The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-30
TALKED FOR THE ORPHAN,
The Pacific Hebrew Asylum
and Home Society in An
nual Session.
ITS FINANCES AND ITS WORK.
Rabbi Voorsanger Makes a Strong
Appeal for More Generous
Support.

A large number of members of the
Pacific Hebrew Orphan Asylum and
Home Society gathered at the asylum
building yesterday and held the twenty
fourth annual meeting of that organiza-
ton. The session was almost completely
devoted to the presentation of reports by
the numerous officers of the institution.
The papers submitted from the various
representatives of the asylum and home
management indicated very prosperous
condition of affairs, and among other
things included comments and suggestions
for the improvement of the organization's
several buildings and the extension Of its
charitable work.
I. w. Levy, the president of the society,
submitted very complete report upon the
asylum affairs during the past year and
the general condition of things with which
the organization is concerned.
In the matter of financial affairs Mr..
Levy announced that during the past ear
the asylum expenses were $50, 1876 SO. The
expenses incurred in maintaining the
Home for the Aged were $12, 443 90. making
the total annual expense 1874, no 05. Presi-
dent Levy indicated very emphaticallv
that the income of the society, while suf-
ticlent to have permitted certain degree
OF prosperous management, is not what it
should be. The income of the society for
the year aggregated SIS, 464 A, and was less
the amount of expenditures by something
over $4,000. This condition of affairs, said
Mr.. Levy, cannot continue to exist, and
strenuous efforts must be made to remedy
the financial evil. He found reason for
the lack of proper support in the fact that
interest in the institution is apparently
confined to San Francisco. He said during
his address,:
1t is strange indeed that such large proper.
ton OF our subscribers should be residents of
this City. Comparing the population of all the
cities and towns of the Pacific Coast with San
Francisco, we find that while the outside terri
tory contains much larger population and
sends much larger number OF orphans to the
asylum, it contributes a very small portion OF
the funds for carryingit on. In short, it makes
books of membership. 1t would seem that our
outside neighbors think that because the
asylum happens to be located in San Francisco
this City should support it. This should not be
the case. The maj ty OF our present inmates
were born outside the City, and judging from
our past experience the same rule will apply to
future applications ! sincerely trust that our
co-religionists throughout the Pacific Coast
generally will seriously consider this matter
and come to our rescue at once.
Continuing, Mr.. Levy said that during
the year the society had received dona-
tons and requests amounting to $37, 55s 40.
The membership rolls showed that of 1875
persons upon them in 1894 twenty-four had
died during the year and eighty-one re-
signed. Twenty life members had been
admitted, besides 6S8 contributing mem
bers, making total membership Of 2037.
This rather surprising and extremely graft
flying increase is credited TO the excellent
recruiting work done by Judah Newman
re q pnn mi On
charged with that particular line of work.
Speaking of the condition of the asylum
President Levy said:
As regards the household of the asylum, and
matters connected Herewith, it is with pleas
ure that announce that the health of our lit
tie ones has been remarkably good-thanks to
the attention given by our staff OF physicians
and the care of the superintendent and ma
boys and ffty-nine girls. OF these 100 children
make their home in the asylum, and thirteen
children are placed in comfortable homes,
boarding outside. OF these twelve are learn
ing trades and one is too young to be cared for
at the asylum. At the last report we had sixty
three boys and sixty-fve girls; since then we
have admitted eight children and discharged
thirteen and one died, making our present roll
of children 122. Cur children attend the pub
lie schools, as in previous years, and are as
sisted in their studies by our special teachers.
Excellent reports are made as to their scholar
ship and department.
The various industries now attached to the
asylum ere progressing very satisfactorily
Mauser, our superintendent. The boys in the
shoeshop are becoming quite expert in the
manufacture and mending OF chilGren's shoes
and the boys in the printing office are doing
excellent work. They have, in fact. taken and
finished many important jobs, including last
years reports, that reflected great credit on all
concerned. With little encouragement these
industries can be made not only self-support-
ing but an item of revenue and profit.
When President Levy concluded, the re-
ports of other officers were read, the SUBJ
stance of them, however, having been
pretty much Incorporated in the report of
the chief officer.
Rabbi Voorsanger, one of the very active
members of the organization, had word
to say about finances, and the reprehensI-
BILE indifference of too many of the members
to the serious need of funds to carry on
the societys work. He was particularly
gratifed at the increase in membership,
but urged upon the committee to work
even more vigorously and strive to achieve
even greater results. DR.. Voorsanger spoke
eloquently upon the Importance and me-
cessity of such an organization. He pointed
to the fact that the society has grown i'm
mensely since its establishment in 1871,
and in proportion to its growth its ex-
penses have also increased. For the pur-
pose of increasing the income he suggested
that such members as might be able to do
so, should pay into the society q larger
sum monthly than was required by the
laws of the organization. He also sug-
gested an increase in the life membership
fee, and proposed that the twenty-fifth an
niversary next year should be publicly
celebrated for the financial benefit of the
society.