Schrag served as the centers director. the constituency it served underwent radical changes. A previously Anglo area realized a sharp increase in the number of AfricanAmerican families. In addition. a Jewish community consisting primarily of Jews who emigrated from Europe decades ago or were born in this country experienced an enormous influx of newly arrived refugees primarily from the former Soviet Union and Iran. An individual less brilliant. creative. and dedicated than Mort Schrag would have been overwhelmed by the challenge of so many radical changes occurring over such a short period of time. Mort Schrag welcomed these challenges and used them to vastly expand the range of the Westside Jewish Community Centers programs. Under Mort Schrags leadership. the decades old educational and recreational programs were sustained and expanded. Intensive new programs were instituted to help immigrants acquire English language skills. master the culture of their new land and. in countless cases. achieve the coveted status of American citizen. Two of Mort Schrags innovations attracted national attention and emulation. He established a Senior Adult Day Care Center that addressed the special social. cultural. and interpersonal needs of individuals whose advancing age led to their social isolation and limited their ability to continue activities in which they were previously involved.
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emigrated refugees immigrants