The Jewish Social Service Quarterly The Jewish Social Service Quarterly
vinced that_Jewis}i cultural work is not a matter of ex- stabilize income and makes it possible for Jewish educa Another aspect of community responsibility is training of sary, to curtail certain activities in the entire educational pgfjiyjticy but Jtba,t.. it. is of intrinsic value to the Jewish tional agencies to broaden their program and to improve personnel. American Judaism is still undergoing a process system. But under no circumstances should Federation per group and to the individual_ member of the group. their standards of instruction and supervision. of consolidation. Jewish education is yet to discover what mit the paralyzing of the central coordinating agencies, ''The approach to the problem of Jewish education must DR. BENDERLY: The financial aspects of Jewish educa is the point of view of American Jewry, what are its aims whose activities are highly integrated and whose functioning tion must be approached from a long range view. In therefore be from the point of view of the future of the and objectives. To do this adequately a personnel that is is essential to Jewish education, even if it is somewhat normal times, it is fair to expect that about 50% of the Jewish group in the United States. If the Jews are intent not alien to American life has to be recruited and trained. reduced in size. on retaining their cultural identity, they must create some cost of elementary education will be borne by the parents; This, too, is a task which only the community can under As to the policies Federations are to follow in making mechanisinTbT^Jevnsfi community organization. There is ultimately the income from this source may even be brought take. budgetary adjustments, it is possible to lay down the fol reason to "Believe tfiat Federation, with, its oyer emphasis up to about 75%. The community has a right to expect I To summarize: Elementary education will eventually lowing guiding principles: on institutionalism and its preo^pation_ problems of the parents to make some sacrifices for the education of Ibecome the responsibility of the parent. All the other ele- 1. In principle, Jewish education must share, in com individual adjustment, is not the mechanism that will serve their children, especially in view of the community's limited Jments in the Jewish education program, supervision, co mon with other Federation functions, in the bud the cultural survival interests of the Jewish group. But, resources. The remaining 25% must, however, remain ordination, adult education, training of personnel and the getary adjustments which are necessitated by de whatever the form of Jewish community organization, it the responsibility of the local community, to be used primar 'maintaining of demonstration centers will have to become creasing income. is evident that Jewish education cannot be included merely ily for maintaining a central organization for supervision, fthe responsibility of the community. 2. In making such adjustments care should be taken on the ground of expediency. There must be a clear etc. Federation support of elementary education by means It would be poor judgment for Federation to decrease the not to affect the vitality of Jewish educational effort understandingthatjf_ we want a Jewish community then of supplementation of income of individual schools reaches total amount alloted by it in former years to Jewish educa or disrupt its continuity. we must have Jewish education. The question of bud at best only about 10% of the elementary school system. tion. Once the total appropriation for this purpose is 3. The particular forms which these adjustments are getary adjustment is only a minor incident in this situation. In New York City, for instance, out of 284 elementary reduced, it will be extremely difficult to bring it back to the to assume should be worked out in agreement with It is also evident that if we accept this fundamental week-day Hebrew Schools only ten receive Federation sup original level. An attempt should be made to eliminate or the agencies responsible for the promotion of Jewish objective of Jewish community organization, then we must port. The others have had to force tuition fees, in some reorganize unnecessary or sub-standard schools and, if neces- educational activities. get the community to see it. Federation leadership has instances, to about 80% of their total budget. This is ac thus far not been able to project this point of view into complished by means of excluding those unable to pay and the Jewish community, and in this the Jewish educators by putting a greater burden upon the parents. Such ad are greatly at fault. Most of them have taken their work justments inevitably work hardship on many of the educa for granted, without giving due attention to the contro tional institutions and penalize those unable to pay. The Julius Rosenwald versial issues involved. Rightly or wrongly, an impression forced situation is, however, an indication that the income has been gained that Jewish education is alien to American from tuition fees can be normally increased. It requires By CYRUS ADLER life. To overcome this, the Jewish educators must keep some central planning and coordinating agency to regulate in touch with the community; they must make