Lazarus Joseph
Lazarus Joseph | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34th New York City Comptroller | |||||||
| In office January 1, 1946 – January 1, 1954 | |||||||
| Mayor | William O'Dwyer Vincent R. Impellitteri | ||||||
| Preceded by | Joseph McGoldrick | ||||||
| Succeeded by | Lawrence E. Gerosa | ||||||
| Personal details | |||||||
| Born | January 25, 1891 New York State Senator from 1934 to 1945, and was the New York City Comptroller from 1946 to 1954.
Early and personal lifeJoseph was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City, the son of Rabbi Raphael Joseph, and was Jewish.[1][2][3] He was the grandson of Rabbi Jacob Joseph (1840–1902), one of the most famous rabbis in New York at the turn of the century and for many years the Chief Rabbi of New York City.[4][5][3][6][7] Joseph was shomer Shabbat, and as New York City Comptroller campaigned for the Kosher Meat Laws in New York City.[1][8] He attended P.S. 2 on Joseph graduated from LL.B, graduating at the head of his class.[11][12] While attending New York University, Joseph played basketball for two seasons and starred on the NYU Violets varsity basketball team; he also played baseball and football for the school.[13][7][6][12] After graduating from NYU, Joseph continued to play basketball, leading the Mohegans (one of the top amateur teams in New York City; in 1912 the team had a record of 25–1) and helping the squad defeat some of the top teams of the era, including Seton Hall University and Williams College.[14]
Joseph married Henrietta (née Haft), and lived at Central Park West in Manhattan.[10][15][11] He and his wife had three children, including Robert L. Joseph (a theatrical director) and Ethel Rakitin.[16][11][17][10]
His son Jacob (Jack) Joseph, named after his son's famous great-grandfather, left Rutgers Street and Henry Street in Manhattan, adjacent to the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School, was named by the New York City Council in Captain Joseph's honor in 1947, and a bronze plaque in his honor was placed in the playground.[3][15]
Joseph became ill on May 19, 1966, and died of a stroke at Queens, New York, alongside his son.[1]
CareerJoseph practiced law in New York City. Joseph was elected on December 28, 1933, to the rent control, tenant legislation, bills protecting working women, and the setting aside of dedicated sections in theaters for children with a matron in charge.[7][26] In 1934 he proposed two anti-Nazi propaganda bills which were passed by the New York State Senate without discussion.[28] In 1945 he proposed the establishment of two New York State-financed medical colleges, as a way to overcome the quota system against Jewish students.[29]
He was elected Zionists and Zionist sympathizers as Grand Marshal, before 100,000 Bronxites.[33]
 As New York City Comptroller, Joseph participated in the 1948 groundbreaking of the United Nations headquarters in New York City. During the 1950 mayoral election, Joseph declared that Acting Mayor Vincent Impellitteri – who was running for the mayoral post – "had neither the experience nor ability to be Mayor of New York City," and lacked "sufficient experience" with only two months in the post, and called Impellitteri's Estimate Board record "blank." Nonetheless, Impellitteri went on to be re-elected.[34]
Joseph was Chairman of the New York Olympic Committee in 1952.[35] Although Joseph usually sided in the New York City Board of Estimate with Mayor Impellitteri during the latter's term in office, Joseph supported Manhattan Borough President Robert F. Wagner Jr. for the Democratic nomination for mayor in the 1953 primary election.[36] Correct in his prediction, Joseph called Wagner a "sure winner."[36] Considered a kingpin in the New York political arena, Joseph was lobbied for support of major projects affecting the City of New York. Eleanor Roosevelt mentions meeting with Joseph[37] to advocate for the preservation of social welfare projects. Upon the close of his eight years in office as Comptroller, Joseph left the city with cautionary advice; "that it is easy to borrow, but the reckoning always must be met in the expense budget, and by the taxpayer."[38] His warning was not heeded, as debt load led the city into bankruptcy some 20 years later, when President Gerald Ford refused to assist New York with its deficit.[39] After serving as Comptroller, he returned to the practice of law, focusing on real estate matters and trusts.[10][15] PhilanthropyJoseph was noted as a philanthropist prior to being elected to public office. He was active in and raised funds for many charities, including the Hebrew Home for Chronic Invalids, later known as Maimonides Medical Center.[26]
Joseph lent his name to assist charities with which he identified, as he was a guest of honor in December 1934 at a fundraiser for the Hebrew Home. He also played an active role as a board member in the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School, a yeshiva co-founded by his father in 1900, named after his grandfather, New York City's first and only chief rabbi.[41][42] After State of Israel during the years following its 1948 Declaration of Independence .
OtherHe was a member of the Hall of Fame of the Educational Alliance.[44] According to the website politicalgraveyard.com, Joseph was a member of the Elks, Freemasons, and Knights of Pythias. References
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