JDC Adopts $24, 940,000 Budget for 1972

A $24,940,000 budget for 1972 was adopted today by the Joint Distribution Committee at its 57th annual meeting, attended by 400 Jewish community leaders from the US and Canada. The meeting elected Edward Ginsberg of Cleveland as chairman of the JDC. He succeeds Louis Broido, who was named honorary chairman. Ginsberg, general chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, was recently appointed head of the International Fund Raising Committee of the Jewish Agency.

The JDC’s record budget is intended to finance health, welfare, rehabilitation, educational, cultural and religious programs on behalf of 316,000 needy Jews in 25 countries. Samuel L. Haber, executive vice-chairman of the JDC, reported that the relief agency will have spent $23,527,000 by the end of 1971 to aid some 311,000 Jews in Israel, Eastern and Western Europe, North Africa, Asia and other countries. Haber said that 40 percent of the 1971 expenditures went for a variety of programs aiding some 97,000 people in Israel, 30 percent assisted about 160,000 persons in Western and Eastern Europe and 25 percent helped 43,000 needy Jews in North Africa and Iran.

In his acceptance speech, Ginsberg said, “I have long admired the work of the Joint Distribution Committee and in my travels on behalf of the United Jewish Appeal I have become intimately acquainted not only with the tremendous accomplishments of the JDC in areas of Jewish need around the world, but also with the massive needs in Israel, North Africa and in Europe that remain to be provided for.”

Jack D. Weiler was re-elected chairman of the JDC’s National Council for a sixth one-year term and was re-elected vice-chairman of the JDC. Judge Nochem S. Winnet of Philadelphia was re-elected vice-chairman of the National Council. A report outlining continuing needs in 1972 was delivered by Louis D. Horwitz, director general for overseas operations. The meeting was chaired by Edward M.M, Warburg.