Dr. Bernhard Kahn, director of the Joint Distribution Committee’s work in Europe, and Dr. Joseph Rosen, director in charge of the Committee’s work in Russia, sailed on the Europe on Monday night, after a brief visit here. During their stay they discussed with leading American philanthropists the possibilities for carrying on the work of the Joint Distribution Committee despite the world financial crisis.
Dr. Kahn on leaving said, “I count my visit here successful in that I see we are keeping up the interest in Europe and its problems even through these hard times.” In referring to the meeting of the Joint Distribution Committee at the home of James N. Rosenberg on Sunday, Dr. Kahn said, “the meeting made it clear to American Jewry that not only their financial but their moral help will be needed for a very long time. It is the moral help upon which we must draw. The Jewries of East European countries understand that in this crisis American Jews will not be able to give as they did during the past 15 years. Nevertheless we are sure that all construction work will be continued.”
Asked whether he had means for carrying on this work, Dr. Kahn said, “we have not means enough to carry on this work, but we hope local Jewry will make an effort to see the work through until American Jewry can help again. If they are assured America has not deserted them, they will have courage to go through this crisis.”
Dr. Rosen, while refusing to make a general statement, said that the work of the Committee would continue in Russia.
The program for industrializing the Jews of Russia by teaching them trades and equipping them with machines is being carried forward under Dr. Rosen’s suggestion by the Joint Distribution Committee in order to make it possible for the Jews to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the government.
This program will occupy a good deal of Dr. Rosen’s attention on his return to Russia.
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.
