Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-16

! SEEEzEE ton of the public was
| f. 9537,iNa called to the organization
| ~ ~sds;yExSi8S known as the United He
| ..' 49, brew Charities of the Dis
| ~ - trict by an entertainment
given for the benefit of the
fund OF the society by the lodge of the I'm
proved Order of B'nai Birth in this city. Be
ginning on the fourth Sunday of the present
month series Of lectures will be given at the
Eighth Street Temple. the proceeds of which
will be added to the fund maintained by this
organization. The names of the lecturers and
the dates when they will be delivered are as
follows:
N. F. Morris, LID, Of Washington city, Sun
day, January "a; Rev. DR.. J. krauskopf of
Philadelphia, Sunday, February Z; NJ. W. Plat
eek OF New York city. Sunday, February 81;
Myer Sulzberger of Philadelphia, March Z;
Rev. DR.. y. G. Hirsch of Chicago. March p ;
Isodore Haynor Of Baltimore, April 4; Simon
Wolf OF this city, April Is.
AS the maine Of the organization implies it
represents the charitable work of all the
Hebrews in the city, and while the principal
object ID to afford relief to the unfortunate of
the Jewish race resident in the District, yet the
scope Of the organization is wider than mere
local relief. Through this agency contribu-
lions are made for the relief of the Russian
refugees who are coming to this country in
| such great numbers. hoping to find here an
opportunity to live In freedom from the persecu-
lions which are visited upon the Jews in Russia.
While the necessities of these people
are very great, yet owing to their Industrious
habits 1t Is believed that III a short time they
Will be able to become self-sustaIning and
then there will be no further need Tor the as
slstance which is proifered so generously by
their co-rcli gionists in this country.
TIE UNITED HEBREW CHARITIES
will, however, continue its beneticent career as
a local charity. 1t was organized in October
| 1891, as a result of call for public meeting
which was held in the Eighth Street Temple.
Ny. Morris Clark was chosen president and
other prominent men were selected as Off
GERS. The declared objects of the organiza-
ton are to especially relieve all local distress
am onS Jewish families and also to assist in
getting together fund for the benefit OF the
russian refugees. 1t Was intended to take the
place OF the old fuel society, so called, OF
which Mr.. Henry King was president for so
many years, and was designed to put stop to
the ltlnerant begging to which the Hebre VS.
OF TINS city were especially subjected
by their suffering co-reiigionists. The fund
subscribed by members amounts to about
-, 500 yearly, and SO far about 81 0G0 has been
expended, the greater part of which used
Ill assisting Russian refugees arriving in this
city to 20 to places in the south and west
where they could obtain agricultural employ
ment.
THE PLAN OF THE ORGANIZATION.
In its general plan of OF ganization the United
Hebrew Charities resembles the Associated
Charities. The city is divided into districts
every district being il charge of a committee
which reports at the monthly meetings of the
society. All cases of reiie- are referred to
these committees and one or more members
make personal visit of inspection TO ascertain
the need and provide the relief that the &C.
caslon seems to call for.
TO DISCOURAGE PAUPERIsM.
The principle upon which relief is afforded is
that which underlies all modern charitable or
CARNATIONS, namely, to give assistance in such
way as to discourage pauperism. 1t is u graft
flying fact, as showing the character of the He
brew population of this city, that the great
bulk of the demands made upon this society
come from non-resideGts. The Hebrew resi-
dents OF Washington as a class are able to gain
livelihood for themselves and their families
1t Is only when misfortune comes and there is
need Oh a friendly hand to help them over a
hard place in the pathway of life that the good
Offices OF the society called into reuui-
sition. There is no home or ASYLUM or
other Charitable Institution in this city
maintained by Hebrews for the benefit of the
needy OF their own race. If the necessity for
charitable aid on a larger scale than at present
exists was apparent there is no doubt that the
need would be promptly supplied. The
Hebrew citizens, while caring for their own
also contribute largely to the various organiza-
tons that are designed to relieve suffering and
afford assistance to others, which are carried
on Under the various auspices in this city
This one organization is found to be all that is
required to act as medium between the
charitable and the deserving poor of the
Hebrew race.
B'NAI BIRTH.
There are. however, other organizations
Of a hapayoiepf cbar
tanned exclusively by Hebrews Standing
at the head OF the list in this city, as well as
throughout the world, of Hebrew organizations
OF this character is the Independent Order of
b mai Birth or Sons OF the Covenant. In this
city there are four lodges, and while they have
. weiI-deveioped social character yet their real
object Is BY cooperation to secure upon the
death OF members the payment to their
families of certain sum. sick benefit is also
paid. The headquarters of the organization in
this country Is IL New York city. Mr.. Simon
Wolf OF this city is the first vice president of
the national body. The order, as stated. has
lodges IN every country on the globe and it
Is recognized as the most powerful and
numerous OF all benevolent organizations ever
starte! by Hebrewa In connection with the
work OF securing to the members death and
sick benefits the lodges in this city, in connec-
ton with the branches of the order In the
states of Virginia. Maryland North and South
Orphan Home AT Atlanta--an institution which
now cares for between seventy and eighty or
phan children. Henry Adler OF this city is
secretary and treasurer Of the board of con-
troll OF the home and the president Is Simon
Wolf, who was also one of the most active In
starting this great charity.
OTHER BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS.
There are also two other organizations Of
similar aims which have lodges in this city.
One Is the Order Of Kosher Shell Barrel, with
two lodges, and the Improved Order of Bnai
Birth, with one lodge. With the exception of
contributing TO the support Of an orphan asy-
lum these two organizations are identical in the
objects with the B'nai b ruth. All these orders,
however, contribute to the fund of the United
Hebrew Charities. There are also two bene VIOLENT
organizations the membership Of which is CON-
posed of Hebrew women. They arc known as
Rebekah and Deborah lodges. The object is
purely charitable, and they afford relief to
members IN distress and provide for the ex-
pense of burial when needed.
SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS FEATURES.
In the same way as similar organizations
| among people OF other races these Hebrew
benevolent orders have features which are
important in the social life of the people,
The synagogues also, to q certain extent, are
social centers. Here there are two prin-
| cipal congregations and several minor ones.
The membership of the latter il mainly COM