“Sisterhood History”

Tree of Life Sisterhoods’ 70th anniversary history script that was read at the Donor Luncheon. The script describes pivotal moments in the Sisterhoods’ history including, the infamous conversation between Rabbi Fried and Anna Goldstein that started the Sisterhood; the Sisterhoods’ first fundraiser in 1901 in which they raised $1,000; the Congregation’s move to Craft Avenue in Oakland in 1905; the start of Rabbi Herman Hailperin’s tenure at the Synagogue in 1922; the Purim show at the YM&WHA in 1927 that included over 100 children; the Depression beginning in 1931; the 1936 Flood that caused the Sisterhood to cancel their dance although they needed the money; the great exodus of families to Squirrel Hill in the 1930s inspired the Congregation to build a new Synagogue; the Sisterhoods’ first Gift Luncheon in 1937; concentration of all efforts on war relief after the bombing on Pearl Harbor in 1941; a pledge of $35,000 to the new Synagogue in 1947; the celebration of the Sisterhoods’ golden Anniversary with a dinner dance and the Sisterhoods’ first Sabbath; the creation of the dramatic group “Hakel” in 1951; Tree of Life and its Sisterhood becoming homeless when the Pittsburgh Playhouse bought their building on Craft Avenue in Oakland in 1951; the move into the new building on Wilkins Avenue in Squirrel Hill in 1952; the Sisterhood paying off their $35,000 pledge to the Synagogue in 1952; redecorating the Sisterhood room, equipping the kitchen with the necessary utensils and dishes, and redecorating the Ark in the Sanctuary in the 1960s; the introduction of Rabbi Solomon M. Kaplan as the Congregation’s new Rabbi in 168 after Rabbi Hailperin became Rabbi Emeritus following 47 years of service. Typescript, English, four pages.