Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-01
HEBREW YOUNG MEN
Organized in an Association for Pleasure
and Improvement
Their Home at 10th and streets-To
Cultivate Athletics ana In Accumu
late a Lfbrary-Classes for study.

For upwards Of twenty-five years there
have been organizations among the young
men of the Hebrew faith similar in some
respects to the Y. NJ. c. A, that has be-
come such a powerful institution in this
country. These organizations have been
known as Young Mems Hebrew Associations
and have supplied a certain want in the
large cities. Washington. however, has
been far behind in this respect. and IL was
not until a few months ago that a move
ment was inaugurated to establish a SINH
lar association here. over a year ago Mr..
Simon Wolf had occasion to deliver an adj
dress before the associatio in Newark n.
j., and on his return here spoke to several
persons about the need Of such an organ
lzatlon In Washington. Nothing was done
about 1t. however, until just before the Day
OF Atonement, when Mr.. Simon Lyon, q
well-known young Hebrew lawyer sent q
letter to Mr.. Wolf asking that he suggest
organization in the address that he is ac-
customed to deliver annually to the con-
gregation at the synagogue. This idea was
carried out and soon afterward meetings
were held for the purpose Of forming the
association.
The Home of the Association.
From this start the Young Mems Hebrew
Association has come into a fair and pros
porous existence. 1t now occupies the
large house on the northwest corner Of 10th
and n streets. which was secured in May
last after the final preliminaries were per-
fected The association has gone through
the stage OF struggling for life, and is In
a fair way to become one OF the solid In
situations OF the town.
| The house has been nicely furnished and
contains facilities for many enjoyable even
] q ~ ha
parlors is used as a meeting room, and the
other, on the opposite side Of the hall. as a
library and reading room. In the rear are
quarters for the Janitor. On the second
moor are two large and handsomely fur
nished rooms for the playing Of the limo
cent games, such as checkers. draughts
and domnoes. Card playing is not allowed
in the house. The third story is given up
to the classes in gymnastics. There are two
rooms, neither as large as the members de-
sire, yet sufficient to accommodate all that
have so far shown a desire to take the
training. The work in gymnastics is under
the charge of Mr.. ID. w. Gould OF the Y. NJ
| c. A, who gives lessons on Tuesday and
| Thursday evenings. There are fully thirty
young men in attendance at every lesson.
Ladies' Auxiliary.
There are now about 16O members and az
a special feature there has been organized
a sort of ladies' auxiliary, which is COM
posed of about sixty-five young women,
who take a great interest in the affairs OF
the association. There is a special class in
gymnastics for them on Wednesday after
Moons
Every Sunday afternoon Mr.. Philip Fried
lander leads class in the study of the
drama, which is composed of both sexes.
! Thursday evenings thirty or forty young
men and women gather in the parlor to at
tend the meetings of the literary and de-
batting class, which is under the direction
of Mr.. Lewis Abraham. This is one Of the
most popular features of the association,
and the interest in IL is growing.
! In addition TO these attractions there has
been arranged a lecture course of about
fifteen numbers. These talks are given by
prominent thinkers and writers and will
undoubtedly prove very valuable. The third
Of the series was given last Sunday evening
in the Eighth Street Synagogue, where all
will be delivered
| The house stands on a very large lot. and
there is ample room on the west side for
outdoor games. 1t is the purpose of the
managers of the association to organize
clubs in base ball and foot ball next season,
ami there may be some tennis courts es-
tabished on the grounds. There is also
splendid accommodations for lawr parties
| and other outdoor entertainments.
1t has been proposed TO organize classes
in shorthand. typewriting and bookkeeping.
but the managers Of the association have
been very busy up to date liz getting the
| organization on its feet, and nothing has
yet been accomplished in this line.
! The library is yet in a rather nebu-
lous state, but a good start has been made.
! The daily papers and number OF PERIOD
icals are taken, and the tables in the read
ing room are always crowded. There In
also a case filled with excellent books that
are circulated among the members. An
organized effort has been recently made 20
raise fund for the establishment and
maintenance of 4 library that will be OF
great service to the association, and a COM
mittee consisting of Messrs. Chas. Baum.
Isadore Saks, Simon WOLF and !. Cold
stein, was appointed some weeks ago for
the purpose of obtaining subscriptions 70
the fund.
The Officers.
The association is Offered as follows:
Simon Lyon, president; Harry Franc. vice
president; Nathan S. Meyer. recording sec
rotary: s. J. CHASER. financial secretary,
and L. Stargarter. treasurer.
The executive committee consists Of 8.
Lyon. chairman; Harry Franc, Max Fisher.
NJ. Herman. Alex Wolf, Nathan Meyer. and
L. Stargarter.
The committee on entertainments is made
up OF Alex Wolf. chairman; Phil Friedlan-
der, s. Lyon, Joe Abel. Meyer Nordlinger,
y. :. Meyer, and A. Bernstein.
| The house is in charge of different COM
mittee each night, thus: Monday, s. Lyon,
and II. Franc: Tuesday, L. Stargarter and
| S. Meyer; Wednesday. Joe Price and Phil
Friedlander; Thursday. s Ganss and Max
Fisher; Friday. Joe Abel and S. ]. Chaser:
Saturday. NJ. Herman and Alex Wolf and
! sunday, NJ. Nordllnger ana A. Bernstein.
| There is also a board of trustees who
have a general supervision over the affairs
Of the association, composed Of Messrs.
Simon Wolf. Henry Franc and Chas Baum.
The association differs from the Y. NJ.
c. A. in that il makes no effort to main
tain a religious department of any sort
There are no services or meetings held and
really the organization is more in the ma
ture of club than the other. Its member
! ship. while not strictly confined to those
of the Hebrew faith, by virtue of the regu-
lations Of the organization. is nevertheless
designed to include only those. Yet none
are refused admittance on sectarian grounds
| alone.