USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > Kansas City, Missouri : its history and its people 1808-1908 > Part 35
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The second building to be erected on the land given to the Women's Christian Association by Colonel Swope, was the Margaret Klock Armour Memorial home for aged couples; it was built in 1904, by Mrs. S. B. Armour in memory of her husband who died in 1899. Mrs. Armour moved the first spadeful of earth when the building was begun and formally presented the completed structure on May 15, 1905. The home cost fully $42,000, and is maintained by an income from the Armour Endowment fund; it has ac- commodations for about thirty couples.
The terms under which aged couples may enter this home are: The applicants must be at least 65 years of age and must have been residents of Kan- sas City for ten years preceding date of application. Such couples shall be received on a probation of six months, during which time the association shall act definitely on the case. Couples who have any property will be required to secure the same to the association before admission, and in the case of their obtaining property after admission, it will be necessary to make it over to the association if they remain as inmates. The income from the property so made over, shall be paid to the couple during life.
The Little Sisters of the Poor came to Kansas City in 1882 and opened a home for old people. A tract of ground was secured at Thirty-first and Lo- custs streets ; a building was erected and in 1901 the two wings of the main building were completed. Articles of association were filed January 5, 1884. Since the year 1882 this property has been occupied exclusively for aged and destitute men and women, who have been cared for by the sisters, and pro- vided with food, clothing and cared for during illness. The applicant must be at least sixty years old, destitute, and of good moral character. The ca- pacity of the home is about 200. About $20,000 is required each year to meet the expenses incurred, and for this support the Sisters depend upon vol- untary contributions.
In December, 1890, the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Kan- sas City, incorporated "The Protestant Home for Aged Women" on Independence avenue and Lowell street. In 1900 Mrs. Julia Nettleton gave them her home on the N. W. Corner of Seventh and Penn streets in memory of her late husband. It was then incorporated under the name of the "George H. Nettleton Home for Aged Women." An addition was built, making it possible to care for 31 women. An admission fee of $200 is charged. The
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home is always full and is supported through the generosity of the Kansas City people.
A charter was obtained from the State in 1896 and the Colored People's Christian Charity association was organized, with Mrs. Johanna Moore as presi- dent; Sarah Jones, treasurer; Nannie Foster, secretary and Samuel Eason superintendent. The object of the organization is the care of the aged, destitute colored people and orphans of Kansas City.
A permanent home for this association was obtained by the purchase of the property at 2446 Michigan avenue, into it they moved in 1898. This property in 1908 was entirely paid for and the association had purchased the adjoining fifty feet and house, called "The Johanna Moore Cottage." The association has after much litigation, come into possession of the bequest from Joseph Benoist, who left $4,000 to the home. Of this amount $3,500 was re- served for the purpose of building a new home.
To try to trace the history of the Jewish charities in Kansas City, would be to furnish a record without a beginning. True, it can be accurately stated when the first Relief Society was formed, but assistance and alms were given long be- fore any concentration or amalgamation was brought about. In the early '60s aid was given if not indiscriminately, at least not systematically, and when funds were to be raised, there was a house to house or office to office canvas. It was not until 1871, that any real systematic alms-giving was considered necessary, and it was then that the Hebrew Ladies' Relief Society was formed with Mrs. Joseph Cahn, president ; Mrs. L. Hammerslough, vice president; Mrs. M. R. Cohen, secretary ; and Mrs. Herman Ganz, treasurer. The first members were Mrs. Ben Ganz, Mrs. Henry Cahn, Mrs. Wolf Bachrach, Mrs. Henry Miller, Mrs. Rosalie Sachs, Mrs. H. Waldauer, Mrs. A. Baer, Mrs. H. Mayer, Mrs. Louis Rothschild, Mrs. Elise Binswanger, Mrs. B. A. Feineman, Mrs. I. Bach- rach and Mrs. Max Rice. When the first Temple was built, this society gave $800 towards the building fund.
