amount allocated for use in Poland will support ORT training activities on behalf of an estimated 15,000 Jewish repatriates. Another 3,000 are expected to arrive before the Polish-Russian repatriation agreement expires on March 31, 1959. Many of the repatriates lack adequate housing and means of subsistence. Both JDC and ORT resumed activities in Poland one year ago.

Signing the pact for the two agencies were Moses A. Leavitt, JDC executive vice-chairman, and Dr. William Haber and Max A. Braude, representing ORT. Dr. Haber is president of the American ORT Federation and Mr. Braude is director-general of the World ORT Union.