Finding aid for the Jewish Relief Society Records

History of the Jewish Relief Society

The Jewish Relief Society was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1901 "to aid and help the poor and needy, to provide them with necessary food and coals on proper application." The Society was incorporated on October 2, 1901, by Georg Laufman, Max Kolinsky, Hyman Louis Kolinsky, J. Karklin, and H. B. Bernstein to serve an immigrant Jewish population which had no other resources in times of need. It was not a typical self-help organization, since membership was not required in order to receive aid. From its founding, the Jewish Relief Society provided the most basic type of relief including coal for heat and cash for rent and food at a time when general relief was not available. In addition, the Jewish Relief Society distributed the required ritual food for Passover to those who could not afford this additional strain on their resources. The financial statement for 1935 shows 210 relief cases, 20 1/2 tons of coal supplied, and 3,500 pounds of matzo distributed.

Originally, volunteer workers met twice a month to receive personal requests for help and to approve such assistance. Later, a more formal procedure was instituted in which members made referrals to an investigating committee which reported its findings for approval at regular board meetings. More recently, referrals, especially for Passover, have been made by County Welfare, the Jewish Family Service Association, and by social workers at the various Golden Age Centers.

In addition to local charity, generous support was given to Palestine during the 1940s. Contributions were also made to the Jewish National Fund, the Jewish Agency for Palestine, Haganah (a defense force in Israel), and Jewish orphanages in New York and Israel. In 1962, there is reference to support given to Jewish refugees from Cuba.

The Jewish Relief Society is closely allied with the Cleveland Hebrew Shelter Home, which provides three nights of free lodging to needy local residents and to itinerants. In many instances, the Jewish Relief Society has provided bus fares to other cities to itinerant Jews.

The Jewish Relief Society conducts an annual drive, called Moes Chitim, which is held prior to Passover and raises money for Passover supplies, as well as for other relief needs. Additional income is received from dues and interest on savings accounts and investments of surplus funds.

From 1936-1941, meetings were held in a home owned by the Society at 10311 Adams Avenue in Cleveland. In 1941 the Orthodox Old Age Home at 792 Lakeview became the meeting place. On December 7, 1948, the meeting place moved to 15315 Kinsman Road, and at present meets at the Hebrew Shelter Home at 1775 South Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights. Beginning in 1941, meetings were held monthly rather than twice a month, with an annual meeting and election of officers in January or February.

At present time (1984), the Jewish Relief Society provides relief and Passover food to a growing population of Jewish aged, many of whom lead lives isolated from the mainstream of the Jewish community. In addition, the Society occasionally is called upon to serve a younger population of divorced and one-parent families.

Scope and Content

The Jewish Relief Society Records, 1901-1980 and undated (bulk 1933-1980), consist of correspondence, minutes, Passover distribution lists, ledgers, financial statements, receipt books and records of donors.

This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of the Jewish community of Cleveland, Ohio, and immigrant aid organizations. The records provide a clear picture of the aid given by just one of many charitable organizations during the years of the Great Depression. The movement of the Cleveland Jewish community can be followed through the changing locations of the client population. In particular, the Passover distribution lists document the many pockets of poverty-stricken Jews left behind in older neighborhoods when the more affluent population moved to the suburbs. The contributions made to Palestine during the 1940s are indicative of the widespread support of the Zionist cause by Cleveland Jewry.

The board meeting minutes document the action taken on requests for relief and contain financial information on fund drives and payment to various suppliers. The correspondence concerns business transactions and contacts with other agencies, individual requests for relief and Passover supplies, and thank you notes for help received. Among the activities of the organization documented in the administrative series is the distribution of Passover boxes, including a list for 1977 compiled by geographic area. A list of relief clients for 1933 is one of the earliest documents.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

Access to this collection is restricted. Researchers will be required to schedule an appointment with the WRHS Curator of Manuscripts and complete a Case File Usage form.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 3954 Jewish Relief Society Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Jewish Relief Society in 1984.

Processing Information

Processed by Betty Einstein in 1984.

Detailed Description of The Collection