JDC Aided 400,000 Needy Jews in 1974, Annual Report Notes

Although there was a decline of more than 40 percent in the emigration of Jews from the Soviet Union in 1974 there was a sharp increase in the number of Russian ….migrants going to countries other than Israel. This was revealed in the annual report for 1974 of the Joint Distribution Committee issued today by Samuel L. Haber, JDC executive vice-chairman.

“Russian emigration, which had reached a peak of about 35,000 in 1973, was reduced to about 20,000 in 1974,” he said, “Of these, 16,000 went to Israel and 4000 to the United States and Canada. In Rome, where the JDC houses the East European transmigrants, the JDC caseload at the beginning of 1974 was about 1000; by the end of the year the figure had increased to 1781, of whom 1720 were Soviet Jews.” During 1974, JDC aid went to some 400,000 needy Jews in 25 countries overseas, Haber reported, Costs of JDC programs rose to $30,550,000, almost $1,000,000 more than in 1973.

In a foreword to the report, Jack D. Weiler, JDC chairman noted that the increased costs were due mainly to adverse economic conditions. “The devaluation of the American dollar, the revaluation of some foreign currencies and the continued upward movement of prices, compelled JDC to spend $1,000,000 more than the previous year just to maintain its ongoing programs,” he said. The major areas of JDC operation for 1974 continued to be Israel, North Africa, Iran and Europe. In 1974 JDC spent about one-third of its global budget aiding over 110,000 men, women and children in Israel in wide range of social welfare, health, rehabilitation and educational services. Most of the $9,800,000 spent in Israel was earmarked for “Malben” the JDC program in Israel. The figure includes $1,000,000 for aid to more than 150 yeshivoth, with a total student enrollment of 22,600. to refugee rabbis and scholars and other religious activities.