Jewish Community Center Workers Conclude Annual Joint Conference in Boston

Phases and aspects of social work, particularly concerning Jewish community centers, were studied and discussed at the annual joint conference of the National Association of Jewish Center physical Directors and the Association of Center Secretaries which was concluded here tonight.

The conference opened Thursday with an address of welcome by A. W. Rosenthal, president of the Association of Center Secretaries, and a speech by J. L. Wiseman of the Boston Y. M. H. A. In the course of his address Mr. Rosenthal revealed that his organization represents 300 community centers with 150 buildings, costing approximately $25,000,000, and having a membership of more than 275,000. The aim of his organization, he said, is to develop the Jewish group life on the highest possible plane. Louis Hurwich, superintendent of the Bureau of Jewish Education, also spoke. The second session discussed “What Are the Principles and Policies Governing the Junior Division?” Herman Passamaneck, of Pittsburg, Pa., was chairman. Aaaron G. Robison, of Newark, N. J., and Samuel Rodman, of Perth Amboy, N. J., treated the “Development of Jewish Center Philosophy.” In the evening, the second annual conference of the National Association of Jewish Center Physical Directors were opened. There were addresses by the president, Henry M. Stuts, of Newark, N. J.; Joseph Lee, president of the Playground and Recreation Association of America, and Carl L. Shrader, supervisor of physical education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The third session of secretaries took place Friday morning. The discussion centered on “What are the Priciples and Policies Governing the Intermediate Division?” discussed by Rabbi A. Landesman, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Maurice Bisgyer, of Washington, was chairman.

The closing session of the physical directors was held Friday afternoon and was devoted to the subject “The Present Status of Physical Education in Jewish Centers.” The discussion was lead by Samuel Leff, field secretary of the Jewish Welfare Board. There was a business session and reports were presented by the officers.

The fourth session was a joint meeting with the National Conference of Jewish Social Service held at the Meeting House of Temple Israel, Riverway and Longwood Avenue, Saturday evening. Louis E. Kirstein, president of the Associated Jewish Philanthropies, was chairman at this meeting. Dr. Solomon Lowenstein, executive director of the Federated Jewish Philanthropies of New York City, delivered a memorial address in memory of Dr. Boris D. Bogen, who was president of the organization at the time of his death.

The discussion centered on “Social, Economic and Cultural Changes in American Jewish Life During the 20th Century.” The speakers were A. W. Rosenthal, Michael Freund of the Bureau of Jewish Social Research, N. Y., and Dr. Ben M. Selekman, executive director of the Associated Jewish Philanthropies of Boston. The meeting was followed by an informal reception by the Boston committee.

The sessions of the center secretaries were brought to a close with the fifth session which was held at the Hotel Statler, Sunday morning. The discussion was on “What Are the Principles and Policies Governing the Senior Division?” The chairman was Dr. Henry Fleischman of New York City and the subject was presented by Edward M. Kahn of Atlanta, Ga. This was followed by the closing meeting and dinner. The invocation was delivered by Rabbi H. H. Rubenovitz of Temple Mishkan Teflla, Roxbury; an address by the president, and summing up of the convention by Harry L. Gluckman, executive director of the Jewish Welfare Board.