USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I > Part 49
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It was dedicated and opened June, 1882. On March 10, 1884, the Supreme Lodge of the Order, "desiring to erect a lasting monument" to the memory of Sir Moses Montefiore, the celebrated English and Jewish philanthropist, voted an endowment of $10,000, and gave the institution the name which it now bears. On January 31, 1898, the Home was incorporated as an institution, independent of the Order.
SCOVILL AVENUE TEMPLE Oldest Jewish congregation in the city. Now building a new temple at Euclid avenue and E. 71st street.
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LAWN OF THE JEWISH ORPHAN ASYLUM
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The building was enlarged in 1889, at a cost of $20,000. It has accommoda- tions for sixty. It receives inmates and also support from a number of states. It accepts both men and women from the age of sixty-five, and husbands and wives are permitted to spend their closing days together in peace.
The institution now has forty-six inmates. Since the opening of the Home until 1907, 192 inmates have been received, ninety-nine of whom have died at the average of nearly seventy-nine years.
The property of the Home fronts 1971/2 feet on Woodland Avenue, 355 feet on Willson, and 4121/2 on Seelye Avenues, comprising altogether about four acres. The building and grounds cost more than $50,000, although their pres- ent value is far higher. The Institution has a sinking fund of more than $86,000. Up to July 1, 1909, the total receipts from all sources have amounted to more than $499,000.
Within recent years, an Orthodox "Old Home" has been established, sup- ported by the Orthodox Jewish community. It is located at 5912 Scovill Avenue.
THE JEWISH INFANT ORPHANS' HOME.
The Jewish community offers care and protection not only to the orphan and the aged and the infirm, but also to the orphan child of tenderest age. The Infant Orphans' Home accepts children from the day of birth until they are five years old. The youngest inmate has been but two days old.
In 1899, a group of women organized, to care for homeless infant children. On August 4, 1901, a house was bought at 301 Forest Street, now East 37th, and the Home was dedicated and opened in the same year. In 1906, a large private residence, 2200 East 40th Street, was purchased and it was opened on the 13th day of March, 1897. It now has fifty-one children, and in 1909 ex- pended about $8,000. About one year ago, the final payment was made toward the purchase of a house one door south of the Home, which is now being used as a shelter for unorphaned homeless and friendless children.
The women's organizations date back to 1860, in which year the Daughters of Israel began. This Society is still in existence, although not very active.
THE CLEVELAND COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN.
In 1894, the Ladies' Benevolent Society, The Ladies' Sewing Society and the Personal Service Society amalgamated and organized under the name of The Cleveland Council of Jewish Women. Its first regular meeting was held at The Temple, November 20, 1894. The Society began with 271 members. Later, a group of young women known as the Progressive Mission, became affiliated.
Rabbi Moses J. Gries was the first President and continued in office until October 6, 1896, when Mrs. M. B. Schwab was chosen President and led the organization for ten years. On May 6, 1906, the Acting President, Mrs. A. Wiener, was elected President, and Mrs. M. B. Schwab was made Honorary President.
The Council of Jewish Women rented a house at 297 Woodland Avenue, October 1, 1895. On February 4, 1896, it voted to become a branch of the
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National Council of Jewish Women, from which body it resigned on June 16, 1908.
The Council has been a pioneer in work for children and for men and women. It conducted evening classes in 1893; a public playground in 1901, and vacation schools in 1904.
"The Martha House"-a home for working girls, under the control and auspices of the Council, but governed by an independent Board, was established in 1907. In May, 1907, the Council leased a home on East 46th Street, and this same property was purchased on November 1, 1908, for $5,500. Fifteen girls are now living at the Martha House. The House accommodates sixteen.
A "Charity Fair" was held in 1898. The total proceeds were more than $13,000, of which the Hebrew Relief Association received $2,000 and the Coun- cil more than $11,000. With this fund, it was planned to purchase a permanent home. After negotiations for the purchase of the "Joseph" home at 300 Wood- land Avenue (now 2104) the old homestead was offered as a gift, through the Council, to the Jewish community. The money was set aside for a building fund, and ten years after was used to help purchase the new settlement build- ing, which now houses the work of The Council of Jewish Women and The Council Educational Alliance.