The officers in those days were not only officers in name; the presidency of the society implied more than executive ability. The Ladies' Hebrew Re- lief Society rapidly grew and prospered until it dominated all other Jewish philanthropic organizations in the city. Some twelve or fourteen years later, an orthodox society was formed, and receiving its charter under the same name, the first Hebrew Ladies' Relief Society some years later found the ne- cessity of changing its name to, and was incorporated as, the "Jewish Women's Charity 'Association," which name it retains in 1908. The following board was serving in 1908: Mrs. I. Ryder, president; Mrs. I. Ney, vice-president ; Mrs. R. Eisen, treasurer; and Mrs. Dan Lyons, secretary. The Jewish Women's Charity association inaugurated friendly visiting, and cared for the
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sick among the poor. The committees appointed by, and under the personal direction of Mrs. I. Ryder, accomplished true acts of charity.
In 1880 or 1882 the private collections becoming too frequent and the drain on the Ladies' Society, too heavy, caused mainly by the first influx of Russian and Roumanian Jews, the Jewish men of the city methodically took steps for concentrated action. They formed the Men's General Relief Society. From its incipiency it devoted particular attention to transient or traveling poor, whom it assisted to the proper destination. The direct relief was always an important feature until the federation took place, when the superintendent of the Federation Board made this his special work. The officers of the Men's Relief society in 1908 were: Sig Harzfeld, president; D. Benjamin, vice- president; Edwin F. Weil, secretary; and A. L. Askanas, treasurer. Those societies which followed in rapid succession are the Council of Jewish Women, the Bertha Haas Shoe Fund, and the Sophia Newgass Sewing Circle. The local branch of the Council of Jewish Women, the leading Jewish literary, philanthropic, and social organization in Kansas City is affiliated with the United Jewish Charities of Kansas City, the Kansas City Council of Clubs and the Missouri State Federation of Women's Clubs. It was organized January 2, 1895, through the efforts of Mrs. L. S. Lieberman, Mrs. F. V. Kander, Mrs. Sol Block and Dr. Samuel Shulman. The charter members were: Mrs. L. S. Lieberman, Mrs. W. J. Berkowitz, Mrs. F. V. Kander, Mrs. Sol Block, Mrs. Samuel Shulman, Mrs. C. D. Axman, Mrs. Theodore Griff, Mrs. O. Flershiem, Mrs. Eli Cahn, Mrs. A. S. Woolf, Mrs. A. Hyman, Mrs. Seligsohn, Mrs. G. Bergman, Mrs. A. Deichman, Mrs. J. Rothgieser, Mrs. E. Meinrath, Mrs. L. S. Lieberman served as first president; Mrs. Eli Calin, vice-president; Mrs. F. V. Kander, secretary; and Mrs. W. J. Berkowitz, treasurer; with Mrs. Samuel Shulman, religious, and Ida M. Block, philanthropic leaders.
The Council immediately rose in prominence and power, at once assum- ing charge of the various institutions created by individuals before its forma- tion. Principal among these were: The Industrial School, founded by and named after Ida M. Block; The Free Bath, also formed by Mrs. Block ; The Penny Provident Fund by Mrs. Lieberman and Mrs. Block: and the Free Kindergarten, by Sophia C. Axman. Each of these was an institution in itself and the work each accomplished is inestimable. The Ida M. Block Indus- trial School, the oldest of these, furnished particularly gratifying results. A volunteer corps of teachers has been in charge, with efficient superintendents and advisers. The Free Bath in conjunction with the Industrial School, was conscientiously continued until the Bath House for adults and children was opened in 1907 in the settlement district. The Kindergarten passed through many stages, under the leadership of Mrs. M. Friedman, Mrs B. Davidson,
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Mrs. M. Schloss and Miss Daisy Newhouse, until 1908 it was a component part of the Educational Institute.
