the opportunity exists. He has, therefore, allocated substantial amounts for Jewish education in the Tunisian budget as well.
'.'ith respect to the JDC education consultant in Tunisia, Mr. Jordan ex-plained that, notwithstanding the Chief Rabbi's opposition to him, Mr, Shebabo has
been a responsible member of the JDC staff for the last 12 years and is entirely,
acceptable to the Comite de Gestion. Dr. Eisenberg agreed that Mr. Shebabo can
be very helpful in the total program, but inasmuch as he is a secularist, he is
not acceptable either to the religious Jewish community in southern Tunisia, or
to the Rabbi. Mr. Jordan explained that Mr. Shebabo is a teacher of many years
experience and his wife is a principal of one of the Alliance schools in Tunis. •;
It may be possible to transfer him to another area without involving a demotion
in his position, but these problems take time to work out. The meeting desired
to record its appreciation to Mr. Jordan for his understanding.
Mr. Jordan added that the education program in Iran is going along well.
The interest of Mr. Isaac '.'olfson has been enlisted in the Ozar Hatorah, and he
has pledged $50,000. Originally, the Ozar Hatorah presented Mr. 1'olfson with a
proposal to establish a teacher-training seminary, at a cost of some $250,000.
That proposal seemed entirely unsound from many points of view, including the
fact t at the Ozar Hatorah had to seek $200,000 from other sources. '.Tien the JDC
was approached regarding this nroposal, it was made clear that there was no basis
for undertaking a tremendous building program when the necessary funds were unavailable. Mr. ' olfson's $50,000 is therefore being diverted to the Ozar Hatorah's
general education program ii Iran. Mr. Jordan has had long discussions with Mr.
l
J'olfson, who was deeply impressed by the fact that the JDC makes available a substantial measure of support for Jewish education. He has also indicated an interest in religious education in Morocqo.
Last year the JDC agreed to provide funds toward building the Saraya Tarasht
school in Teheran. Ozar Hatorah now wants to erect another school in the Gorgan
area, to which many have migrated from outlying communities, and the JDC has indicated its willingness to go alonr with the plan for expanding the school building in that district. The Ozar Hatorah,. houever, has unrealistic plans for building ten schools, involving an expenditure of at least $500,000, which the JDC is •
not in a position to approve. However, in order to secure increased contributions
from the communities toward the maintenance of Ozar Hatorah schools, the JDC has
indicated its willingness to participate to the extent its funds permit, in capital investment for schools.
.
.• .
In concluding his report on JDC support for Jewish education in Moslem
countries, Mr. Jordan referred to a message received from the Cairo Jewish Community, asking his help to find a successor, to the Chief Rabbi of Egypt, who recently died. Mr. Jordan has been looking around for a candidate.
As regards education work in the European countries, Mr. Jor'on explained
that the JDC has followed a policy of helping communities at their request, and
(over)