The Vienna Jewish Community today vote to impose a tax of 20 schillings (nominally $2.00) on every gift food parcel sent by American Jews and distributed here by the Joint Distribution Committee. The measure was approved overwhelmingly following a stormy session of the Community Council.
It is hoped to realize 60,000 schillings from the tax which will be used for relief funds. Parcels distributed to persons on relief or to children under 14 will be exempted from the tax. It will go into effect June 16, when the J.D.C. will make the next distribution, following a lapse of a few weeks during which no parcels were issued.
During the debate the managing director of the relief fund reported that relief grants from the Austrian Government would be exhausted shortly and that the Community would face bankruptcy in three months without the tax. The opposition warned that there would be a strong reaction against such an “unpopular tax,” and asked on what basis the J.D.C. had recently divided some 9,000 parcels among 7,000 persons.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