their aims the use of facilities and resources in such a way as to satis ULIUS ROSENWALD will be remembered for all time as Whenever he saw that a piece of work had been done and purposes clear to the community. They must demon fy the needs of all those who have a right to avail them J a man who loved his fellow-men and was willing to that he thought of public use, he would send a telegram or strate that Jewish education can and is being integrated selves of the community's educational facilities. aid them in all endeavors that appealed to his heart or to a letter expressing his gratitude that this work had been with American life. There is also to be considered the scattering of the Jew his mind. To him the word philanthropist can be applied done. In other words, although men usually associate phil DR. DUSHKIN: With reference to the division of re ish population which is bound to result in the establish in its original meaning—the lover oi man—and this was anthropy with the giving of money, he expressed it also in sponsibility for the support of Jewish education between ment of smaller schools in more neighborhoods. Advances intensified toward those whom he considered his friends, the encouragement of men who were doing work that he the several groups, it is generally agreed that the basic in educational methods will make it possible to attain satis of whom I was happy to be among the number. I can thought useful. This is a trait that will commend itself, I responsibility is that of the parent. This is a point that factory results even in small units. These small units may illustrate this in a personal way. Instead of using general am sure, to those who are engaged in social service. I put must be insisted upon. At the same time, it must be eventually become self-supporting. They will, however, phrases, he liked in a concrete fashion to give people pleasure. it in the forefront of these few words because it represents recognized that income from this source will never be suf not be able to maintain their own supervisory facilities, When the building of the Dropsie College was dedicated in that generosity of thought which is not so common as gen ficient to cover the cost of extra-mural activities. The which will have to be provided by the central organization. 1912, I had engaged a florist to put a few palms on the erosity of giving on the part of those who have the means cost of elementary Jewish education is at present $40.00— Thought should also be given to the shifting in the age platform and an occasional flower to give the modest hall to give. $50.00 per year per pupil in the week-day schools and from groups for which Jewish education must be provided. The a festive air. I surveyed this work at about five o'clock Julius Rosenwald was a great merchant who had many $15.00 to $20.00 in the Sunday schools. This is a burden average age of entrance in the Hebrew School today is ten in the afternoon and was satisfied. When I came to the years since outlived the conduct of his business for the pur that many parents are ordinarily unable to carry, and it years. There are sufficient indications that Jewish educa hall in the evening, I was surprised to see that everything pose of the financial result. The technique came to interest would be futile to insist that all of them carry this burden tion in the United States will have to direct its attention that I had placed there was gone and instead the entire him more than the result and his vast and far-flung com during the present emergency. to the 10-20 year age group, the group which is subjected platform was banked with beautiful roses and hidden in one mercial operations held the same fascination for him as MR. ROSEN: Income from tuition fees forms at present to outside associational influences to a greater extent than corner the words "Congratulations and good wishes from would the completion of a great epic poem for some master about 40% of the total budget for Jewish education. In the younger age group which comes largely under the in Julius Rosenwald", who had taken the trouble to arrange of verse. Federated cities, the ratio is somewhat lower, 25—30%, fluence of the home. It is doubtful, however, whether the this from Chicago. He was an early convert to the education of trained the balance being made up by Federation contributions and parents will be ready to assume responsibility in the way of A few years back, when he was not so very well, I was social workers and their value to the community, and before income from other sources. But, although the ratio of payment of tuition fees for these groups. Community in Chicago for a few days and called up his office with a he had formed his Foundation he would refer to one or Federation support toward the total amount expended in support will thus be required for reaching the older desire to visit him, but he at once responded that as I was another friend the requests for his help in subjects or the community is relatively small, this support helps to children. the stranger in Chicago he would call upon me. departments in which he had no direct means of informa-
