Constitution and By Laws of the Beneficial Hebrew of the city of Philadelphia, 1843 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Constitution and By Laws of the Beneficial Hebrew of the city of Philadelphia, 1843

Author

Beneficial Hebrew Society

Date Created

11 October 1843

Location(s)

Philadelphia

Format

Pamphlet. 32 page(s) on 36 sheet(s).

Type

Pamphlet

Language(s)

English

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Typescript

Is Part Of

The Jesselson Family Collection of Isaac Leeser Material

content

UNRECORDED
RARE—1974
Hebrew
Hebrew
BENEFICIALHEBREW SOCIETY OFMERCY AND TRUTH.

CONSTITUTION
AND
BY-LAWS,
OF THE
Beneficial Hebrew Society,
Hebrew
OF THE
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
Instituted on the 11th of October, 1843—Corresponding
with 5604,
INCORPORATED.
PHILADELPHIA:
JOHN COATES, JR., PRINTER,
South East corner of South and Second streets.
1844.

PREAMBLE.
AS the hand of Providence is held over our Nation, as Fathers, and Brothers, we are prompt-ed by a sense of duty and brotherly love to each other, as well to ourselves and families, to promote our interest and mutual assistance for the welfare and happiness of each other,—and as the wise and Republican laws of these United States, founded on equality and toleration, give to every man, either citizen or sojourner, the right to associate together for lawful and good purposes.
Whereas we, the undersigned citizens and others, do associate ourselves together as a duty to provide in time of health, for each other in time of need and sickness, to which the human frame is liable, and to pay the last duty and ho-mage, in that which all living must fall; and being anxious while we can to do good, and to assist our brother and fellow creature while life shall be granted to us, we have formed ourselves into a body by the name of “Mercy and Truth,” and do ordain the following as a Constitution and By-Laws for our good government, and may the Great Omnipotent guard us in our undertaking, in the name of Mercy and Truth.

ARTICLE I.
The name of this Society shall for ever be
Hebrew
Hebrew Beneficial Society, for visiting its sick, and burying its deceased members.
ARTICLE II.
On election of officers.
The officers of this Society shall consist of a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and Four Committee, or “Kabronim,” who shall form a Board of Managers to regulate and administer the affairs of the Society. They shall be elected annually on the first Sunday after Hebrew by a majority of the votes of the members present.
ARTICLE III.
Meetings to be held.
There shall be held four stated quarterly meetings of the Society, one every three months, commencing the first Sunday after Hebrew and if such meeting should fall on any holiday or festival, it shall be lawful to hold such meeting the following Sunday. There shall also be held four stated Board meetings

6
fourteen days prior to the stated meetings of the Society.
ARTICLE IV.
On convening meetings.
The President shall have the power to con-vene a meeting of the Society or the Board, whenever occasion may require, and at the request of two of the Committee, or Kabrons; he shall likewise convene a Board meeting, and at the request of five members who are entitled to the rights and privileges of this Society, provided such requisition shall be made in writing, stating the object of such meeting. The President shall within ten days from the receipt of such notice convene a meeting of the Society.
ARTICLE V.
On Presiding.
The President, or in his absence the Senior Committee, or Kabron, shall preside at all meetings of the Society and at the Board, and in the absence of all the officers, a Chair-man shall be appointed by the meeting.

7
ARTICLE VI.
On vacancy of office.
In the event of vacancy by resignation, death, or otherwise, of any officer, the Board shall fill such vacancy until the next general meeting of the Society.
ARTICLE VII.
Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall take charge of all mo-neys and securities belonging to the Society; keep a correct account of all moneys received and disbursed by him. He shall also on en-tering office give a bond for the faithful per-formance of his duties in such sum as the Board may direct. He shall make payments in accordance with the by-laws, and shall if called upon by the Board of managers, exhi-bit his books and accounts, and give a detail-ed statement of the funds of the Society. He shall at each stated meeting of the Society, present a statement of all moneys received, expenditures, debts, &c.
ARTICLE VIII.
Secretary.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep records of the proceedings of the Society, and

