When Eastern European Jews immigrated to America or elsewhere, they often formed landsmanshaftn, or societies by and for people originally from specific towns back in Europe. Landsmanshaft provided a wide range of services for immigrant Jews, from mutual aid to burial plots to simply providing a space to be with familiar faces from the old country.
For Radomyshl Jews, their landsmanshaft was the Radomysler Benevolent Society. It was originally an informal group that met at the home of Joseph and Celia Schneider on 35 Henry Street, which became a gathering place for Radomyshl Jews who just arrived in America. In 1904, they officially created the Radomysler Unterstizung Verein, with their first meetings held in New Henry Hall, 49 Henry Street, the Lower East Side. In 1906, they purchased burial plots for members in Mount Zion Cemetery. In 1910, they officially incorporated under a new name, the Radomysler Benevolent Society.
More than 300 people attended the Society's 10th anniversary banquet in 1914. By 1918, the Society had 60 members and met biweekly at the Laruel Garden, 75 East 116th St, East Harlem. With Radomyshl devastated by World War I and the Russian Revolution, the Society raised $26,000 to help their landsmen back in Europe, sent two delegates to distribute clothes, and provided $500 per year to distribute to the poor on Passover.
In 1926, the Society purchased additional cemetery plots in Beth David Cemetery in Elmont. By then, the Society also provided sick benefits, a loan fund, an old age fund, and annual contributions to various causes. At its peak the Society had around 150 members. In 1954, they celebrated their 50th anniversary banquet.
The Society was shut down in around 1978, but that wasn't the end of its story. A lot of its papers were sent to the New York State Department of Insurance, and from there they were later sent to the YIVO Archives in New York.
You can see the Anniversary booklets here.
We, the undersigned of full age, being desirous of associating ourselves together for the purpose of improving the social, moral and intellectual conditions of ourselves and our successors, as in hereinafter more particularly set forth, pursuant to and in conformity with the acts of the Legislature of the State of New York, relating to membership corporations, do hereby certify and set forth, that we are all of full age, two thirds of us being Citizens of the United States, and all of us are residents of the State of New York
WE DO FURTHER CERTIFY AND DECLARE AS FOLLOWS:
The the particular objects for which said corporation is formed are as follows: - To assemble together for holding meetings for the discussion of the means to improve the social, moral and intellectual conditions of the members, TO VOLUNTARY AID AND ASSIST needy members in case of sickness and distress.
That the corporate name by which said corporation is to be formed shall be known and distinguished, is and shall be RADOMYSLER BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. Radomysler being a City in Russia.
That the territory in which the corporation is to be operated shall be in the City of New York.
That the number of Directors of said corporation shall be eight (8).
That the principal office of said corporation shall be located in the City of New York, County and State of New York.
That the names and places of residences of the persons to be directors of said corporation until its annual meeting are:
Benny Miller, 155 East 118th Street, New York, N.Y.
Samuel Goldfarb, 4062 3rd Ave, New York, N.Y.
Nathan Kaplan, 146 17th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Alex Braunstein, 639 E. 12th Street, New York, N.Y.
Barnett Goldstein, 38-40 W. 137th Street, New York, N.Y.
Isaac Rader, 719 3rd Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Louis Shapiro, 35 Henry Street, New York, N.Y.
Abraham Baranoff, 189 20th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.
That the annual meeting of the said corporation shall be held on the fifth day of January in each and every year.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, we have made and signed this certificate in duplicate, and have hereunto set our hands and seals, this 7th day of January in the year one thousand nine hundred and ten (1910).
Radomisker Ben. Society (Kiever Gub.) Sick benefit: insurance: cemetery. Org. 1903. Membership: 60. Meets: 1st and 3rd Saturdays, at 75 E. 116th St. Pres., Jacob Cohen, 1160 E. 92nd St., Canarsie. Sec'y, Aaron Dolgeu, 646 E. 11th St.
In the history of mankind, thirty-five years is a brief period, a mere watch in the night; but when the life of an individual or that of a fraternal or social organization has covered over a quarter of a century, it becomes an important event. Especially is that true in the case of a Society which, having reached its thirty-fifth milestone, can review with pride its achievements of the past and face the future with courage and confidence in its ability to serve its members with still greater usefulness.
Thirty-five years ago, eight men who migrated from Radomisle, assembled at a social gathering in a dwelling house of a friend in the lower East Side. A handful of foreign lads, without experience, were discussing the advisability of starting an organization to help foster the ideals of benevolence and brotherly love, to provide aid for the sick and distressed; to take care of its dead, and to help the new immigrants with advice and counsel — there, on that memorable occasion, the Radomisler Benevolent Society came into being, and was chartered on March 4, 1904.
