Local Jewish communities in the United States and Canada have raised, or have been raising–since 1944–a minimum total of $150,000,000 for the construction of hospitals, community centers, homes for the aged, convalescent facilities and congregational buildings, according to a survey released by the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds.
The survey establishes that a top priority concern of Jewish communities today is the mapping of programs and the providing of funds to build new community buildings and replace outmoded ones, as well as to plan for community construction which will serve new and expanded needs. “Communities are rapidly moving out of the planning stage and are going ahead with their actual construction,” the Council reports on the basis of its survey.
Most of the building fund campaigns begun in 1945, the report points out, were inactive during the two following years. “Action was stimulated in 1948 and responsibility for capital financing began to shift to the central community organizations, whereby some have combined these previously-independent efforts with the regular welfare fund campaigns, while others have held separate campaigns for capital funds,” the report states. The C.J.F.W.F. gives the following round-up of actual and projected capital funds programs up to this month:
CHICAGO: Capital funds included in 1949 Welfare Fund campaign; $1,250,000 for capital needs have been set out of $11,750,000 campaign goal. If goal is not reached, amount going for capital funds will be one-fifth of U.J.A. allocation.
NEW YORK CITY: Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, which has raised $20,000,000 campaigns for $30,000,000 in the Fall. Additional projects recently announced include: $3,500,000 hospital to serve Long Island; Bronx Community Center, and a home for aged.
PHILADELPHIA: 1949 Allied Jewish Appeal campaign includes $850,000 for capital needs. Work begun on the first unit of the Federation of Jewish Charities building–Nurses’ Home, cost approximately $600,000.
CLEVELAND: Building moving ahead on a $150,000 Hebrew Academy, and plans are being made by several temples and synagogues, including a $1,000,000 Park Synagogue; BALTIMORE: A synagogue-center has been constructed and is in operation.
DETROIT: Approximately three percent of the 1949 goal of the Allied Jewish Campaign set aside for capital needs. Total cost of $200,000 for extension to Community Center will be borne by the Welfare Federation and Chest.
LOS ANGELES: The Jewish Community Council decided to initiate a Capital Funds Chest with funds allocated by the Welfare Fund, setting aside a minimum of $7,000,000 after seven years.
PITTSBURGH: Set aside 11 percent of $3,600,000 United Jewish Fund goal for capital needs. Montefiore Hospital, requiring $1,600,000 for additional construction, was included in campaign.
ST. LOUIS: Current Welfare Fund goal of $4,450,000 includes $850,000 for capital needs; part of three-year drive to raise $2,500,000 for building purposes.
TORONTO: Will begin campaign at the end of the year to raise $4,250,000 for local hospital. Campaign projected for a new Center.
BUFFALO: Five percent of the United Jewish Fund campaign to be set aside each year for four years to meet cost of new Center building nearing completion. Maximum of $75,000 and minimum of $50,000 allocation in any one year has been set.
HARTFORD: Center building dedication in May, 1949; construction on hospital progressing. Federation conducted community capital funds campaign; MIAMI: Will include $200,000 in Welfare Fund goal for capital needs. Campaign for $200,000 held in December, 1948 to complete a $1,000,000 Center.
MILWAUKEE: Welfare Fund allocated $100,000 in 1948 for a new $1,500,000 Center; same provision made for 1949. Proposed that Welfare Fund provide $75,000 in 1949 and 1950 for addition to Home for Aged. Independent plans made for a temple and two synagogues.
SAN FRANCISCO: Campaign begun to complete finances for $400,000 Maimonides Health Center now under construction. Moving ahead on building of new Mt. Zion Hospital; PATERSON: In 1949 and 1950 the U.J.A. will include $100,000 and $75,000 to supplement the $175,000 raised independently for a new Center.
ALBANY: New building for Home for Aged being completed; estimated cost $500,000; CAMDEN: 1949 Welfare Fund goal includes amount going toward $500,000 cost of projected Center; HOUSTON: 1949 Welfare Fund goal of $1,285,000 includes $50,000 for building; INDIANAPOLIS: As in 1948, $50,000 for unspecified building purposes included in 1949 Welfare Fund campaign.
CAKLAND: Plans made for capital fund campaign under Welfare Fund auspices for $350,000 for home for aged and Center; TRENTON: Welfare Fund plans to include 12 1/2, percent of their $750,000 campaign for Center needs. Serves as reserve to be set aside each year until a sufficient amount has accumulated for a new building; YOUNGSTOWN: Federation has approximately $300,000 in its building fund for a Center.
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