An unfortunate fact of the times in the early part of the twentieth century is that Jewish immigrants and other groups find obstacles in their path to total integration. Each wave of newcomers is resisted and at times rejected by those who arrived a decade or generation earlier. The practice of medicine is also limited to a closed community. Not allowed to practice elsewhere, Newark's Jewish population establishes the region's first community hospital which is open to all in 1901. The Daughters of Israel Hospital Association opens its health care facility on High Street, but soon moves to Lyon's Farms.

Set on the highest ground in the city, Newark Beth Israel Hospital, as it is originally named, projects a message of care that radiates out for everyone in the area to see. In fact, the hospital becomes a sanctuary where anyone in need of medical care is treated, regardless of their race, religion, national origin or ability to pay.

The Beth Israel Hospital (as it becomes known) has no ethnic barriers. Thus, it is at The Beth where Jewish physicians in every specialty of medicine come to full maturity of their talents and capabilities. The Beth becomes one of the first American hospitals to admit African-American physicians to its staff. The Beth becomes the first hospital in New Jersey, and perhaps the nation, to allow a female physician to practice medicine. And it is here where the practice of medicine in America changes forever.

The original hospital staff consists primarily of 12 physicians. Victor Parsonnet, M.D., along with Max Danzis, M.D., are two of the most prominent and celebrated physicians of the day. In the decades to follow, the hospital becomes a world-class institution, offering cutting-edge care and innovative treatment. Its world-renowned doctors include three generations of Parsonnets, Armin Fischer, Marcus Seidman, Emanuel Schwarz, Clarence Rostow and many others.

1900-1901 
Our First President Is Mrs. Bernhard
As the century changes, so does the future of medicine in Newark. The Daughters of Israel Hospital Association applies for the Newark Beth Israel Hospital charter, led by  Mrs. Abraham Bernhard (shown in art), the association's first president. They raise $4,000 that is applied towards the purchase of a small wooden-frame building at the intersection of Kinney and High Streets. This house later becomes The Sherman Community Center.

1901 - The Beth's Charter Is Granted The Newark Beth Israel Hospital charter (shown in art) is granted on October 24th. The Daughters of Israel Hospital Association, along with the Hebrew Hospital and Dispensary Association, meet throughout the summer. Their combined efforts result in the incorporation of Newark Beth Israel Hospital as a voluntary, nonprofit facility that welcomes persons of every race, creed and social class.
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Newark Schools Help Americanize The Population

Seeking the need for educational excellence to assist Newark's immigrant population, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Addison B. Polard states, "There is no other  factor in our American political or social life that equals a good public school in democratizing, socializing and, in general, Americanizing our foreign population."

1902 - The Beth First Opens
Beth Israel (which means House of Israel) Hospital opens to the public at High Street (later renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard) and West Kinney Street. It is located in a wooden house (shown in photo) that is equipped as a 21-bed hospital.

Our First Donations In Kind
The first "donations in kind" are made to The Beth. Some of the gifts include a cracker jar, 9 bottles of raspberry syrup,  29 combs, a night dress and a coffee grinder.

Mrs. Parsonnet Is Sewing Circle President
Inspired by the old Hebrew adage, "Whosoever puts out his hands for alms shall not be denied assistance," the Sewing Circle of the newly chartered Newark Beth Israel Hospital is organized. The Circle's first president is Mrs. Augusta Parsonnet (shown in photo) wife of Victor Parsonnet, M.D., and grandmother of the current Beth physician, Victor Parsonnet, M.D.

The Beth's School Of Nursing Is Founded
The Beth School of Nursing is founded. The school's insignias (shown in photo) include a column representing learning,  a serpent symbolizing the medical profession and the Latin inscription, "Haud ignara mal miseris succurrere disco," which means, "I learn to nurse in order to help the sick."

