Union to Spend $100,000 for Work of Synagogue and School Extension

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

More than one hundred thousand dollars will be spent during the coming year by the Department of Synagogue and School Extension of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, it was announced today by Julius W. Freiberg, chairman of that department. A budget calling for the expenditure of $106,731 for the activities of the Department of Synagogue and School Extension will be reviewed by the Executive Board of the Union when that body meets in Cleveland on January 17th for the thirtieth biennial convention of the Union.

The financial program of the Department of Synagogue and School Extension has been reduced by $27,500, it was stated, following the announcement recently made that the Union was facing a financial deficit.

The budget of the Department includes the expenditure of $41,177.66 for religious education. It includes the maintenance of eight religious schools in Greater New York, of a Commission on Jewish Education which is organizing and helping to guide the religious instruction of the Jewish youth to provide publications and study plans to aid their work.

The Department also plans to spend $25,000 for Young Israel, the magazine for Jewish children, and $5,500 for the publication of tracts. Another budetary item of importance is the expenditure of $19,464 for field work. At present the services of two rabbis are utilized by the Department, one as traveling field representative, another as regional rabbi for Pennsylvania. It is also expected that $5,600 will be spent for summer services held under the auspices of the Union.

“During the last five years,” Mr. Freiberg stated, “the general growth of this department as measured by expenses, has been about 78 per cent. The largest part of this has taken place in the field of religious education where practically a new department has been established. Aside from the average thus raised the growth of the last year as compared to four years ago is about 33 per cent. It is needless to say that we are organized to do a much larger piece of work than is indicated by the present expenditures. We trust that the finances of the Union will soon enable the Executive Board to grant us an appropriation far in excess of that voted in the last few years. There is a manifest and persistent call for the service which we are rendering to the Jewish cause and the only way in which this demand can be met is by enlarged budgetary allotments.”

$1,000,000 WILL BE SPENT BY METROPOLITAN LEAGUE FOR COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES

More than $1,000,000 will be spent during the coming year for recreational and educational activities for the Jewish young men and women of New York by organizations affiliated with the Metropolitan League of Jewish Community Associations, it was announced by Sol. M. Stroock, president of the Metropolitan League. These activities will be carried out through twenty-one Y. M. H. A.’s and Y. W. H. A.’s and Jewish Community Centers, affiliated with the Metropolitan League, which have a membership of 60,000. Efforts will also be made during the coming year by the Metropolitan League to reach 500,000 Jewish boys and girls whom a survey of the Jewish population of New York for the League has shown to be unaffiliated with any group.

The organizations affiliated with the Metropolitan League, President Stroock stated. will endeavor to meet the needs and interests with a wide range of activities. In addition to the athletic events and social activities these organizations will conduct classes in a wide range of subjects.

All of the affiliated organizations will conduct public meetings, debates, forum lectures, Friday evening and holiday services. They maintain employment bureaus and circulating libraries for their members.