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Big Jewish Health Centre for East London Projected Dr. Redcliffe Salaman Reveals Presiding at Jewish

June 30, 1931
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The idea of a big Jewish Health Centre in the East End of London provided with a large garden, swimming baths, exercise ground, infant nursery, etc., supplying facilities for physical exercise, recreation, family welfare and health education for children and adults alike, was dwelt on by Dr. Redoliffe Salaman, the well-known anthropologist, when he presided yesterday at the annual meeting of the Jewish Health Organisation of Great Britain, of which he is President (and Vice-President of the World Organisation Oze.)

There was a growing need, an unlimited field for social service, Dr. Salaman said. One of their great problems was the clearance of alums. The proposal to establish such a Health Centre in the East End had been with them from the beginning of their work, he said, and the time had now come to consider it seriously in order to provide facilities such as are not provided by the existing organisations or by the State. Such a Centre, in addition to various other facilities, would also provide opportunities for the regular physical overhauling so essential, and for preventive treatment. The Oze, he pointed out, already has such centres in existence in Kovno and in Kishineff, the first two of the kind in the world.

Mr. A. H. Levy, the Chairman of the Organisation, spoke of the work done by the dental clinic established recently by the organisation for the treatment of adolescents, to bridge the period after which treatment is afforded for children in the schools and before it is provided for adults by the approved societies. There had been talk of extending the scope of the statistical investigations conducted by the Organisation into Jewish Community life, he went on, but unfortunately they found a great deal of reluctance among people to provide facilities. The old prejudices still existed among social workers and Jewish clubs, just as they had existed 100 years ago in respect to the supply of census information.

The Haham Dr. Gaster, a Vice-President, commented that it appeared that there was need to clear the mental slums of ignorance and prejudice before they could clear the physical slums.

DIFFICULTY OF OBTAINING JEWISH HOMES FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE TO BE PLACED IN NON-JEWISH HOMES INCLUDING SALVATION ARMY HOMES.

Professor Charles S. Myers, the famous psychologist, Director of the National Institute of Industrial Psychology, former President of the British Psychological Society and of the International Congress of Psychology, a Vice-President of the Organisation and Chairman of its Child Guidance Clinic Committee, said that their Child Guidance Clinic was becoming famous. The hospitals were sending more cases, and it was regarded as a model institution. The social side had been well advanced and they were now strengthening the psychiatric side.

Dr. Myers indicated the great difficulty that is experienced in boarding out Jewish children in a suitable environment. It was impossible to obtain Jewish foster-parents, and the children had to be placed in non-Jewish homes. This was a difficulty, he said, that was felt by all Jewish societies. The United Synagogue, of whose Visitation Committee he is Chairman, he said, also found the same difficulty in finding homes for Jewish children in connection with their after-care work and they frequently had to place their children in Salvation Army homes, although Jewish surroundings in such cases was a most important factor, and in addition the parents were reluctant to have their children placed outside Jewish surroundings.

Dr. Emanuel Miller, one of the psychiatrists of the Clinic, Dr. Myers added, had been asked to sit at the Juvenile Court at Toynbee Hall in order to advise on cases.

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