The principal mission of the American Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC) since its founding has been to deliver aid to Jews in distress, usually as the result of war and discrimination. The founders had hoped that they would be able to close their doors after World War I but that proved not to be the case and with the rise of the Nazis their mission became one of helping Jews to emigrate and deal with the refugees who had fled but had nowhere to go. The basic division of labor between the AJDC and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) is that the AJDC helped refugees to emigrate and HIAS helped them once they reached their safe haven.
The Evian Conference of 1938 foresaw the need for a concerted effort to help the refugees and established the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees (IGCR). During the war, a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operated in Europe: Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Quakers, Red Cross, etc. The representatives of these organizations were attached to the ICGR. Jewish activities were under the auspices of the AJDC; their field workers were officially part of the IGCR and, as such, wore special patches on their uniforms and were permitted to us the Army Postal Service.The IGCR was subsumed in to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) on December 9, 1944. This arm of the UN was formed well before the formal establishment of the UN itself on May 7, 1945 and, indeed, functioned under the UNRRA name even before December 9, 1944. Its initial headquarters were in Italy, being the first Axis country fully occupied by the Allies. The modus operandi was established there and, by the end of the war in Europe, offices throughout the rest of Europe could be set up quickly.
Much like the AJDC in WWI, UNRRA initially hoped that their mission would be over relatively quickly. It wasn’t until the war ended that the full magnitude of the “displace persons” (DPs) was understood and UNRRA realized the enormity of the task before them. The UN recognized this by creating the Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organization (PCIRO) in December 1946. PCIRO began formal operation on June 30, 1947. The AJDC field workers were now under the aegis of PCIRO.
When the 15th member of the UN ratified the UN constitution in 1948, PCIRO was no longer a PC and bacme the IRO. The IRO continued its activities until February 1951 at which time it handed over operations to the United Nations High commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
It was not until February 1957 that the last DP camp, Foehrenwald, was closed.
This collection shows some of the many locations in which the AJDC served and is organized according to the organizational name in either the return address or printed corner card. There may be some overlap of dates since old stationery was often used even after the official name had changed. In some cases the organizational initials are not included on the cover and it is placed where is should be according to the “official” dates.
--Michael D. Bulmash, K1966
Browse the Bulmash Family Holocaust Collection.
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Envelope to the International Refugee Organization sent from Oslo, Norway
2012.1.250
Tan envelope addressed in typewritten purple ink to the American Joint Distribution Committee in New York with printed return address on back from the AJDC Oslo office.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: To APO 742-A AJDC/IRO Area Team 1.
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"Mifkad Haolim" (Jewish Agency for Palestine Certificate of Registration)
2012.1.278
Booklet with Hebrew and English Titles, "Jewish Agency for Palestine Certificate of Registration Mifkad Haolim." Includes a black and white photograph of a man and typewritten biographical information in Hebrew.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Jewish Agency for Palestine registration certificate for a Polish Jewish man, issued 1948 in a displaced persons camp in Poland before his immigration to Israel.
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Envelope from the Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 407 (Munich)
2012.1.231
Tan envelope with typewritten address to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, New York, Atten: Mr. M.J. Joslow. Includes stamped and printed return address from the Personal Service Department of the America Joint Distribution Committee.
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Envelope to the International Refugee Organization Sent from Lima, Peru
2012.1.249
Blue patterned envelope with typewritten address to the American Joint Distribution Committee Tracing Office. Includes typewritten information and stamps on back.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Envelope to the International Refugee Organization Sent from Lima, Peru
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The American Joint Distribution Committee as Courier post-World War II Letter to Cyprus
2012.1.279
Tan paper with message written in Hebrew.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: In addition to its various humanitarian missions, the American Joint Distribution Committee acted as a mail carrier not only for its field workers, but also for refugees, displaced persons and other Jews in need. For the most part, this service was provided through its Paris office. Mail would be gathered at other offices and sent by courier to Paris whence it would then be sent abroad either by messenger or under cover to a local Jewish agency for distribution. The AJDC also served the Jewish internees on Cyprus.
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American Joint Distribution Committee PCIRO Team 905 Envelope Sent to Israel Concerning Displaced Persons
2012.1.259
White envelope with decorative red and blue border. Includes typewritten address to Mrs. Erna Schiff and a small illustration of a wolf.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Shortpaid one weight, postage due paid with Israel first dues.
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Envelope from the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 407 (Munich)
2012.1.245
Tan envelope with handwritten address to the Accounting Department of the American Joint Distribution Committee with handwritten and printed return address to the Main Office of the AJDC.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: AJDC/IRO Admin. Sub-Unit.
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Envelope Sent to Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organization (PCIRO) Administrative Sub-Unit Max Leuchter, AJDC in New York
2012.1.232
Blue envelope with decorative red and blue border. Typewritten address to Max Leuchter, ADJC, PCIRO Admin with printed return address on back flap.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Canada to AJDC/PCIRO at APO 407 New York. Typewritten address to Max Leuchter, ADJC, PCIRO Admin with printed return address in Montreal on back flap.
