Eliahu Dobkin, in behalf of the Youth and Chalutaint Department of the Jewish Agency, reported at today’s plenary session of the Agency executive that there are no more than 330 Shlichim maintained at present throughout the world by the world Zionist movement. Press reports of higher estimates were termed by Mr. Dobkin as false.
The Agency leader also asserted that on the average the Shlichim–Zionist emissaries–earned the “absolute minimum allowances.” Shlichim in Latin America receive the equivalent of less than $80 monthly, in England they receive less than $90 monthly and in the United States their salaries are about $240 monthly. He emphasized that Shlichim must cover all of their expenses–including travel expenses–from their allowances.
Mr. Dobkin noted the following breakdown by departments of Shlichim: Youth and Chalutziut, 144; Aliyah, 64; Department for Jews in the Middle East, 75; Youth Aliyah, 47.
“Shlichim working for the Youth and Chalutziut Department of the Agency specialize in activities in training centers,” he said. Aliyah Shlichim work in immigrant reception camps in Europe and North Africa and in Jewish Agency immigration offices in all parts of the world. Those working in the Middle East are involved in social welfare and community work while Youth Aliyah Shlichim operate chiefly in that department’s own institutions, he added.
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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.