Abraham S. Kay

Abraham S. Kay (1899–1963) was a Zionist from Russia, known for being a founder and member of the Kay Construction Company in the District of Columbia and Maryland area as well as being a philanthropic contributor to the Jewish community.

Abraham S. Kay
Born1899
Died1963 (age 64)
Bethesda, Maryland, US
NationalityAmerican
Known forFounder of Kay Construction Company
Spouse(s)Minnie Kay
Children2

Biography

Born to Jewish family, Kay moved to the United States from Vilnius at the age of 10. At the age of 12 he dropped out of Washington Elementary School on July 4, 1909 [1] and began working at a grocery store due to a tough financial situation at home. A few years later, he managed to save up enough money to purchase his own grocery store. After returning home from being a sergeant in World War I, Kay married his wife, Minnie, and founded the District Grocery Society renamed District Grocery Stores (DGS) in 1928. Thanks to the money made from the grocery organization, in the 1930s Kay bought land in the Silver Spring area in Maryland, thus leading the way to forming the Kay Construction Company in 1936.[2] For the first time, he made it possible for Jews to join the Indian Spring Golf and Country Club in 1939,[2] though African-Americans and other non-white minorities were still excluded from membership until the mid-1960s. Until the passage of the 1968 Fair Housing Act, Kay used racially restrictive covenants to exclude African Americans and other racial minorities.[3]

Kay has earned much recognition for being involved in other groups such as being chairman for the team that purchased SS Exodus. This was the ship that tried to bring Jewish immigrants to Palestine in 1947.[4] He also supported a rehabilitation center at Nahariya for disabled Israeli military veterans. It is funded by the Abe S. Kay Foundation, Inc. which he was president of. Just a month before he died, Kay donated 350,000 dollars to the American University to build the Kay Spiritual Life Center, forming the first interfaith chapel on its campus.[1]

In 1963, Kay died of a heart attack at Washington Hospital Center while living in Bethesda, Maryland.[1] He and his wife Minnie hadtwo children, Jack Kay and Sylvia Kay Greenberg.[5]

Organizations and achievements
  • General chairman of the United Jewish Appeal of Greater Washington[6]
  • Honorary chairman of the Washington Committee for Israel bonds[6]
  • Helped with the revamping of the Israel Embassy in Washington[6]
  • Honored in 1956 by the Washington Jewish community as “Man of the Year.”[6]
  • High tribute was paid by Israel Premier Ben-Gurion and Ambassador Abba Eban[6]
  • Served as president of the Abe S. Kay Foundation, Inc.[6]

References
  1. Abraham Kay, Builder, Dead: Goes Into Business By Harry Gabbett Staff Reporter. The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973) (Washington, D.C) 11 July 1963: E3.
  2. Kelly, Clare Lise (2016-01-29). Montgomery Modern: Modern Architecture In Montgomery County, Maryland, 1930–1979. Lulu Press, Inc. ISBN 978-1-329-86748-2.
  3. "Silver Spring's Jewish history 'long and complicated'". Washington Jewish Week. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  4. ABRAHAM S. KAY, A ZIONIST LEADER: Construction Official Dies-- Backed Ship Exodus Special to The New York Times. New York Times (1923-Current file) (New York, N.Y) 11 July 1963: 28.
  5. Poynter, Rev. Dr. R. Bruce. "The History of the Abraham S. Kay Spiritual Life Center". American University. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  6. "Abe S. Kay, Jewish Leader, Dies in Washington; Contributed to Many Causes". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1963-07-11. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
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