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Envelope from the Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 757 (Frankfort)
2012.1.235
Brown envelope with typewritten address to the American Joint Distribution Committee, New York with printed address from the American Joint Distribution Committee, Frankfurt.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: A late use of AJDC/PCIRO stationery.
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International Refugee Organization Meter Slogan Envelope
2012.1.252
White International Refugee Organization stationery with typewritten address to Mrs. Reta L. Stein.
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Envelope from the Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 757 (Frankfort)
2012.1.236
Green envelope with typewritten address to Miss Jeannette Robbins, Asst. Director, Personal Services Department, New York. Includes printed return address for the American Joint Distribution Committee, New York.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: A late use of AJDC/PCIRO stationery.
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Correspondence from the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 407 (Munich)
2012.1.244ab
Envelope: Brown envelope with typewritten address to Herrn Szaja Waldman with printed and typewritten return address to the Legal Aid Department of the AJDC. Includes writing in pencil on back flap.Letter: Letter on American Joint Distribution Committee stationary, with added Legal Aid Department designation. Typewritten letter in German signed by Dr. Harry Vltavsky to Herrn Szaja Waldman.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Sent within Germany and returned. The letter refers to person being sought and suggests contacting HIAS.
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Envelope from the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 751 (Germany)
2012.1.239
Green envelope with typewritten address to the American Joint Distribution Committee, New York, New York with stamped return address for the American Joint Distribution Committee Emigration Service, New York, New York.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: From Emigration Service, AJDC/IRO Area 1. Stationery for ADJC, IRO Area 6, Gaunting, Germany.
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Envelope from the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 751 (Germany)
2012.1.240
Tan envelope with handwritten address to the Munich District Court and printed return address for the American Joint Distribution Committee in blue.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: From Emigration Service, AJDC/IRO Area 1. Stationery for ADJC, IRO Area 6, Gaunting, Germany.
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Envelope to the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 757
2012.1.238
White envelope addressed to AJDC New York with stamped return address from the AJDC Frankfurt.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: International Refugee Organization Area 3, Sub Area Frankfurt.
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Envelope from the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 407 (Munich)
2012.1.243
Tan envelope with typewritten address to Herrn Mietek Terz in München with printed and typewritten address from the Legal Aid Department of the AJDC.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Used and locally returned.
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Envelope from the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 407 (Munich)
2012.1.241
Tan envelope with typewritten to Miss Jeannette Robbins, American Joint Distribution Committee, New York New York, with typewritten and printed return address for the Director's Office of the AJDC.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
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Envelope from the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 407 (Munich)
2012.1.242
Tan envelope with typewritten address to Mrs. Esther C. Elbin, Personal Service Department, American Joint Distribution Committee, New York, New York with printed and typewritten return address for the Medical Department, AJDC.
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Envelope from the International Refugee Organization sent from APO 541 (Salzburg)
2012.1.246
Tan envelope on American Joint Distribution Committee Salzburg Area Headquarters stationary with typewritten address to Miss Jeanette Robbins.
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American Joint Distribution Committee Envelope Concerning Displaced Persons, Sent from APO 777 (Salzberg)
2012.1.260
Blue envelope with striped border with typewritten address to the Australian Jewish Welfare Society. Includes printed return address to the American Joint Distribution Committee and an illustration of an airplane.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: AJDC envelope with IADP sent through British FPO 754 by air to Australia.
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Envelope from War Crimes Court to APO 407 American Joint Distribution Committee/International Refugee Organization HQ
2012.1.251
White envelope with typewritten address to the Legal Department of the AJDC on Office of the U.S. High Commissioner for Germany stationery.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
An envelope addressed from the War Crimes Court to APO 407, AJDC/IRO HQ.
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Envelope from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Bad Godesberg, Bonn Branch Office to the American Joint Distribution Committee, Munich Chief of Legal Department Dr. S. Rubin
2012.1.253
White United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees stationery with typewritten address to Dr. S. Rubi.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to AJDC in Munich Legal Department mail.
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Envelope from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees sent from APO 108 (Germany)
2012.1.254
Green American Joint Distribution Committee Munich stationery with typewritten address to Miss J. Robbins.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Hand stamp applied over AJDC Munich stationery..
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American Joint Distribution Committee Envelope Concerning Displaced Persons, Sent from APO 228 (Belgium)
2012.1.256
Greyed envelope with decorated red and blue border with typewritten address to Jack Lightmann AJDC from Esther Haskin, JDC.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
U.S. Forces European Theater Netherlands to American Joint Distribution Committee personnel in Argentina.
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The American Joint Distribution Committee as Courier post-World War II Envelope to Palestine
2012.1.270
Green envelope with handwritten address written in blue. Back flap includes a return address and white sticker.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
In addition to its various humanitarian missions, the American Joint Distribution Committee acted as a mail carrier not only for its field workers, but also for refugees, displaced persons and other Jews in need. For the most part, this service was provided through its Paris office. Mail would be gathered at other offices and sent by courier to Paris whence it would then be sent abroad either by messenger or under cover to a local Jewish agency for distribution. This is an envelope with the return address "c/o A.J.D.C./ Paris", with "Opened by/ Mil. Cen.-Civil Mails" seal across flap, to Jerusalem, with large AJDC double circle handstamp.