The Council conducts all manner of work, especially for women and girls and children. There are about fifty classes and clubs. Together with the Alliance, it rallies more than 200 volunteer workers. The attendance during 1909, although the building was closed for two months, due to moving and re- modeling, and although the work was conducted under many difficulties, num- bered 212,298.
In addition to this important philanthropic work, the Council conducts the usual activities of a woman's club, with study circles and social meetings. It is a thoroughly representative woman's organization. The membership has risen from 271 in 1894 to 1,051 in 1910.
The Council does not confine its efforts to Jewish charities, but from time to time contributes to non-sectarian organizations. It gives support to a. num- ber of Jewish National causes, and makes a special assessment for the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives. It is affiliated with the Ohio Congress of Mothers; the Council of Women, and the Cleveland Federation of Women's Clubs. Throughout its history, it has revealed a splendid spirit of social ser- vice.
THE COUNCIL EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE.
The Council Educational Alliance was incorporated in April, 1899. From its very origin, its work and its history were very closely interwoven with the Council of Jewish Women. They have always labored side by side. The Coun- cil has the right to nominate a majority of the Board of the Alliance and the two organizations and their officers have always cooperated.
To the Council Educational Alliance, on April 27, 1899, Moritz and Yetta Joseph gave the deed of their old home, 2104 Woodland Avenue. This gift marked an epoch in the history of the Jewish community, being the first large individual gift for Jewish philanthropy.
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The Alliance work has always been conducted along settlement lines, but it was not a real settlement, with workers in residence, until after the dedication of its new building in 1909.
On May 30, 1899, Mrs. A. Wiener was chosen as the first President of the Alliance. She resigned on the 27th of June of the same year and Mr. B. Mah- ler was elected President. He continued in office until his resignation, Decem- ber 7, 1903. On January II, 1904, Rabbi Moses J. Gries was elected and con- tinues as President at this time.
The Alliance endeavors to be the "social center" for its neighborhood. It reaches more than 2,500 individuals. With the Council, it has more than 200 volunteers and a paid staff of workers, teachers and attendants, numbering twenty-six.
On June 13, 1908, it was decided to buy the property of the Excelsior Club, located on the south side of Woodland Avenue, between Forest and Putnam Streets, now 37th and 38th Streets. The purchase was consummated and pos- session given on January I, 1908. The building was remodeled and its capacity increased at a cost of about $25,000. Almost $20,000 was raised by special sub- scriptions to the building fund. The Joseph homestead and adjoining property belonging to the Alliance were sold for $25,000.
After months of labor and expectation, the new building, remodeled, en- larged and beautified, was dedicated on September 8, 1909. It is a completely equipped settlement building, one of the best in the country. It represents an investment in land and buildings and equipment of approximately $100,000.
The dedication of the Alliance was a memorable occasion. Representatives of the City, of the Public Schools, of the Public Library, and of the Federation of Jewish Charities, participated in the public exercises. There were addresses by the President of the Council Educational Alliance and of the Council of Jewish Women. The guest of honor was the Governor of Ohio, Hon. Judson A. Harmon.
CAMP WISE.
The Council of Jewish Women and the Council Educational Alliance united in the establishment of a Summer Camp for boys and girls, and, to a limited extent, for men and women. Mr. Samuel D. Wise offered the free use of his property along the east shore of Lake Erie, formerly known as Stein's, and located at Stop 133.
The Camp was opened in the summer of 1907 and proved so remarkable a success that in November of the same year it was determined to form a per- manent Camp Wise Association. To this Association Mr. Samuel D. Wise tendered his property as a gift, to be used as a summer camp. He repaired and remodeled the buildings and cottages, and improved the grounds, and, on March 26, 1908, he deeded his property to the Camp Wise Association. It includes 173/4 acres of land, a hotel building and a group of cottages. The estimated value of the property was $25,000. Later, a special fund of about $5,000 was raised to provide better sanitation and water supply and other necessary im- provements.
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An Emergency Cottage, the gift of Mrs. A. E. Brown, was offered in 1909 and is now being built.
During 1909, the Camp was open ten weeks and cared for an average of 125 men, women and children per week, not including the campers. The cost was approximately $3,500.
The wonderful success of the Camp has been due to the fine spirit of the young men and young women who were in active charge through the whole summer.
MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL.
The Jewish Women's Hospital Society was formed in 1900. This organiza- tion succeeded, in 1902, in purchasing a private residence at 2371 East 37th Street, formerly Forest Street, for $7,500. The residence was remodeled for hospital service, at a cost of $7,500 additional. On May 3, 1903, it was formally dedicated, and on May 4th, was opened for the reception of patients.
The hospital has been hindered by adverse conditions and the lack of public support, and by its limited facilities and capacity. It contains thirty beds, of which fourteen are in wards.
The many difficulties and struggles for the successful maintenance of the hospital, led to a complete reorganization in 1909. During this year, the hos- pital cared for 539 patients, with 1,446 days of charity work, and 419 days for which one-half payment was given. The total operating cost amounted to nearly $10,000, of which amount the Federation of Jewish Charities gave $4,200. The hospital also conducts a training school for nurses.
At the present writing, there is serious discussion and investigation of the need and advisability of building a modern and thoroughly equipped Jewish hospital.
THE FEDERATION OF JEWISH CHARITIES.
The charities of the Jewish community of Cleveland, are under communal and not under congregational control. The temples and the synagogues do not maintain their own charitable societies and institutions. All the Jewish chari- ties of the city are controlled and supported by the Jewish community in gen- eral.
In recent years, however, there has been manifest a tendency on the part of the newly arrived immigrants and the increasing Russian Jewish community, to create their own organizations and to establish their own institutions.
All of the important institutions and societies are affiliated with The Federa- tion of Jewish Charities, chartered under the laws of the State of Ohio, Novem- ber 17, 1903.
In the previous year, on November 21st, the first meeting was held for the purpose of formulating a plan and devising ways and means for the federa- tion of the Jewish charities of Cleveland. The following persons were present : Messrs. Edward M. Baker, Charles Eisenman, Julius Feiss, Jacob Furth, Moses J. Gries, Isaac Joseph, M. J. Mandelbaum, Martin A. Marks, Sig. Shlesinger and Meyer Weil. On November 15, 1903, the constitution was adopted and
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the following institutions affiliated with the Federation and were enrolled as beneficiaries :
The Cleveland Council of Jewish Women,
The Council Educational Alliance,
The Hebrew Relief Association,
The Infant Orphans' Mothers Home,
The Jewish Orphan Asylum,
Mt. Sinai Hospital,
The National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives,
The Sir Moses Montefiore Kesher Home for Aged and Infirm Israelites.
The first Board of Trustees elected by the incorporators on November 30th were the following: Edward M. Baker, Herman Einstein, Charles Eisenman, Julius Feiss, Moses J. Gries, Sol. M. Hexter, Isaac Joseph, Isaac Levi, Henry A. Newman, Manuel Reinthal, Abraham Stearn, Meyer Weil.
The officers elected at this meeting were as follows: Charles Eisenman, President ; Julius Feiss, Vice President ; Meyer Weil, Treasurer ; E. M. Baker, Secretary.
All of these have continued in office to this time. The number of Trustees was increased to fifteen at the annual meeting in 1908.
Other societies and institutions have become beneficiaries from time to time -the Free Loan Association in 1905, the Shelter Home in 1906, and the Camp Wise Association in 1908.
An Educational Endowment Fund, to aid worthy students, was founded on March 7, 1904, by the gift of $2,500 from the Mrs. H. Black estate.
During the year, the close of which marked the formation of the Federa- tion, the total sum collected for the Jewish Orphan Asylum, the Jewish Infant Orphans' Home, the Montefiore Home, the Hebrew Relief Association, the Council Educational Alliance, and the Hospital for Consumptives amounted to approximately $20,000. This year the Federation has succeeded in collecting approximately $70,000.
Year by year, the effort has been made to increase the amounts given for charity and also to multiply the number of the givers. Prior to the formation of the Federation, six to seven hundred were enrolled as contributors. This number has been steadily increased, until now, about 1,650 are regular sub- scribers. The present office of the Federation is at 1028 Citizens Building.
The Federation plans to collect and distribute all the contributions for the regular maintenance of its affiliated societies and institutions. It is exercising a marked influence upon the development of the charitable work of the Jewish community and is now being held up before the whole city, as a model and as an incentive toward the federation of all the important charities of the city.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS AND LODGES.
