Beginnings 1875-1923

The organization began at a meeting in the home of Dr. James Horowitz, who had been an active participant in the Underground Railroad and was a volunteer surgeon during the Civil War. Among those present were Isaac Glauber; Mathias Buchman, Alexander Buchman, Herman Peskin, Marcus Feder, Sr., and Joseph Metzenbaum.

Called the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the group’s purpose was to help settle fellow Jews fleeing from persecution in Europe. Many arrived penniless and in desperate need of help. Members of the Board of Directors did all the necessary work, both of investigation and relief—there were no paid officers or other employees.

In their first year, $2,000 was raised through private collections and voluntary contributions.

The group merges with the Hebrew Relief Organization to become the Hebrew Relief Association in the interest of better service to the community, intending “not to pauperize, but to foster and maintain self-respect of the poor.”

When refugees arrived in Cleveland, they were taken in charge by the association, which found homes and employment for them, and supported them until they could manage for themselves.

The Hebrew Relief Association merges with the Russian Resettlement Committee. It distributes about $5,000 a year in relief.

At a meeting of Jewish women led by Rabbi Moses J. Gries, it was proposed that a personal service society be created. Members of the society would visit poor families to counsel and advise them, forming friendly relationships and put them in the way of helping themselves. Cases needing substantial assistance would be directed to regular charities.

The group later becomes the Council of Jewish Women, today known as the National Council of Jewish Women.

Dr. Steiner, the association’s physician, made 1800 calls to the sick. He indicated that sickness can be avoided through good clothing and good food. He recommends that establishing sewing and cooking schools for the young would lead to better lives.

In Supt. Charles Richter’s report to the organization 203 families were provided: 318 shirts, 105 vests, 159 coats, 310 pairs of pants, 741 pairs of shoes, 120 pairs of stockings, 621 suits of underwear, 108 overcoats, 78 cloaks, 315 ladies dresses, 306 waists, 168 jackets, 36 quilts, 30 pairs of rubber shoes, 64 pieces of furniture, 13 stoves, 9 horses and wagons, and 6 sewing machines. He also advocated for the creation of a laundry department for the cleaning and mending of clothing and so that women in destitute circumstances might gain employment.

“It appears to me that every thoughtful Israelite now believes that the permanent salvation of our people lies in their becoming farmers. I would therefore advise that this societ buy or rent a few acres of land in the country where the men who are willing and are able to work might find employment and at the same time gain a taste for country life or at least lose the timid feeling for agricultural work that is natural to every city bred person.” stated Supt. Richter

According to Supt. Richter, “We have tried to make some of the applicants independent by giving them horses and wagons or establishing them in little places of business, and I am pleased to say that we have accomplished a great deal of good. In conclusion, I wish to state that we have not a half-dozen able-bodied, unemployed men on our list at the present time.”

At the annual meeting, it is reported that there is concern over heavy immigration from New York City of poor Jews to Cleveland, given that is the main line of travel westward and as far their means will carry them.

A major concern is the ability to meet sufficiently the needs of this growing population because in comparison to other large cities, the proportion of poor Jewish people in Cleveland is greater while the proportion of those who are rich is smaller.

The Hebrew Relief Association works in tandem with the Cleveland Council of Jewish Women (known today as NCJW) to “assist its needy brethren, in learning a trade, starting in business, obtaining free medical attention and medicines, to be fed, clothed and housed, and last but not least, to become useful and and educated American citizens.” 

Though not considered full members of the Hebrew Relief Association’s Board, the first women elected as honorary members of the association are members of the Council of Jewish Women who are actively working with the HRA. They are Mrs. M.B. Schwab, Mrs. Abraham Weiner, Mrs. Moses Halle, Mrs. Edward Rosenfeld, and Mrs. Marcus Feder.

caption: Mrs. Moses Halle

With funding support from the Hungarian Benevolent and Social Union, the Ladies Charitable Society, and Daughters of Charity, and other benevolent societies, the Hebrew Relief Association is able to send Jewish men and women with tuberculosis to the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives in Denver Colorado. Denver’s dry and sunny climate had become famous throughout the country for its supposed beneficial effect on TB, which disproportionately affected poverty-stricken individuals.

The afflicted persons are examined by the association’s physician. If it is believed that the sufferer can be helped, application is made to the Denver hospital. In most cases, individuals are not able to pay for their railroad fare. This and other costs are borne by the association.

Since 1900, sixteen individuals have been sent to the Denver hospital

HRA moves to a new location at 294 Woodland Avenue, and opens a medical dispensary providing free treatment to all applicants. The need of a department of this kind in connection with other departments of the association was long needed.

Its new location is situated in one of the most congested areas of the city, where the need for a dispensary is great. A number of drug stores have promised to donate medicines for use in the dispensary.

HRA is designated a charter member agency of the newly formed Federation of Jewish Charities. It receives $10,000 in funding to continue its work. All but $300 is spent.

One of its founding policies is that if a beneficiary agency receives contributions directly, that amount will be deducted from the Federation’s donation. The thinking at the time was that no one charity can profit by private gifts at the expense of others. Another policy banned the use of bazaars, fairs, balls, etc. to raise funds or charge more than $3 a year for membership fees.

A.S. Newman, a graduate of Chicago University, is retained as the new superintendent and is the first paid professionally trained social settlement worker. The hiring of A. S. Newman as the first professional superintendent marked a shift towards more structured social work practices. Under his leadership, the association implemented casework methodologies, including interviewing and investigating prospective clients and organizing “friendly visits” by volunteers to recipients’ homes.

Seen as a progressive, Newman shared his opinions about the evolution of charity work.

“The old idea of private individuals can dispense charity in a manner to do the most good is a mistaken one. Charity must be dispensed by those who understand what is the best thing to do, by those who have made a study of social conditions and a study of charities.”

He also believed that applicants for urgent relief should not have to wait for a committee to meet to discuss their case. “People only make application as a last resort. It is unjust to ask them to wait, perhaps starve, until the members of the committee meet.”

A new location at 2554 E40th Street is dedicated as the Isaac N. Glauber Memorial Home. The larger space is needed to support the “constant and increased immigration” to Cleveland.

During the Great War, the association’s services encompass providing financial assistance for essentials such as food, clothing, and housing; supporting refugee resettlement efforts, and facilitating employment opportunities. There are jobs for all who want to work and many people work two shifts per day.

During the war, servicemen and their families were cared for by the American Red Cross. The aftermath of the Great War and the cessation of Red Cross assistance brings an increased load to the association.

Continue the journey…