Circa1903 - First Pediatric Unit At Beth Israel Hospital The hospital's first pediatric unit (shown in photo) is candlelit and includes six white cast iron beds. This "specialized unit" for children is among the nation's first, and soon becomes one of the most active areas of the hospital.
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1903 - Paula Ben-Gurion Trained At The Beth Paula Ben-Gurion, wife of the famed Israeli statesman, David Ben-Gurion (shown in illustration), begins her professional training at the prestigious School of Nursing at The Beth.

1904 - State's First Successful Gall Bladder Removal
The first successful gall bladder removal in the State of New Jersey is performed at The Beth. This is one of the many significant "firsts" for which The Beth is quite renowned during this era.

Circa1905 - Newark's First African-American School Principal
James M. Baxter (shown in 1905 photo) is the first African-American school principal in Newark. He comes to Newark to head the Negro School in 1864 and helps lead the fight against school segregation throughout his life. Mr. Baxter retires in 1909 and dies shortly thereafter.

	Our First Officers And  Executive Committee Families of the hospital's founding leaders (shown in photos)  work closely together to bring about critical changes in medicine that last for many generations to come.

Circa1905 - "The Lion" Performs In Newark 
At four years old, Willie "The Lion" Smith (shown in photo) moves to Newark. As a teenager, he is a popular "stride" pianist in saloons and night clubs around Newark, which is considered the jazz capital of the East. Famed big band leader Duke Ellington later says Smith is "the nation's greatest influence on great jazz piano players."

Dore Schary Becomes A Leader In Hollywood
Dore Schary is born in 1905 in Newark. The writer/producer becomes a leader in the movie industry in Hollywood and across the United States.

Circa1906 - First Class Of Nursing Graduates From The Beth
The School of Nursing graduates its first class, which consists of a total of seven exceptionally trained and capable young women.

1907 - Our First Geriatric Center Opens
Working in cooperation with The Beth, The Daughters of Israel Geriatric Center first opens its doors on Sterling Street in Newark. This important relationship continues for decades.

1908 - New Beth Israel Building Constructed With many triumphs and trials, the staff of Newark Beth Israel carries on its service, even as the hospital grows to become severely overcrowded. An appeal is made to the local community in 1905 for the funds necessary to build an 84-bed brick hospital (shown in photo). With characteristic  generosity, 833 concerned local citizens contribute to the cause.
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	Most of the donations are small, but some are as much as $50 to $100. (Quite a substantial sum of money at this time.)

Three years later, a beautiful new hospital (shown in photo) is constructed. Opening day festivities include fireworks, brass bands and parades. Thousands of supporters take to the streets and join the celebration, which continues throughout the evening at the Synagogue of B'nai Abraham.

1910 - Newark's Death Rate Finally Decreases
Just 20 years after Newark had the highest death rate among major cities in America, it has one of the lowest death rates following a remarkable era of medical innovation.

	Newark's First Skyscraper Is Erected The Firemen's Insurance Company builds Newark's first skyscraper (shown in photo). Located on the northeast corner of Broad and Market Streets, the  magnificent structure is 16 stories high.
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Newark Schools Read Yiddish, Polish, Russian, German And Italian
The latest census reveals over 70 percent of Newark's population is foreign-born or children of immigrants. Consequently, local schools add French, German, Polish, Lithuanian and Italian books to their shelves. Reading lists are issued to students in Yiddish, Polish, Russian, German and Italian.

Newark's Ethnic Populations Continue To Expand
The director of Social Agencies lists the estimated ethnic populations (shown in illustration) in the greater Newark area as follows:

• Italian-Americans              50,000
• Jewish-Americans             50,000
• German-Americans           40,000
• Irish-Americans                 30,000
• Slavic-Americans              20,000
• African-Americans             11,000
• All Other Ethnicities          34,000

  ---

                                      TOTAL = 235,000

1911 - Pace Of Immigration In Newark Quickens
Immigrants continue to leave their impoverished conditions abroad and make Newark their new home. All of the ethnic groups live relatively close together, including Jews and African-Americans, as well as immigrants from China, Germany, Greece, Ireland and Italy. The Jewish population primarily settles around Prince Street.