4 IM » i 125 > The Jewish Social Service Quarterly The Jewish Social Service Quarterly tion. "Investigate" was always his motto and little of his He was very strongly of the opinion that each generation him a letter to meet these gentlemen on the day or two that ing, an appreciation of the sciences and of archaeology. great benefactions was ever done upon impulse, even though should take care of its own philanthropic problems and he he was going to stop over. In less than a week, Mr. Rosen Indeed it was difficult for him to withhold his support of much sentiment was behind them. wrote this into the terms of the Julius Rosenwald Fund wald wrote me that he was enthusiastic about the project any cause which was being carried on by good and earnest in the following significant words: and would pay one-half of the cost if the other half would people even when he did not always approve of it and he Another trait was his desire through giving to stimulate be secured in the East. He accepted the Presidency of this frequently said that he would be glad to do this or that if others, for he recognized that no one man or few men "My experience is that Trustees controlling large funds organization and presented to it a Library and a fine Herbar he could be convinced that it was sound and that he was could ever be strong enough to bear on their shoulders the are not only desirous of conserving principal but often ium. It was a source of great regret to him, indeed of sor anxious to be convinced. needs of the unfortunate. This was almost a principle with favor adding to it from surplus income. I am not in row, that the whole thing was swept away by the War. Altogether he was a big and lovable man. His career him thus to stimulate giving, but he had particular joy in sympathy with this policy of perpetuating endowments Beside advocating agricultural pursuits to the Jewish peo deserves permanent record—not that his reputation requires the work on the part of one body or another—work in which and believe that more good can be accomplished by ex ple, he always favored technical and industrial training. He it, but rather for the inspiration it would give to others. he was interested and which followed out his ideas, that pending funds as Trustees find opportunities for con was one of those who foresaw, no doubt from his own busi It is only in this spirit and to this end that I believe Julius people did upon their own initiative simply because they structive work than by storing up large sums of money ness and this particularly in Europe in the post-War period, Rosenwald would have been willing that his biography recognized the worthiness of the work. No one could deny for long periods of time. By adopting a policy of using that the small merchant and middleman would have an in should have been written. his great generosity with his money, but he had, I think, the fund within this generation, we may avoid those ten creasingly difficult time to exist and so movements for agri In 1918, there was a presentation made to Mr. Rosen much more pride in the acceptance of his ideas than in the dencies toward bureaucracy and a formal or perfunctory cultural training and agricultural pursuits and for industry wald by the Joint Distribution Committe and its constituent acceptance of his funds. attitude toward the work which almost inevitably develop and handicraft were the things that he supported as being committees in recognition of his gift of $1,000,000 to the His interest in the advancement of the colored people is in organizations which prolong their existence indefinitely. especially constructive. Jewish War Relief in 1917. This took the form of ad well known—through their higher educational institutions, Coming generations can be relied upon to provide for their Maybe one of the most interesting traits in his character dresses and of a gold loving cup and on this loving cup in aid of the Y. M. C. A. when it would admit colored own needs as they arise." was simplicity and frugality. He never was willing to lav there were inscribed the words: "To the Honorable Julius people and in supporting elementary education in the South. ish anything upon himself. Indeed many lesser men than Rosenwald, Patriotic American, Faithful Jew and Far-see He elaborated this idea in a very well written article in This I think sprang from two impulses. He felt that of he took many more comforts. He had a respect for learn ing Philanthropist". Let this be his epitaph. all the various peoples who came to make up the American the Atlantic Monthly. At that time he was disposed to hold population, the Negroes had the hardest lot and this not be this absolutely as the theory which he had taken to his heart, cause of their material position or even because of racial preju but I remember discussing the subject with him and he ad dice but because they were the only section of the population mitted that this theory could not apply to colleges or uni Julius Rosenwald of the United States whose presence here was not voluntary. versities because as I pointed out to him, if it did, in times of hardship or depression—and this was long before our 1862— 1932 They had been forced here in order to serve the white man present depression—the generation would very naturally turn and he felt that the white man owed them a large return By SAMUEL A , GOLDSMITH first to relief organizations and hospitals and the colleges for bringing them against their will. And then, too, there and