Close to 600,000 pounds of matzo and matzo meal and 41,000 bottles of Passover wine have been shipped to Europe and North Africa by the Joint Distribution Committee to help needy Jews in those areas celebrate the Passover holiday. It was announced this week by Samuel L. Haber, JDC executive vice-chairman. In addition to the 300 tons of Passover supplies, which cost about $145,000 Haber said, JDC allocated $100,000 to finance the shipment of thousands of Passover parcels to needy Jews in the Soviet Union.
“About 75 percent of the Passover shipments, close to 400,000 pounds, went to Rumania, Haber said. “In addition, JDC has allocated another $180,000 for supplementary Passover relief in Rumania. This includes cash grants of $5 to $15 to 11,000 persons, special Passover food packages to 11,500 and Passover meals for about 2500 in community canteens.”
Other countries receiving Passover shipments in addition to Rumania, were Yugoslavia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Spanish Morocco and Tunisia, Haber said. Special Passover relief grants in Iran, Morocco and other countries will enable needy Jews in those countries to purchase Passover supplies locally. Funds for Passover relief in other JDC health, welfare and rehabilitation programs come mainly from the campaigns of the United Jewish Appeal.
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