Joseph, Lazarus

A six-time New York State senator, New York City comptroller, and lawyer, Joseph was a star basketball player at both New York University [NYU] and the 92nd Street YMHA [Young Men's Hebrew Association] in the 1910s.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. January 25, 1891 - d. May 23, 1966

Career Highlights:
Born in the early 1890s on the Lower East Side of New York City, Joseph was the grandson of Rabbi Jacob Joseph, one of the most famous rabbis of turn-of-the-century New York. Lazarus attended Public School 2 on Henry Street and Commerce High School, as well as the Educational Alliance, a distinctly Jewish settlement house. He then attended New York University, where he earned his law degree in 1912, and where he played basketball for two seasons on the NYU varsity. During the 1910-11 season, Joseph was coached by former NYU star Sam Melitzer and was teammates with Ira Streusand and Joe Girsdansky. That season, NYU finished with a record of 8-5.

After graduating from NYU, Joseph continued to play basketball with the Mohegans, one of the top amateur teams in New York City. Playing center for the Mohegans, who represented the 92nd Street YMHA, Joseph helped the squad defeat some of the top teams of the era, including Seton Hall University, Williams College, and others. In 1914, Joseph was praised in the YMHA's Annual Report, which stated, "Captain Lazarus Joseph deserves great credit for the wonderful showing of the team and for his own superior ability in developing team work. Joseph is also the mainstay of the team and has never yet participated in a losing game since he became a member of the team."

Joseph played with the Mohegans through the 1914-15 season and then volunteered as the team's coach the following season. During this time, he also practiced law and took an interest interest in politics. In 1931, he worked as a deputy assistant to the New York State attorney general in the Security Frauds Bureau. Three years later, he was elected to the State Senate for the first time [he represented the Bronx]. Elected another five times, he also served as the City Comptroller from 1946-1954, and was active in various chairities, including the United Jewish Appeal and the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York.

Origin:
New York City

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