8
of the Board; do all other writings not con-nected with the office of Treasurer; prepare all notices, and deliver the same to the Mes-senger.
ARTICLE IX.
Physician.
There shall be elected annually at the meet-ing held the first Sunday after Hebrew a Phy-sician whose salary shall be determined by the Society, who must possess a regular me-dical diploma. All candidates for this office must send their application to the Board of managers at least thirty days prior to the an-nual meeting.
ARTICLE X.
Messenger.
There shall be elected annually by the So-ciety at the yearly meeting, a Messenger, whose salary shall be determined by the So-ciety. He shall on being elected give a bond for the faithful performance of his duties (as defined in the By-Laws) in such sum as the Board may direct.
ARTICLE XI.
On Membership.
Candidates for membership shall be men of good moral character, free from all bodily

9
infirmities that might render them burden-some to the Society; must be twenty-one and not over forty-five years of age. If married, it must be in accordance with the rites and customs of “Judaism,” so well as regards the circumcision of their male children. Further-more, should any person after being admitted a member of this Society, marry contrary to the rites and customs of Judaism, or does not cause his children to be circumcised, then in such case, it shall be the duty of the Board of Committee to give the said person notice of the violation of these laws, requiring him within twenty days of the date of such notice, to comply with such law or laws; and failing to fulfil these duties or any of them, they shall deprive him of all rights and privileges as a member of this Society; and the Presi-dent shall instruct the Secretary to strike from the enrolled list of members, the name of such person.
ARTICLE XII.
Application for Membership.
Any person desirous of becoming a member of this Society, shall make application in wri-ting to the President, prior to a stated meet-ing of the Society. The applicant must be
1*

10
recommended by two members who are enti-tled to the rights and privileges of the Socie-ty, and must also state his age, occupation, and place of residence, and state how long he has resided in the city of Philadelphia. On the President receiving such application, he shall appoint a committee of three to inquire if the applicant is admissible in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws. The committee shall make their report in writing to the first Board meeting, when, should the applicant be admissible, the President shall authorize the Secretary to insert the name of such applicant in the notice of the first stated meeting of the Society, to be balloted for; and should he receive a majority of the votes of the members present at such meeting, he shall be deemed duly elected; Provided, he pays to the Treasurer $3 00 as entrance fee, and signs within fourteen days from the day of his election, the Constitution and By-Laws.
ARTICLE XIII.
On Contributions.
Every member shall contribute the annual sum of four dollars, payable quarterly or monthly, and on the death of a free member, fifty cents, and on the death of a free mem-

11
ber's wife, twenty-five cents, for every shivo twelve and a half cents, and for a grave-stone twenty-five cents.
ARTICLE XIV.
On Debates.
That the debates and books of the proceed.ings of this Society shall always be in the English language, except to explain.
ARTICLE XV.
On Imposition.
In the event of any member in any way imposing on the Society, it shall be the duty of the Board of managers to cite such person by written notice to appear before them with-in ten days from the date of such notice, when, should such charges be proved, the offender shall be expelled or fined, as the Society may determine.
ARTICLE XVI.
Entitled to Benefits.
Every member entitled from sickness to the benefits of this Society, shall procure from the Society's Physician a certificate, setting forth his inability to attend to his business or daily occupation, such certificate to be renew-

12
ed weekly, during the application of any member for the benefits. The directions which may be given by the Physician must be strictly followed, to entitle members to benefits,; nor shall any member be entitled to the benefits allowed during a Shivo, unless he observes the same strictly, according to the Jewish customs. Nor shall any member be entitled to any benefits for sickness while he sits Shivo.
ARTICLE XVII.
On Arrears.
Any member being in arrears two dollars or upwards for contributions or fines incur-red, shall not be entitled to any benefits, nor shall the widow or orphans, or nominees of any deceased member in arrears as aforesaid, be entitled to the pecuniary benefits. No member shall be entitled to the pecuniary be-nefits who has not been a member for the full term of twelve months, nor shall any member be entitled to the benefits during sickness, should such sickness be caused by his mis-conduct or indiscretion, Minyon or Physician excepted; and any member who shall be in arrears two dollars or over, and paying up the same, will not be considered entitled to

