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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Jay Steingold Papers
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Steingold, Jay | |
| Title | Jay Steingold Papers, | |
| Dates: | 1950-1986, (Bulk 1965-1981) | |
| Abstract: | The Jay Steingold Papers document Mr. Steingold’s involvement in the Laurelton Jewish Center, Jewish Council of Laurelton, Greater Laurelton Fair Housing Council, and Federation of Laurelton Block Associations to improve the community and fight against blockbusting and red-lining during the 1960s to1970s. In addition, the papers document his work and activities in local and national Jewish organizations, and many of his achievements and accomplishments over the years. | |
| Extent: | 2 boxes, 1.2 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | S-32 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
Jay Steingold was a pioneer of integrated housing and an advocate for human rights. In the 1960s and 1970s, many New York City neighborhoods began experiencing the phenomenon of block-busting[1] and redlining[2]. As a resident of Laurelton, a New York City neighborhood experiencing these problems, Mr. Steingold attempted to stop them and create an integrated neighborhood for everyone.
When Mr. Steingold first came to Laurelton in 1957, the community was predominantly made up of Irish, Italian and Jewish families. In the early 1960s, he noticed a disturbing trend in which real estate agents were block-busting in Laurelton. In 1964 to combat this, he and 25 residents founded the Laurelton Fair Housing Council (LFHC) sponsored by Laurelton Jewish Center with grants from the Fund for the City of New York for creating an experimental housing stabilization program. Furthermore, LFHC participated in a complaint against a block-busting real estate agent and a lawsuit against John P. Lomenzo, the Secretary of State of the State of New York. The documents do not mention when Mr. Steingold stopped working for the LFHC.
In 1972, Mr. Steingold co-founded the Federation of Laurelton Block Associations (FLBA), now the Federated Blocks of Laurelton, serving as its first president. Its mission was to maintain a stable, integrated, attractive, and desirable community for Laurelton. There were many programs held by the Federation of Laurelton Block Associations including “Marketing Laurelton”. It was one of the advertising and publicity campaigns designed to educate the community; convince white residents to stay; and most of all attract new home buyers. In addition, both in 1972 and 1975, “Neighborhood Action Program”, “Laurelton Action Plan”, “Walking Night”, and “Cinderella Housing” were taken in hopes of revitalizing 141 Avenue and Merrick Boulevard in Laurelton. By the 1981, the Federation grew to include some 150 block associations and attracted people regardless of race, creed or religion to work together toward common goals.
Mr. Steingold represented and advocated for Laurelton residents on Community Planning Board #13, and Queens Borough President’s Overall Economic Development Program Committee. He was on the board of the Queens Jewish Community Council, the Queens Division of the American Jewish Congress, and the Laurelton Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Furthermore, he was a Vice-President of Temple Beth El and Chairman of its Social Action Committee, a member of the Metropolitan Council and the National Governing Council of American Jewish Congress, and an Assistant Administrator of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, South Shore.
For his outstanding contribution and achievement in the community, Mr. Steingold was also the winner and honoree of many awards including New York City Commission of Human Rights’ “Humanitarian Award”, National Conference of Christians and Jews’ “Builder of Brotherhood” Award, Senior Citizen Council’s Senior Citizen Honoree, Citizen Committee for New York’s “New Yorker for New York” Award, and FLBA’s “Man-of-the-Year” Award.
[1] Block-busting means the practice of deliberately fomenting panic on the basis of actual or the impending move of a minority group family into an area, with the purpose of forcing the majority to move. This increases the opportunity for real estate commissions and for large profits on the turnover of homes. Jay Steingold and Robert Caton, "Open City Isn't Block-busting", Long Island Press, October 25, 1966: 22.
[2] Redlining is the banking practice. Drawing a red line on map around a high-risk area where mortgages should not be given. It is said to have begun in late 1960s when New York City tax base eroded and owners began abandoning buildings. Bankers sometimes refer to the practice as “prudent” investing. Dennis Duggan, "Mortgage 'Illness' Seen Spreading", Newsday, April 8, 1977: 3.
