Page 37 - December 2019

BURIED TREASURE

Benjamin F. Medofsky Part III

Harvey Schowe, DTM

After selling Vols Candy, Ben Medofsky began chairman of the Public Forum a public speaking
investing in apartment properties and according organization that was founded in 1905. Rabbi
to Glenn Meek, past District 7 Historian, Jewish Stephen A. Wise and C. Erskine S. Wood,

people in Europe sent him funds for investing a prominent attorney were founders of the
in real estate. forum. Members of the public are provided an
After serving as secretary for the Bnai Brith opportunity to give a talk on a topic of public
lodge for six years, he entered the real estate interest for five minutes. On October 30, 1932,

business full time. Ben invited five candidates for mayor to speak at
He became a member of the Oregon the forum with 500 people in attendance.
Apartment Association and was elected sergeant- Tom Burns a Socialist gave speeches at the
at-arms 1935 to 1936 and again in 1939. In 1935, forum since it was founded. During January

he was chairman of the taxation committee. 1937, Tom Burns, Ben Medofsky and others
His organization was seeking ways to reduce debated before Portland Mayor Carson and the
real estate taxes. He gave talks during the city council on a proposal banning all forms of
association’s meetings such as speech about gambling in Portland. Ben Medofsky argued for

apartments on November 8, 1940. regulated gambling while Tom Burns argued that
Ben became a member of the Abraham legalized gambling provided a revenue source
Lincoln public speaking club that was established for government.
in 1921. Founders of this club was Frank Boynton Other civic activities included serving on city

and Eugene Brookings, a public speaking and commissioner Bean’s 15-member committee
business law instructor for Oregon Institute of studying the City of Portland sewer system
Technology. Eugene Brookings, an attorney, during July 1936. In 1941, he participated in Red
supported the women’s suffrage movement. This Cross blood drives. He frequently wrote letters

club met at the YMCA building. On December 13, to the editor for the Oregonian newspaper. His
1931, Toastmasters International officials during letters covered a variety of topics such as how to
a San Diego meeting approved a charter for a keep warm in winter and the beautiful sunrise,
Portland, Oregon club. Ben joined this club in The sunrise he wrote about inspired him saying

1934 and remained a member of the club until that Happiness is within me and I am the Master
the mid 1950s. In 1944, he was elected president of my Fate. Each day a new beginning. “Happy
of the club. Day”. A term he used for the rest of his life.
In 1932 he attended meetings and became

VOICES! | DECEMBER 2019 37