On the first of last Kheshvan [a year back] our inhabitants celebrated the house-warming of the new quarantine hospital. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon many of the respected people in our town assembled in one of the rooms of this house, arranged festively for this occasion. Many government officials came to take part in the celebration. The rabbi officiating on behalf of the government spoke in Russian about this important institute and praised the managers, representative of the people, who worked hard to build this imposing house.

Even though the contributions amounted only to 700 rubles, they did found the resources to install all necessary equipment the cost of which amounted to 3,000 rubles. In addition they spent 1,000 additional rubles on the building of 10 imposing shops. The income from them will more than cover the expenditure of the hospitals. Even though they did not have enough money for the construction, they borrowed money and carried out what they started to do.

Then the khazan prayed and the audience applauded. They also drank wine in honor of the people assembled.

Before leaving the place, Rabbi Feinstein, one of the head managers of the needs of our community, suggested the establishment of a a Hakhnassat Orkhim society, and use the old hospital building as an inn for the poor people who cross our town. He also read out the regulations and rulings from the pinkas dedicated to this issue. The regulations call each member of the Society to donate a small weekly sum and will provide a meal once a month. The poor guest will be able to sleep in this place and get his meals for a few days. This guest will be provided with a certificate which will enable him to ask for help from the generous people of our town. The people attending the celebration liked this idea and immediately all of them put their signatures in the pinkas. When the number of members will reach 1000, they will choose the managers of the society who will carry out the plans. Thus ended this honorable occasion and the participants returned to their homes contented. Jealousy – source of lack-of-unity – that had for some time separated between honored members of our community and AL”F (Feinstein) – evaporated, because they became convinced that this person who embraces the changes of time, and challenges conventions, acts to support the needy with wisdom born of faith and religion. This has taught us that in order to carry out projects, there is need for just one sensitive person who is willing to make the effort and put plans into practice stage by stage. For years, this old building stood neglected until the new managers decided to act.

Rabbi Feinstein was aided by Groisboim, Baruch Leib Shatz, Mintz, Asher Trov, Kobrinetz – all of whom deserve to be remembered in the history of the Jewish people. Now we are hoping for the construction of a new hospital. Recently, the district minister (general-governor) from Vilna came to visit all the official government buildings and including the Jewish hospitals. Even though our hospital is very old, the sanitation and fine treatment pleased this minister. The managers seized the opportunity and handed him a letter of request to help with 12 thousand rubles from the fund of meat-tax kept by the government, for the construction of a new hospital. The minister promised to act in favor of this request. A permit from the minister consultant for internal affairs is needed and he will forward the request first to him. We hope he fulfils his promise and Rabbi Feinstein and co-workers would act efficiently to carry out the plan for the satisfaction of all our inhabitants including me, the undersigned.