The leading social organizations are the Excelsior, the Oakwood, and the Standard clubs.
The Excelsior Club was organized on October 20, 1872. Until 1874 it had no fixed location. From 1874 to 1877 its headquarters were at Corlett's Hall,
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corner Erie and Sumner Streets, and for ten years, from 1877 to December 24, 1887, at Halle's Hall, corner Woodland and Erie Streets. It built its own club- house on Woodland Avenue, opposite Putnam Street and occupied it from December 24, 1887, to December 31, 1908. During 1908, the clubhouse was sold to the Council Educational Alliance. The club began with a membership of thirty, and at the time of the opening of its clubhouse, in 1887, had 148 members. The present membership is 315. On the eve of the New Year, 1909, the new and palatial clubhouse, located at IIIII Euclid Avenue just east of Wade Park, was formally opened.
The Oakwood Club is a country club, whose grounds, covering 1061/2 acres, are located in East Cleveland Township, on Mayfield and Warrensville Roads. It possesses a comfortable clubhouse, splendid golf links, baseball field and tennis courts. The club began with forty-four members, July 1, 1905. The clubhouse was opened in the fall of 1906. Ninety-nine seniors and seventeen juniors constitute the present membership.
The Standard Club was organized September 30, 1907, and was formally opened January 26, 1910. Its present membership is about 150, including senior and junior members. The club holds a ninety-nine-year lease on its building at the northeast corner of Euclid Avenue and East 7Ist Street.
The Young Men's Hebrew Association was planned at a preliminary meet- ing, held on Sunday, January 6, 1889. Thirty-four young men enrolled as charter members. On the following Sunday a definite organization was created, and a constitution was adopted on January 21, 1889. By July of the same year, 350 members had joined. The information and the records con- cerning the beginnings of the Association are not available. The chief organ- izers were a group of young men, formerly members of the Cleveland Literary Union.
The new association worked along social, educational and philanthropic lines. Its original headquarters were in Fix' Hall, on Scovill Avenue near Perry Street (now East 22d). Later, a building was rented, with auditorium and gymnasium, at 234 Woodland Avenue, near old Brownell Street. Efforts were made to secure a permanent building. Subscriptions were pledged, but for various reasons the building project was allowed to slumber. Temporary quar- ters were rented later at 299 Woodland Avenue.
Interest began to wane and the Association's days seemed to be numbered. Then followed a revival of enthusiasm, under which stimulus, in 1894, the mem- bership was pushed to 450. On December 15, 1894, the new headquarters at "Brooks School," on Sibley Street, were dedicated. There was a notable in- crease of general activity. Again subscriptions were pledged for a new build- ing, which, however, seemed destined not to be erected. The Association passed out of existence about 1899.
Within the past two years, another attempt has been made to establish a Young Men's Hebrew Association. Temporary meeting places were provided and now a private residence has been rented at 2611 East 47th Street, the present home of the Association. One hundred and sixty members constitute the new Association.
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Prominent among the societies and lodges whose membership is largely or wholly Jewish, are the long established Hungarian Aid Society and the very prosperous Hungarian Benevolent and Social Union, and the Independent Aid Society. These organizations are social in character and allow some special privileges, such as sick benefit, and do some philanthropic work.
The Order Knights of Joseph, a Jewish fraternal organization for men and women, received a charter from the State of Ohio, on February 14, 1896. Its first lodge was organized in Cleveland on May 14, 1896, with a membership of twelve. Since that time the order has grown to 11,214 members. Its national headquarters are located at Cleveland.
PUBLICATIONS.
The Cleveland community has two Jewish weeklies, published in English, and one daily paper, printed in Yiddish. The oldest of these papers, the Hebrew Observer, began publication in 1889, and was merged, in 1899, with the Jewish Review, under the name of The Jewish Review and Observer. On March 9, 1906, the Jewish Independent issued its first number. Since May 25, 1906, its editor has been Mr. Maurice Weidenthal, for many years active in the Cleve- land newspaper world.
Yiddish papers have been published in Cleveland from time to time. All have ceased publication, with the exception of the Jewish Daily Press, estab- lished May 1, 1908.
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.
The Jewish Community of Cleveland has always been identified with im- portant Jewish movements throughout the United States.