The address of 35 Henry Street was known to every Radomisler Landsleit, young and old, male and female. When someone from the other side arrived in New York, the first place to come to and make inquiries for Landsleit was at 35 Henry Street, where Joe and Celia Schneider lived. This address was the information bureau not only for Radomisler, but for Kiev Lansleit.
The Raders used to live around the corner, on Market, near Henry Street, and whenever it was necessary to do a favor for someone, or an emergency call came—day or night, it was done without much questioning, and it was done at once. A favor in those days meant a favor done immediately.
In those days, the Raders, the Sachs, and the Schneiders, were the pillars of the Society.
To come to a meeting, in our first meeting hall, at 49 Henry Street, meant to come home, to your own family, where everyone was friendly as he could be, and made you feel welcome.
After each meeting, all members would get together in Frank's restaurant on the corner of Henry and Market Streets and conclude the meeting around the tables while potatoes, herring, pickles, sauerkraut, coffee and cake would be served. And once in a while, the ones who could better afford it, used to have a juicy steak. This part of the meeting would take longer than the actual meeting in the Hall. Stories from the old world, particularly from Radomisle, were related. All were still young and fresh from the other side.
The members used to eagerly await the day to attend the meeting, as though they were going to a party or a wedding. Especially the Radomisler Anniversary Ball. For this occasion, everyone waited the whole year, and Radomisle Landsleit would gather, not only from New York, but, from as far as Chicago, and certainly from Philadelphia and Baltimore. And what a wonderful time everybody had!
Our first big anniversary banquet and ball was held on March 4, 1906 at 49 Henry Street. There were no tickets or any admission charge. The women, Celia Schneider, Ethel, the Savarin, Mrs. Rader, Pearl Novak and others did the cooking. In those days, the musicians paid us ten dollars for the privilege of playing for us! Yes, the orchestra charged so much a dance.
Brother Rader was our first president, Brother Gross our recording secretary and our Sam Kipnis our first financial secretary. Anyone who could write Yiddish had a chance to run for recording or financial secretary. This was before Aaron Dolgin came to America — and New York, and became a member of our Society. Since then, the chances of others to be elected have completely dis-appeared — with the Society greatly gaining, for no one can ever take Aaron's place.
For many years, officers served only six months, and everyone had the ambition and desire to run for president. Strenuous campaigns were conducted by real politicians, yet everyone was so happy and friendly.
Dues at the beginning were ten cents a week. Sick benefit amounted to five dollars a week. It was arranged that in the event of a death, each member should be taxed one dollar. However there were no deaths. In fact, no one ever thought of leaving this world for the unknown other, and it made no difference who was going to be buried ten feet underground, at the front gate, rear gate, or in the middle. This was in the days when the members did not know what it meant to own two cemeteries.
In 1905, our first cemetery plots were purchased at Mount Zion Cemetery for $1600 during the term of Brother Rader.
In 1926 with Simon Albert as President, we purchased plots for about $7500 on Beth David Cemetery.
A drive for contributions for name inscriptions on our Mount Zion Cemetery resulted in $4300 being raised. Faith, earnest desire for accomplishment, and enthusiasm were in the hearts o every member.
In 1938, under the presidency of Harry Lieberman, the Beth David property was fully paid for.
The new Landsleit who became members also believed in the Society as a Holiness. The names of Lansky, Packer, Grutman, Cohen, Borshewsky, Kipnis, Bellet, Meyer, Goldberg, Most, Miller, Paster, Schneider, Weinman, Lieberman and many, many others will always be remembered for what they did.
Who can ever forget the two Avrom Yashias, especially Abraham Most. He was the life of our Society and originated the meetings with refreshments. A piece of herring with baked potatoes, coffee and cake, and those stories of the lives of the people in the olden day Radomisle — stories without end, that made everyone laugh.
The years 1918 - 1923 after the war, spelled frightful years of hunger for Jewish men, women and children in the old world. With the cry of help ringing in our ears, our members, thoroughly aroused, responded en masse. $23,000.00 was raised for oversea relief. We also sent two delegates to distribute clothing to our relatives in Radomisle.
Over $500 was contributed for synagogue purposes in Radomisle and for several years our Society spent about $300 per annum for Passover distribution amongst the poor in Radomisle.
Provision for medical care, weekly sick benefit, endowments at time of death and even additional outright gifts, in the form of aid in distress were not always sufficient help to our members. Sam Kipnis therefore generously established a Loan Fund from which members could borrow without interest or other charges. Members are permitted to borrow $25.00. From a starting capital of $500.00, it has grown to about $1,000.00. Over 135 loans have been granted amounting to over $3,400.00 since the fund was founded in 1934.
On January 1, 1937, a new method was devised to assist old members in preserving their rights and privileges and to avoid their being suspended from the rolls, because of their non-payment of dues. A fund was established by the Society and is known as the Old Age Fund.
