Memphis Jewish Service Agency Celebrates 100 Years of Existence

One hundred years of uninterrupted service to the Jewish community here was celebrated last night by the Jewish Service Agency at a dinner at which Philip Bernstein, executive director of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, was the guest speaker.

Herbert Shainberg, president, reviewed the development of the Agency since 1864, when it was established as the Hebrew Benevolent Society. It was chartered later as the Federation of Jewish Charities, and in May, 1926, it became the Federation of Jewish Welfare Agencies. It continued with this name until 1957, when it adopted its present title.

Through depressions and wars, through epidemics and floods, this agency struggled and grew always maintaining a high standard of operation. It joined with other social service agencies to develop good community programs. It was one of the organizers of the Community Chest in 1923. Any Jewish family or person in Shelby County who needs help with a family or personal problem is eligible for the service of The Jewish Service Agency. Jack Lieberman is its executive director.

PHILIP BERNSTEIN STRESSES ROLE OF JEWISH WELFARE AGENCIES

Addressing the audience at the 100th anniversary celebration, Mr. Philip Bernstein, said that the work done by the organization has been in the noblest tradition of Jewish religious purposes and values in healing and strengthening family life, in caring for orphaned and for emotionally disturbed children, in adoptions, in providing for the aged, in dealing with psychiatric needs, in vocational and educational guidance, and in community organization. “These services,” Mr. Bernstein said, “are no longer limited to the poor alone, but serve all sections of the community. The givers are also the users.”

Beyond all that has been done, he stressed the importance of new responsibilities and opportunities that are opening up and that press upon voluntary agencies with great urgency. “Involved are several of the major domestic issues before the nation,” he pointed out. “Voluntary agencies can make a great, unique and indispensable contribution in dealing with them, he said. They can bring understanding which is a prerequisite for effective action, can clarify the causes and define measures for prevention, can help chart the paths to standards of quality and excellence in measures for the national welfare.

“In the President’s declared war on poverty, who knows more about the problem and what to do about it when the people who deal with it, ” Mr. Bermatein asked. “Who knows more than the welfare agencies about what poverty does to those who sutler from it, why people are dependent, what the costs are of mistakes in assistance programs, and what the savings are in dollar and human terms in helping these people intelligently?

“The voluntary welfare agencies’ knowledge, insight, and guidance are needed in Washington, in the state capitols, in the county boards and city councils. They can bring their appraisals of what is currently being done and not being done, the strengths and weaknesses of existing programs, the gaps and inadequacies that need to be overcome.”