(By our Denver Correspondent)
Another milestone in the progress of one of Denver’s national philamhropic institutions will be passed Sunday, Aug. 26, with the dedication of the new boys’ dormitory, the infirmary, and the new playfield at the National Home for Jewish Children.
These additions insure the efficient care of 100 children a far cry from the day 21 years ago when the Sheltering Home opened its doors to seven youngsters.
The dormitory and hospital were erected at a cost of approximately $150,000, one-third of which was raised in Denver in a recent campaign, and the rest of which is being collected throughout the country.
The Marianbelle Levie Playfield, including two full city blocks completely equipped with play apparatus and the space for various ball games, was reclaimed at a cost of almost $5,000 by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Levie in memory of their daughter.
The Denver Sheltering Home originally was organized to care for the children of Jewish health-seekers who came to Colorado with their families, were placed in hospitals, and had no organization with which to place their little ones.
Mrs. Bessic Willens headed a small group of Jewish women who banded together to establish the Home. Among those who were workers for the institution was Mrs. J.N. Lorber, who was elected president. She has served in an executive capacity since and at the twenticth anniversary of the Home was honored by the rededication of the main building to bear her name.
Others who were in the original group to start the Home included Mrs. Jennic Kantrowitz, the first secretary; Mrs. Mollie Lifshutz, Mrs. Mary Augenblich, and Mrs. S. Disraelly.
The first Home, a building large enough to accommodate 15, but soon used to house 36, was used until a fire destroyed it in 1917, and the erection of a new building was necessary.
The new Home was fitted to accommodate 40 children, in accordance with the cottage plan. but recently 100 children were taken care of. The new dormitory remedies this situation.
The new infirmary includes dental rooms in addition to the regular hospital apparatus, and the new scientific improvements including vita-glass windows for violet ray sun treatment.
The dormitory has as one of its features a room for rehearsals of the Louis Stern Band. Louis Stern, a Denver business man. donated the band equipment, and the Home has an orchestra of boys between 8 and 14. The band gives a weekly concert at the Home, and is called upon to furnish music at various other Jewish functions. Louis Stern also donated money for the poultry farm which supplies fresh eggs for the children.
Other gifts to the Home include the pouitry farm donated by I. Ruude. Varfous others have donated the furnishings for bedrooms and other necessities. Mrs. Dora Lindner donated furnishings for one of the libraries.
The Home is now under the supervision of William Cohen. Officers include Mrs. J.N. Lorber, president; Mrs. Willens, first vice-president; Mrs. Sam Francis, second vice-president; Sam Isaacson, financial secretary; Morris Cohn, treasurer; George Greenspun, national executive secretary; and the board of directors: Isadore Amter, Mrs. S. Bitterman. Arthur Friedman, Mrs. Emanuel Friedman, H. H. Frumess, Leon Grauman, Mrs. M. B. Goldberg, Mrs. J. Grimes, Sam Grimes, David Harlem, Mrs. I. J. Kolinsky, Mrs. L. Ksensky, J. B. Levie, Mrs. Sam Levey, Richard Loewy, Dr. J. M. Morris, M. S. Radetsky, H. H. Robinson, Mrs. I. Ruude, Max Schayer, L. K. Sigman, Ben Solomon, Louis Stern, Sigmund Strauss, A. Sussman, N. Weinberg, E. J. Wittelshofer, and Philip Zinns.
The Denver Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Home is being reorganized with an attempt to have a membership of 2,000. The purpose is to assist the Home as before, but to extend the work for the care and sponsorship of children who leave the home and wish to attnd colleges and do other vocational work. This body is headed by Mrs. Leo Lowenheim who was elected president at the first meeting.
The complete institution as it now stands with improvements of recent years and the two new buildings includes nine parts: the Fannie Lorber building which serves as an administration building and a dormitory for the younger boys and girls; the new boys’ dormitory; a girls’ dormitory; the infirmary; the superintendent’s building, which is remodeled from the former hospital; the power house; the laundry building; the dairy: and the poultry farm.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