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Scope and Content Note
The Jay Steingold Papers document Mr. Steingold’s involvement in the Laurelton Jewish Center, Jewish Council of Laurelton, Greater Laurelton Fair Housing Council, and Federation of Laurelton Block Associations to improve the community and fight against blockbusting and red-lining(1) during the 1960s to1970s. In addition, the papers document his work and activities in local and national Jewish organizations, and many of his achievements and accomplishments over the years.
The records are grouped by subject. Series and sub series are listed in alphabetical order. The series are: Federation of Laurelton Block Associations (2) (9 folders, 1970-1986), Honors and Awards (1 folder, 1970-1971, 1975-1981), The Greater Laurelton Fair Housing Council (7 folders, 1950-1976), and The Jewish Council of Laurelton (4 folders, 1969-1976). The records are in the form of publications, correspondences, legal papers, meeting materials, newspaper clippings, a map, and a photograph. Most of the collection dates from 1965 to 1981.
The series Federation of Laurelton Block Associations (FLBA) (9 folders, 1970-1986), relates mainly to the Associations’ work in the maintenance of property in Laurelton. It also relates to the revitalization of the commercial strip along Merrick Boulevard. The series contains six sub series: Budget (1 folder, 1976), Clippings (2 folders, 1970-1986), Correspondence (1 folder, 1971-1981), Legal Papers (1 folder, 1975), Meeting Materials (1 folder, 1971-1981), and Publications (3 folders, 1971-1981), the contents of which are detailed in paragraphs below.
The sub series Budget (1 folder, 1976) contains the revised budget of “Marketing Laurelton” from January 1 to May 1, 1976.
The sub series Clippings (2 folders, 1970-1986) contains newspaper clippings concerning Mr. Steingold and FLBA’s opposition to blockbusting and red-lining in Laurelton. It includes articles from 1973 about two major Long Island real estate firms charged with steering prospective home buyers to and away from Laurelton because of the buyers’ race. It also included articles from both 1972 and 1975 about the “Neighborhood Action Program”, “Laurelton Action Plan”, “Walking Night”, and “Cinderella Housing” taken in hopes of revitalizing 141 Avenue and Merrick Boulevard in Laurelton.
The sub series Correspondence (1 folder, 1971-1981) consists of letters, reports, telegrams, news releases, and public hearings about FLBA and Mr. Steingold’s various activities between 1971 and 1981.
The Legal Papers (1 folder, 1975) sub series consists of the brief of the Metropolitan Council of the American Jewish Congress and the FLBA in the appeal of Thompson vs. John P. Lomenzo, the Secretary of State of the State of New York.
The sub series Meeting Materials (1 folder, 1971-1981) consists of typed agendas, church meetings, series workshops, conference programs, and typed formal meeting minutes Mr. Steingold participated in as representative of the FLBA.
Publications is the largest sub series (3 folders, 1971-1981) and includes two sub sub series. One is Laurelton Action Plan (1 folder, 1974-1975) which is the Laurelton Action Plan and summary along with the Technical Background Data for Laurelton-Cambria Heights Action Plan prepared for The City of New York, Department of City Planning, and Office of Neighborhood Services. The other is Publications (2 folders, 1971-1981) which contains the flyers, invitations, newsletters, advertisements, a proposal, and a constitution about the events and movements involving FLBA and by Mr. Steingold.
The series Honors and Awards (1 folder, 1970-1971, 1975-1981) includes many awards and honors Mr. Steingold received for his outstanding contribution and achievement including the New York City Commission of Human Rights’ “Humanitarian Award”, National Conference of Christians and Jews’ “Builder of Brotherhood” Award, Senior Citizen Council’s Senior Citizen Honoree, Citizen Committee for New York’s “New Yorker for New York” Award, and FLBA’s “Man-of-the-Year” Award. Furthermore, the series contains a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Steingold from the Mayor of the City of New York.
