DPs Arriving at One a Day Rate
An average of nearly one Jewish Displaced Person a day has been arriving in Omaha since October 1.
Thirty-eight DP's — 30 in October and eight so far this month — have come during the past seven weeks from the DP camps in Germany to make their home here. Eight more are expected this week-end.
They represent the greatest migration of Jews to this city since 1907, when 366 Jews arrived here.
Polish, German, Austrian, Hungarian, Czech, and Lithuanian Jews are among the nationalities represented. They include tailors, electricians, bakers, mechanics, businessmen, laborers, nurses, housewives.
Typical of the newcomers to Omaha are Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Eisenberg, who arrived here last week. Mrs. Eisenberg a pretty blonde nurse, comes from Poland, and spent most of the war in various concentration camps. She bears the number A-26456 on her arm. She is 23, and knows some English, which she speaks clearly. She started work as a nurse this week at the Dr. Philip Sher Home for the Aged.
Her husband, 29, a stone-cutter, comes from Hungary. They met and were married in a DP camp in Germany. They usually speak German to each other.
Mr. Eisenberg is anxious to find work immediately, but his lack of English hampers his efforts. He's studying at night.
The Eisenbergs could have gone back to Poland or Hungary, but they hold no love for the Communists. "We wanted to come to a free country," Mrs. Eisenberg says.
Altogether nearly 100 Jewish DP's have arrived in Omaha since July 1. Most of them are included in Omaha's quota of 125 DP families for the year July 1, 1949, to June 30, 1950. Some have been brought here by their families, but the majority have come with the help of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
Their resettlement and rehabilitation is under the auspices of the Welfare Bureau of the Jewish Federation. Jack W. Marer is Welfare Bureau chairman. The Bureau received its funds from the Philanthropies drive of Omaha.
Most of the DP's are temporarily living in rooms.
Also aiding in their adjustment is the National Council of Jewish Women. Council women meet the DP's at trains, visit them and talk to them about life in America.
The Medical - Dental Advisoty Board offers the DP's free medical service while they are becoming adjusted.
The attempt is being made to get as many DP's as possible out of the camps before another winter sets in. There will, however, still be DP's left in the camps June 30, 1950, when the present DP act expires, according to all members of the Federal Displaced Persons Commission. Efforts to amend the present act, which has been called unworkable and discriminatory by President Truman, failed in the last session of Congress.
The "great migration" is reminiscent of the "Galveston Days" a half century ago. There were few immigration laws in those days, and immigrants arrived in droves.
High point of Jewish immigration to Omaha was on Friday, July 14, 1882, when a party including 23 families and a dozen bachelors arrived in the city.
In 1907 a total of 326 Jews came to Omaha. Between 1901 and 1913 2,035 Jewish settlers came to Nebraska, and most settled in Omaha. Their immigration was aided by the Jewish Agricultural and Industrial Aid Society of New York.
