Reconstruction aid aimed at economic independence and self-support is the “healthiest way” to rehabilitate Europe’s 1,500,000 Jewish survivors, whether they remain on the Continent or resettle in Israel, the U.S. or elsewhere, former Gov. Herbert H. Lehman today told 150 Jewish community leaders at the third annual meeting of the Joint Distribution Committee’s North East Region at to Hotel Commodore. The meeting was held jointly with the J.D.C. executive Committee.
While primary aid is directed currently to “the Hungary the sick and the children, “Mr. Lehman, who is J.D.C. vice-chairman and a leading member of its Reconstruction Committee, reported the agency hopes to increase the scope of its reconstructive measures. This, he added, depends upon the support of the American Jewish Community.
Monroe Goldwater, attorney and chairman of the J.D.C. Reconstruction Committee, announced that the organization in 1947 spent more than $6,500,000 for reconstruction aid “designed to benefit the largest number of Jews in need without regard to political or sect affiliations.” In the past year, he reported, J.T.C.-supported reconstruction operations enabled a minimum of 190,000 Jews, including dependents, to achieve full or partial self-support.
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