"Bingo Returns"
The Jewish Encyclopedia
of Western Pennsylvania
A project of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center
B’nai Emunoh Sisterhood was the women’s auxiliary of B’nai Emunoh Congregation in Greenfield. It was founded in either 1926 or 1929, according to conflicting accounts. [1]B’nai Emunoh Sisterhood Donor Luncheon program [2019.0264] [2]Jewish Criterion, Nov. 22, 1929, p29 The organizational meeting was held at the home of Fannie Pasekoff at 4318 Murray Ave. Pasekoff, who was also elected as the first president of the organization.[3]Libbie Rosenthal oral history, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Pittsburgh Section, Records, University of Pittsburgh.
During the presidency of Libbie Rosenthal, a Sunday school was established around 1929 or 1930 in the homes of Fannie Schugar and Mrs. L. D. Lazer. The Sunday school was entirely supported by the B’nai Emunoh Sisterhood through dances and bingo games.[4]B’nai Emunoh 50th Anniversary Dinner program, B’nai Emunoh Congregation (Pittsburgh, Pa.) Records [2019.0264], Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center.
When the congregation lost rented meeting space in the mid-1940s and decided to purchase property, the B’nai Emunoh Sisterhood emptied its treasury in 1948 to provide funds for the down payment on a two-story duplex at 4315 Murray Ave. In the 1950s, the B’nai Emunoh Sisterhood was instrumental in helping to pay down the mortgage on the building in 1956 by selling raffle tickets for a new car at the gates of a nearby steel mill.
Starting in the 1960s, the B’nai Emunoh Sisterhood oversaw a popular weekly Bingo night, which eventually Jewish and non-Jewish attracted attendees from all over the neighborhood. Proceeds paid down the mortgage on the building and various renovations.[5]B’nai Emunoh 50th Anniversary Dinner program, B’nai Emunoh Congregation (Pittsburgh, Pa.) Records [2019.0264], Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center.
Presidents of the B’nai Emunoh Sisterhood include: Fannie Pasekoff, Libbie Rosenthal, Sarah Amdur, Eva Aussenberg, Dorothy Kotovsky, Lillian Zangwill, Leah Gold, Hannah Olender, Fay Wagner, Helen Solomon Weiss, Ella Serbin Kublanov, Pearl Morris, Reva Zelkowitz, Dorothy Haas, Maxine Sittsamer, Eleanore Sloan, Susan Dickter, Sarah Perelstine, and Serena Morris.
References
| ↑1 | B’nai Emunoh Sisterhood Donor Luncheon program [2019.0264] |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Jewish Criterion, Nov. 22, 1929, p29 |
| ↑3 | Libbie Rosenthal oral history, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Pittsburgh Section, Records, University of Pittsburgh. |
| ↑4, ↑5 | B’nai Emunoh 50th Anniversary Dinner program, B’nai Emunoh Congregation (Pittsburgh, Pa.) Records [2019.0264], Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center. |
