first Philadelphia Orphan Asylum. Rebecca Gratz was chosen secretary and served in this capacity for forty-eight years. In 1835, when past the age when most people think their work is finished, she being then fifty-six years of age, she founded the first Sunday school for Jewish children, over which she presided for twenty-five years. This school, in the last year of her service, numbered four thousand pupils, it having opened with but five. In 1855 Miss Gratz started a Jewish Foster Home. Her long experience on the board of the Philadelphia Asylum enabled her to found the infant home, and though she lived to see it well established she could hardly anticipate its present usefulness as a modern institution. She was connected with every movement for bettering the condition of the poor and the sick of the city among her people. When the unfortunate Civil War occurred she was over eighty, but she stood firm and true to her country. Her one thought was for a united land with no North, no South, no East, no West. Rebecca Gratz lived long past the Psalmist's age, but she never lost her wonderful appearance, her charm of manner, her interest in good works, and above all, her devotion to the Jewish faith.
JULIA SCHOENFELD.
Miss Schoenfeld was born in Bellaire, Ohio, of German-Jewish parentage. Her father was born in Germany and migrated when a very young man to this country. Her mother was born in Frederick, Maryland, the daughter of German parents. When Miss Schoenfeld was a few months old her parents moved to Columbus, Ohio, and engaged in mercantile enterprises, but meeting with reverses, the family moved to Meadville, Pennsylvania, which was chosen for their home on account of its educational advantages. It was a college town with musical schools, where children could be given opportunities at a small cost. Miss Schoenfeld was graduated from the public schools of Meadville and entered Allegheny College in 1894, being graduated in 1897. She decided to study medicine and entered the Woman's Medical College at Toronto, Canada, but her father objecting to her being a professional woman she gave up her work. While at school in Toronto, the family moved to Johnstown, Pennsylvania. On Miss Schoenfeld's return, she was appealed to in the interest of the work for a settlement in the Jewish district in Pittsburgh and was requested to undertake the establishment of this institution. She was then but twenty-one years of age, but filled with a desire to work for others. She offered her services to those interested in the movement and the Columbian Council Settlement developed from this small beginning. After three years' residence at the settlement, which was located in the heart of the Ghetto, Miss Schoenfeld left on account of ill health and returned to Johnstown. This was in 1902. At this time Miss Schoenfeld organized the Civic Club of Johnstown. This being an industrial center, iron mills and mines have brought to the community thousands of foreigners, for whom her efforts were made.
The first work this club undertook was the establishment of the Juvenile Court. Miss Schoenfeld, during the first year, served as volunteer probation officer; she also helped in the establishment of vacation schools and playgrounds. Her successor at the Columbian settlement remained but a year and she was
