The Denver Jewish news., 1919-06-11
Rabbinate Of Europe Ap-
peals to AmericsnJewry
NHED FOR CONSTRUCTIVE RE
laEF rs Observation-Disclosures
ERS MUST BE HELPED TO HELP
THEMSELVES.


Norris 'Engelmun, commissioner
abroad of the Joint Distribution com
mittee of the american Funds for jew
| ish War Sufferers, who has just re-
turned to the United Stntes, after u
stay in Europe of several months, III
u report made to the committee, OF
which Felix NJ. Warburg is chairman,
| lot only gives the result of his OBJ
servations. but makes specific recon-
! mendations' as to what is needed at
this time if the Jews tnruout the war
zones are to be Kept alivc. In the re-
port now made public. Mr.. Enselmuil
states:
THE outstanding impression gained
is that The greatest need of the pres
ent moment is for the American COLI
tributiOn to Jewish relief to he a
permanent impression OF American
goodwill. rather than II temporary
distribution of small doles. Food is
scarce-especially Kosher food-cioth-
ing is scarce. opportunities for self
respecting employment are scarce
Yhese are really the things TINT ARE
needed. Small doles do not carry far.
Moreover, 1t is well to bear in mind
that hitherto accepted 'philanthropic
principles are not applicable In the
.present extraordinary situation in Eu-
rope.
"COncretely there are certain pro-
pos,lls which, in the opinion of the
commissioner. will serve in some re-
spect to mitigate those possible evils.
"First-Loans to Communities Aneri-
can Free Loan Societies. \
1t is proposed that the community
US a whole become the instrument OF
relief; that the Jews of America ad-
vance food and clothing credits, TO be
repaid in the course of time, as the
communities become self-supporting.
These communities will be organized
OH n representative basis. This ar
.l.uigement would tend to mitigate the
evils of the concentration oflpOwer and
responsibility in the hands of a few.
to the possible detriment Of the many.
Secuntl-lmproveme in Means Of
Communication.
At present the problem OF establish
ing communication between destitute
Jews in Europe and their relatives and
friends in America is II very difficult
one by experience. ii has been found
that it is extremely difficult to locate
american Jews whose individual help
is needed by their kin in Europe. This
il; due to changes of names. changes
Of residence and loss of communica-
ton in general. 1t is proposed in
stead to issue call to all the Jews
of America to send us the names OF
their relatives on the other side, and
tu deposit with the Joint Distribution
committee their contribution for the
relief of those nearest to them. BE
cause of police registration in Europe
and other methods of tracing individ-
uals. it should be possible TO devise
very effective methods Of reaching
those next of kin in Europe.
Thirsl-1lle Need tFsr Special COuriers
At present the greatest possible need
for the destitute population is IL Sys-
tenn of well organized dispatch carriers
oi messengers or persons 'othcrwise
90, mpetent and willing to serve as Il
means Of communication. Such cour-
iers. in .co-operation with the people
actually Oh the ground. could solve
.I,roblenis far anoYc effectively than any .
committees or individuals working at
long distances. 1t happens that there Z
are mny persons who ure eompara-
lively .weli-to-do who 'rre only too
enger to serve in sucil'caracities. Their
sympa tilies are already enlisted. They /
are men of unquestioned ability, They
know the ground thofoly. While com
few would engage in this
service on II professional salaried basis.
many of them would undoubtedly give
part of their time. weeks or months