by Paul R. Spitzzeri
A short time after the purchase of the Boyle/Workman estate in Boyle Heights, occupied for some six decades by Andrew Boyle, his daughter Maria (pronounced Mar-eye-uh), her husband William H. Workman (nephew of Homestead founders William Workman and Nicolasa Urioste and a Los Angeles mayor and city treasurer) and their children, officials of the Hebrew Sheltering and Home for the Aged, later the Jewish Home for the Aged, began working on ambitious plans for a significant remaking of the five-acre property.
This included a multi-story (two on the east side facing Boyle and four on the west slope toward the Los Angeles River and facing what used to be Bodie Street), U-shaped structure with 45 rooms for residents that, as part two of this post discussed, was designed in summer 1922 with a groundbreaking that fall. In early January 1923, the Los Angeles Express reported,
An interested and liberal audience attended the laying of the cornerstone for the new two-story Home for the Aged to be built by the Hebrew Sheltering Home for the Aged . . . The building fund was considerably augmented by donations.
Dr. Louis G. Reynolds, long a leader in the Angel City Jewish community, gave a keynote speech, while “the 54 guests of the Jewish refuge were seated on the porches of the bungalows, while Maurice J. Finkelstein, who led to the International Order of B’nai B’rith, was president of the day and the Home’s president, grocer Abraham Horwitz “outlined the work that is being done by the association.” Those bungalows were the existing Workman family residences, while the Boyle house as remodeled in 1910 by William H. Workman, Jr., served as the administration building.
While the Los Angeles Times of the 7th stated that Mayor George Cryer and former Secretary of the Treasury William Gibbs McAdoo would be present and give remarks, neither attended, though the B’nai B’rith Messenger of the 19th reported Horwitz read a telegram from McAdoo, who apologized for having to miss the event because of being called out of town for an emergency and praised the work being done with the Home.
The Times of 5 February published a lengthy feature by columnist Alma Whitaker about a new $100,000 fundraising drive undertaken for the institution, while Whitaker began her piece by telling readers “I took an illuminating peep into orthodox Jewry on Saturday, when I was invited to prayer” at the site’s synagogue. She noted that “it was like a peep [she sure liked that word!] back through the centuries” to observe the services and she went into some detail about the rituals, as well as meal preparation in the kosher tradition, though, because it was the Sabbath, Whitaker wrote that “my pencil and notebook occasioned reproachful glances.'”
With respect to the fundraising, Whitaker recorded that, of the money sought, $6,500 was for the building (the rest needed was secured through previous efforts), “the rest [is] for furniture and equipment—45 bedrooms, an immense dining room, bathrooms, showers, and all to enjoy that wonderful view way over the city.” After continuing that the leaders of the drive were confident about the ability to secure the funds and that “in the meantime tents are erected to house the derelicts who come for shelter,” the columnist commented that, because all were welcomed, not just Jews, “many Gentiles are interested and aid in the work.”
As for the site, Whitaker remarked,
It is rather a remarkable place, that home in Boyle Heights where it occupies a beautiful site, once the home of the Boyle Workmans [that is, the Boyle and Workman families] . . . The building is half-built . . . it already houses about sixty aged Jewish people, men and women, whose last days are assured of security and happiness within its fold . . . It also boasts a sheltering home, non-sectarian, where anyone whose need is genuine may have bed and food for three days while seeking work. Two young male gentiles applied for admittance while I was there . . . They were received like guests, welcomed, assured of friendship.
A landmark was achieved at the end of May, as the Times of the 27th reported that “to meet the final contract payment” for the new building “a picnic will be conducted today at the home picnic grounds.” Child film star Jackie Coogan, who rocketed to fame in Charles Chaplin’s 1921 classic, The Kid, and comedians Max Asher, Bert Lytell and Larry Semon “have promised to help entertain the crowd.” Also featured was “a genuine Russian tea garden,” dancing to a ten-piece orchestra, boxing, field sports, a baby show and fifteen booths selling goods to raise money.
The next major advancement was trumpeted in the Messenger of 20 July which informed readers that “on Monday, July 16, 1923, finishing touches were made on the new and beautiful building . . . and it stands now, a monument to the ceaseless work of the officers and Board of Directors of the institution.” A committee was formed to plan a public dedication and that group chose Sunday, 16 December as the day to celebrate what had been dreamed of and then planned for in roughly a decade.
The paper continued that “a new unit has been added to the housing facilities,” comprising the former houses of William H. and Maria Boyle Workman and their daughter Charlotte, “of that association in the shape of a three-story two-wing brick structure which will accommodate ninety aged and homeless individuals, with all the conveniences of a modern hotel.” It reiterated that the Home was established in 1912 “by renting a room to shelter and feed [the] homeless and unfortunate old aged” but “has developed and progressed into an essential and indispensable institution.”
The 10 September edition of the Express briefly observed, prior to the dedication, that the sheltering portion of the Home was reflected in a simple piece of verse, said to be “the thought of every wayfarer, regardless of race or creed, who may enter the” facility, said to be on “the old William E. Workman tract,” with the lines being,
When shall the traveler’s march be over,
When shall his wandering cease?
This little homestead is bare and simple—
And that means peace.
The Times of the day following the event recorded that there were 500 persons in attendance and stated that “the principal attraction of the ceremony was the appearance of William Jennings Bryan,” former Secretary of State, three-time Democratic Party candidate for president, and renowned orator, “who in a stirring address declared that no better investment could be made in altruistic things, citing the spirit which led to the founding of the institution.”
