The New York State Federation of Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew and Kindred Associations, affiliated with the National Jewish Welfare Board, at its 17th annual convention, concluded here last night, dealt primarily with the role the community center can assume during the present economic emergency.
The conference went on record as supporting the stand of Newton D. Baker, Chairman of the National Citizen’s Committee for Welfare and Relief, recently formed in Washington, in his emphasis on character-building agencies.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel J. Harris of Buffalo, who led a discussion on “What the Jewish Center Can Do for the Unemployed,” urged the conference to open buildings and community centers where the unemployed could spend their leisure time, and to inaugurate vocational courses for trade education of the unemployed.
Former Congressman Isaac M. Siegel of New York City, who addressed the Convention on behalf of the National Jewish Welfare Board, declared “the time must never come when a man eminently fitted for public office is to be refused a nomination on account of his religious faith.” “If that day ever comes,” he added, “our thinking American citizenship will rise from its temporary stupor and rebuke the party responsible for such bigotry in such an emphatic manner that the so-called leaders will never forget.” He specifically alluded to the candidacy of Lieut-Gov. Lehman for the Governorship.
J. Meyer Schine of Gloversville presided at a conference on dramatics. Miss Louise Meyerovitz, director of dramatic activities at Albany, and Philip Gross, director of dramatics of the Bronx Y.M.H.A., led the discussions.
Rabbi Julian L. Greifer, executive director of the Binghamton Community Center, led a symposium on mass cultural activities. He urged that programs deal with social problems and stated that the aim of the Center is to broaden the horizons of its membership and stimulate thinking along social lines.
George M. Hyman, director of the Jewish Communal Home of Syracuse, presented a paper on Jewish Content in the Club Program and stressed creative activity along Jewish lines.
In the annual Bernard B. Given oratorical contest, Benjamin Worthman of Gloversville, whose subject was, “The Menace of Hitler,” won the first prize, and Theodore Berger of Syracuse was awarded second prize.
Assemblyman Haskell H. Marks, President of the Rochester J.Y.M. & W.A., who has served as president of the Federation for 10 years of the 17 years of its existence, refused to accept a reelection and was succeeded by Albert Rosenthal of Gloversville.
The conference elected the following additional officers : Vice-Presidents, Charles Gelman of Glens Falls, Arthur D. Mann of Schenectady, Samuel H. Pearis of Binghamton and Miss Mary Scherline of Utica ; Secretary, Dr. George Bacharach of Gloversville ; and Treasurer, Leon Brounstein of Syracuse.
At the recent dedication of the California State Building in Los Angeles, Rabbi Magnin delivered one of the principal addresses.
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.
