More than 75, 000 Jewish families had been helped by the Family Location Service, a member agency of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, during the 60 years of its existence, it was reported here today at a meeting celebrating the 60th anniversary of the agency, which was known for many years — until 1955 — as the National Desertion Bureau.
The agency provides location, casework and legal aid service to families involved in family desertion. It also maintains the Jewish Federation Family Court Unit which provides consultation to Jewish families in that court. It has served as consultant to the Federal government and to various state governments such as New York, California and Maine.
Milton B. Enlav, president of the agency reported that it has been able to locate thousands of missing husbands in every state of the union and often in foreign countries. It provides help not only to the deserted wife and children but offers aid to the deserting father in “facing up to his responsibilities and in dealing with the problems from which he is running away,” according to Jacob T. Zukerman, its executive director and chief counsel.
“We are not interested in locating the missing individual just for the sake of finding him, but because we want to help him and his family to reconcile, if possible, or at least to establish a better relationship between the absent father and his children,” Mr. Zukerman reported.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