13
the benefits of this Society, until the expira-tion of two full weeks from the date of his payment.
ARTICLE XVIII.
On Erasement.
Any member in arrears two dollars or over, shall not be permitted to vote at any election whatever, nor shall he be eligible to hold any office, or recommend any person for a member; and if indebted two dollars or over, it shall be the duty of the Board of Com-mittee to give him thirty days written notice thereof, at the expiration of which term, should he fail to liquidate his debt, the Board of Committee shall instruct the Secretary to erase his name from the list of members.
ARTICLE XIX.
Use of Funds.
The funds of this Society shall not be used or applied to any other than the following pur-poses: viz.
To grant relief to its members in sickness.
For burying deceased members.
For a legacy to a deceased member's wife, orphans, or nominee.
If a Jew or Jewess residing in the United States.

14
For Shivo, or keeping seven days mourning.
To pay Doctor, Apothecary, and Messen-ger's salary.
To pay for a grave stone and watching the grave.
ARTICLE XX.
On Weekly Allowance.
A member in sickness shall receive three dollars per week for six weeks, and if he con-tinues sick he shall receive a further relief of one dollar and fifty cents for another term of six weeks; and if he still continues sick, it shall then be represented to the Board, and they shall decide what further relief such member shall receive.
ARTICLE XXI.
Shivo.
Shivo in all cases, except where news of a death from abroad, and over thirty days, five dollars; and in the event of the death of a free member's wife, he shall be entitled to ten dollars in addition to his shivo.
ARTICLE XXII.
To use the Funds.
When the funds of this Society shall ex-

15
ceed one hundred and fifty dollars, the Board of Committee shall invest at interest one hun-dred in the name of the President and the Board for the time being.
ARTICLE XXIII.
Leaving the City.
Any member leaving the city or limits of this Society for one year, and not paying or caus-ing to be paid his yearly dues or fines incur-red, shall no longer be considered a member; but on his paying the same at any time, he becomes a member without being balloted for.
ARTICLE XXIV.
On Resigning.
Any member wishing to resign shall notify his intention thereof in writing to the Board of Committee; and the same must be accom-panied by a receipt in full from the Treasur-er, without which no resignation shall be ac-cepted.
ARTICLE XXV.
Making By-Laws.
The Society may from time to time form such By-Laws and rules as may be necessary for their government, provided the same be

16
not repugnant to the spirit and meaning of this Constitution.
ARTICLE XXVI.
On Dissolution.
This Society shall never be dissolved so long as there are four members residing with-in the city and county of Philadelphia.
ARTICLE XXVII.
Amending the Constitution.
No alteration, amendment, or addition shall be made to this Constitution, without the con-sent of two thirds of all the members. Pro-vided they shall have been proposed in writing at any meeting of the Society, and concurred in at a subsequent stated meeting.

BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE I.
On Business.
1. Thirty minutes after the time specified in the notice for meeting, the President or presiding officer shall take the chair.
2. The roll shall be called and the absen-tees marked.
3. The minutes of the preceding meeting shall be read and submitted for approval.
4. Reports and communications from the Board of Committee.
5. Report of Treasurer.
6. Report of committees.
7. In elections, those for Honorary officers shall in all cases take precedence.
8. Balloting for members.
9. All unfinished business of former meet-ings, and such other business as may be brought forward.
ARTICLE II.
On Resolutions.
All motions or resolutions must be written, and duly seconded. They must be stated from the chair, before debate can be had thereon; and until such shall be decided, no other mo-
2

18
tion shall be received, excepting to amend or postpone the original motion, or for adjourn-ment, which shall at all times be in order, and decided without debate. No member shall speak more than twice on any subject without permission of the chair. No motion shall be withdrawn without consent of the mover and seconder, and at the call of any two members the yeas and nays shall be en-tered on the minutes, which call must be prior to a division; and no motion to reconsider shall be received unless moved and seconded by two members who voted in the affirmative on the original question.
ARTICLE III.
On Communications.
All reports and communications shall be made in writing, and all votes shall be given “viva voce,” excepting where the Constitu-tion directs otherwise. And no member shall depart from any meeting without permission from the chair, until the rough minutes shall have been read and corrected, under a fine, (see fines,) and which minutes shall be read after the adjournment of every meeting.

