Jews in Bessarabia Returning to Normal Conditions, J.D.C. Hears

David A. Brown, chairman of the $25,000,000 United Jewish Campaign, today made public a cable from Dr. Bernhard Kahn, European relief director of the Joint Distribution Committee, confirming the Jewish Telegraphic Agency despatch a few days ago that the famine relief committee for Bessarabia has been disbanded, and that 300,000 Jews in Bessarabia are now enjoying normal economic conditions there. In his cable, Dr. Kahn pointed to the Bessarabian situation as a “typical example of the good results of the Joint Distribution Committee’s work in time of acute distress.” Funds contributed by American Jews to the United Jewish Campaign, helped to tide the Bessarabian people over until the present harvest time, when good crops brought altered conditions.

Less than six months ago, Bessarabia was one of the horror spots of hungerridden Eastern Europe, due to two years of successive crop failures.

“Bessarabia is a typical example of the good results of the Joint Distribution Committee’s work in times of acute distress. Our Kassa (local loan society) work started five years ago, so far investing $300,000, 80 per cent of which is Joint Distribution Committee money. In addition to this the regular Joint Distribution Committee and Foundation Kassas gave special relief for food supplies. Twenty-two thousand dollars for further palliative relief was given by the Joint Distribution Committee for famine stricken people. Three hundred thousand Bessarabian Jews were tided over this period by these monies. After expressing deepest gratitude to the Joint Distribution Committee, the special famine committee announced its disbanding. Because of good crops our normal work will be sufficient.”

In making public Dr. Kahn’s cable, Mr. Brown said:

“All American Jewry should rejoice at the message that has come from Dr. Kahn. For months we have been pleading with our co-religionists in America, telling them- ‘Thousands of your co-religionists are starving. Your dollars will give them life.’ The response of America has been an unprecedented flow of sympathy and generosity. At present more than $15,000,000 has been raised in this country, and this autumn will, without doubt, see the completion of the $25,000,000 fund which is required to accomplish the economic reconstruction of European Jewry.

From all the agricultural lands of Eastern Europe we are hearing reports of excellent crops garnered by a thankful people mercifully sustained until the harvest time. The story of Bessarabia will be repeated many times in many places this autumn. This work must not be deterred or allowed to lapse. The saving of lives and the reconstruction of Jewish economic life in Europe is the responsibility of the United Jewish Campaign and of the Jews of this country, and the task will be carried on until the hunger cry is stilled.”