Pa. “y’s” Convention Takes Up Merger Idea

The merger of the Pennsylvania and Middle Atlantic States Federations will be one of the important problems to be discussed at the annual state convention of the Pennsylvania Y.M.H.A.’s and Y.W.H.A.’s, which will open at Harrisburg Monday.

Such a merger has long been considered and representatives of both federations will be present at the convention and will study the situation.

The convention will be held in the new Jewish Community Center building. Delegates will attend from all principal cities in the State and from Baltimore, Washington, Wilmington, Del., and New Jersey.

Still another merger now under consideration is that of housing the Judea Lodge, No. 30, B’nai B’rith, of Easton, and the Easton Civic League, an organization composed of Jewish business men, in the Jewish Community Center in Easton.

At the present time the Civic League has a large home in Easton and the Community Center has an even larger home, where the B’nai B’rith meets. It is planned to give the Civic League several rooms in the Community Center building. Joseph Levine, president of the Civic League, has appointed a committee to study the merger.

The Community Centers in Easton, Bethlehem and Allentown have had busy programs during the summer months and although the financial income has decreased, the work continues. A number of social events were held and a series of lectures is being arranged for the winter months.

The Jewish communities in the Lehigh Valley are proud of the fact that during the entire depression no Jewish family was on the county relief list. Jewish residents took care of their own needy through the contributions of a large number of prominent citizens.