Newspaper Page Text
The Southern Israelite
Page 7
l our Federation
By EDWARD M. KAHN
Executive Director of the Atlanta Federation of Jewish Charities
The Transient
stitutes about ie per cent of
• ht rrlief problem of the organiza-
,. on but makes about ten times as
noise in the community. He
v a young man, able bodied
ly, but impatient and rest-
, with a mental twist in his make
He has followed the trails of the
h all its hardships and adven-
Dccasionally he is honestly in
h of employment. Very often he
unemployable. Most often the pros
ier of work scares him. He comes
h for the sunshine and warmth.
The orthodox traditional attitude
, the “stranger” is based on
..ius 22:20—“And a stranger shalt
mu not wrong, neither shalt thou op-
s him; for ye were strangers in
the land of Egypt.”
Biblical injunction makes the
ious Jew a ready and easy victim
Twentieth Century impostor,
-windier and schnorrer.
s true that the majority of the
Shelter Homes or “Hochnosoth Or-
i“ are orthodox institutions. There
eals and lodging are never denied to
any transient.
Wherein then does modern social
wrk differ in its methods and prac-
> from the traditional orthodox
attitudes ?
l ;rst. as regards background his-
>r information which may lead to
inderstanding of the motives and
personality of the individual, and per-
naps offer an explanation for his pres-
condition. The orthodox layman
says in fact: “Ask no questions.
,,!V e the man food and shelter.”
■ "nd. as to transportation. The
asportation Rules of Jewish So-
i Agencies are anathema to the or-
group in particular. Ever
i the organization of the National
Conference of Jewish Social Service,
membership in that organization re
quired adherence to the Transporta
tion Rules.
The Rules are based on common
They prescribe that Jewish
Agencies shall ascertain the
d residence of a transient first and
no transient shall be sent to any
\ , -ithout the consent of the Jew-
" ^ Parities of his home town or any
‘ r t° w n. That precludes any tran-
• t being sent to any city other than
m’me. The Agency is liable for
an .v infraction of the Rules.
A favorite practice of the orthodox
P is to get rid of a transient by
g him money or a ticket for
other town. A Chattanooga
net or Shamos will buy a ticket
a man and send him to Atlanta.
in fact, is a form of cruelty
; ated by sentiment and good in
dention.
’ what are the actual Federa-
.Practices in dealing with the
transient ?
An effort is made to utilize
ase work methods by obtaining,
A » Background history and in
formation.
^) Utilizing the resources of
the community.
(C) Co-operating with out of
town Agencies.
2. No transient is denied food and
lodging for one, two or three days.
3. In cases of young people under
eighteen, or very old men, an attempt
is made to return them home.
4. In many cases, contact is es
tablished with parents or relatives
and transportation secured for the
transients’ return.
5. Agencies are contacted by tele
gram and information secured about
impostors and fakers.
6. No encouragement is offered to
professional schnorrers.
7. A large quantity of clothing is
distributed to transients.
In all fairness to the orthodox group
in Atlanta, the writer wishes to ac-
klowledge the co-operation of the lo
cal Hochnosoth Orchim. The writer
may state here that the Ahavath
Achim Congregation has evolved a
very efficient and workable scheme
of helping itinerant Rabbis, Schoch-
tim, and Cantors by giving them a
contribution out of a special fund.
The writer is a member of the Na
tional Committee on Transients, or
ganized by the National Conference
of Jewish Social Service. This Com
mittee is now making a study of the
Transient problem. It is about to ex
periment with the organization of a
National Clearing or Registration
System and hopes before long to is
sue a manual on practices and work
with transients. It is hoped that
eventually transients will receive the
benefit of case work and that cities
best suited to care for transients will
be willing to assume that responsi
bility. In the meantime, let not noise
and annoyance be a guide in dealing
with transients.
Employment Opportunities
The Federation gets daily calls
from young men and women seeking
employment. We appeal to employ
ers to get in touch with the Federa
tion office, by telephoning MAin 2171,
and inform our Workers of your
needs. Ours is a free service. Will
you help us serve you by helping
others help themselves?
Good Clothing Needed
We can use good clothes, such as
suits, shirts, size 14 to 16, under
garments, socks, shoes. Clothing must
be in good condition, or else it is a
waste to send it to the Federation
office.
In this connection we wish to ac
knowledge the very fine work of the
Sewing Circle of the Council of Jew
ish Women, under the Chairmanship
of Mrs. M. L. Hirsch. The Federa
tion has received children’s garments
sewn by this group, which are dis
tributed to those who need.
Federation Flower
Memorial Fund
Contributions to this Fund have
been received from the following:
In Memory of Mrs. Samuel Rothberg
From Mr. and Mrs. Leopold J.
(Continued on Page 12)
Mile. Stella Rubinstein
Sister and Co-Worker of
Helena Rubinstein
will be in Davison’s
T oilet Goods Department
from 10 A. M. to 5 P. M. each day,
February 10th to 15th
Consultation Without Charge
Mile. Rubinstein has just come to this
country from the Paris Salon de Beaute
and has many interesting things to tell
you about modern developments in
Beauty Culture.
She will be glad to have you consult her
personally on your individual problems,
and will suggest fascinating ways to
emphasize your loveliness.
Mile. Rubinstein will
Speak T uesday and Thursday
at 3:30 P. M. in the 6th Floor Restaurant
You Are Cordially Invited To Attend
TOILET GOODS DEPARTMENT
STREET FLOOR
DAVISCN-PAXCN CO.
ATLANTA ••ajjdiatcd ujLth MAC VS.jVeu;