After the Chicago fire in 1871 many Jewish families removed from that city to St. Louis ; and these required temporary assistance . It was then that the '' ' United Hebrew Relief Association ' '' was inaugurated , with B. Singer as president , and Rabbi S. Wolfenstein ( later superintendent of the Cleveland Orphan Asylum ) as vice-president . Numerous charitable organizations sprang up from time to time until 1897 , when the first consolidation was effected . The '' ' United Hebrew Relief Association ' '' , the '' ' Sisterhood of Personal Service ' '' , the '' ' Ladies ' Zion Society ' '' , and the '' ' Hebrew Ladies ' Sewing Society ' '' combined , with a view to more effective work , under the name " '' ' United Jewish Charities ' '' , " with Moses Fraley as president
Chicago fire
Great Chicago Fire
History of Jewish Americans in St. Louis