The first institutions which the council itself created, with Dr. Samuel Shulman's assistance, were the night school which met four nights a week in the Temple school rooms, with two competent grammar school teachers in charge; and the Mission school for children of non-members, which assembled every Saturday afternoon in the vestry rooms of the Temple. Mrs. Samuel Shulman and the Misses Mona Binswanger, Cornelia Ney, and Belle Davidson were the first volunteer teachers. The night school later was moved to the Federation building on Fifteenth street, when it was established on a different basis, the B'nai Brith assuming charge and appointing Miss Clare Stern and Miss Dorothy Frischer as paid teachers. The Mission school has grown in numbers and importance, the council having given it into the hands of the congregation who have appointed Mrs. A. H. Dreyfus, and Misses Sadie Barth, Frances Ettlinger, Clare Stern, and Ethel Feineman as regular teachers.
The course of study pursued and the line of work carried out by the Jew- ish Councils are of the highest and most approved order. Those women who served as president since Mrs. Lieberman's popular administration, are: Mrs. F. Kander, Mrs. Samuel Latz, and Mrs. Lee Lyon. The officers in 1908 were: Mrs. Paul Kessel, president; Mrs. H. H. Mayer, vice-president; Miss Ella Ham- merslough, recording secretary; Mrs. Julius Davidson, corresponding secre- tary; Mrs. Oscar Sachs, treasurer; and Mrs. E. Meinrath, auditor. The di- rectors in 1908 were: Mesdames Lee Lyon, Jacob Flohr, F. V. Kander, L. S. Lieberman, A. B. Frankel, George Bergman, Samuel Latz, Charles Sachs, I. E. Shane, David Benjamin, and the Misses Fanny Benjamin, Anna Wolf- son and Florence Mainhardt.
Last of all in the Council's auxiliaries, is the Council of Jewish Juniors, formed in 1903, mainly through the efforts of Mrs. A. B. Frankel who ob- tained the idea from the Baltimore National convention the year previous, this society of young people started out with 25 members, having Julian Davidson as president; Myron Loewen, vice-president ; Miss Burtic Haar, sec- retary ; Miss Adele Joffee, treasurer; and Miss Edna Goldstandt, auditor, with Mrs A. B. Frankel, chairman, and Miss Zerlina Reefer, leader. They, like their elders, held their meetings twice a month in the Federation building, doing painstaking work along educational as well as social lines. The study classes consisted of papers, discussions, debates and readings, at first among themselves and later directed by different well known speakers and educators. The officers in 1908 were: Miss Minka Reefer, president; Moxie Frischer, vice-president; Miss Jeanette Latz, recording secretary ; Miss Jennie Baum, corresponding secretary ; Alfred Baum, treasurer; and Alfred Block, auditor. The directors are: the Misses Alice Lipsis, Constance Block, and Hattie
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Lux, and Arthur Stern, Jack Reefer, and Mannie Lux. The chairman and assistant chairman are: Miss Wolfson and Miss Mainhardt. The latest ad- junct to the Senior Council, is the Philanthropy Class with J. Billikopf as leader. Also a publication called the "News Letter," devoted to religious and philanthropic interests, edited by Mrs. David Benjamin.
The Bertha Haas Shoe Fund, organized in 1895, has a membership composed of unmarried women, save where the members have married since joining the society. It was organized through the efforts of five young women who were: Miss Birdie Haas, Miss Cornelia Ney, Miss Anna Kahn, Miss Ernie Benas, and Miss Jennie Bitterman. Miss Haas for whom the society
was named, was first president. At her death in 1898, Miss Ney became president. This very small society grew so amazingly that it numbered 85 members at the end of the first year and in 1908 had a membership of 118.
