The inadequacy of Jewish community organizations to deal with Jewish problems because of overemphasis on such negative aspects of Jewish life as philanthropy and fund-raising was decried by Harry L. Glucksman, executive director of the Jewish Welfare Board at an education conference of the board and the National Association of Jewish Center Executives at the Ninety-second street Y. M. H. A. yesterday.
Pleading for development of the center to provide Jewish youth with a sense of balance and a goal, Dr. Glucksman pointed out that a great deal of the fear and hysteria which sprang up in this country with the rise of Hitlerism in Germany was due to a lack of knowledge of basic causes and the failure of many Jews to understand their position as Jews.
INFORMATION IS NEEDED
“The adult,” he said, “needs information regarding Jewish problems. He needs also greater opportunity for association with fellow Jews. The reawakening of Jewish interests must be given opportunity for expression in meaningful activity.”
Praise of the center movement for its aid in “effecting a harmonious blending in their (Jewish youths’) lives of the American and the Jewish elements” was contained in an address by Dr. Mordecai Soltes, director of education for the Jewish Welfare Board.
Dwelling on the problem of anti-Semitism, Dr. Soltes declared that it is a “method used by demagogues who are interested in using the Jews as convenient scapegoats.” He quoted Dr. Everett Clinchy as saying, “As wages rise, the market value of hatred depreciates.”
WHY YOUTH IS STIRRED
“What agitates Jewish youth most,” he said, “is to be told repeatedly not to overcrowd this or that profession without being directed to other sources for vocational outlets.”
Dr. F. Ernest Johnson of Teachers College, Columbia University, observed in an address that “the real motive power in salutary social change, even in revolution, is found in tested ideals such as Judaism and Christianity have always proclaimed.”
Other speakers were Dr. Delos S. Otis, TERA educational advisor; Lillian Strauss, Council House headworker; Judith Horowitz of Bronx House; Dr. Frank Astor, Bureau of Child Guidance; E. J. Londow, field secretary of the Metropolitan League of Jewish Community Associations; Herman Jacobs of the Bronx “Y”; Harry Friedgut of Newark, and Harry Lebau of Elizabeth, N. J.
Among the speakers who participated in a discussion of the Jewish center and community organizations, led by Prof. Mordecai M. Kaplan Sunday afternoon, were the following: Rabbi Philip D. Bookstaber of Harrisburg, Pa.; Morris M. Einson of Yonkers, N. Y.; Judge Morris E. Barison of Jersey City, N. J., and Harry J. Appelstein of Pittsburgh, Pa.
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.