1912 - Celebrated Newspaperman Is Born In Newark
Robert Queen, celebrated African-American newspaperman, is born in Newark. He becomes editor of the highly popular New Jersey Afro-American Newspaper.

1914 - First African-American Is Admitted To Bar
Oliver Randolph (shown in photo) is the first African-American admitted to the New Jersey Bar Association. He serves as a State Assemblyman in 1922 and 1923. In 1947, he spearheads critical social change by winning a strong anti-discrimination lawsuit, which ends segregation in state military units.

Pathmark Founder And Philanthropist Is Born
Alex Aidekman is born and raised on a farm in nearby Maplewood, New Jersey. Together with Herbert Brody and Milton Perlmutter, the Shop Rite and Pathmark supermarket chains are founded. By 1980, annual sales reach $2.3 billion. These three families also become noted philanthropists, with the Aidekman family providing the lead donation for the construction of the complex that will house the United Jewish Federation of MetroWest in Whippany, New Jersey.

Circa1915 - Horse Racing Thrives In Weequahic
Horse racing provides entertainment at the stadium in Weequahic Park (shown in photo). It was first introduced at the New Jersey Agricultural Fair at Waverly Park in 1856. In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant (shown in photo) attends several races while visiting Newark's great Industrial Exhibition. In 1943, the racetrack is closed for use as an Army Air Corps Hospital during World War II. The makeshift hospital is largely staffed by Beth physicians. Racing finally resumes at the site in 1955, but later moves to Middlesex County.

Boy Scouts Celebrate In Weequahic
Boy Scout Troops (shown in photo) gather for their regular meetings and celebrations in Weequahic Park.

1916 - Elegant Pavilion Is Dedicated In Weequahic The Pavilion at Weequahic Park (shown in photo), originally designed by Richard Law Olmstead in 1897, is dedicated. Weequahic Park is the second largest park in the Essex County Parks System at 311.24 acres and contains a handsome 79-acre lake.
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1919 - Newark Becomes America's Biggest Shipbuilder
Thanks in large part to Submarine Boat Company and the labor of thousands of dedicated immigrants, especially Irish-Americans, Newark leads all American cities in shipbuilding tonnage.

Newark Has The World's Busiest Intersection
Pedestrian and automobile traffic is so brisk at Central Avenue and High Street in Newark (shown in photo), that it is dubbed by the international media, "the busiest intersection in the world."

Circa1920 - Newark's  "Fats"  Waller Is A Hit Across America
One of the most famous entertainers of the swing era, Thomas "Fats" Waller (shown in illustration), takes up residence with Willie "The Lion" Smith's family in Newark. Fats later records numerous popular hits such as "Ain't Misbehavin'." Throughout the Roaring Twenties, fans flocked to see Fats and The Lion perform at popular Newark night clubs, such as Six Steps Down,  Club Herald, Key Club and Adams Theater.

	1920 - The Beth's Legendary Surgical Team The highly regarded Newark Beth Israel Hospital surgical team of the 1920s (shown in photo) assembles for a rare group photograph.
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Our School Of Nursing Expands The hospital, dedicated to medical education from its inception, acquires a Victorian mansion (shown in photo) in 1920 to house and expand its prestigious School of Nursing. It is located across from the hospital at High and Kinney Streets.

1920 - Russian-Jews Come To Newark To Stay
The latest census shows a dramatic increase in Italian, Russian, Hungarian and Austrian-born residents. Many of these persons only come to the United states for a few years to find work, before returning to their homeland. Russian-Jews, however, generally come as a complete family and make plans to stay.

1921 - New Beth Israel Hospital Is Designed
The increasing health care needs of Newark dictate the necessity for a new, much larger medical institution. The highly respected architect, Frank Grad (shown in photo), is selected to design the new Beth Israel Hospital.

