Pincus: Solution of Social Problems Incentive for Immigration of Jews

Jewish Agency chairman Aryeh L. Pincus, who disclosed yesterday that a quarter of a million Israeli Jews live on a poverty level, said here today that world Jewry must contribute its ideas and know-how as well as financial support to help solve Israel’s social gap. Pincus addressed a press conference prior to leaving for Canada. He said the education funds of the Jewish Agency and the United Jewish Appeal were major tools in this endeavor, but much more was needed. Pincus said that a solution of the social problem would provide an incentive for Jewish immigration from certain countries. He said 14,000 families are expected to arrive as immigrants this year, a third of them from Western countries. Pincus said about 10,000 immigrants are expected from the United States and Canada. He said there was no certainty as to how many might be permitted to leave Russia. He also noted a growing immigration trend among Jews in Latin America where many are caught up in social upheavals and are suffering economically. According to Pincus, the Zionist Organization’s membership drive is expected to produce 800,000-one million registered members in time for the next Zionist Congress. He said the drive was having notable success among youth. He said that in France alone some 8,000 youths have been registered as members of the Zionist Organization on an individual basis. Pincus said Zionist efforts on behalf of Soviet Jews were paralleled by a similar effort for Jews in Arab countries. He said committees have been working in behalf of these Jews in several capitals.