In the videos below, world renowned historian and Holocaust scholar Yehuda Bauer, traces the historic trajectory of JDC from its beginning in 1914, focusing on its global impact and its life-changing work in places like the Soviet Union, Germany and Poland.

Chapter I: The Establishment of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee

This chapter describes the climate in the American Jewish community that led to establishment of JDC; the merging of three organizations to a "Joint" Distribution Committee; early activities of the JDC in Palestine.

Chapter II: JDC in the Soviet Union

This chapter covers JDC 's work in the Soviet Union in the early 1920's and the establishment of Agro-Joint in Crimea and Ukraine.

Chapter III: JDC in Poland and Germany

This chapter highlights JDC activities in Europe during the inter-war period, including loan cassas across Eastern Europe; and the socioeconomic situation of Polish Jews in the interwar period and the German Jewish community during the rise of Nazism.

Chapter IV: JDC As a Global Organization

This chapter describes the transformation of JDC into a global organization, including the work of JDC during WWII; Bricha; assistance to displaced persons; and JDC's work in Israel, North Africa, and elsewhere across the globe.