Esther Wallenstein

Esther Hellman Wallenstein (November 1846 – July 8, 1903) was the founding president of the Hebrew Infant Asylum, an orphanage in New York City.

Born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1846, she emigrated to the United States around 1862 and married Solomon Wallenstein (1831 – July 30, 1905), a tobacconist, in 1865. They had four children: Jennie Wallenstein Kohnstamm (August 21, 1866 – October 26, 1954); Joseph Solomon Wallenstein (December 15, 1869 – May 1, 1928); Max W. Wallenstein (December 15, 1867 – February 8, 1952); and Milton H. Wallenstein (June 30, 1876 – July 2, 1948).

As a member of the Hebrew Sheltering Guarding Society and a guide of the Ahavath Chesed Sisterhood of Personal Service, Wallenstein had been approached for help by parents of infants for years. She enlisted the help of the United Hebrew Charities and many wealthy Jewish New Yorkers. On October 25, 1892, Wallenstein and others formed a "committee on permanent organization". Two weeks later, the Hebrew Infant Asylum was organized, with Wallenstein as president.

The original objective of the asylum – which began with 250 members – was "to receive and take charge of infants in cases where parent or parents are dead or unable or incompetent to afford to the infant the nursing and attention which they merit, and to care for their religious, physical and moral training."

One of Wallenstein's grandchildren, Herbert J. Wallenstein (August 1, 1917 – February 18, 1996) went on to become an Assistant Attorney General and the Bureau Chief of the Charity Frauds Bureau under New York State Attorney General Louis J. Lefkowitz (July 3, 1904 – June 20, 1996). He was also a candidate for New York State Assembly and Municipal Court Judge in Manhattan.