J.M. Gusky Orphanage

The J. M. Gusky Hebrew Orphanage and Home of Western Pennsylvania was a Jewish orphanage in Allegheny, Pa. It was established in 1890 with a $30,000 initial gift, $1,000 annual commitment, and a purchase of land from Esther Gusky, one of the owners of Gusky’s Department Store in Pittsburgh, Pa.. Prior to the creation of the Gusky Orphanage, Jewish children in Western Pennsylvania who did not have adult care were either sent to Jewish orphanages in other cities or to Christian orphanages within the region. The initial plans and founding documents for the Gusky Orphanage were prepared during a meeting at Rodef Shalom Congregation. Ongoing funds, furnishings, and supplies for the maintenance of the home were donated through the years by people and businesses throughout both the Jewish and general communities. Leadership of the home included both Reform and Conservative leaders in Pittsburgh, but the Orthodox community founded alternatives institutions.^[1]Feldman, “The Jewish Experience in Western Pennsylvania,” p. 131-133. ^[2]“The J. M. Gusky Hebrew Orphanage and Home of Western Pennsylvania,” Pittsburgh Daily Post, Feb. 12, 1891 (online-Newspapers.com).

The Gusky Orphanage was dedicated June 9, 1891. The three-story home on Perrysville Avenue had common areas, boys’ and girls’ dormitories, and staff quarters.^[3]“Gusky Home Dedicated,” Pittsburgh Daily Post, June 10, 1891 (online-Newspapers.com). The complex was expanded twice to accommodate growth. The Bertha Rauh Cohen Memorial was dedicated in 1898,^[4]“Rauh-Cohen Memorial,” Pittsburgh Press, Nov. 13, 1898 (online-Newspapers.com). ^[5]“Cohen Memorial,” Pittsburgh Press, Nov. 20, 1898 (online-Newspapers.com). and the Fannie H. Hamburger Dormitory was dedicated in 1911.^[6]Fannie H. Hamburger Dormitory dedication program (online). ^[7]“Orphanage Annex is Dedicated,” Jewish Criterion, Nov. 24, 1911 (online).

The Gusky Orphanage was among the initial beneficiaries of the Federation of the Jewish Philanthropies of Pittsburgh in 1912. With the rise of foster care and adoption, enrollment declined at the Gusky Orphanage. The Federation proposed a merger in 1941 between the Gusky Orphanage and the Jewish Home for Babies and Children, but cultural differences between the organizations stalled the negotiations. The Gusky Orphanage closed in 1943 and some of its responsibilities were transferred to Jewish Family & Children’s Service.^[8]“Gusky Home Prepares To Close,” Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Sept. 18, 1943 (online-Newspapers.com).

Bibliography

JFCS Pittsburgh

• J.M. Gusky Orphanage ledger (JFCS-Pittsburgh website).

Rauh Jewish Archives

• Aaron Family Papers [MSS 248] (catalog record).
• Annie Jacobs Davis memoir (online).
• Bertha Rauh Cohen biography file (catalog record).
• Gusky Orphanage and Home and Bertha Rauh Cohen Memorial postcard [2007.0006] (online).
• Hugo Baum Papers [2017.0146] (catalog record).
• Jacobs and Wedner Family Papers [2000.0211] (catalog record).
• United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Records [MSS 287] (catalog record).
• “Survey of child welfare needs in the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, Pa.” [HV743 .P692 K7 1950 f] (online).
• Pittsburgh Jewish Community Book, 1921 (online-Historic Pittsburgh).
• Pittsburgh Jewish Community Book, 1924 (catalog record).

University of Pittsburgh Archives & Special Collections

• Pittsburgh City Photographer Collection, Gusky Home photographs (online-Historic Pittsburgh).
• Jane M. Epstein oral history (online-Historic Pittsburgh).
• Juliette Grauer oral history (online-Historic Pittsburgh).
• Lillian S. Freehof oral history (online-Historic Pittsburgh).
• Louis Caplan oral history (online-Historic Pittsburgh).
• Robert Jandorf oral history (online-Historic Pittsburgh).
• Sadie Stark oral history (online-Historic Pittsburgh).

Exhibit history

• Author: Eric Lidji
• Original: May 9, 2022
• Current: May 9, 2022