Speaking before the closing session of the nineteenth annual convention of the New York State Federation of Y. M. H. A.’s, Y. W. H. A.’s and kindred associations, Judge Irving Lehman, member of the Court of Appeals and honorary president of the state federation, declared last night he felt no fear for the future of Jews in America.
Recognizing that prejudice exists in this country, Judge Lehman deplored that the World War did not result in reducing hostile racial feeling to any extent.
“I do feel that we have troubles at times,” he said, “but at the same time we have a great opportunity to show the world that a good Jew must be a good citizen because his Jewishness demands it.”
Pointing to the Jewish Community Center as a medium for the propagation of Jewish idealism, Judge Lehman stressed the need for giving freely to save the souls of Jewish youth.
CHOSEN PEOPLE IDEA MYTH
“I do not stand with those who say we are the chosen people,” he continued, “but I do say that the true Jew, the man who knows the history of his race and is faithful to its ideals must be a greater citizen, a greater American, a greater servant of his God, even though he be blind to God’s existence.”
The speaker said he believed there is no greater work which an American Jew can do than to give opportunity to Jewish youth to develop morally, physically and mentally but, above all, morally.
J. Myer Schine of Gloversville was elected president of the federation at the closing business session. He succeeds the late Albert Rosenthal of Johnstown, who died last spring. Other officers named were: Vice-presidents, Arthur D. Mann of Schenectady, Ely Koplowitz of Troy, Miss Celia Bloom of Rochester and Morris Lion of Buffalo; secretary, Rabbi Myron W. Jacobs, Gloversville; and treasurer, Leon Brounstein, Syracuse.
In a resolution adopted by the convention the incoming executive board was authorized to begin preliminary negotiations for the acquisition of a district or state camp to be operated by the federation.
TO STRESS EDUCATION
It was also resolved to lay greater emphasis upon Jewish educational activities in local associations and to promote inter-association programs. Youth conferences to discuss problems affecting Jewish life were also recommended.
Dr. Philip R. Goldstein of New York city, member of the National Jewish Welfare Board and field secretary of the federation, delivered a report calling upon the delegates to restate the high principles and standards set by the welfare board and the federation, and to bring the federation to a higher level of efficiency and usefulness.
Speaking on the subject, “A Hebrew University,” Miss Gladys Sobie of Rochester won the Bernard B. Given oratorial contest sponsored by the education department of the federation. Paul Olum, Binghamton, received second prize. Miss Sadie Brenner of Syracuse and Laura Anikstein of Gloversville also competed.
SLAP AT COLUMBIA
Miss Sobie pictured Columbia University as one of the best examples of silent exclusion.
“For a long time it seemed probable,” she said, “that President Nicholas Murray Butler of Columbia and President A. Lawrence Lowell of Harvard would be ranked together as the leaders of the movement for educational restriction of Jews.”
Trends in physical and health education were discussed at a symposium yesterday afternoon. Participating in the symposium were Sam Phillips, Rochester; Al Sloman, Albany; Max Schneider, Syracuse; H. H. Unterfort, Gloversville; Emil Cohen, Buffalo; Joseph Levine, Binghamton; Reuben Friedman, Troy; and Mary Bernstein, Syracuse.
Later, Rabbi Shepherd Z. Baum of Albany led a panel discussion on factors and forces contributing toward a united American Israel. Rabbi Bernard J. Bamberger of Albany, George M. Hyman of Syracuse, and Rabbi Julian L. Greifer of Binghamton participated in the panel.
Rabbi Joshua S. Kohn of Utica spoke on youth movements and Rabbi Myron W. Jacobs of Gloversville discussed the Jewish center movement. Federation and welfare funds were discussed by Tobias Roth, Rochester.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