universities which had been built up over hundreds of was an American statesmanlike attitude in this interest of HREE stalwart men have dominated the American main, a product of his time. His life, beginning in 1862 years would suffer for lack of support. his. He felt that many sections of the South had not kept TJewish scene. Around them, in hours that were and reaching into 1932, spanned the period of the greatest pace in education with the more thickly populated sections The people who had asked him for help—and there must tragic and in hours that were joyous, Jews in the United industrial and economic development of the American com of the North and East and that by aiding these schools he have been a large number—often aroused his personal inter States gathered or were gathered to build, staunchly, Jewish munity. It was the time when the last frontiers had been would advance the tone of the whole educational system of est and I remember particularly the case of a small boy, a participation in local, national and international affairs. passed; when the West filled up rapidly; when the great the South and hence of America. chess player, for whom he developed a real affection and These three men were Louis Marshall, Julius Rosenwald industrial aggregations grew, prospered, and became gigantic. whom he liked to have at his home. and Felix M. Warburg. They have wrought on a heroic It was, of course, the time when out of the welter of His service to the Jewish people was a matter of noblesse scale, not only for the intrinsic development of the Jew as a democracy arose the kings and princes of the economic oblige. It was abundantly illustrated in the city of Chi His services in Washington during the War period gave citizen, but for participation by the Jew in American and world. cago, where he was the leader in all good works. Outside him a clear view of post-War problems. He realized the world affairs, so that he might, in the best sense of the term, Julius Rosenwald developed and broadened his personal of the city of his residence, his generosity was largest in the need in Europe and even the advantage to America of aid aid of his co-religionists suffering in the War Zone during ing in restoring Europe. Before the United States Govern discharge his obligations as an intelligent American. But vision as he broadened the range of activity of his business the War period and to the continued suffering which came ment took the steps it did, resulting in loans to Europe, one of these remains to carry on, in these times of havoc, enterprises. Originally, as is well known, he was a manu to them since the Armistice and the so-called peace. He now so much under discussion, he proposed to a small group the great burden of leadership. facturer of clothing. Then, through what he undoubtedly was the largest individual contributor to these funds ever the assembling privately of the huge sum of $200,000,000 Julius Rosenwald did not fall swiftly as did Louis Mar would call a stroke of good fortune, he came into the firm since 1914 and gave one-half of the entire sum that has to create a foundation or corporation to aid Europe in shall. The lingering illness which had beset him had not, of Sears, Roebuck & Company, and stimulated the growth resulted already in the settlement upon the soil of about recovering from the ravages of war. however, dimmed his courage or the clarity or precision of and development of that now gigantic enterprise. It has 250,000 Jewish people in Russia. His argument to his fel I have said that in the main he acted after careful con his mind. In spite of his illness, then, the world was not been characteristic of the economic enterprise that he fos low-Jews in connection with this giving abroad was in effect: sideration and investigation, but I remember an occasion in altogether prepared when he died. There was a genuine, tered, that he himself broadened his vision, changed his pur It is a matter of chance that our ancestors migrated to which he was very quick to respond. Aaron Aaronsohn spontaneous, and profound expression of loss and of grief pose, changed the means of expressing himself, as did the America and the ancestors of these people stayed in Europe. visited me in Philadelphia and expounded his plan of an from people of all creeds and from people of many nations. enterprise that he led. Now that a calamity has befallen Europe, if we are able Agricultural Experiment Station in Palestine. He was go One is tempted, in looking back on the really unique Those who emerged as leaders from this great period of to help them we should, just as had our ancestors happened ing to a Dry Farming Congress in South Dakota and I career of this man, to feel that through his life there ran the pressure and development, naturally, were the most vigorous, to stay in Europe we would expect help from those who told him that I thought maybe Mr. Rosenwald and Judge bright threads of a vigorous, interested, and planful career. the most alert, and the most aggressive. They believed are more fortunately situated than ourselves. Mack, then living in Chicago, would be interested and gave In these respects, perhaps Julius Rosenwald was, in the fundamentally in the responsibility of leadership; they be-
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