Post-World War I Poland

Even after the destruction and dislocation of World War I came to an end, the situation for Jews in Poland remained bleak. Civil war in neighboring Russia and the Russo-Polish War of 1919-1920 caused further hardship; for Jews, there was additional danger from numerous pogroms. Famine and disease were widespread and the economy lay in ruins. Children were especially vulnerable, with several hundred thousand orphaned. Continuing the relief efforts in Poland it had initiated during the war, JDC leveraged its resources, working with local and regional groups to help provide food, clothing, medical care, and education to the needy. It established vocational training programs, supported reconstruction efforts, and enabled Jews to reestablish or start new businesses through its loan kassa program.