The responsibilities of Jewish centers and “Y’s” to serve the armed forces, bolster civilian morale and prepare for the coming peace was stressed tonight at the annual dinner of the National Association of Jewish Center Workers, which opened a six-day convention here today. Speakers at the dinner included Eduard C. Lindeman of the New York School for Social Work and Herman Jacobs, president of the Association. Meyer E. Fichman, president of the Jewish Welfare Board, presided.
“A spiritual victory is to be won in war as well as a military victory,” Prof. Lindeman stated. “Through the common effort now being put forth by the American people we are on the way to a kinship and understanding unsurpassed in American history. This must be developed and strengthened. Otherwise the war may be lost, even if we win it in a military sense.”
Mr. Jacobs emphasized the need to carry on normal requirements and cultural facilities of “Y’s” and centers, in addition to developing special programs to meet war needs. “No matter what additional burdens we may be obliged to carry,” he said, “a special obligation devolves upon group workers in an emergency period to ease tension, relieve pain and grief, and infuse courage in a constituency which, thus fortified and assured, is enabled to function as loyal citizens.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
