A statement on conditions of 25,000 displaced Jews in the British zone of Germany was issued here today by Samuel Dallob on his return to New York after serving eighteen months as director of the Joint Distribution Committee’s operations in that zone. “The British zone,” he said, “contains 30,000 Jews buried in mass graves, 8,000 Jews buried alive in mass DP camps where five share a room-the only furniture three or four bunks and a pot-bellied stove. An additional 17,000 have chosen the more independent but equally abnormal life of community dwellers in Hamburg, Cologne, and other German cities.
“But despite the tragic experiences these men and women suffered during the war years and the distorted, unnatural life they have experienced in the three years since liberation, morale today in high, “he continued. “The majority are buoyed up by the hope of early immigration to the new state of Israel. Others watch avidly for news of immigration opportunities to the United States and other free lands.”
Emphasizing that the camp inmates are doing their best to prepare for immigration, the J.D.C. representative pointed out that some 300 work as carpenters, electricians, tailors and clothing remodellers in three special reconstructive projects established at Bergen-Belsen by the Joint Distribution Committee in cooperation with the Central Committee of Liberated Jews in the British zone of Germany. An additional 800 render service as physicians, teachers, policemen, firemen, cooks and sanitation workers. Some 450 are learning new skills in J.D.C.-ORT training schools. All who perform useful tasks receive incentive payments in the form of extra food and amenity items.
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.
