GOLDSTEIN, JUDAH JAMISON

GOLDSTEIN, JUDAH JAMISON (1886–1967), U.S. judge and civic leader. Goldstein, who was born in Ontario, Canada, went with his family to New York's Lower East Side whena child. He began practicing law in 1907 and in 1911 became secretary to Alfred E. Smith, then majority leader of the New York State Assembly. In the wake of the Seabury probe of municipal corruption, Goldstein assisted in the investigation of New York City's magistrate courts and was then appointed to this court by Mayor Walker. In 1936 he received an interim appointment to the General Sessions Court and in 1939, despite the opposition of Tammany Hall, won a full term on that court. Defeated as the Republican-Liberal-Fusion candidate for mayor in 1945, he was reelected to the court in 1953. On the bench, Goldstein was a socially conscious and innovative justice who advocated more understanding and lenient treatment for youthful offenders. Prominent in Jewish community, welfare, and philanthropic activities, Goldstein was an active Zionist, a trustee of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, a member of the board of the Joint Distribution Committee, and a founder with Lillian *Wald of the East Side Neighborhood Association. He was president (for 32 years) of the well-known Grand Street Boys, the philanthropic organization composed of members who rose from slum childhoods to positions of power and prominence in New York City life. Goldstein wrote The Family in Court (1934), dealing with the requirements of the Family Court.

[Richard Skolnik]