American Jewish Committee LIBRARY JEWISH PHILANTHROPY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO • DALLAS ATLANTA • SAN FRANCISCO MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA MELBOURNE THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, LTD. TORONTO JEWISH PHILANTHROPY AN EXPOSITION OF PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES BY BORIS D. BOGEN, PD. D. •Nmh f orft THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1917 Ail rights reserved COPYRIGHT, 1917 BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Set up and electrotyped. Published May, 1917. TO MAX SENIOR PREFACE > This book is an attempt to meet the demand on the? part of those who are engaged or are interested in Jewish social service, for a statement of the principles evolved through the experience of the last two decades in various philanthropic efforts of the Jews of this country. It is primarily a compilation of the different ideas expressed by the leaders of the movements on various occasions, as well as a presentation of the actual practical experiences that were met in the dif- ferent lines of philanthropic activity. It is intended to serve as a text-book for beginners, and as a ready résumé for those who are already engaged in the field. No claim for scientific treatment of the subjects is made, but it is hoped that as a first attempt in this direction it may serve as an impetus toward clarifying the indefinite views in vogue at present among Jewish social workers of the country and help beginners to orient themselves in the perplexing problems of Jewish social service. The book is practically a revision of a course of lec- tures on Jewish philanthropy given for the last 6 years at the Hebrew Union College of Cincinnati, Ohio.The leading Jewish social workers of the country should be given credit for their co-operation in reading the manu- script and making emendations and corrections with- vii viii PREFACE out which this book would lose considerable part of its value. Special thanks are due, and are hereby tendered to Dr. Lee K. Frankel, Morris Waldman, Louis Levin, David Bressler, Dr. Ludwig Bernstein, Jacob Billikopf, Rabbi David Philipson, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, Adolph S. Oko, and A. S. Freidus for suggestions and criticism, to Dr. Kaufman Kohler for aid in preparing Chapter III, and to Mr. Julius Rosenwald, through whose gen- erosity this publication became possible. I desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to Iskander Hourwich who revised and prepared the manuscript for publica- tion. BORIS D. BOGEN. CINCINNATI, October 1, 1916. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I PAGE THE EXTENT AND SCOPE OF JEWISH PHILANTHROPY 1 A. The Problem of Modern Philanthropy 1 B. Reasons for Philanthropic Agencies Specifically Jewish: Sectarianism. Promise of the Jews—Never to Become a Burden on the General Community. Immigration. The Specific Problem 1 C. The Extent of Jewish Philanthropy 7 Questions 9 CHAPTER II DEPENDENCY AMONG JEWS 10 A. Basic Principles and Specific Causes 10 B. Temporary Dependency Due to Immigration 10 C. Chronic Dependency of Recent Origin: Resistance Power. Formation of Permanent Slum Conditions. The Necessity for Jewish Agencies 12 Questions 15 CHAPTER HI CHAKITY AMONG THE JEWS 16 A. Charity Based on Justice 16 B. Systematic Relief 18 C. Principles of Relief 21 D. Jewish Charity in the Middle Ages 23 E. Charitable Societies 26 Questions 26 is x CONTENTS CHAPTER IV PAGE NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 27 A. The Baron De Hirsch Fund: Baron Maurice De Hirsch. The Jewish Colonization Association. Formation of the Baron De Hirsch Fund. The Agricultural and Industrial Aid Society 27 B. The National Conference of Jewish Charities: Membership 31 C. The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith 33 D. National Institutions for the Care of Consumptives 34 E. National Farm School 35 F. The Council of Jewish Women 35 G. The Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society of America 3 S H. The Educational League 35 I. The National Jewish Immigration Council 36 J. The National Union of Jewish Sheltering Societies 36 K. The American Jewish Committee 36 L. The Joint Distribution Committee 37 Questions 37 CHAPTER V METHODS OF FUND RAISING FOE JEWISH PHILANTHROPIC AGENCIES 38 A. Direct Begging 38 B. The Pushka Method 39 C. Charity Taxes 40 D. Endowments 41 E. Charity Socials 42 F. The Federation Idea :Federation Experiences. Advantages of Federation 43 G. The Subscription Method 49 H. Efficiency Tests for Raising Funds 49 I. Methods of Getting Subscriptions: The Card Catalogue. Circulars. Personal Solicitation. Arguments. Special Help. After Numbers. Special Donations. The Spirit of Rivalry 5° CONTENTS xi PAGE J. State and Municipal Subventions S3 K. Outside Contributions 54 L. Collections by Mail 54 M. Publicity: Reports. Pocket Editions. The Daily Press. Moving Pictures 541 N. Emergency Funds 5$ Questions 58 CHAPTER VI TRANSIENTS 59 A. The Stranger in the Past 59 B. The Modern Conception 60 C. The Passing-On Policy 61 D. The Transportation Rules 62 E. Extension of the Transportation Rules 63 F. Special Decisions 64 G. New Transportation Rules Adopted, 1916 68 H. Violations of the Transportation Rules by Outside Agencies 70 I. Hachnosis Orchim 71 J, Professionals 73 K. Temporary Dependent Transients 75 L. Sick and Defective 77 M. The Tramp 79 Questions 82 CHAPTER VTI THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM 83 A. Early Jewish Immigration to the United States 84 B. Beginnings of Jewish Charity in the United States 85 C. Early Immigration 87 D. Immigration of 1848 88 E. Polish Immigration 89 F. Russian Immigration 89 G. Immigration Funds. 