Added Funds Sought for Jewish Welfare Board; Expansion Stressed at Conference

A plea for additional funds to aid in the work carried on by the Jewish Welfare Board was made today by Judge Irving Lehman in his presidential report to five hundred delegates assembled at the annual meeting of the Board’s national council at the Y.M.H.A. The Board raised more than $150,000 last year.

Pointing out the need for expansion and the fact that the constituent societies are now firmly established, Judge Lehman said: “We feel that we must now urge their cooperation in a larger measure in order that the national organization may meet the constant demand for expanded service. The constituent societies and organizations have an obligation to aid the parent body in its plans for raising the amount required to meet the annual budget.

Judge Lehman reported that during the past year the Board directed 14 campaigns in which more than $150,000 was raised and at the present time efforts are being made to raise and at the present time efforts are being made to raise an equally large sum. That communities throughout the country recognize the work done by the constituent organizations is shown in the fact that one-third of the $4,600,000 spent during 1936 by these organizations was contributed by local fund-raising organizations, he declared. This assurance of regularity, he said, makes it possible to plan Jewish center work on the basis of long time needs.

To further the financial drive advocated by Judge Lehman, a resolution was adopted unanimously calling upon constituent societies to make contributions from their own resources by securing contributions from individuals and obtaining allocations from local fund-raising organizations to aid the national board. A national finance council was organized headed by Michael A. Stavitsky of Newark. Judge Lehman was host to the committee members at a dinner held after the meeting.

Other resolutions advocated group insurance and pension funds for employes of Y’s and centers, and urged establishment of vocational guidance and employment bureaus for their members. Extension of health education programs in connection with physical education work was recommended.

Dr. Cyrus Adler, chairman of the Army and Navy Committee, reported that there are approximately 1,700 Jewish young men in the C.C.C. camps throughout the country, and, as a result of the committee’s work, these men are aware that there is “one organization that counts them as worthy members of the Jewish community.” He reported that $40,478 was spent during the year for religious work in the Army, Navy and C.C.C. camps.

During the afternoon session, tribute was paid to Felix M. Warburg, vice president of the Jewish Welfare Board, since its inception, and Harry L. Glucksman, executive director. Rabbi James G. Heller of Cincinnati, addressing the afternoon session, deplored what he called usurpation of religious leadership by laymen and the loss of prestige of the synagogue. He urged a return to the days of the past “when the Jewish community flowed about the synagogue.”

Mrs. Felix M. Warburg was elected vice president to succeed her late husband. Other officers, who were re-elected, are Judge Lehman, president, Jacob M. Loeb of Chicago, and Judge M.C. Sloss of San Francisco, vice presidents, Benjamin J. Buttenwieser, of New York, treasurer and Joseph Rosenzwieg, of New York, secretary.