Jewish Centers to Continue Work Unimpaired Despite Depression, Convention Votes

Jewish centers in Greater New York will continue their activities unimpaired by any excessive curtailment due to economic depression, and will devote themselves unqualifiedly to relieving unemployment distress among their own memberships, it was decided Sunday at the fifth annual all-day convention of the Metropolitan League of Jewish Community Associations held at the 92nd Street. Y. M. H. A.

Sol. M. Stroock, who presided over the morning session of the convention which was devoted to a discussion of “The Business Situation and its Relation to Jewish Community Centers,” sounded a keynote, which formed the basis for subsequent decision, when he declared:

“From each association’s standpoint, the economies in administration due to the reduced incomes must be of a character that will still maintain the cultural, religious and other vital elements of an organization’s program. Sweeping reductions in staff or in salaries, or eliminating important activities will result in serious losses of membership and community good will that have been built up only after years of arduous labor.”

The principal speakers at this conference were Dr. Solomon Lowenstein, executive director of the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies, and Dr. Neva R. Deardorff, director of the Research Bureau of the Welfare Council of New York.

As concerns the unemployment situation, some of the more specific recommendations call for registering unemployed members of centers and endeavors to place them; also by participating in any fund raising efforts for emergency relief, and utilizing Center facilities to sustain the morale of unemployed young people.

Another recommendation urged that unemployed members should be permitted to continue their affiliation and participation in activities without being required to pay dues if not in a position to do so.