Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-21
UNITED HEBREW CHARITIES
An Important Work in Relieving the Des-
titute.~
Third ANIMAL Charity Ball An Or
sanizatiOn Which Assists Those
Deserving Charity and Aid.

The third annual charity ball given I'M
der the auspices of the United Hebrew
Charities organization will be held on the
evening CT the 9th. A large attendance
is expected by the members of the board
of the society, and they hope by the money
thus secured to avert the threatened large
deficiency in the funds. owing to the in
creased demands made upon the society.
The only organized Jewish charities in
this city up to the fall of 1891 were two
associations of ladies, known, respectively,
as the Rebecca Lodge and Deborah Lodge,
which, until the large influx of poor immi-
grants, resulting from the Russian expul-
sions, were amply able to care for the
needs of all deserving cases that were
brought to their attention. But the great
increase in the poorer class OF their CO.
religionists which had been going on for
two years previous to this time, occasioned
by repatriation, now began to manifest
itself so strongly to demand the serious
attention of the whole Jewish community,
and, at the suggestion of Simon Won, IN
an address on the subject before the con-
gregation at the Eighth Street Synagogue,
on the Day of Atonement, in October,
1891, a call was issued for meeting,
which occurred few days later. and re-
suited in the organization of the society
known as the United Hebrew Charities.
fund of nearly twenty-five hundred dol
lars was Immediately subscribed in order
to begin work.
An UnOstCntatiOus Work.
The association, starting out without any
set plan of action, soon found plenty OF
work to do; and at the end of it's first
years existence made such showing OF
the good accomplished, under the guidance
of it's first president, Mr.. Morris Clark. as
to convince the contributors of the wisdom
of making it a permanent institution. Mr..
Clark resigning, much to the regret of mis-
fellow-workers, the unanimous choice OF
the society fell upon Mr.. l. L. Blout to sue
coed him, and he is now serving his third
consecutive term in that capacity.
The work of the society, though vigorous
ly and enthusiastically carried on by the
beard composed of seventeen ladies and
gentlemen, is done quietly and unosten-
tatiously. The president and the various
committees into which the board Is divided
inquire into all cases which may be pre-
sented to them, and act upon them in such
manner that even the contributors sell
dem learn the name of recipient of re-
lief.
has made it rule to devote one hour or
more daily to receiving applications for aid,
and every afternoon, excepting Sundays ana
Jewish holidays, he can be found in his lit
tie office in the vestry of the Eighth Street
Synagogue attending to this self-imposed
duty, which in case of his absence from
the city is as faithfully performed by the
vice president of the society, Mr.. henry
Strasburger.
The society endeavors to discourage pau
perism, and directs its efforts toward max
ing it's wards independent and self-sustain-
iEg. Wherever the board is satisfied that,
by giving a larger sum, it can so help the
applicant as to enable him to earn an
honest living by his own industry, its rule
is to extend it's aid in that manner rather
than upon the smaller scale. which pro-
vides only for present wants; and many
are the instances where the wisdom of this
policy has been amply proven by most en-
ccuraging and fiattering results-the per-
sons so aided becoming, in most cases, able
to provide for their families support, and
not infrequenty becoming themselves con-
tributors to the charity fund.
Careful management.
The society is supported by the volun-
tary contributions of its members, who are
principally Hebrews, though once a year
a charity ball is given, the proceeds Of
which, together with the members contri-
buttons, aggregate sum which, under the
careful and economical administration of
the board. Is made to last until the annual
meeting in October, when the collection
committees make their canvass OF the city,
and thus prepare to provide for the needs
of the ensuing year.
Out of the $500 diSburSed last year $3.50
were given to the society by the central
relief committee for distribution, which is
the only aid 1t has ever received from any
other source. An idea of its economical
administration may be gotten from the
statement in the presidents report for 1884
to the effect that the expenses for the year
were $3.50. The discrimination and care
of the board may be gagged by the state
ment in the same report that out of LOO
applications for help but 566 cases were as
sisted, not one of those who were denied
aid, it is stated, having been refused it
without proper investigation and satisfac-
tory reason.