The Cincinnati Jewish Jubilee Yearbook - 1957

1957

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Orthodox Jewish Home for the Aged
"Cast me not off in the time of old age, when my strength faileth forsake me not."
EARLY IN 1906, at a meeting of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, which met at the Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Synagogue on Kenyon Avenue, a pro-posal was made by a group of women consisting of Mrs. Frume Sher, Mrs. H. Wallenstein, Mrs. Ida Neuerman, Mrs. Hanna Fage Levy, Mrs. Pearl Gittle Touff and Mrs. Rebecca Green-wald for establishing an Orthodox Jewish Home for the Aged in Cincin-nati. These women prevailed upon Mrs. Hannah Hirschman to become active in organizing a society with such an objective. Interest was aroused at the Beth Hamedrash Hagodol at this meeting to such an extent that the first contribution was made by Mrs. Rose Billilove of $50.00. Immediately, solicitations for membership were made, the dues being 25c a month. A general meeting was then called and officers elected. Mrs. Philip Mincowsky, the mother of the present financial secretary of the Home, Mrs. Aaron Hirschman, was elected as president, and Mrs. Hannah Hirschman as secretary and treas-urer and Mrs. Nellie Sivitz as recording secretary. From this humble beginning, and with arduous work and persistence, the membership grew to 3000. Membership dues were supplemented by other activities, such as raffles, picnics and dances. By the middle of 1913 there was an ac-cumulation of funds sufficient for a down pay-ment on a building.
When the women finally decided on a suit-able building, they called upon a committee of men, consisting of Mr. B. Manischewitz, Mr. Philip Mincowsky and Mr. Moses Hirschman to approve their choice. The Home at 1405 Myrtle Avenue was then purchased, and steps were taken for city wide solicitation to help defray ex-penses for remodeling, furnishing and equipping the Home, with the approval of Mayor Henry T. Hunt and Rabbi J. G. Lesser. Upon the resig-nation of Mrs. Philip Mincowsky, Mr. Charles Schaengold was elected President. The official opening of the Home took place in September 1914, with impressive ceremonies attended by the entire Jewish community. Eleven residents were admitted to the Home within the next two months. Mr. and Mrs. Bierenbaum were the first Superintendent and Matron of the Home. The opening of this Home was just the begin-ning of a tremendous and responsible job. A standing committee of women, consisting of Mrs. Sylvia Max, Mrs. S. Gemberg, Mrs. Sarah Ber-nard, Mrs. Roninger, Mrs. Mary Albert and Mrs. Ida Neuerman responded to every beck and call.
Three Auxiliaries were formed with one in New-port, Ky., founded by Mrs. Spector and Mrs. Sandweiss, one in Middletown, Ohio started by Mrs. Pressman and Mrs. Berezin and one in Charleston, W. Va., organized by Mrs. Blumberg.
Our residents increased so rapidly that plans were made for a larger Home, and through the efforts of the president, Mr. Schaengold, Mr. Glass, Mr. Metz and Mrs. Neuer. Our present location at 601 Maple Avenue, Avondale, was acquired and a new building with a kitchen, succoh and a beautiful Chapel was erected with a capacity of 70 people.
In 1921 this Home was affiliated with the Community Chest. After Mr. Schaengold, Mr. Samuel Glass served the Home as president for two decades and was succeeded by Mr. Nathan Steinberg and its present president, Mr. George Rosen. Mr. and Mrs. Moses Greenfinkel managed the Home for 22 years. They were succeeded by Mr. and Mrs. Martin Baum. Since 1942 Reverend and Mrs. Alfred Seelig have been in charge of its management. The Mary Albert Linen Circle with Mrs. Morris Cohen as president, The Ohio State Sales Tax Stamp Committee, with Mrs. Anna Berman as chairman and most recently The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Home, under the presidency of Mrs. Ben Bernstein have supple-mented the needs of the Home, its finances and its services.
The Home is a member of The Association of Philanthropic Homes of Ohio and is licensed by local, County and State authorities. Likewise, the entire Jewish community has continued its active interest in the welfare of the Home and its residents. At present the Home is adding six more rooms to relieve the crowded conditions and a large recreation room, which project will be dedicated early in 1957.
Compiled by Directors of the Home