19
ARTICLE IV.
Fining Members.
The President or Chairman shall have the power to fine any member who shall behave unbecomingly at any meeting in a sum of not less than twenty-five cents, nor above three dollars. An appeal may in such cases be made to the meeting, whose decision by a ma-jority shall be final.
ARTICLE V.
Notice of Meetings.
Seven days notice shall be given to every member of the stated meetings, and three days notice of special meetings. The notices for all meetings at which elections are to take place, shall state what officers are to be elect-ed, the names of applicants for membership to be balloted for, and the names of candidates for salary officers to be elected.
ARTICLE VI.
Chairman's Voting.
The President or Chairman may vote on the following questions, to wit: upon any amendments of the Constitution or By-Laws, expulsion of a member, and in case of equal-ity of votes on any contested matter he shall decide the same by the casting vote.

20
ARTICLE VII.
Signing Orders for Benefits.
The President shall sign all orders on the Treasurer for benefits due to members, as also the orders for allowances due to widows, or-phans or nominees, and for the funeral ex-penses; and in case the President should be from home (out of the city) the senior com-mittee man shall draw and sign for all such requisites on the treasurer.
ARTICLE VIII.
On Auditors.
At each and every stated meeting held of the society, the President or presiding officer shall appoint two auditors, whose duty it shall be to examine all accounts, receipts and vou-chers. He may, if necessary, demand an explanation of items prior to the same being passed. On the whole being found accurate, the auditors shall attach their signatures in approbation of the same, and deliver in their report at the succeeding stated meeting, on neglecting the same they shall be fined, (see fines.)
ARTICLE IX.
On Election for Physician and Messenger.
That an election will be held on the first

21
Sunday after Hebrew for a Physician, and the Board shall make strict inquiries into the character and capabilities of the candidates, see if they possess a regular medical diploma, and shall cause the names of all eligible can-didates to be inserted on the notice of meeting as candidates. And likewise that an election for Messenger do take place as afore stated; and all persons wishing to become candidates for the office of messenger, must send in their application to the President and Board of committee on or before such time as shall be determined by the committee, and the mes-senger must be a member of the Society.
ARTICLE X.
To Draw a List of Members.
At the yearly meeting held on the first Sun-day after Hebrew the names of the members shall be placed in a box, from which they shall be drawn and recorded in succession, which list shall be given to the Secretary.
ARTICLE XI.
Secretary's Duty.
The Secretary shall from the list afore named, at the request of any one of the Com-mittee, or Kabronims, notify two members

22
to attend at the house of a member in case of sickness. If such sickness is not contagious, or for the purpose of watching, in the case of a member being on the point of death; also to notify any members to assist in matawing. He shall cause all the members to be served with notice to attend the funeral of a deceased member, and shall draw in rotation from the list thirteen members to attend Minyon at the residence of such deceased member. And any member who shall keep the Shivo for pa-rents, wife, child, brother or sister, it shall be the Secretary's duty to draw as aforesta-ted to attend the house of a member night and morning for minyon under a fine of twenty-five cents each time.
ARTICLE XII.
Treasurer's Duty.
The Treasurer shall make up all bills of the members seven days previous to the quar-terly meetings, and deliver the same to the messenger; he shall pay all orders for mo-neys that may be signed by the President or otherwise provided by the Constitution, and he shall within fifteen days after the election of his successor in office, deliver to him all moneys, deeds, books, securities, papers and

