The San Francisco call., 1896-09-28
What Has Been Accomplished
in a Quarter of a Gen.
tury.
TOLD BY PRESIDENT LEVY.
The Children Entertain Visitors TO
the Asylum With an Operetta
and Music


Asylum and Home Society occurred yes
terdey, and it was made the occasion of
celebration well worthy of the event.
There was large gathering of Jewish peo-
pie at the asylum at Devisadero and Hayes
streets, and the visitors were received by
President S. w. Levy, Superintendent
Henry Mauser and other officers of the in
stitution. In the afternoon, after a recep-
ton in the asylum building. an entertain
ment that proved to be very enjoyable
affair was given in the amusement hall by
the children, Immediately after the an
nual meeting of the members of the So
ciety.
President Levy called the meeting to
order after the Anspacher band, composed
of Hebrew orphans, had played quite
brilliant overture. Mr.. Levy read his re-
port, which W as comprehensive and inter
estlng to all present.
1.-The credit should be given the B'uai
Birth Society for having originated the
idea of founding and establishing an or
phans' home in this CITY," he said, "but
tnat society did not have the means to
carry out the scheme alone and it was LETT
for this association to materialize what
was before mere inspiration. 1t was on
the 25th day of July, 1871, that this asso-
citation was formed-to quote the language
Of our act of incorporation-'for the care,
relief, protection and improvement of or
phan children, and for the care of aged
Israelites, who are without adequate
means of support
Continuing, he said: "When we take a
retrospective glance into the past and
think of the modest quarters which we
occupied in the rented building on Mason
street from 1872 to 1876, and which did
F0.,.
society's existence, and remember how
proud we were OF 1t, thinking that we had
reached point beyond which it was i'm
possible to 60, and compare it with our
present two great institutions, with their
imposing buildings. their large grounds,
attractive surroundings, elegantly APP
pointed gymnasium and extensive work
shops connected with our orphan asylum
building, we feel that our success has been
remarkable. And when we take into fur
ther consideration the fact that in 1891 we
carried out the second great object of our
corporation, viz, the establishment and
erection of our home for the aged, which
is complete in every detail, and that every
dollar due for the purchase of the land
and the erection of both the asylum and
! home building has been paid, we can
| truly say that We have, under a kind
providence, accomplished marvellous re-
! sults.''
|
| the society, for the recent extensive i'm.
provements have so depleted the treasury
that ways and means Tor maintenance of
| both institutions must be adopted. As
much as $5l, ,389 80 was paid out on build
ing contracts during the past year, and as
| this created a deficiency, Mr.. Levy sug-
| gested that q committee be appointed to
solicit subscriptions. AS it was twenty
] years since the society made its last ap-
| peal to the public he believed that the
| society could very properly make another
call for aid.
"Should we endeavor to 'retrench in any
way" he said, i've should have to do so
at the expense of seriously Gripping one
or both Institutions, and we would be sub
jected to the humiliation of refusing fur
ther applications for admission. We are
now conducting both institutions with the
greatest amount of hberality and at the
same time with the least amount OF ex.
penditure.
The income of the society during the
year was $25,550 76 from all sources, and
expenses, including alterations and erec-
ton of a workshop building, $26, 500 % for
the asylum and $40, 929 63 for the home.
The total expense was $37, ,429 So. The es-
tim lated amount necessary for the next
year was given at $27. 500 for the asylum
AMI $1,000 for the home, but from past
experience it was calculated that without
some extraordinary assistance the loss
would be about $12,949. To ward off such
a possibility the board of trustees has de-
termined to use every endeavor TO increase
the membership roll. During the year
donations and requests received amounted
to $40, 656 77.
Regarding membership Mr.. Levy an
nounced that year ago there were 2037,
and since then % were lost by death, so
by resignation and were stricken from
the roll. One life member and AZ con-
tributing members were admitted, max
ing the total 1863 loss of 63 members.
There were 122 children in the asylum
at the last annual meeting. Since then 80
have been admitted and IS discharged,
leaving 81 boys and 67 girls in the institu-
ton, of whom are living with respect
able families and learning trades. The
children have attended the public schools,
and have been instructed by special teach.
ers in the asylum. Youthful mechanics
in the various workshops are becoming
experts at their trades under the direction
of Superintendent Mauser and BOYS with
musical talent are instructed by Professor
L. Won der Mehden in music as members
of the Anspacher band. At the home
there were Is men and 10 women a year
since, men and 2 women have been ad-
mitted, and men died, leaving 16 men
and II women in the institution.
The report concluded with thanks to
various benefactors of both institutions.
The report was greeted with cordial ap-
plause and by vote accepted and ordered
to be printed.
Reading of other reports, such as those
of the secretary and superintendent, was
| dispensed with, as they were embodied in
the presidents report.
J. Greepebaum moved that the presi-
dent and vice-president be given a vote
of thanks from the society for their
work during the past year. He took the
chair temporarily and everybody, it
seemed, said ayel
The president was empowered to ap-
point committee on the election of di-
rectors, whose terms have expired.
An operetta in three acts, entitled, "The
Four-leaved Glover, or the Charm,n was
effectively presented by the children with
the following cast:
Isabella, Countess of Aguilar, Hulda La
komy; Lady Ines, Hannah Rosenthal; Lady
Hinda, Reb Lakomy; Susanna, maid TO Lady
Inez, Jennie Levy Don Sebastian, Com. of the
Castle, Philip Saplro; Don Carlos, a Spanish
| guest, Elite Reuben; Sir Roland Graeme, an
| English guest Aaron Sapiro; Pedro and DON