New Hospital Site Is Secured
A parcel of farmland at the corner of Lyons and Schuyler Avenues is identified for purchase for the highly anticipated hospital expansion.

Prominent Beth Board Member Founds Bank
Louis Lippman founds Vailsburg Trust Company. He is an active Republican who nominates Warren Harding (shown in art) to be President of the United States. Lippman is also corporate secretary of Beth Israel Hospital, a member of Temple B'nai Jeshurun and many other  prominent Jewish organizations.

Newark's First Radio Station Begins Broadcasting
Newark's first radio station begins transmitting from high atop the Bamberger & Co. department store. WJZ later broadcasts baseball's World Series for the first time. Newark broadcasters are also the first to transmit AM international radio broadcast just a year later.

Newark's Fanny Brice Is Box Office Sensation
Film, comedy, stage and burlesque legend Fanny Brice, (shown in photo) is a one-time resident of Newark who finds success in theatres across the United States. Her signature song is "My Man." She is one of the most recognized entertainers in  America.

1923 - United Federation Of MetroWest Is Established
A central Jewish communal organization, the Conference of Jewish Charities, is established in Newark. Later it becomes known as the United Federation of MetroWest. Thirteen organizations initially come under the organization's umbrella of support, one of which is Newark Beth Israel Hospital. The Conference is largely organized by noted philanthropist, Felix Fuld, and the Conference's first president, Abraham Dimond. Mr. Dimond is also chairman of The Beth's fund-raising efforts.  

	Circa1924 - Fuld Hall Is Constructed Fuld Hall, (shown in art) is the site of Newark YM-YWHA. A three-story Georgian brick building is constructed at 652 High Street and becomes the site of numerous Beth Israel Hospital activities.
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Its namesake is Felix Fuld, who serves as president of the New Jersey Federation of YM-YWHA for many years. Fuld helps his brother-in-law, Louis Bamberger, build the  successful L. Bamberger & Co. department store.

1924 - First All African-American Hospital Is Founded
John A. Kenney, M.D., (shown in photo - right) founds New Jersey's first exclusively African-American hospital, where African-Americans can intern and serve as physicians. Dr. Kenney is a close friend of both Booker T. Washington (shown in photo - left) and George Washington Carver (shown in photo below). The hospital later becomes known as Community Hospital, but closes in 1953.

Newark Is Named The "Workshop Of The Nation"
By 1924, approximately two million Jewish persons have arrived on U.S. soil with 45,000 settling in Newark, which is dubbed the "Workshop of the Nation" by the national media.

Newark Native Sarah Vaughan Is Popular Worldwide
Legendary jazz singer, Sarah Vaughan (shown in illustration), is born in Newark. During the swing and jazz eras, Ms. Vaughan performs with the world's most popular bands of the day, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Oscar Peterson to name but a few. During her career, she records dozens of top-selling pop, jazz and Broadway albums. When Ms. Vaughan passes away in 1990, tributes of grief pour in from around the world. Today, a special area in front of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center is named "Sarah Vaughan Way" to commemorate her inspiring music legacy.

Circa1925 - Dr. Danzis Demonstrates The Latest Techniques At Beth Israel Hospital
World-acclaimed surgeon, Max Danzis, M.D., (shown in photos) demonstrates the latest medical techniques of the day at The Beth. He is honored numerous times throughout his career for his ground-breaking medical achievements.  

Max Danzis, M.D., Demonstrates the Latest Techniques
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New Buildings Are Erected At The Beth
In the mid-1920s, the need for larger quarters becomes critical for The Beth once again. Leading physicians working under great hardship urge hospital authorities to either enlarge the old hospital or construct a new one. After a remarkable fund-raising effort, the erection of buildings still present in Weequahic marks a brilliant page in the list of Beth achievements of the day.