A LIFE NOBLY LIVED 181 



ity he learned and formed his opinion on the general 

 status of the Jewish social worker in this country, mate- 

 rially and in other respects. The various opportunities 

 offered in social work have been analyzed and individual- 

 ized by him for the benefit of the younger workers, and 

 the bringing about of a new standard in the profession 

 was one of the many problems in which he was concerned 

 during the last years of his earthly life. 



He strongly advocated the opening of special courses 

 for the training of Jewish social workers, and the idea 

 of founding a social workers' pension fund originated 

 with him and was given expression at the National Con- 

 ferences. In his memorable address, delivered before 

 the National Conference in June, 1911, he made the fol- 

 lowing striking remarks: 



"Jewish philanthropic and charitable institutions in 

 the United States are no longer satisfied with the serv- 

 ices of the amateur worker or of the down and out mem- 

 bers of respectable families of the communities. They 

 want well-prepared and thoroughly qualified workers." 



"There is at present a scarcity of well-prepared and 

 qualified workers. Last year about half a dozen fine 

 positions in the country went a-begging. 



"To attract the Jewish young men and young women 

 and to retain them in service, the following are impor- 

 tant requisites: 



"1. To raise social service to the dignity of a profes- 

 sion by demanding professional preparation on the part 

 of the social worker. 



"2. To offer to the prospective social worker a salary 

 sufficient for a modest but decent living. 



"3. To assure the social worker that he or she will 

 not starve in the case of a breakdown or a total dis- 

 ability, and that his or her family will not suffer should 

 they die." 



