The appointment of Max Perlman to head the office which the Joint Distribution Committee has opened in Bari, Italy, was announced today by Joseph C. Hyman, executive vice-chairman of the JDC. Mr. Perlman was transferred to his post in southern Italy from North Africa.
The Joint Distribution Committee is preparing to send another experienced worker to Rome, Mr. Hyman said. One of the particular duties of the JDC representative in Rome will be the task of assisting in the reorganization of the Jewish community of Rome so that it will shortly be in a position to provide assistance with a minimum of outside help.
The JDC also reported today that in North Africa the repatriation of Jews from Tripolitania and Cyrenaica is continuing. All will be returned to their country of origin by the middle of July. Most of these Jews will be returning to Tripoli and Benghasi. At present there are about 500 Tripolitanian Jews in Algeria and 300 in Tunisia. About 800 Jews from Tunisia have already been repatriated.
Mr. Hyman revealed that the JDC budget allocation for occupied Italy was $120,000 for the first six months of 1944. “When the tyrant’s weight was first lifted from the toe of Italy. JDC approved $10,000 for speedy use through the Intergovernmental Committee,” he said. “More recently JDC has spent $40,000 in Palestine for purchase of clothing which will be used to aid Jews in Italian camps.” JDC has allocated other funds for Italian relief; $12,500 monthly for three months, which will make possible reopening and continuance of Jewish schools and institutions; a one-time grant of $4,800 to develop workshops in camps; and another one-time grant for equipment of hostels in Naples as well as for reopening of schools, synagogues and for purchase of medical supplies. These sums, together with a one-time grant of $20,000 for immediate emergency relief, bring to $66,300 the total of funds which the JDC has allocated. Mr. Hyman stressed particularly the fact that the JDC operates in Italy under the Intergovernmental Committee for Refugees with the approval of the Allied Control Commission.
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