Hebrew Benevolent Society

The Hebrew Benevolent Society was likely the first Jewish charity established in Western Pennsylvania. It began as an organization in June 1854, although similar activities had been already underway within the local Jewish population for several months. The society initially supported “poor traveling Israelites”^[1]Jaroslawsky, Leopold. “Congregation Sharai Shemaim of Pittsburg,” The American Israelite, Aug. 25, 1854 (online—Newspapers.com). coming through Pittsburgh but expanded over time to oversee local collections for national emergency drives and to advocate on behalf of the Jewish people both locally and abroad. In a later constitution and bylaws, the society described its activities as providing “in the best manner possible, for the relief of our unfortunate and indigent brethren, and to alleviate their sufferings.”^[2]Hebrew Benevolent Society constitution, 1864, Aaron Family Papers [MSS 248], Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center (online).

In addition to addressing immediate local needs, the Hebrew Benevolent Society raised funds for a yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans in 1853, a Palestine relief fund in 1854, and Jewish refugees leaving Morocco in 1860. The organization also supported other local charities and operations. It covered heating bills and other basic expenses for the House of Shelter, and it was the local contact for the Industrial Removal Office.^[3]Feldman, Jacob. “The Jewish Expeience in Western Pennsylvania,” Pittsburgh: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, 1986 (catalog record).

The Hebrew Benevolent Society adopted its constitution and bylaws on May 1, 1864 and received its charter in 1868.^[4]Hebrew Benevolent Society charter, Allegheny County Charter Book, Vol. 2, Pages 355-357. In 1880, the Hebrew Benevolent Society loosely merged with the Hebrew Ladies Aid Society to form the United Hebrew Relief Society, although each of the two constituent organizations continued to operate mostly independently.

Efforts in the late 1860s to improve the governance of the Hebrew Benevolent Society in led to a surplus in funds by 1870, although a dispute about whether or not to institute means tests caused a rift in the organization and ultimately some financial distress. The society enjoyed 24 years of steady leadership, financial stability and membership growth under the presidencies of Alexander Fink and Abraham Lippman. Although cognizant of concerns about fraud and duplicative efforts, Lippman greatly opposed efforts to federate Jewish charities in the city. His death in 1910 allowed those efforts to proceed, and the Hebrew Benevolent Society became one of the original beneficiaries of the Federation of the Jewish Philanthropies of Pittsburgh in 1912.^[5]Feldman The Hebrew Benevolent Society changed its name in 1927 to the Jewish Family Welfare Association, a predecessor of the current Jewish Family and Children’s Services, now called JFCS Pittsburgh.^[6]“Younger Men Being Attracted to Hebrew Free Loan Board of Directors,” Jewish Criterion, Feb. 4, 1927, p. 16 (online).

Presidents of the Hebrew Benevolent Society were A. Roedelheim (1864-1867), Daniel Stein (1867-1869) Jacob Affelder (1869-1870), Benjamin Cohen (1870-1872), S. Stein (1872-1875), Charles Zugsmith (1875-1876), Alexander Fink (1876-1892), Abraham Lippman (1892-1910), and Aaron Cohen (elected 1910). Secretaries were Louis Jonas (1864-1865), Jacob Affelder (1865-1866), Samuel Floersheim (1866-1867), E. Bernstein (1868-1869), Benjamin Cohen (1869-1870), Isaac N. Heidelberg (1870-1871), J. Benswanger (1871-1872), I. Bierman (1872), Morris Morganstern (1872-1873), Nathan Gallinger (1873-1874), Henry Rosenberg (1874-1877), S. Gallinger (1877-1879), and Louis I. Aaron (1879-at least 1904).^[7]Joseph, Charles H. “The Hebrew Benevolent Society,” Jewish Criterion, Jan. 8, 1904, p. 1, 3-4 (online).

Bibliography

Exhibit history

• Author: Eric Lidji
• Published: December 15, 2021
• Current Version: December 15, 2021