The Associated YM-YWHAs of Greater New York was “fully operational” in temporary quarters today despite the fact that its offices, equipment and files lie amid the ruins of a midtown Manhattan office building partially demolished by a blast early Monday morning in which over 100 people were injured. David Brodsky, executive vice-president, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today that his organization was functioning with rented typewriters and other equipment in quarters let to it by the Jewish Community Council of Greater New York at 225 Park Avenue South.
Until Monday, the Associated Y’s had occupied the entire 15th floor of the building at 305 East 45th St. ripped apart by an explosion that the authorities attribute to a gas leak. Only one of the Y’s 50 employes–Jacob Weiss, of Long Island, the assistant controller–was on the premises at the time of the explosion at 7 a.m. According to Brodsky, he sustained minor injuries and was able to go home.
Brodsky said that until the Fire Department and the City Building Department permits tenants to inspect the wrecked premises, no estimation of the damage could be made. He said his organization was insured for the equipment destroyed but not for the rental of equipment or the rent it must pay for temporary quarters. It had been tenants of the wrecked building only since last summer. The Associated Y’s operate 10 community centers and 25 summer camps for children and the aged.
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.
