U.S. Army Lauded for Aiding Reconstruction of Religious Life of Jews in Germany

The sympathetic attitude of American commanders and other officers and their interest in helping the displaced Jews in the camps solve their religious problems were lauded today at a press conference by Rabbi Alexander S. Rosenberg, religious director of the Joint Distribution Committee in Germany, who returned to the United States this week after six months in the American zone.

Rabbi Rosenberg disclosed that the U.S. military authorities in Germany issued a directive permitting kosher slaughtering of cattle in several areas of the American zone following the refusal of a large number of religious Jews to eat non-kosher rations. “This action by the Army, which was supported by UNRRA, is a heart-warming example of the American tradition of democracy and respect for the next man’s beliefs,” he stated.

Supplementing the kosher slaughtering of cattle are shipments of canned kosher meat purchased by the J.D.C in the United States and shipped to J.D.C. warehouses in Germany for distribution in the camps. More than 39,000 two-pound cans of kosher meat have already been shipped to Germany in a program that will total 200,000 pounds, it was disclosed.

Discussing the educational problems now facing displaced Jews in Germany, Rabbi Rosenberg declared that the greatest need at this time is for qualified, experienced teachers for the many classes that have been formed since V-E Day. To meet this situation, he disclosed, the J.D.C. has shipped to Germany more than 85,000 volumes of English, Hebrew and Yiddish texts and religious books, in addition to large quantities of school supplies. He also revealed that prayer books and text books are now being published in Germany, under J.D.C. auspices.