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Correspondence

Feb. 5, 1974

Letter from Martin Schwarzschild about NYANA and Soviet Jewry Integration (1974)

Soviet Jewry
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Letter about NYANA and the Integration of Soviet Jewry (1974)

Dear Mr. Farber: Thank you very much for sending me the minutes of our January 24th meeting. Mr. Pruzan has also given me a detailed report of Mr. Goldman’s and his meeting with you and Mr. Schwarzschild on January 26th in our office. I regret that other commitments did not permit me to participate in that meeting. I do hope that our various discussions will lead to our finding effective ways of helping the newly arrived Jewish immigrants from Russia.Let me comment on some of the questions which arose at our meetings:**The question of supplying the volunteers with lists of newly arrived immigrants:**I reviewed this question further. I can only inform you that it is essential for NYANA to adhere to its basic policy of not providing such lists to any community group. As I tried to explain at our January 24th meeting, this is based on the confidential nature of our relationship with our clients and on well-tested and tried experience over many years in many different types of situations. We do not believe, however, that our policy needs to hinder the services the volunteers wish to provide.**The question of conducting English sessions:**We will be glad to inform the newly arrived immigrants of any sessions—place, time, etc.—your group may plan to hold. We will be pleased to supply a room at one of the hotels if you wish to conduct them there. I am sure that you will be pleased to learn that since August 21, 1973, we have placed about 230 Russian clients in various schools where they receive intensive English instruction.**The question of assisting NYANA with finding jobs for the Russian immigrants:**This type of service is extremely important, first and foremost for the immigrants, and then to help NYANA with its entire program. We are doing everything possible to interview the newly arrived immigrants as quickly as possible to determine their employment background, educational objectives, and to try to place them in jobs. As we explained at our meeting, not all immig…
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Letter from Robert Forman to Martin Schwarzschild about NYANA and Soviet Jewry Integration (1974)

Dear Mr. Schwarzschild: I appreciate your recent letter dealing with the families who were in the Hotel Mayflower in Jersey City. I have called this matter to the attention of NYANA, and am awaiting word from them on this. As you are aware, I am in the process of meeting with NYANA officials in an effort to work out an approach towards the proper use of volunteers. I will be away from my desk for two weeks, but look forward to speaking with you when I return in September. Sincerely, Robert P. Forman
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Letter from Martin Schwarzschild to Max Stern about NYANA and Soviet Jewry Integration (1974)

Dear Mr. Stern: Somehow, there appears to be a misunderstanding. My purpose in approaching UJA was single minded, namely to have them investigate NYANA and if they find that my suggestions bear merit, do something about it – and fast. Although NYANA does not like volunteers, and their employment supervisor has stated so publicly – my purpose certainly was not to work out an approach towards proper use of volunteers. If this comes about as a by-product of a NYANA reorganization, all well and good, but the reorganization is a paramount must of the U.J.A. As I indicated to you Monday night, things are not getting better, rather the other way. How much longer the whole affair can be kept from the press – with so many unhappy Russians here and so many New York Jews aware of that – is something I no longer wish to predict. Hope to see you again soon – at more happy affairs – looking as well as you and Mrs. Stern did. Sincerely, Martin Schwarzschild
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