Perception of the JDC and American Jewish Philanthropy by Propaganda Machines in the USSR and other Countries of “People`s Democracies” (1950s –1980s)

JDC terminated its programs in the countries of Eastern Europe in 1948-1949. In November 1952, during Rudolf Slansky`s show trail in Prague, JDC was accused of "developing espionage and sabotage activities." Six weeks later, in January-February 1953, JDC was portrayed in the Soviet Union as "Zionist spy organization, covering up their vicious actions under the mask of kindness."

In post-Stalinist world along with WJC, AJC, HIAS, ORT, and a few additional American Jewish agencies, non-political JDC received the undeserved status of the Zionist`s organization on the pages of Soviet press. So-called anti-"Zionists" books, brochures, pamphlets, and articles were written by propaganda specialists of the Soviet bloc, published and disseminated in zillions of copies. Some of them incorporated "fake facts" and absurd accusations of JDC in "gathering information, organizing emigration" and "generally acting against interests of socialist` countries." JDC had been absent from the territory of the Soviet Union since 1938, but the organization was described by state- run propaganda as an active "diversionary organization" of the "world Zionism." The Soviet propaganda machine employed various avenues to exploit JDC`s name: historical reminiscences (JDC`s as part of the ARA program fighting the Famine in Ukraine in 1921-1923; and Agro-Joint effort and philanthropic activities during and after WWII; JDC`s package program for needy in the USSR; and JDC`s role in the emigration process of Soviet Jews via Vienna and Rome.

JDC became one of the targets of the unprecedented anti-"Zionist" campaign of March 1968 in Poland. True to its anti-Semitic traditions, the Soviet bloc produced propaganda, labeling the political liberalization in Czechoslovakia in 1968 as "a Zionist conspiracy" and alleged JDC involvement.

This presentation will show the evolution of anti-"Zionist" campaign from the time of late Stalinism to the Perestroika and its implication for JDC; presentation will be accompanied by rare visual and documentary materials from the Cold War era.