GOLDHAMER, SAMUEL (1884-28 Feb. 1982), was the executive director of the JEWISH COMMUNITY FEDERATION (JCF) from 1907-48 who initiated a community fund to expedite fund raising, a concept which spread throughout the country. Goldhamer was born in Cleveland to Max and Lena (Keller) Goldhamer. He attended Brownell School and CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL. Goldhamer worked for various clothing firms before joining the JCF as its first paid employee (a clerk) in 1907. Under Goldhamer's direction, the number of agencies represented by the JCF surpassed 100 by the 1940s.

On 5 Oct. 1907 Goldhamer married Lena Klein (d.1976); the couple lived in SHAKER HEIGHTS with sons Morton L., Walter M., and Robert H. In his free time, Goldhamer traveled and painted in watercolors and oils. Goldhamer died at his home.

Goldhamer, S. Why Doncha Write a Book? A Half-Century of Experience in Jewish Communal Life (1963)

Related Article(s)

• REFORM, CHARITY AND PHILANTHROPY