Jewish Center Executives Adopt Emergency Financial Program

The definite standards that should be observed and the economies that are possible in the general administration and maintenance of Jewish Centers were outlined and a program for the stimulation of essential activities involving a minimum of cost was adopted at a special conference of executives of Y.M.H.A.’s and Jewish Centers called by the Jewish Welfare Board last week to take measures to meet the present financial situation as it effects Jewish Centers. The meeting was held in the new 92nd Street Y.M.H.A.

Pointing out that publicly supported institutions had already begun to feel the effects of reduced giving, the chairman of the conference, Harry L. Glucksman, executive director of the Jewish Welfare Board, declared that “the present financial situation demands that the executives of Jewish Centers take the initiative in instituting such emergency economies as are compatible with the maintenance of recognized standards of service, but in effecting necessary savings there should be no essential dimunition of the benefits of the Jewish Center program.”

After Louis Kraft of the Jewish Welfare Board had outlined the various elements that could be considered with a view to affecting savings, the conference gave itself over to a detailed consideration of the data gathered by the Jewish Welfare Board relative to financial operations of Jewish Centers. It was decided to consolidate the detailed recommendations of six committees of executives, who were appointed to prepare detailed recommendations as a guide to Jewish Centers in dealing with the present emergency, in a report that will be made immediately available to all Jewish Center organizations.