"Honorary member" certificate on behalf of "Bikur Cholim Society", Budapest, 1878.
Presented to Baron Joseph Ritter von Wertheimer of Vienna. Decorated with various illustrations, amongst them the hospital's building, a patients room (and a drawing of a nurse carrying a jar with the word "Kasher" in Hebrew), patients walking in the yard and Hebrew verses. A wax-seal "Hevra Bikur Cholim" at the bottom of the leaf.
Joseph Ritter von Wertheimer (1800-1887), descendant of a wealthy Jewish family in Vienna. Educator and founder of a chain of kindergartens. Established the first kindergarten in Vienna in 1830 as well as an association for rehabilitation of released prisoners and juvenile delinquents; was involved in the Jewish community affairs and one of the leaders of the struggle for civil rights to the Jews of Austria. In 1868 he was decorated by the emperor with a nobility title. 62X46 cm. Good condition. Creases. Rolled. Tear at lower part.