L.a. Federation-council to Assist in Resettlement of Some 1000 South Vietnamese Refugees

The board of directors of the Jewish Federation-Council of Greater Los Angeles has voted unanimously to provide resettlement assistance for South Vietnamese refugees as requested by the United States government, Mrs. Lawrence Jay Weinberg JFC president, said the Federation-Council through its affiliated agencies-primarily Jewish Family Service and Jewish Vocational Service would assist in the absorption of approximately 1000 South Vietnamese men, women and children into the metropolitan area,

“As a philanthropic organization representing the organized Jewish community and dedicated to meeting human needs, “Mrs., Weinberg said, “Jewish Federation-Council recognizes its humanitarian responsibilities to join with other community and religious groups in helping these unfortunate refugees build new and productive lives.” Costs of the services will be met by government funds, She described the board’s action as “eminently consistent with the historic Jewish and American response to the needs of the displaced and dependent.”

Alvin Bronstein, JFC executive vice-president, said the resettlement process would be part of a national effort initiated by United HIAS Service. United HIAS staff deployed in government receiving centers will channel the refugees to the local community, he said, Once here, public welfare agencies will provide them with such basic needs as food, clothing, health care and rent subsidies with Federation-Council agencies supplementing these efforts with individual counseling and other services designed to help them acclimated to their new culture and language.

The action by the Federation-Council here is in line with similar actions undertaken during the past two weeks by various Jewish organizations throughout the country.