IN the autumn of 1848, Mrs. Henry Leo, a devoted Jewess of New York, was called to visit an afflicted woman of her own faith. She not only found her a great sufferer, but enshrouded in deepest poverty and destitution. While affording relief in this case, her mind was impressed that some general movement should be inaugurated for the relief of aged indigent Hebrews. Attending service at the synagogue soon after, she laid the matter with great earnestness before a number of the ladies of the congregation, and on the 21st of November, 1848, the "B'nai Jeshurun Ladies' Hebrew Benevolent Society," for the relief of indigent females, was formed, and rules for its government adopted. Mrs. A. H. Lissak, and Mrs. David Samson, deceased, were among its presiding officers, and the Rev. Ansel Leo acted for many years as honorary secretary. On March 20, 1870, at a meeting of the board of directresses held in the Thirty-fourth Street synagogue, the President, Mrs. Henry Leo, the chief foundress of the society, presented a report calling attention to the number of destitute aged and infirm Hebrews in the city, who were constantly making application for relief which the society was unable to confer; also urging the ladies to devise some practical measure which, when adopted, might furnish permanent relief to these distressed and suffering co-religionists, without interfering with the original objects of the organization.

After a full discussion, it was determined to call a general meeting of the society, which was held on the 13th day of March at the B'nai Jeshurun synagogue, a large attendance of lady members attesting the interest they felt in the cause and the subject which had brought them together. The object of the meeting having been fully stated and explained to them, the following resolutions were offered:

Whereas, It is quite evident that we must provide some means to care for the aged and infirm of our persuasion who are increasing in numbers, and are destitute of the common necessaries of life, many, without friends and any visible means of support; therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is incumbent upon us, bearing in mind the sacred tenets of our holy faith, to care for all such; and, viewing also the misery now endured by Hebrew women, unable to earn a livelihood, unacquainted with any trade, or when able to sew, etc., refused work; therefore, be it

Resolved, That we hereby authorize our board of directresses to provide for all such destitute co-religionists; open, establish, and maintain a Home for Aged and Infirm Hebrews, and adopt all rules and regulations for the government of the same; also a school of industry, where sewing and the like may be taught to those unskilled, and where work obtained shall be given out to such poor women as need it to manufacture, the profits arising from same, after deducting certain expenses, to be given to them for their benefit. And, be it alsoResolved, That we authorize our president and board of directresses to make expenditures from the treasury of our society, and adopt any measure they think proper for carrying out the objects and purposes expressed in the foregoing resolutions.

A quorum being present, the resolutions on motion were unanimously adopted.

In compliance with the foregoing, a committee was appointed from the board of directresses, who after much trouble succeeded in obtaining a lease of the building No. 215 West Seventeenth street for one year, and on the twenty-fourth day of May, 1870, the house was declared formally opened and dedicated as a Home for Aged and Infirm Hebrews, it being the first and only Institution of the kind in the State of New York.

The industrial school formed has given remunerative employment to hundreds of Hebrew women, and to some of the Christian faith also. The Home in Seventeenth street is a brick cottage, capable of accommodating about fifteen persons. A building fund has been established, and besides disbursing $5,000 during the year in support of the Home, and on other charities, several thousand dollars have accumulated toward the purchase of permanent buildings. The society is composed of several hundred ladies who pay an annual subscription of five dollars each. As the adherents of this faith in New York are not lacking in wealth, enterprise, or liberality, we presume it will not be long ere a large and well-ordered home for the aged shall have been provided.