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One million acres in the United States are today being farmed by Jews, and the real estate and personal property value of their holdings is over $175,000,000, according to the estimate of the Jewish Agricultural Society. Gabriel Davidson, general manager, has just issued the twenty-ninth annual report of the Society. The Jewish farm population, based on the figures of Dr. H. S. Linfield as given in his study of the Jewish population in the United States, numbers 109,600.
During the past eleven years, the post-war period, 11,384 Jewish men and women desiring to buy farms applied to the Farm Settlement Department for advice and guidance. Farms were found for 1,027 families, of whom 486 received loans to help finance their purchase. This department is responsible for the establishment of the Toms River-Lakewood Settlement, one of the most important poultry centers in the east. It helped place there more than one hundred Jewish families, who have become successful farmers. Recently new Jewish farming centers were established in Farmingdale and in Bound Brook, N. J. In the Bound Brook settlement, 44 families bought farms. This settlement is the result of the strong demand for farms near the city because of the opportunity it offers of engaging in farm work without entirely discontinuing the city job, a continuation of which is important in the early stage of the new farmer. This is a trend in which the Society sees much promise, the report states.
Through the Farm Settlement Department the Society is also carrying on fraud prevention work and is waging war against dishonest farm agents.
The Society’s Farm Loan Department has since 1900 granted a total of 9,387 loans aggregating $6,004,611. Loans have been made to farmers in 40 states. Last year loans were made to 454 individual farmers located in 16 states, and 1,954 persons were directly benefited. The financial service extended by the Society is based on business principles, though loans are made on marginal securities and their repayment is spread over a long period of years. There is no exaction of bonus or commission or payment of renewal charges. This department has aided many farmers to obtain firmer foothold and has also helped numerous persons to take up agricultural pursuits.
The Farm Employment Department has secured employment for 16,371 (Continued on Page 4)
The agricultural experts of the Extension Department visited 2,393 Jewish farmers during 1928 and held 138 meetings, demonstrations, field days and extension schools. Through this system of instruction, the farmers received up-to-date and scientific information in the various branches of farming. In addition, advice and aid were given to 1,881 farmers who sought individual consultation at the Society’s central office. This Department also gave scholarships to the sons and daughters of Jewish farmers at the agricultural colleges in five states.
The department also maintains a Purchasing Service Bureau, which saves the farmers considerable sums in the purchase of supplies and material. The Agricultural Night School conducted by this department is the only one of its kind. The school’s attendance has more than doubled since it was opened four years ago, and its enrollment for the 1928 session numbered 185. The Extension Department also publishes “The Jewish Farmer.”
In 1928 the Society’s Sanitation Department made 868 farm visits in the Jewish farming districts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. It has promoted high standards of rural sanitation, safeguarding farm water sources, teaching sanitary disposal methods and protecting food supplies.
The Society also made loans for the erection of synagogues and community houses, and has promoted and supported rural religious education. The Society cooperates with the National Council of Jewish Women and with the United Synagogue of America in advancing the social and religious phases of rural life.
The officers of the Society are: Percy S. Straus, president; Lewis L. Strauss, vice-president; Reuben Arkush, secretary; Francis F. Rosenbaum, treasurer.
The celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Congregation Children of Israel Temple, Memphis. Tenn., will be observed April 5, 6 and 7, Milton Binswanger, congregation president, announced.
Rabbi Elijah D. Stampfer of Baron Hirsch Synagogue, and the Rt.Rev. Thomas F. Gailor, bishop of Tennessee, will speak at the celebration.
The Temple charter was approved by act of the Tennessee Legislature in March, 1854, and was signed officially by Secretary of State Ramsey on April 6. Since its founding the Temple has grown to be one of the south’s largest synagogues in membership. Dr. H. M. Eltelson is Rabbi of the congregation.
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