Judaization of Youth is Task of Community Institutions, ‘y’ Leaders Told

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

The Judaization of the Jewish youth of America is the prime task of the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Associations of this country, according to Dr. S. Benderly, director of the Bureau of Jewish Education who addressed the Seventeenth Annual Convention of the Associated Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Associations of New England, which opened here Sunday. Dr. S. Eenderly stressed the need of a readjustment in the work of the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Associations of this country.

“During the past twenty-five years, the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Associations of this country have made a noteworthy contribution toward the Americanization of the Jewish youth,” he said. “During these years, when the Jewish youth was largely immigrant, their Americanization was one of the primary problems confronting the Jewish community. and no better agency could have been devised for the attainment of this end than the Young Men’s Hebrew Association. The Americanization of our youth, howeven is a process nearing its end, even in the larger cities. The Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Associations of the country, therefore, need a new task worthy of their capacity. In my opinion, this new task is the Judaization of the Jewish youth.”

“The Jews of America will continually be under the necessity of justifying their existence” declared Louis E. Kirstein of Boston addressing the convention. Mr. Kirstein protested against the enthusiasm with which some American Jews received Henry Ford’s recantation.

“The mischief done by Ford is irreparable and although we Jews are a forgiving people we must in selfrespect await concrete evidence of a genuine change of heart on his part.

Albert Hurwitz, president of the Associated Y. M.’s and Y. W. H. A.’s of New England in the course of his address announced a contribution of $1,000 from Louis Kirstein for the educational work of the association and a sift of $1.000 from Joseph Finberg of Attleboro. Mass. toward the junior camps. Mr. Finberg undertook to raise $9,000 additional for this purpose.

An educational symposium was held on Sunday afternoon. Izzy Zarakoff. Athletic Director of the Assocfated. Miss Emily Solis Cohen, Field Secretary for women’s work of the Jewish Welfare Board. E. J. Londow, Field Secretary for the New Jersey Federation of Y. M. H. A.’s and Benjamin Rabinowitz, Executive Secretary of the New England associated Y. M.’s and Y. W. H. A.’s participated in the disenssion.

A resolution was adopted thanking the Jewish Welfare Board for its constructive assistance.

Greetings were forwarded to the World Zionist Congress at Basle.

An “Old Timers” Association, limiited to members of at least seven years standing, was formed. Albert Hurwitz of Boston was reelected president for a seventh term. Vice-presidents elected were George E. Gordon. Chelsea: Max Kabatznick, West End; Jessie Kelter, Framingham: Kate Jacobs. New Haven; Eli Cohen. Lynn. was elected treasurer and Arthur Kornstein. Woonsocket, secretary.

Irvin Hoffman representative of the Raltintore Y. M. H. A. and the Y. W. H. A won first prize in the oratorical contest held in connection with the annual convention of the Middle Atlantic States Federation of the associections at Norfolk. Va In competition with representatives of the associations from Washington. New-port News. Va., Richmond, Va., and Norfolk. Mr. Hoffman spoke on “The Jewish Community Center as a Bridge Between the Young and Old.”