1899

Rented quarters on Canal Street near Liberty were the initial location for the Jewish Settlement Home. Boris Bogen, the first President of the home, envisioned it as a Jewish Community Center, wherein Jewish interests, aims and traditions would be promoted and celebrated.

The Settlement Home, founded in 1899, was neither Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox; it was a place where necessary lessons and skills for absorption into American Society were taught to recent immigrants and others in need.

It further acted to keep children secure from the “pernicious elements” by providing them with alternative activities via access to a small gymnasium and an outdoor playground.