In the special line of aiding the immigrant the leading society, Hebrew Sheltering and Im migrant Aid, had its 29th annual convention in 1918. Its membership is over 76,000, and its purpose is to facilitate the lawful entry of Jewish immigrants, to provide temporary help, to discourage their settling in cities and en courage agricultural pursuits, to foster Ameri can ideals It has many affiliated societies, East and West. The Federation of Jewish Farmers (1909) has about 1,200 members and 45 so cieties, and promotes admirably the interests of its adherents. Effective societies to encourage agriculture are the Jewish Agricultural and In dustrial Aid Society (1900), which maintains a bureau of information and farm labor office, helps Jewish farmers by counsel and loans; publishes the Jewish Farmer, supports itinerant agricultural lectures, grants free scholarships at agricultural colleges and it was the first to organize agricultural credit banks in America.
The Council of Jewish Women (1893), has developed to over 90 sections in nearly all the States, and many junior auxiliaries. Its work is conducted under committees of religion, religious schools, philanthropy, reciprocity, peace and arbitration, education and immigrant aid, the latter a national feature, while the sec tions engage in religious, benevolent and edu cational work. The National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (1913) co-operates with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, has over 180 constituent societies and aids in the synagogue's social and educational activities. The Council of Y. M. H. A. and similar socie ties (1913) promotes the education, religious and otherwise, of its 372 component parts and acts as organizer and adviser. The National Conference of Jewish Charities (1899) has a membership of nearly 200 societies from all sections, with regular conventions and other helpful features. The 11th annual session of Jewish Social workers at Pittsburgh in June 1917 had 300 delegates from every large city in the United States. It was there stated that the
sum of $10,000,000 is spent yearly on Jewish organized charitable work. Among the sub jects discussed were the needs of federation, social problems, child caring, art in settlements, mental hygiene, wife desertion and child aban donment. The National Farm School (1896), with over 230 graduates and 2,500 members, conducts an agricultural school and farms, at Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa., to promote scientific farming and a taste for agriculture among young people, particularly recent immi grants. The American Jewish Publication So ciety (1888), 15,000 members, distributes 50,000 volumes yearly, issuing works in Jewish his tory and literature for its readers, old and young. In 1917 it published a new translation of the Old Testament, and has planned a num ber of scholarly works, original and translated, in various departments. It is aided appreciably by a number of important endowments. The Intercollegiate Menorah Association (1913) has branches in various colleges, publishes a map zinc, and aims to study and advance Jewish culture and ideals among college men and women. The American Jewish Historical So ciety (1892), 400 members, has issued 26 volumes. It maintains a collection of books, manuscripts and historical objects, and pub lishes volumes of Jewish historical interest from year to year. The American Jewish Committee (1906) with a comparatively small membership, but fairly representative of Ameri can aims to prevent the infringement of Jewish civil and religious rights and to alleviate the consequences of persecution. Its func tions are executive as well as advisory. It main tains a bureau of statistics, co-operates with other organizations at home any abroad in Jewish interests, takes a leading part in secur ing relief funds in emergencies, and issues pub lications from time to time bearing on its activi ties and related subjects. Consult the Year Books of the American Jewish Publication So ciety (Philadelphia 1900-18).