Evening star., 1937-07-04

one but the personnel OF the center
themselves knows which membel
constitutes charity" case
In addition to this the Jewish Com
nunity Center OF Washington extend!
its recreational facilities to orphan!
from the Foster Home and by means
OF a student loan fund yearly as
sists young men and women to com
plete their college courses It con.
ducts. In cooperation with the P
w. A.. National Park Service, Reset.
tlen1ent Administration and the c
c. c.. q Summer camp for under
privileged children in Joplin, Va.
that is considered . model enter.
prise and was the first experiment,
Of its kind. Through the hospital
ity room" the library and auditor
iums pass thousands OF young men
and women in search OF compan-
ionship, entertainment or pleasure
In ats classes thousands more have
taken advantage of courses OF study
and In its meeting rooms numerous
civic and national organizations have
gathered. It Is. in every sense o.
the word a community center. devoted
to making life more pleasant, less
lonely and more enjoyable in the
most democratic spirit in the world
The organization is strictly nom
profit. The paying memberships it
has are not enough to support it, but
ne 4 m an, b.er of tho Coron,nn;&,, ~
1t manages to continue existence and
Its contributions OF public service.
Things are easier now than they
were when We first started, back in
1925 says Maurice Bisgyer, di-
rector. We are interested, and
always have been, in doing good, in
serving as = social and educational
center for individuals who have little
or no communal life We don't care
II members are wealthy or haven't a
cent. We are = democratic institu-
ton, operating In a democratic and
thoroughly American fashion"
'HE center is proud Of the fact
that OF the 5000 Jewish children
In the District not one boy or girl
among them is in any of the reforma-
tory schools Of Washington.
That certainly Is some Indication {"
ASSERTS Mr.. Bisgyer, that we are
performing a service for the youth of
she Hebrew population However, We
make no distinction, remember. in
That service. We never ask anv on.
OF what denomination he ia and ron.
sequently We have $50 regular mem
oers VINO are not Of the Jewish faith"
In connection with communal ac.
tlVltles IN the white stone building on
Sixteenth street, the Jewish Coenmu-
nifty Center Theater produces plavs
regularly, training casts and present.
hs the performances in the fine the
ater auditorium on the tirst floor
This last year these players received
second prize in the District for the
best one-act play presented. This or
Eanization also makes a study of the
drama and current plays and meets
on alternate Wednesday evenings
throughout the year.
Another feature OF the center is the
choral society under the directorship
Of Samuel Bagatch, q graduate OF
Peabody University 4 composer and
wel-known concert artist. Then there
are classes In dancing for children
And adults and classes in expression,
As well as a mothers study club.
classes for study Of the Bible and ed
ucational activities on the part of
various youth guilds and other groups.
Many personal services are under
aken by the center. For example,
The Ella Neumann Student Loan
Fund, founded by the Council of
Jewish Women, is a revolving fund
that Is used to aid young men and
romen to complete college courses.
Many such have been saved from the
necessity for giving up college courses
because Of economic pressure, by this
tund. Mr.. Bbgyer has many inter-
esting human anecdotes to relate In
connection.
4 remember one chap" he states
"vho had reeic cred In George Wash.
tngton Unive--''y i1ere In the District.