Jewish Community Centers Report Increased Activity

A survey of the effect of the economic depression upon Jewish recreational institutions conducted recently by the National Jewish Welfare Board, indicates that while the income from the more than 275,000 members in 262 YMHA’s, YWHA’s and Jewish Community Centers has decreased appreciably during the past year, the attendance at mass functions and other Jewish Center activities has, on the contrary, increased considerably. This was the substance of an address delivered by Harry L. Glucksman, executive director of the Jewish Welfare Board, parent organization for Y’s and Jewish Centers, at a conference of executives Sunday at the 92nd Street Young Men’s Hebrew Association.

“This emergency conference of the heads of Y’s and Jewish Community Centers was convened by the Jewish Welfare Board for the purpose of considering ways and means of increasing the scope of usefulness of those institutions to meet the greater demand on their facilities, resulting from the increase in unemployment,” Mr. Glucksman stated.

“Recognizing the difficulties in which many unemployed members find themselves, the policy of the Jewish Community Centers has been to accommodate themselves to current conditions. In many Centers members were permitted to pay their dues in quarterly and monthly instalments. In deserving cases, the payment of membership dues was temporarily waived altogether. In order not to affect the pride of the unemployed adversely, Jewish Centers in making provision for them have done so on the basis of ‘payment when able’. Every effort is made to retain such members on a basis which will permit them to enjoy the full privileges of the association, and also to maintain sustained contact with the Center and the community. The underlying motive of the Boards of Directors in extending these privileges to those unable to meet their financial obligations has been to help maintain the morale of the membership, particularly of the younger people during these trying times. Opportunities for wholesome recreation and social contacts were therefore cheerfully provided to all who have applied, and the masses of the Jewish people have responded eagerly to the call for aid and support in maintaining the usefulness of the Center unimpaired.”

“That the Jews of America recognize and appreciate the opportunities for wholesome recreation afforded by the Y’s and Community Centers is shown by the continued support which they have given these institutions”, Mr. Glucksman continued. “It should be noted that despite the economic upheaval, not one YMHA or Jewish Center was compelled to close its doors. Salaries of workers have been slashed and expenses have been cut to the bone, but the morale of the Centers has been maintained. With the aid of membership and deficit campaigns conducted with the cooperation of the Jewish Welfare Board, the base of support has been widened. Hence, while the average amount contributed by members has decreased, the total number of supporters has been augmented. The latter have been drawn from all elements in American Jewry — Orthodox, Reform and Conservative. The Jewish Community Center is rapidly taking its place as a unifying factor in American Israel.”