The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-08

their share in the great responsibility.
 In 1893. actuated by the spirit that the congress of religions at tine Worlds fair the previous year had given them band of IA women came together in Chicago and formed them selves into the Council of Jewish Wom- en with the avowed intention ito bring about closer relations among Jewish women, to furnish by an organic union. medium of communication and means of prosecuting work of common interest; to further united efforts in be- half of Judaism by supplying means Of study; to further united efforts in be- half of social reform by the applica- tion Of the best philanthropic thought. The news of the formation of the new society was sent from city to city, and in two years throughout the United States large part of the People of the Book was studying the book and Jewish hls- tory, which Is worlds history.
 All intellectual work is barren which confers benefit only upon the student, and so in little while these bands of women were gong into the by-ways of the great cities and gathering to themselves classes and circles that they themselves might teach ana incidentally learning that fine lesson of humility that comes when We discover that superior mentality Is not al ways clothed in purple and fine linea, but often deports itself in ragged gafp. Women whose charity worok had consist ed in the signing of liberal checks were brought into close personal touch with the poor. and the work of the council has become as. wide as the wants of the va rious communities in which 1t has sec tions. Kindergartens, settlement houses, free baths, ice water fountains, are but q few of the activities In which the council spirit manfests itself.
 A very short while ago New York Jewry stirred by an exceeding bitter cry that came from it's depths The revela, tions of public corruption brought to light that some of the immigrant girls, de- ceived by the interruptions or dazzled by the unwonted light of liberty. had fallen by the way. Those women who had taken as their type, the Jewish maiden who in defense of her honor strangled herself with her own hair learned that in abhorring the sin they must yet have charity for the sinner. One of the mem bers came forward with gift of $10,000 us nucleus toward establishing home Tor those they wished to save.
 The work is done quietly, none save the committee on philanthropy knowing the location of the home, and the Judges Of i the city courts arc only too glad to com init to the care of the council probation officer those who would otherwise be thrown together with the hardened out casts of society.
 This work, of course, emphasized the need of taking care of immigrant women and girls, lest they. too, fall into the hands of unscrupulc Is men. During the past three years the council has advised or helped in some way 10000 Jewish girls. This it has done through the corps it maintains on Ellis Island, and it is source of no small pride that the council exhibit on immigrant aid was awarded gold medal at Jamestown, and that the international jury I Paris accorded it the grand prlx.
 Days might be taken in writing of the various branches of council work, but this Is merely a slight exposition of it's scope, that the Jewish women of Br- mngham may be made aware of the fact that they too. are called upon to do their little share in these manifold activities. The little circle in this city is doing good work but it should not be such a small section. As a people we are conservative. We have to lxindle and keep alight the sacred fires of home, but let us look to it that the fires of other homes are not extnguished and coldness come upon them because are warm in the glow and beauty of our own
 This Is what Mrs. Rosenberg came to impress upon us and to those who think and those who feel results must come in added endeavor to spread the council work.