N. Y. Federation Opens $22, 500, 000 Campaign; Drive is Largest of Its Kind

The largest fund-raising campaign ever conducted in the United States for a local health and welfare association, calling for a total of $22, 500, 000 on behalf of 116 agencies, was launched here last night at the 1962-1963 drive-opening dinner of the Federation of Jewish philanthropies of New York. Bernard J. Lasker, campaign chairman, pointing out that this year’s goal calls for $3, 200, 000 above the amounts raised by the Federation last year, declared “the record goal was established to meet increased demands for service; to offset rising costs of supplies, service, wages and equipment; and to provide philanthropic support to an increased number of agencies now associated with the Federation. “

Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller and Mayor Robert W. Wagner were among the prominent speakers who addressed a gathering of 2, 000 at the opening campaign dinner, which was attended by the presidents of all of the Federation’s affiliated agencies. Other leaders of the state and city governments were present, as well as heads of many civic, welfare and educational in situations.

Governor Rockefeller praised the Federation as “a superb example of American voluntary action, dating back to the earliest days of our nation’s frontiers and to Judeo-Christian traditions of conscience, charity and brotherhood.” Mayor Wagner, citing the increasing numbers of aged in the city, said “it is not a partisan question, ” and called for “decisive action in the next Congress to make sustaining medical and hospital care available to those of our senior citizens who need it. “

Other speakers included Lawrence A. Wien, Federation president, who was chairman of the dinner; Irving M. Felt, president-elect; and Mrs. Alan H. Kempner, chairman of the Federation’s women’s division board.

Last year, according to Federation officials, the association’s hospitals, homes for the aged, child care, family service agencies and Jewish educational services provided assistance to 850,000 New Yorkers of all races and faiths. The number is expected to increase by 10 percent in 1963,

Awards were presented to presidents of member Federation agencies in honor of their community leadership and service. A symbolic presentation was made to Mrs. Samuel Zahn, who has headed the Beth Abraham Home, in The Bronx, for 30 years.

Federation’s campaign will be conducted by 15,000 volunteers organized by businesses, professions and communities. It is expected that more than 500 fund-raising dinners and luncheons will be held before the drive ends on January 31, 1963.