The Express, also of the 17th, emphasized the Home’s rise “from one of the smallest to one of the largest philanthropic institutions in Los Angeles,” and gave the number of persons who heard Bryan’s address as 2,500 (perhaps the Times inadvertently left out the “2”.) It added that the roster of speakers included Marco R. Newmark, who was chair of the day; the rabbis Solomon M. Neches and Meyer Winkler; Lucius Solomons of the International Order of B’nai B’rith; and Cantor Saul Silverman.
The newly launched Illustrated Daily News, which, as befitted its name, included a photo of Bryan, describing the Nebraska figure as the “Silver-Tongued Orator of the Platte” and showing him during his remarks. For an evening banquet, attended by 300 in the new structure’s dining hall, the toastmaster was wholesale grocer Dave Blumberg, while entertainment was provided by the prominent bandleader Abe Lyman.
In its coverage in the edition of the 21st, the Messenger commented that there were 10,000 people attending the ceremony and it lauded the “Big Four” who led the movement for the new structure, including Horwitz, Charles Beaver (who headed the planning committee), Philip Semegran, and steel company owner Abraham Lutz, who “spared neither time, money, nor personal effort and the splendid home provided for the old folks of this community is reward enough.”
The paper added that “the grounds were beautifully decorated for the occasion and the colors of America and of Zion were conspicuous on the thoroughfares of Fourth street and Boyle avenue” and Beaver was lionized for the quality of the program. Solomons, a San Francisco attorney as well as with the B’nai B’rith lodge, emphasized the difference between charity and duty in the running of the Home and praised its offering to residents the ability to live the rest of their days “in accordance with their religious scruples and life-long principles.”
Rabbi Naches carried out the orthodox ceremony with Cantor Silverman and the Congregation Sinai choir following. Bryan was highlighted as “one of the star speakers” and offered a “simple yet heart-felt message” with the Messenger adding,
He paid a glowing tribute to the Jew “who has always been an example to other peoples of all creeds.” He spoke very highly of Jewish ideals and said that he personally felt an indebtedness to the Jewish people who contributed the Old Testament to the world, which has continued to be a source of inspiration to this day. He complimented the Jewish people on the structure being dedicated and spoke with knowledge of his subject as he had insisted on being shown through the entire place prior to making his address . . . He complimented the Jewish community on the possession of such an institution and stated that he considered the invitation to be one of the speakers a special compliment.
The paper concluded its coverage by declaring that “the entire affair was a glowing success” while “a large sum was contributed to the institution.”
The momentum built during the early years of the Roaring Twenties, when the regional economy certain was roaring, with 1923 being the peak year of the latest boom, and the annual midwinter ball for the benefit of the Home was held early in 1924 at the Biltmore Hotel, the Angel City’s latest showpiece in luxury accommodations. The Times of 10 January reported that between $4,000 and $5,000 was raised for the institution’s maintenance.
The Messenger of 16 May advertised for a “Big Dance” at the fraternal order Jinniston Grotto Building on Figueroa Street, across from what is now the Convention Center, with the Jewish Social Center hosting and with all proceeds earmarked for the Home. The 18 September edition of the Los Angeles Record briefly noted that Charles Beaver, president of the association, was heading a new fundraising effort for “addition[,] extension and building improvements.”
The paper’s 7 November issue included a brief observation that, relative to the massive growth of the Angel City and environs,
Commensurate with the general increase in population, the Jewish population has grown and charitable Jewish institutions have enlarged to take care of the needy.
The growth of the Hebrew Sheltering Home is remarkably interesting. A handful of Jewish men and women banded together and built a few shacks to house the needy unfortunate Jewish aged of this city. With an untiring devotion and love in the work they were doing, these same people with the help of a few others succeeded in erecting a brick building costing in excess of $100,000. This was all accomplished with the liberal contributions of Los Angeles Jews.
Separately in the edition, the Messenger stated that, despite rumors to the contrary, the Home association had not joined the Community Chest, a consortium of Angel City charitable institutions that gained significantly in stature and fundraising during the decade. The officers and directors voted against it because “it is impossible to determine the budget of this institution for any one year,” apparently a prerequisite for becoming part of the alliance.
The paper continued that “cases arise and they must be taken care of” and that “relief is given first and investigation comes afterward.” It was added that a campaign was launched to erase that $25,000 in mortgage debt mentioned earlier in this post, while “improvements are needed in the home” because “more inmates are coming in,” a reference to the above project headed by Beaver. Readers were implored to send in contributions as “refusal means that the cry of the helpless aged is falling on deaf ears.”
Enough funds did come in so that, on 16 February 1925, another milestone was achieved as the association celebrated the ritual burning of the mortgage after that $25,000 was paid off. The Messenger of the 13th observed that “this will mean that the Home is clear of such incumbrances and will be able to devote its efforts to other work.”
An afternoon and evening program was to include Beaver’s brief history of the institution and Rabbi Ernest Trattner of Temple Emanu-El speaking, along with music from Weinstein’s Band and a banquet in the evening included speeches by rabbis Edgar Magnin of Temple B’nai B’rith and Mayer Winkler of Temple Sinai. The burning of the document was conducted by Lillian Burkhart Goldsmith, former vaudeville star, clubwoman and author of religious pageants.
The Times of the 16th reported that hundreds attended the ceremony and dinner and that Goldsmith was assisted by other women, including Rachel “Ray” Shulman Corenson (1866-1957), a young widow who was among the founders of the Home in 1912 and was a director for forty-five years until her death. One obituary called her “Mother of the Jewish Home for the Aged,” the name under which the institution went at the time. She, neighbors Harry Lew (1885-1987) and Sadie Zuckerman (1885-1983) and longtime president and board member Simon Lewis (discussed earlier in this post) were those initial leaders of the association.
We will return tomorrow with part four of this post, so be sure to check back in for that.