J. D. C. Exhibits in Philadelphia Work by Jewish Orphans in Eastern Europe

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

An eloquent spokesman for the Joint Distribution Committee has arrived in America depicting the work being done for the thousands of orphaned children.

This spokesman represents the orphaned children of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Roumania, Lettland, Lithuania, Austria, Hungary and Turkey. It’s name is the Orphan’s Exhibit of Eastern Europe.

Early last week, there arrived in Philadelphia an exhibit of the handiwork fashioned by the orphaned Jewish children who have been trained in various vocations in schools, provided by the funds of the United Jewish Campaign. These exhibits, which ranged from the commonest kitchen articles, to the finest work of art, tell eloquently of the work of American Jewish relief.

The American Joint Distribution Committee cares for almost nineteen thousand orphans. The youngest ones were placed in orphanages. Those above school age were place under such tutelage, as might provide them with a means of becoming self supporting. For this purpose the Joint Distribution Committee has provided twenty vocational schools, and fifty-four professional schools and workshops where 5,440 orphans receive that training which will make them financially independent. The work represented in the exhibit comes from these schools. The exhibit is now being erected in the campaign headquarters of the Philadelphia United Jewish Campaign, where it will be on public display the latter part of this week and continuing until the conclusion of the week’s campaign for $1,500,000 which begins here on November 21st. The Exhibit will then be taken to the principal cities of the country.

The exhibit is of unusual interest, both for the variety of its articles, and the fine quality of their execution throughout. The whole is a portable museum, consisting of seven rooms arranged in a semi-circle, with a long corridor providing an entrance. The exhibit includes examples of rug weaving, embroidery, basket weaving tailoring, dressmaking, tapestry and leather, stone carvings, etchings, furniture, upholstery, bookbinding, bone carving and filigree work.

One of the most interesting features of the Exhibit is a section called “The Room of Jewish Themes.” This exhibition consists almost entirely of articles of religious nature, especially decorations for the Holy Scrolls, such as curtain, altar cloth and Torah Covering. This is a gift from the orphans of Lemberg to a Temple in New York. A Torah covering of an old synagogue was used for the pattern of these articles. All the embroidery is done by hand by orphan girls. The room represents work of orphaned children from many sections of Eastern Europe.

Another interesting exhibition is the work of the Boys Manual Department which has two rooms set aside for its display. In the first one sees examples of furniture work. Poland contributes a complete bedroom set; Roumania a small writing table and bench; Lettland, a display table upon which Meerschaum pipes are arranged. There is also a sofa fashioned by the orphans of Vienna, and a tiny sofa and rocker from Mukacevo.

A mask and a standstone statue of the “Golem” lend atmosphere to the room. Both are the work of Moses Zyffier, a Vienna orphan, who is receiving a training in art through the J.D.C. Other examples of artistic accomplishment are plaster of Paris figures, the head of an old woman, “The Rabbi and His Pupil.” Both are the work of eighteen year old orphans, the former by Abraham Bloch of Vienna, and the latter by Pinchos Lewinson of Vilna.

Adjoining this room is a display made up entirely of locksmith work, such as forging, clamps, and mechanical figures. Worthy of especial mention are a miniature spiral staircase, and three models of wagons.

The entrance to the various rooms of the exhibit is very beautiful. The walls are hung with portraits, in pencil, charcoal, and oils, all executed by the children.