The original purpose of the Shoe Fund was what its name implies, the distribution of shoes and stockings to poor children. This purpose broad- ened, however, and included sewing, outings and entertainments with only one limitation, always and only for children. When they joined the Federa- tion, the dues were put into the common fund, but the shoe fund still retains its individuality. It includes social and philanthropic classes, and gives en- tertainments of original and ingenious natures. In 1908 the board consisted of: Miss Fanny Benjamin, who succeeded Miss Ney, as president; Miss Sarah Reis, vice-president; Miss Therese Ryder, secretary; and Miss Florence Mainhardt, treasurer. Directors: Mrs. H. H. Mayer, formerly Miss Cornelia Ney; Miss Carrie Barth, Miss Sarah Lichtig, Mrs. Sol Shane, and Miss Ethel Feineman.
The Sophia Newgass Sewing Circle was organized in October, 1898, for the purpose of sewing and distributing garments to the needy poor. It derived its name from Sophia (Mrs. L. Newgass) whose unselfish life ended just a month before the formation of the society. The Sewing circle, like its sister charities, has done good work, making garments of all descriptions for the poor of Kansas City. The first officers of the society were: Mrs. I. Bachrach, president; Mrs. S. Shulman, vice-president; Mrs. Eli Cahn, secretary; and Mrs. I. Moog, treasurer. It started with a membership of 25. The officers in 1908 were: Mrs. M. Caro, president; Mrs. Finkelstein, vice-president; Mrs. S. Bren, secretary ; and Mrs. Theo. Lyon, treasurer; Mrs. A. Baer, Mrs. J. Kauffman, Mrs. A. Goldsmith, Mrs. C. Steifel and Mrs. Nathan Schloss were the directors. The membership in 1908 was 1,241. Principal and of the longest standing among the Orthodox Jews of Kansas City is the Hebrew Ladies' Relief association, organized in 1889. After twelve years of labor, the association taxed each of its members 10 cents additional dues, for the pur- pose of creating a Loan association. This is now a permanent adjunct of the
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association, being known as the Gemilath Chasodim society In the eight years of its work, this society made 750 loans of $10 to $350 with no interest- charged, and payments demanded at $1 a week. In that time the society lost only $41. The cash outstanding on loans in 1908 was $2,359.50 and the cash in the bank was $1,008.70. The officers of this body in 1908 were: B. Dantzig, chairman; S. Rothenberg, recording secretary; S. N. Lesser, finan- cial secretary ; and S. Zacharias, treasurer; Alfred Benjamin, J. Billikopf and R. S. Crohn are honorary members. The Hebrew Ladies' Relief association does not belong to the United Jewish charities. The officers in 1908 were: Mrs. H. Leavitt, president; Mrs. S. Blitstein, vice-president; Mrs. S. R. Lip- shitz, recording secretary; Mrs. Helzberg, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. C. Dantzig, treasurer. The membership in 1908 was 180.
The Jewish Hospital society was organized in 1903, with 25 charter members. This association steadily increased in membership until it was 200 in 1908. The formation of this society was due to the efforts of Mrs. Emma Lebrecht and Mrs. Simon Metzger who were diligent workers for its cause, and were the first president and vice-president respectively, Mrs. B. Metzger being first secretary and Mrs. Yetta Stein, the first treasurer. The purpose of this society is the erection and maintenance of local Jewish hospitals, and towards this end they have purposed to raise $25,000 before taking active steps. The fund in 1908 amounted to $3,000, the sum collected from dues, bazaars, and balls, there being no private collections ever solicited. The board in 1908 was composed of Mrs. H. Erb, president; Mrs. H. Waldner, vice- president; Mrs. F. Loeffler recording secretary; Mrs. B. Metgzer, financial see- retary ; and Mrs. B. Koenigsdorf, treasurer.
