The $270,000 five-year operating budget newly adopted by the European Council of Jewish Community Services demonstrates the growing strength and maturity of the rebuilt European Jewish communities, according to Samuel L. Haber, executive vice chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee. Voicing confidence that the increased funds would be obtained, Haber noted:
“Not only are most of these communities able to take care of their own welfare needs, they have actually raised over $1.35 million in the past decade to help member communities meet emergency needs arising from the sudden influx of refugees and from natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.”
Pointing out that the expanded budget will pay for programs and personnel to attract youthful and uncommitted Jews and to strengthen Jewish organizational operations, Haber declared; “JDC will continue to help the Council play a more dynamic role in European Jewish community life.”
He added that “until the European communities can develop their own corps of leaders and experts, JDC will continue to make available to them its consultants on center and youth work, Jewish education, social services, community organization and fundraising.” JDC financial aid to the European Council will be phased out as the Council becomes more autonomous, Haber said. Of the countries aided by the Council, three–France, Rumania and Yugoslavia–continue to require substantial financial help.
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