Problem of Jewish Survival in Europe Centered on Communal Life

The problem of Jewish survival in Europe has shifted during the past decade from the preservation of life, health and welfare of the individual Jew to the reconstruction of organized Jewish community life which was so violently disrupted during the 13 years of Nazism and war, Charles H. Jordan, assistant director general of the Joint Distribution Committee, told the 10th annual JDC country directors conference here today.

“The Jews of Europe are not content to survive as individuals, important as that is,” Mr. Jordan said, “They wish also to survive as Jews, observant of the religion, culture and customs of their faith.”

Mr. Jordan reported that of the 1,500,000 Jews on the European continent, exclusive of the Soviet Union, at the end of the war more than 600,000 emigrated, chiefly with the assistance of the JDC. Of the remaining 900,000, he said, 400,000 are in the so-called Iron Curtain countries for which no welfare need figures are available. Of the 500,000 Jews in Western Europe, less than 30,000 are on the private relief rolls of Jewish organizations, he reported. The 1,400 Jews in DP camps and the 2,000-odd who are unaffiliated with communities, Mr. Jordan said will either emigrate or be absorbed into the communities.

Moses W. Beckelman, European director general of JDC, expressed gratification with the growing tendency of Jewish communities to assume responsibility for the support and administration of their local welfare programs. “Most of the communities,” he said, “welcomed JDC efforts over the past years to stimulate local fund-raising and are planning to continue these efforts.” He added that the communities realize the danger in over-dependence on currently available funds of the JDC and the Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.