During the five years from 1924 through 1928, there has been raised in this city a total of $7,300,000 for local, state, national, European and Palestinian Jewish welfare and charitable endeavor. This is exclusive of miscellaneous funds raised for smaller, unreported drives, according to the annual report of A. J. Dimond, president of the local Conference of Jewish Charities, just made public.
This is an average of $1,460,000 per year, and is hailed by Mr. Dimond as “a very commendable record, which I do not believe can be equalled in any other city of proportionate population, in this country. It is particularly gratifying, considering the fact that a large majority of our population are of the working class, and the burden has been assumed by a small minority.”
Mr. Dimond’s report shows that during the five-year period, moneys received for maintenance of participating organizations of the Conference of Jewish Charities, through the welfare Federation or Community Chest, was $1,107,685.02. In a comparison of public contributions, Mr. Dimond states: “Five years ago, the total annual receipts of the participating organizations of the Conference, was approximately $78,000. These funds were collected by subscriptions, benefits and begging in general; whereas, after five years under the Conference influence, the budget of the participating organizations amounts to $417,000 per year. We hope that they will receive approximately this sum after the Welfare Federation has completed a report relative to a survey involving the hospitals of Newark.”
In writing of the financial position of the Conference, Mr. Dimond states: “Owing to the unsuccessful efforts of the Welfare Federation for the years 1924 and 1925, our participating organizations created a deficit, making it necessary for the Conference to borrow $125,000 from the bank. Up to the present time we have paid $92,000 and owe $33,000 to the bank.
“At the close of 1928, our participating organizations are faced with an additional deficit of approximately $150,000, of which $120,000 is that of the hospital (Beth Israel). Ways and means should be provided to pay this indebtedness.”
The president relates that a communal survey was made “at the expense of over $2,000 of not only our participating organizations, but of those unaffiliated, covering all Jewish problems. As a result, many progressive recommendations have been adopted.”
He urges consideration on the part of representatives of Beth Israel Hospital, for the recommendations in the survey affecting the institution, and refers to the affairs of the local Hebrew (Continued on Page 4)
“A committee has been appointed, headed by Samuel F. Leber, chairman, who has made a thorough study of the educational situation and will have constructive recommendations to offer to the Conference for future action,” he observed.
Mr. Dimond praises the work of the Jewish Permanent Campaign Committee during the last Community Chest drive, which, under the leadership of Saul Cohn succeeded in increasing the number of subscriptions over the previous year by 42 per cent and the pledges by 24 per cent. “In order to accomplish these results, it was necessary to develop an organization of 600 volunteer workers,” states Mr. Dimond. He also praises “the splendid co-operation of the Budget Committee, of which Mr. Oscar L. Weingarten is chairman,” and Mrs. Leah Frank Segal, executive director of the Conference, and her assistants. He pays tribute to the late Felix Fuld, whom, he states, “it will be very hard to replace, and it will require the service of many of our leading men to make up for his service and interest in our Jewish communal problems.”
Anent the Home for the Aged, Mr. Dimond says the following: “The Home for the Aged is a problem not directly affiliated with Conference administration. After the affairs of the Home were discussed with the Conference, I visited their present home, conferred with many members of their board, and have given thought to their requirements. I have reached the conclusion that they must be taken into the Conference, if for no other reason than to prevent their staying at their present quarters, which are inadequate and a firetrap. These one hundred old souls are entitled to protection and a suitable home to pass their remaining years.”
In conclusion Mr. Dimond states: “Five years ago I was elected as the first president of the Conference, and have availed myself of this opportunity to review what has transpired during that time. I do not think it is good policy that the same men should continue in office indefinitely. I have tendered my resignation for the past three years, and do so again at this time, believing that a term of five years is sufficient for any man.
“It is for the best interests of any organization that a change of officers be effected, and I must insist, so far as I am concerned, that someone be elected to take my place, and to whom I wish to extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes for his successful administration.”
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.