Previous to the federation of the Jewish charities, each society was doing its own work independent of the other, and consequently often duplicating and lessening the good accomplished. In 1899 the first agitation arose for a federation, but active steps were not taken until 1900 when the United Jewish Charities of Kansas City was established, receiving its charter in 1901. The absolute necessity for such action was first recognized by W. J. Berkowitz, Rabbi H. H. Mayer, and G. Bernheimer, through whose efforts, and those of the Jewish council, the federation was made possible. The five societies were fused into one organization, with a board of directors made up of four repre- sentatives of each of the five societies, whose separate revenues were deposited in this one treasury, and whose former individual dispensations were now made from one common source. The first board consisted of W. J. Berkowitz, presi- dent; David Benjamin, first vice-president; G. Bernheimer, second vice-presi- dent; Mrs. I. Ryder, third vice-president; Mrs. A. B. Frenkel, secretary ; Jacob Flohr, treasurer; and B. A. Feineman, superintendent. The association rented a building at 819 East Fifteenth street, where all activities were cen-
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tered and whence all relief work emanated. Here were situated the super- intendent's office, whence what is known as direct relief was dispensed, the kindergarten, industrial school, high school, free baths, free reading room and assembly rooms for all the various societies. After a residence of five years in this place, the Jewish settlement idea became an actuality, and in November, 1908, the Settlement home, known as the "Educational Institute," was formally opened at 1702 Locust street.
The real settlement idea of a building that was more than a house-a building that could be a home-seemed to be epitomized in the brick struc- ture at 1702 Locust street, with its surrounding yard, equipped with swings, sand pile and "teeter-totters." The building which was rented was situated in the heart of the poor Jewish district. The settlement idea, although long cherished by many public spirited charity workers, principally by W. H. Berkowitz, did not materialize until Alfred Benjamin, the president of the Federated Board, made this his all engrossing interest. To realize this ambi- tion, he not only directed all his efforts, but personally gave $1,000 for its establishment. Through his suggestions and arguments the board procured two experienced and competent paid workers, a general superintendent and a resident supervisor, whose entire time would be devoted to this great work. For this purpose Miss Mona Binswanger, long a worker in philanthropic pursuits here and elsewhere, was appointed resident manager; and Jacob Billikopf of Milwaukee, Wis., who made this work his profession, was elected to take Mr. Feineman's place, as superintendent of the charities.
The first activity to open in the new settlement home was the day nursery, founded by Miss Binswanger, and furthered and furnished by the Misses Fanny and Ada Benjamin. This was at once placed under the paid super- vision of Miss Belle Brown. The day nursery in 1908 had an average attend- ance of 16, for each of whom the parent pays 5 cents a day. This furnishes the child with two meals, and clothing when necessary; instructs those with thorough kindergarten training, and provides shelter and entertainment. It is open every day except Saturday and Sunday.
The free kindergarten holds its sessions five mornings of the week, from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock, under the leadership of Miss Flora Wolfson. Miss Wolfson is assisted in the work by the following regular, but volunteer help- ers: Mrs. S. Harzfeld, Miss Ada Benjamin, Miss Cornelia Harzfeld, Miss Essie Weil, and Miss Ethel Feineman. The committee in charge were: Miss Fanny Benjamin, chairman; Mrs. Sig. Harzfeld and Miss Zerlina Reefer.
The Ida M. Block Industrial school, reorganized and revivified, meets during the winter months from 4:15 to 5:30 o'clock every Thursday after- noon, and on Monday and Thursday mornings in the summer. The average attendance in 1908 was 65, under the efficient supervision of Miss Binswanger,
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superintendent; Mrs. L. S. Lieberman, chairman; Mrs. George Bergman, vice-chairman, and Mrs. M. C. Reefer, Mrs. Paul Kessel, Mrs. R. Cahn, Miss Sophia Rosenberger, and Miss Ada Benjamin, visiting committee. The vol- unteer teachers were: Mrs. M. Goldberg, and Misses Ruth Kander, Maud Flersheim, Ethel Feineman, Hattie Obermyer, Jennie Gottlieb, Frances Ett- linger, Laura Negbauer, Edith Spitz, Beaulah Robison, Reba Askanas, Essie Weil, Cora Berlinger, and Rosalie Shoyer.
