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Displaced Persons Camps

As World War II drew to a close, JDC marshalled its forces to meet a crisis of staggering proportions, racing to ensure that tens of thousands of newly liberated Jews would survive to enjoy the fruits of freedom. By late 1945, some 75,000 Jewish survivors of the Nazi horrors had crowded into the displaced-persons (DP) camps that were hastily set up in Germany, Austria, and Italy. Conditions were abominable, with many subjected to anti-Semitism and hostile treatment.

JDC at the Movies

JDC at the Movies

From the Collections

Documentaries showcase JDC’s role in history In recent years, especially as the JDC Archives has digitized some of its most significant historical films, documentary filmmakers have increasingly conducted research for their projects across the JDC Archives photograph,...

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A Tale of Two Photographs

A Tale of Two Photographs

My Story

An emigration tale from "Down Under" Polonsky Family, Nikopol, Ukraine, April 1909 Back L-R: Jack (1892), Yochanan (1886), Aron (1890), Yechezkiel (1894) Seated L-R: Raphael (1885), Chassia (mother, 1862), Ephraim (father, 1860), Mechlia (1884), Myer (1880) At front...

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Old World Discoveries

Old World Discoveries

My Story

Shtetl reports reveal little-known horrors When Natalie Blitt happened upon a JDC report on pogroms in Polish (i.e., western) Ukraine, events which upended and took many lives in October 1919-July 1920, she was reeling, and posted to Facebook: TFW [that feeling when]...

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The Women of Rieucros

The Women of Rieucros

From the Collections

A letter signed by women interned at Rieucros is found in the Archives. Though it’s been over eight years since I started working as a processing archivist in the JDC Archives, I am still surprised from time to time with the incredible material we have in our...

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Young people being shown how to transplant seedlings in a JDC sponsored training class at the Bergen-Belsen DP camp.
The care of orphaned children became a top priority for JDC. These Polish orphans came via Czechoslovakia to a transient camp in Vienna. After their immediate need for rest, food, clothing, and medical attention was addressed, orphans were sent to JDC children’s homes in France, Switzerland, England, and other countries when possible. Others were placed in separate children’s sections of the DP camps. Austria, c. 1946.
At a JDC-sponsored medical dispensary in Munich, children were inoculated against contagious diseases--a vital part of the health program. Germany, c. 1949.
These young boys received religious instruction at the yeshiva in Wels camp. Rabbis and teachers instructing the Jewish youngsters received special compensation from JDC. Austria, c. 1948.
During the war, Babenhausen was a crude barracks used to hold prisoners. The first Jews arriving there, in late September 1946, still faced deplorable conditions. JDC representatives met them with supplementary food and clothing and immediately began efforts to obtain better lodgings for the winter, especially for families with small children. By the time this Polish mother and her children arrived, a substantial community with several schools had been established. Germany, c. 1947.
In Vienna, too, a seemingly endless flood of Jewish survivors from Poland, then Romania, streamed in from Eastern Europe, overloading the established camps. JDC helped transform the dilapidated Rothschild Hospital into a makeshift camp and lobbied UNRRA to absorb it into the DP camp network. Normally housing 600, every inch of space was used to make room for the thousands of refugees heading towards the more permanent camps in Austria or Germany. Austria, c. 1947.
Students in Riedenburg camp's Hebrew School studied the "Shema" prayer, Austria, c. 1947, Jan Breit.
By September 1945, JDC had been given official sanction to aid in the DP camps, and its teams had begun to arrive. In Bamberg, JDC’s headquarters were noted on the U.S. Army camp sign. Germany, c. 1946, Al Taylor.
Foehrenwald had been one of the best-run. It became the last to close, functioning until 1957 as a home for those with no place to go. JDC maintained a presence there until 1954, helping residents financially until the end, but camp oversight was transferred to the German government by the end of 1951. Germany, c. 1951, Al Taylor.
Two refugees born in flight from Poland were held by their proud fathers in Vienna. At all stages of their journey, they received JDC assistance. Their well-being would be looked after in the more stable environment of a "permanent" camp, with supplementary food, medical and child care services provided by JDC. Austria, c. 1946.

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More Than Just an ID Card

More Than Just an ID Card

JDC’s mission as told through employee identification documents By Abra Cohen and Vivian Wolkowicz Historically, JDC staff have been present on the ground in war-torn regions to assist vulnerable populations. Amid this atmosphere, papers attesting to their identities...

CARE Packages in Action

CARE Packages in Action

How famous fashion designers utilized CARE packages after World War II By Rebecca Weintraub, Senior Processing Archivist If you dig deep enough into the JDC Archives, you’ll find quite a few famous names including Marc Chagall, Albert Einstein, Leonard Bernstein, and...

Stories Come to Life

Stories Come to Life

A glimpse into the depths of the JDC Archives warehouse By Emily Levine, East Coast Community Manager, JDC Entwine Last spring I had the opportunity to visit the JDC Archives warehouse in Long Island City, Queens. Upon arrival I found an array of shelves filled with...