Philanthropic Activities

Jacob Blaustein gave generously of both his time and money to local, national, and international agencies.   He served as president of the Associated Jewish Charities from 1936 to 1940, and chaired the Baltimore fundraising campaigns in 1936 and 1938.  Under his leadership, the 1938 campaign goal was $550,000, a signficant sum for that time. 

Jacob's wife, Hilda, also devoted much of her time to charitable work.  In recognition of this, Mr. and Mrs. Blaustein were honored jointly with a Myrtle Wreath Award from the Baltimore chapter of Hadassah on March 14, 1968. 

Jacob Blaustein's belief in human rights and his commitment to peace and justice led to his involvement with the American Jewish Committee (AJC).  Founded in 1906, the AJC was the oldest American organization whose charge was to protect the civil and religious rights of Jews and other minorities and to advance the cause of human rights.  As president of the AJC from 1949 to 1953, and later honorary president, he worked tirelessly on American-Israeli relations, and on securing reparations payments.  To honor his work, the AJC named its world headquarters in New York the Jacob Blaustein Building.