The Penny Provident fund is in conjunction with the Industrial school. This fund has Miss Ella Hammerslough as chairman, and Miss Therese Ryder assistant chairman. The night school is conducted four evenings a week. J. Billikopf, superintendent and instructor. The other instructors were Miss Mona Binswanger, Miss Clare Stern, Miss Flora Wolfson, and Miss Jean Levine. The bath house at 1822. Locust street, opened February 10, 1907, is a one story brick building, containing a reading room, waiting rooms, five porcelain bath-tubs and a pool, with an adjoining frame structure in the rear for the resident care-taker. The bath house was leased for a period of two years, I. Landa guaranteeing the rent, and Albert Rothenberg, Julius David- son and S. Harzfeld agreeing to make up any deficit above the rent. The reading room is provided with all the Jewish and Yiddish dailies and periodicals, in addition to a library of more than 500 Yiddish and English books at the main building which includes a complete set of the Jewish Encyclopedia. The bath house is open daily, except Saturday. The adults pay 5 and the children 3 cents for a bath. The receipts for the first ten months from February to November, 1907, amounted to $380.25 and the cost of maintenance was $600. The total number of baths taken during this period aggregate 8,000. The dancing schools for children and adults and the Sunday night lectures and concerts satisfy the less fortunate who have a craving for social indulgence. The dancing school for children is held every Saturday afternoon. The dancing classes for adults meet every Saturday night. Sunday night concerts and lectures were begun in February, 1907. The aim was to supply an educational and cultured want in the community, and to instill in the adults a greater love and admiration for the ideals of our government. The Young Men's Progressive club takes care of the library, which contains 500 books. On Sundays between 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock, and on Wednesdays between S o'clock and 9 o'clock, the books are distributed. The members pay 25 cents a month, and the money goes towards the purchase of additional works.
To deflect the stream of Jewish immigration from New York city, where the congestion is so great, Jacob Schiff and other leading Jews were financing a movement in 1908 to discourage the colonization of co-religionists in the already overcrowded centers of population. Active steps were under way,
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both in this country and abroad, whereby many Jews leaving Europe' for America have been induced to come to Galveston rather than to New York, and from there to settle in the country lying west of the Mississippi river. The most important center co-operating with Galveston in this movement is Kansas City, where the Jewish charities systematically care for the men and women sent to it from the Texas port. Since the inception of the movement, positions were found for immigrants at wages ranging from $8 to $16 a week. This particular activity is carried on under the auspices of the following com- mittee: Julius Davidson, chairman ; Myer Shane, vice-chairman ; A. L. Roth- enberg, treasurer; Leon E. Block, recording secretary; Jacob Billikopf, cor- responding secretary ; R. S. Crohn, Leon Block, Oscar Sachs, Sig. Harzfeld, Alfred Benjamin, Henry Flarsheim and B. Dantzig.
The different Jewish clubs flourishing in 1908 were the Boys' club, under Jack Reefer, with an enrollment of 15; the Girls' club, formed by Miss Binswanger and assisted by Miss Brown, meets bi-monthly on Sunday after- noons; the Young Men's Progressive club is a strong, ambitious organization of young men between 16 and 25 years of age, and has an excellent course of study and lectures; the Physical Culture Social club for girls, formed and led by Miss Ethel Feineman, meets every Tuesday afternoon from 4:15 o'clock to 5:30 o'clock in the winter and every Tuesday morning in the summer. This club has an enrollment of 26. All these clubs meet and all lectures, entertainments and board meetings are held at the Educational Institute annex, a one story brick structure directly opposite the main building. The officers of the United Jewish charities in 1908 were: Alfred Benjamin, presi- dent; Sig. Harzfeld, first vice-president; Mrs. I. Ryder, second vice-president; Mrs. H. H. Mayer, third vice-president; Alfred Rothenberg, treasurer; and L. H. Ehrlich, secretary. The constituent societies that were a part of the Federal Board in 1908 were: the Jewish Women's Charity association, the Bertha E. Haas Shoe Fund society, the Council of Jewish Women, the Sophia Newgass Sewing circle, the Men's General Relief society, and the Immigra- tion Employment bureau.
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