The first American Rabbinical Conference ever held in this country, met in Cleveland October 17, 1855.
The Union of American Hebrew Congregations, organized in 1873, convened its first "Council" in Cleveland, January 14, 1874.
The Central Conference of American Rabbis, representative of the most prominent Rabbis of America, founded by Rev. Dr. Isaac M. Wise of Cincin- nati, in 1889, held its first regular conference in Cleveland, July 13 to 15, 1890.
The Cleveland community lends its support to the National Conference of Jewish Charities, the Jewish Publication Society of America, the Jewish Chau- tauqua Society, the National Farm School, and other good causes.
During the dedication services of The Temple, a "Fellowship Evening," in which representative ministers participated, took place on September 23, 1894. It marked an epoch in the religious life of the city.
The first "Union" Thanksgiving Service, was held at The Temple on No- vember 29, 1894, in which the Anshe Chesed Congregation and the Unity Church joined.
The Educational League, for the higher education of orphans, was planned in 1896.' Its first meeting was held at The Temple. It was established under the auspices of the Baron de Hirsch Lodge, now part of Cleveland Lodge,
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No. 16, Independent Order B'nai B'rith. At the organization meeting, July 12, 1897, Mr. Martin A. Marks was elected President. Rabbi Gries was elected July 11, 1898, and has been president until this date. The League offers help toward a higher education to orphan boys and girls of talent and genius.
The National Council of Jewish Women assembled in triennial session at The Temple, March 4, 1900.
The B'nai B'rith, District Grand Lodge No. 2, held its annual convention at The Temple, in May, 1903. The Convention was honored by the presence of the Hon. Leo N. Levi, the President of the Order.
The Knights of Joseph, a Jewish Fraternal Order, was organized in Cleve- land, and Cleveland is its national headquarters.
On May 16, 1908, two important associations organized in Cleveland and held their first meetings at The Temple-The Jewish Religious Education As- sociation of Ohio, composed of the Rabbis and teachers and superintendents of religious schools-and the Ohio Rabbinical Association. Rabbi Gries was elected President of both.
THE JEWS OF CLEVELAND.
The Jews of Cleveland have not been very prominent in the political life of the city-they have not sought public office. A few individuals have been ac- tive in the political world, and some have held responsible positions in the ad- ministration of the affairs of the city. Representative Jews have been closely identified with all non-sectarian philanthropic work, and have been very active in all civic organizations for the public good.
Their business interests are most varied. They are engaged in very impor- tant industrial and commercial enterprises, particularly in the manufacture of cloaks and clothing, and all the affiliated garment industries. They control the chief brass foundries and are the chief makers of agricultural implements.
They conduct the leading department stores ; many are engaged in petty trad- ing and in small stores. Thousands are skilled workers in the garment indus- tries; a number of the more recent immigrants are active in the building trades, as contractors, carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, and the like.
Individuals have for many years been influential in the strongest financial institutions of Cleveland. Some have been interested in the development of the street railroad business, both urban and interurban.
According to conservative estimate, there are seventy Jewish physicians, the most prominent of whom are Dr. Marcus Rosenwasser and Dr. A. Peskind; and about 100 lawyers in Cleveland. A number of others are engaged in pro- fessional work, as architects, decorators and engineers. Cleveland has produced two artists of international reputation-Louis Loeb and George Peixotto, the son of Benjamin Franklin Peixotto. Benjamin F. Peixotto, for a number of years, was active in the Jewish life of Cleveland. He was appointed by Presi- dent Grant, United States Minister to Roumania, and under President Hayes he was United States Consul General to Lyons, France.
A goodly number of the ablest and most successful men in the business and professional world have administered the affairs of the Jewish institutions and
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societies for a long period of years. Many have been in constant service for more than a quarter of a century.
The Jewish population has come from all parts of the world-chiefly from Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Poland and Russia. There is a large American born population, and many are descendants of the pioneers who settled here at the very beginning of the Jewish community. It is impossible to give an ac- curate statement of the number of Jews in Cleveland. They live in all sections of the city, and no independent Jewish census has ever been taken. An esti- mate, based upon the number of Jewish children enrolled in the public schools, located in the large Jewish neighborhoods, figures the Jewish population of Cleveland to be about 50,000.
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