THE SUBSCRIBERS, A COMMITTEE APPOINTED AT A MEETING OF THE GRAND LODGE NO. 3, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF THE BENAI BERITH, HELD ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 14TH, 1864, RESPECTFULLY CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE SUBJOINED PROCEEDINGS IN FAVOR OF ERECTING A JEWISH HOSPITAL WITHIN THE LIMITS OR THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia: August 18, 1864. [4] pp. 8-1/2" x 5." Repaired at blank margins, light edge wear and mild spotting. Matching English and German text. Tipped into a modern gilt morocco folder. Good+.
This prospectus and circular letter, launched by the Philadelphia lodge of the Independent Order of the Benai Berith, is printed in matching English and German text. Isaac Leeser appears as vice-chairman of the Provisional Hospital Committee, and Abraham Sulzberger (great-uncle of the future New York Times publisher Arthur Hays Sulzberger) as secretary. Other Committee members were Solomon Hofheimer, R. Teller, L. Ellinger, and S. Weil. The Hospital which they created is today called the Albert Einstein Medical Center.
The document states their mission and purpose: "Whereas, a Jewish Hospital has been found to be a necessity in the cities of New York and Cincinnati. Within the last six months three Israelites of this city have died in Christian hospitals without having enjoyed the privilege of hearing the Shema Yisrael. Whereas, it reflects the greatest discredit on so large a Jewish population as that of Philadelphia, to force friendless brothers to seek, in sickness and the prospect of death, the shelter of un-Jewish hospitals, to eat forbidden food, to be dissected after death and sometimes even to be buried with the stranger... Resolved, that the District Grand Lodge take immediate steps... for the purpose of founding a Jewish Hospital."
Their efforts bore fruit, memorialized in a pamphlet entitled, "Dedication of the Jewish Hospital of Philadelphia. Tuesday, May 28, 1867." Philadelphia: Jones & Thacher.1867. Members of the Committee of Arrangements included Abraham Wolf, Alfred T. Jones as President, and others. Jones gave a heartfelt speech and noted that, "though no one can be a member of our Society who is not a brother or sister of Israel, still our doors are open to the afflicted of every creed."
Singerman 1818. OCLC 801995315 [1- Library Company Phila.] as of January 2022. Item #36361
Price: $4,500.00