Lechem Aniyum Society

Lechem Aniyum Society Photograph [1988.0034]
Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center

The Lechem Aniyum Society (Bread for the Poor Society) was a charitable organization in Pittsburgh that provided food deliveries to Jewish families in need. The society prepared weekly food baskets to deliver to Jewish families in advance of the Sabbath.

The Lechem Aniyum Society began in an informal capacity in the Hill District around 1917 under the direction of Nathan Goldstock, J. Mervis, and C. Abramowitz. The organization expanded its efforts in late 1920s and early 1930s, likely in response to the emerging needs during the Great Depression. With the expansion, the society was increasingly run by a group of local Jewish women from the Hill District. It also became closely affiliated with Beth Jacob Congregation, which provided space for the preparation and distribution of deliveries.[1]“165 Baskets of Food for Poor Distributed by Lechem Aniyum Society,” Jewish Criterion, September 23, 1932 (online).

With the migration of the Jewish population away from the Hill District, the Lechem Aniyum Society increasingly became a citywide organization and expanded its clientele to include non-Jewish families.[2]Bar-Cohen, Y. “Women Wanted: An Eye-Witness Story About Bread For the Poor,” Jewish Pictorial Leader, February 1952, from Corinne Azen Krause Papers [MSS 113] (online). In time, as the need for weekly deliveries declined, the society focused on providing food before the Jewish holidays of Passover in the spring and Rosh Hashanah in the fall. The society continued providing services into the early 21st century.

Bibliography

Rauh Jewish Archives

  • Lechem Aniyum Society donation acknowledgement letter, December 5, 1932, Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Records [MSS 438] (online).
  • Lechem Aniyum Society financial appeal letter, September 21, 1940, Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Records [MSS 438] (online).
  • Lechem Aniyum Society photograph, December 1936 [1988.0034] (online).
  • Bar-Cohen, Y. “Women Wanted: An Eye-Witness Story About Bread For the Poor,” Jewish Pictorial Leader, February 1952, from Corinne Azen Krause Papers [MSS 113] (online).

University of Pittsburgh Archives & Special Collections

  • “Bess Feingold oral history, 1985,” from National Council of Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section Records [AIS1664.40] (online).

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

  • Lechem Aniyum Society articles, Squirrel Hill News, 1935-1970 (online—Historic Pittsburgh).

Pittsburgh Jewish Newspaper Project

  • Lechem Aniyum Society articles, 1932-2008 (online—Pittsburgh Jewish Newspaper Project).
  • “165 Baskets of Food for Poor Distributed by Lechem Aniyum Society,” Jewish Criterion, September 23, 1932 (online).

Exhibit history

  • Author: Eric Lidji
  • Original: October 20, 2022
  • Current: October 20, 2022

References

References
↑1 “165 Baskets of Food for Poor Distributed by Lechem Aniyum Society,” Jewish Criterion, September 23, 1932 (online).
↑2 Bar-Cohen, Y. “Women Wanted: An Eye-Witness Story About Bread For the Poor,” Jewish Pictorial Leader, February 1952, from Corinne Azen Krause Papers [MSS 113] (online).

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