91 H. Federal Legislation 91 I. First Aid to the Immigrant 92 J. The Exodus from Russia and Roumania 93 \ mcccxi CONTENTS PAGE K. Additional Legislation 96 L. The Immigration Law of 1907 98 M. The Economic Status of the Jewish Immigrant 101 N. Protection of the Immigrant at the Port of Entry 102 0. The Anti-Restriction Movement: The Immigration Com- mission of 1907. The Jewish Issue Before the Commission. The Burnett-Dillingham Bill 107 P. The Galveston Movement 111 Questions m CHAPTER VIII DISTRIBUTION «3 A. The Industrial Removal Office 113 B. Co-operation — 114 C. Local Agencies 115 D. Classification 115 E. Methods 117 F. Reception of New-Comers 120 G. Relation to Relief Agencies 120 H. Results of the Industrial Removal Office Work 121 1. The Galveston Movement 122 Questions.../ 123 CHAPTER IX THE BACK TO THE SOIL MOVEMENT 125 A. Early Attempts 125 B. The Agricultural and Industrial Aid Society 127 C. The Extent of Jewish Farming 128 D. Recent Efforts 129 E. Woodbine 130 F. The Industrial Settlement 131 G. Self-Government 132 H. The Baron De Hirsch Agricultural School 133 I. The National Farm School 134 J. General Suggestions 135 Questions !37 CONTENTS xiii CHAPTER X PAGE RESIDENT-DEPENDENTS 138 A. The Sick 138 B. School Hygiene 143 C. Defectives 144 D. Hospitals !45 E. Tuberculosis: Home Treatment. After-Care of Consump- tives. The Cincinnati Method 148 F. Insanity. !55 G. Convalescents 156 H. Chronic Invalids 157 Questions 157 CHAPTER XI DEPENDENT WOMEN AND CHILDREN !59 A. Congregate Systems 160 B. The Placing-Out System 160 C. The Cottage System 164 D. Self-Government 164 E. State Subventions 165 F. Orthodox Tendencies , 165 G. Child-Caring Methods 167 H. After-Care of Orphans 169 I. Day Nurseries 169 J. Family Desertion: Family Desertion as a Problem. Causes of Desertion. Promoting Legislation. Publicity as an Aid. Study of Desertion in New York. The National Desertion Bureau. Methods of Treatment 171 Questions 179 CHAPTER XN INSUFFICIENCY OF INCOME 181 A. Causes of Insufficiency of Income: Inefficiency of the Breadwinner. Training in Trades. Self-Respect Fund. Employment Agencies 181 B. Establishment in Business 187 xiv CONTENTS PAGE C. Self-Support Funds 190 D. Temporary Dependency 192 Questions !95 CHAPTER Xin STANDARDS OF RELIEF 196 A. Different Standards 199 B. Individual Standards 202 C. Existing Standards of Living 203 D. Standards of Relief 208 Questions 209 CHAPTER XIV EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS 211 A. The Rise of Jewish Social Organizations: Young Men's Hebrew Associations. Religious Educational Agencies. The Bureau of Education of the Jewish Community of New York City 211 B. Sabbath Schools: Radical National Schools. Religious Instruction and Social Service Agencies. Religious Services 219 Questions 225 CHAPTER XV THE EDUCATION OF IMMIGRANTS 226 A. The Palace of Immigrants 227 B. Americanization 228 C. Ghetto Forces 229 D. A Change of Policy 230 E. David Blaustein 231 F. New Conceptions 233 G. Opposition 234 H. Program of the Educational Alliance 236 I. Experiences in Other Cities 237 J. A New Departure 238 K. Neighborhood Self-Activity 241 L. Technical Education 241 Questions 243 mcccxiv CONTENTS CHAPTER XVI PAGE JEWISH SETTLEMENTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD WORK 244 A. The Settlement as a Social Service Agency: Origin of Social Settlements. Definition. Residents in Settlements. Charity in Settlements. The Specific Problem. Difficulties in Jewish Settlements 245 B. Jewish Activities in Settlement Work: Jews of Many Lands. Children's Clubs. Jewish Games. Activities for Adolescents. Community Forces 252 C. Religion in Settlements 264 D. Neglected Neighborhoods 266 E. Jewish Neighborhoods 268 F. The Teaching of English 271 G. Employment 273 H. True Americanization 276 I. Expansion of Activities 278 J. Children's Work 280 K. Specialization 282 L. Politics in the Settlement 284 M. Co-operation 288 N. Difficulties of a Jewish Settlement 289 0. Juvenile Delinquency 289 P. Crime Among the Jews. 294 Questions 294 CHAPTER XVII ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION 295 A. Leadership 295 B. The Selection of Leaders 296 C. Persistency in Office Holding 298 D. Qualifications of Leadership 299 E. The Board of Directors. 300 F. Meetings 3°1 G. The Paid Worker 302 H. Qualifications of a Social Worker 3°4 1. New Positions 3°6 J.