23
?ts belonging to the Society; in case of ?ect shall be fined. (See fines.)
ARTICLE XIII.
Duty of Committee, or Kabronim.
?he Committee shall attend all meetings of ? Society and the Board convened by the ?ident, or be fined. (See fines.) They or ?r of them shall on receiving from a sick ?ber his application for relief, visit such ?ber within six hours of the receipt of his ?cation. If entitled to benefits, he or ? shall procure from the President an or- ?n the Treasurer for the sum due in con- ?ty to the Constitution. It shall be the ? of the Committee or Kabronim to vist ? sick member at least once a day, and ? require the Secretary to notify in rota- ?wo members to visit each sick member; ?n case of a member lying “GOUSES,” ? shall notify two members in rotation to ? and attend by day and night. They ? see that the Physician's instructions are ?rly observed, and in case of the death ? member, they shall have the superin- ?nce of the funeral arrangements, and see ?very thing requisite is done.

ARTICLE XIV.
Duty of Messenger.
It shall be the duty of the Messenger and Collector to deliver all notice for meetings, collect all moneys, and make payment of the same monthly; attend the funerals of mem-bers, as well as to minyon; attend to a sick member, and if required, shall take the doc-tor's certificate for his weekly money, and carry to the President for his signature on the Treasurer, and return with the said week-ly money to such sick member; and he shall perform all other duties to the Society which may be required of him by the Board.
ARTICLE XV.
Duty of Members.
It shall be the duty of members to attend the matawing funeral and minyon when sum-moned to the residence of any member under a fine, (see fines.) and any member changing his place of residence, shall make the same known in writing to the Messenger, and in default thereof, he shall be charged with the amount of his contributions, fines, or expenses incurred, and for the non-serving of notices to such member will be at his own risk for such neglect. And furthermore; any person

25

? may be a member of this Society, and ? business and calling shall be that ? calls him from the city for three months ? wards, shall pay an additional yearly ?ent, payable quarterly or monthly of ? ollar, which is to relieve him of fines for ?tendance of matawing funeral, and min-? (This part of the By-Laws only refers ? sons whose business and calling are ac-? out of the city) And should such mem-?hen in the country be confined by sick-?r ill health, he shall be entitled to the ? and privileges of this society. That ?ay, The regular weekly provision pro- ? for in the Constitution, if such sick ?er notifies the President of the same, ? is application be accompanied with a ?cate of the doctor attending him, and ?rsigned by a magistrated of the place ? he lies sick, and if in a Jewish congre-?, the doctor's certificate countersigned ? Parnass of such congregation. And ?ick person may give an order to pay his ? child, or nominee residing in the city of ?elphia, as all letters and communica-?to the President must be post paid at ?ember's expense: and any member re- ? in the city of Philadelphia who shall
2*

wish minyon for the year, or commemora-tion of his parents death, shall notify the president at least three days of the same, when it shall be the duty of the president to give such notice to the Secretary, who shall draw from his list thirteen persons; with at least two days notice.
ARTICLE XVI.
Declining of Office.
Any member elected to fill any office, and declining to serve the same, or accepting any office and resigning the same prior to the ex-piration of term for which he may have been elected, shall be fined (see fines). Members over sixty years shall be exempted from fines, except for improper conduct or resignation of any office accepted by such member, and any member having served the office of pre-sident or treasurer, shall be exempt from serving the said office for the term of two years, but members who may have served the office of secretary or committee for the term of two years, may be exempt from serving the same offices again, but may be elected to fill the office of president or treasurer.
ARTICLE XVII.
On a Member's Death.
On the death of a member entitled to rights

27

? privileges of this society, there may be ?o his wife, child, or nominee, the sum of ? dollars, as a legacy and funeral expen- ? such deceased member: and if a mem- ?ntitled as aforesaid, should bury his wife ?all be entitled to ten dollars; and the ? member if he does not attend to his bu- ? or calling, and keeps his Shivo ac- ?ng to the Jewish rites, he shall receive ?ollars on all such occasions.
ARTICLE XVIII.
On the President Leaving the City.
? the President shall have cause to leave ? city for more than three days at any ? he shall notify the Secretary of the
ARTICLE XIX.
On Questions.
? presiding officer shall make any motion ?d any debate without leaving the chair, ?other member being placed in the chair ?uch question is decided.
ARTICLE XX.
On Leaving the City.
? member leaving the city for a length ?e, may, on his return, be re-admitted ?ember on payment of his arrears due ? society, from and after his leaving the