The series The Greater Laurelton Fair Housing Council (LFHC) (7 folders, 1950-1976) includes seven sub series; they are Clippings (1 folder, 1965-1972), Correspondence (1 folder, 1965-1971), Legal Papers (1 folder, 1965-1969), Map (1 folder, 1950-1960), Meeting Materials (1 folder, 1970-1971, 1976), Membership (1 folder, 1965-1970), and Publications (1 folder, ca. 1964-1970). Details of their content are listed below.
The sub series Clippings (1 folder, 1965-1972) consists of newspaper clippings regarding housing integration and the efforts to stop block-busting and white flight. Most of the articles are from the Daily News, Long Island Press, New York Post, and New York Times. In addition, there is a photographic print of Mr. Steingold and Mayor John Lindsay that appeared in the Long Island Press on January 9, 1970.
The Correspondence (1 folder, 1965-1971) sub series documents the activities and campaigns of Mr. Steingold and the Laurelton Fair Housing Council through a memo, press release, and letters.
The sub series Legal Papers (1 folder, 1965-1969) contains a notice of a public hearing, a complaint against a block-busting real estate agent, and a brief to the Court of Appeals concerning the lawsuit against John P. Lomenzo, the Secretary of State of the State of New York.
The sub series Map (1 folder, 1950-1960) has a map entitled “Percent change of non-white population in Queens”, plus census tracts between 1950 and 1960 made by the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
The Meeting Materials (1 folder, 1970-1971, 1976) sub series consists of typed agendas, conference programs, and typed meeting minutes of meetings.
The sub series Membership (1 folder, 1965-1970) includes the application for membership, and notice of members meeting organized by the Laurelton Fair Housing Council
The Publications (1 folder, ca. 1964-1970) sub series contains a booklet, and flyers along with the statement of purpose, objectives and principles of the Laurelton Fair Housing Council. In addition, the monthly Council Letters of LFHC are arranged by dates.
The contents of The Jewish Council of Laurelton (4 folders, 1969-1976) series encompass the integration and stabilization issues in Laurelton community, and the services provided by this organization. The four sub series are Clippings (1 folder, 1970-1976), Correspondence (1 folder, 1971-1976), Publications (1 folder, ca. 1971-1976), and The Laurelton Home Finding Service (1 folder, 1969-1974). Details are found in the paragraphs below.
The sub series Clippings (1 folder, 1970-1976) contains newspaper clippings of Jewish organizations such as Laurelton Jewish Center and The Jewish Council of Laurelton. In addition, some advertisement clippings are shown to attract new home buyers to Laurelton.
The sub series Correspondence (1 folder, 1971-1976) contains mostly letters between Mr. Steingold and other Jewish organizations such as the New York Federation of Synagogues, Temple Beth El of Laurelton, and Queensbrough Council of B’nai B’rith. A few are from State of New York Executive Department Division of Human Right and the Senate of the State of New York.
The sub series Publications (1 folder, ca. 1971-1976) has flyers advertising Laurelton neighborhoods, a research paper entitled “Making the city succeed: The present status of stabilization efforts in Laurelton”, and the Constitution of the Jewish Council of Laurelton.
The Laurelton Home Finding Service (1 folder, 1969-1974) sub series consists of a letter, flyers, and newspaper clippings from the Jewish Advocate, Baltimore Jewish Times, and Yonkers Jewish Chronicle. They document this real estate company’s work.
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Arrangement
Folders are arranged alphabetically by subject heading then chronologically within each subject heading.
The files are grouped into series:
| I. Federation of Laurelton Block Associations | |
| II. Honors and Awards | |
| III. The Greater Laurelton Fair Housing Council | |
| IV. The Jewish Council of Laurelton |
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Jay Steingold Papers, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Provenance
The records were donated by Jay Steingold.
Access Restrictions
This collection has no restrictions
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Names:
- Steingold, Jay
Subject Organizations:
- Federation of Laurelton Block Associations
- Laurelton Fair Housing Council
- Laurelton Jewish Center
Subject Topics:
- Citizens' associations
- City planning
- Civil rights
Subject Places:
- Laurelton (New York, N.Y.)
- Queens (New York, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