28
city without being balloted for, provided such member be not afflicted with any bodily infirmities, and such member's wife, children or family, is in good health, and he still re-tains a good moral character.
ARTICLE XXI.
Payment for a Book of Laws.
Every member shall pay twelve and a half cents for a printed copy of the Constitution and By-Laws.
ARTICLE XXII.
Form of Application for Membership.
To the President and Members of the
Hebrew
MERCY and TRUTH, of the City of Phi-ladelphia:
Gentlemen,
I am desirous that you will submit my name to the society to become a member of your honourable body.
I am
Yours respectfully,
Recommended by J____ C____.
ARTICLE XXIII.
On Members Attending Funerals.
Any member attending the funeral of a fel-low member shall not leave the burial ground before the ceremony is over.

29

ARTICLE XXIV.
? Speaking and on leaving the room.
? member shall speak more than fifteen ?es on the same question. unless granted ? chair. And no person can leave a ?g before the rough minutes have been ? without permission, under a fine for ?f the above articles of twenty-five cts.
ARTICLE XXV.
Limits.
? limits or distance of this society is ?niles from the city state house.
ARTICLE XXVI.
Doctor's Certificate.
? President of the Hebrew Society ofMERCY AND TRUTH,
Hebrew
? I have attended Mr. —-, a mem- ? our society, who is sick and unable to ? to his business or daily occupation, ?ch sickness is not caused by his own ?etion. Signed,
Physician to the Society.
?
?ber's Residence.

? and that his disorder is such as to keep him confined from business or occupa-tion, and not caused by his own indiscretion.
Signed,
Physician.
Countersigned by
Alderman or Magistrate of
City, Place or County.
ARTICLE XXVIII.
Fines.
The following fines shall be imposed by the Society on its members, from which an ap-peal may be made to the Board of Commit-tee, who may remit the same on plausible excuse.
1st. For disorderly conduct at meetings, 25 cents to $3.
2d. A member not attending a meeting to alter the Constitution, 50 cents.
3d. The committee neglecting to attend

31

? member within six hours after being ?ed, $1.
? The committee neglecting to attend a ?ng of the Board or other duties provid- ? cents.
? A member leaving a meeting without ?ssion of the chairman, 50 cents.
? A member appointed on a committee ?nsenting to serve and neglects his du- ? cents.
? A member neglecting to attend a s ck ?r when notified, 50 cents.
? A member neglecting to attend a fu-? of a member, or any of his family, 50 ?.
? A member do. do. do. Minyon, ?ts.
? A do. do. do. do. Matawing, ?r.
? Refusing to serve as president when ?, or resigning before time is expired, ?ars.
? Refusing do. Treasurer, do. do. ?ars.
? Refusing do. On Committee, do. ?ollars.
? Auditors not making a report in ?nce with articles provided by the By-? 1 dollar.

LIST OF OFFICERS.
JOSEPH LEVI, President.
H. VAN BEIL, Treasurer.
DAVID A. PHILLIPS, Secretary.
Committee or Kabronim.

D. A. Davis,
E. Pike,

Jacob Hunt,
L. A. Phillips.

MEMBERS

David Marks,
Michael Asher,

Lewis B. Levy,
Philip Hunt,

Samuel Hunt,
Eleazar Isaacs,

Louis D. Hamm,
Solomon Isaacs,

Emanuel Isaacs,
David Van Loan,

Henry Marcus,
Elias S. Linse,

Abraham Israel,
E. J. Greentree,

Bernard Moyer,
Julius Davidson,

J. D. Jackson,
G. J. Myers,

Morris De Young,
A. M. Castilar.

Identifier

LSTCAT_item219

Date

1843-10-11