Two splendid walks were donated on our cemetery plots in the loving memory of Barney Grutman and Louis Lansky.
Anniversary banquets have been held every five years since 1919. Magnificent affairs were held in 1924, 1929, 1934, and now we come to 1939.
Were it possible here to go into lengthy detail a picture could be painted of the developments and achievements attained by our fine organization. Since its beginning, the Society has sought to give to its membership a source of inspiration and somewhat of a shelter against the inclemencies of life's trials. A living monument to the founders and co-workers is the sound financial structure of the Society.
In these few pages we have overlooked many important events and great achievements. We beg forgiveness for these oversights and omissions and leave to our successors to elaborate on our history.
Hail! To the founders of so worthy an institution. Hail! To the ex-presidents, organizers, ex-officers, and to the present officers and their co-workers. Hail! To the entire membership with their families.
We wish, that when the sweetest of songs, "Home Sweet Home" has been played, and you wend your way homeward filled with the pleasant remembrances of a joyful evening, that Almighty God will spare you and yours for many, many years and that we shall look forward with still greater anticipation to our next reunion —
With an abundance of Health and Happiness to you all.
THE HISTORICAL COMMITTEE.
The turn of the twentieth century found the Jewish people of Radomysl, in the Ukraine, as well as throughout the Russian Pale of Settlement, in a state of ferment. Many of their young men and women were talking about leaving their homeland and going to America. Word had reached them that America was a land of freedom and opportunity. They were prepared to escape at any price, even to risk their very lives. Persecuted because of their religion, deprived of economic opportunity, denied the right to educate themselves, they found life in Russia intolerable. Consternation filled the hearts of the older folk at the thought of their children going to far away America. To them it was tantamount to a trip to the moon today. Surely their children would lose their "yiddishkeit" in America; but in the bottom of their hearts they knew and feared that once their children left for America, they would never see them again.
The town of Radomysl, numbering some 15,000 people a half century ago, was situated in the fertile black plains of the Ukraine, astride a hillock, about 100 verst west of Kiev, the capitol. It was divided into two parts: New City and Old City, and had two offshoots known as 'der Ridnye" and "der Litifka". In the heart of the New City, which was the principal abode of most of the inhabitants of Radomysl, stood the Sabor or church, facing a large square. On one side of the square was the market place with its shops, booths, tables, stands, and butchers' blocks. Hither came daily, except during the winter, the peasant men and women from many miles around, bringing their livestock and vegetables, their fish and hides, their wagonloads of grain and other agricultural produce. They bought in exchange the wares which Jewish artisans and merchants made and sold: dry goods, hats, boots, harnesses, hardware, candles, matches, kerosene, and salt. The tumult of the marketplace, the lusty haggling in Russian-Yiddish, and the varied sounds of horses, mules, sheep, and poultry filled the air. In addition, the marketplace was occupied by pedlars, hangers-on, so-called commission men, women with a basket of eggs or a bundle of old clothes for sale.
Many of the Jews of Radomysl were dependent directly or indirectly for their livelihood on the wealthy Hornstein family; others drew their livelihood from the marketplace and from the "yaridin" or fairs which were regularly held in the town. At best, it was a primitive mode of existence and hadn't advanced much from the Dark Ages.
These brave young men and women, these immigrants, our fathers and mothers, our grandfathers and grandmothers, were a hardy folk; pioneers in every sense of the word, they dared break away and go forth to make the great adventure — to America. They scraped together what little money they could to buy "schiffskarten" and pay for their passage. Groups of men and women, often with children in their arms, were organized and led by guides in the dead of night to steal across the frontier, at the peril of their lives. If they were caught, they could shot by the Russian Border Patrol or sent to Siberia. Once they were safely across, it was only the beginning of their long and arduous journey. Eventually, they reached ports of embarkation, crossed the ocean in steerage, cleared through the immigration authorities at Ellis Island, and soon found themselves on the threshold of a new life in a new world.
"Greenhorns" were less welcome in the early days of the twentieth century than now. The native Americans looked down upon these strange, outlandish people with queer customs, language and ways. Derogatory epithets were commonplace. Among the Jews already here, some regarded the Greenhorns as potential competitors who had come to underbid and undersell them in their tenuous enterprises, and hence, fit subjects for exploitation. The Hebrew Immigrant Society played a very important role in protecting the immigrants from falling into the hands of the unscrupulous who preyed upon the gullibility of the new arrivals.
The first objective of these immigrants was to find a job and provide a roof over their heads. This was tough. Those who came with skills and trades were better able to find employment (at less than the prevailing wage) than those who had none. This latter group was destined to become "Columbus's balmalochus" — that is, to learn new trades in the American economy. Wages were low, times were hard, and jobs were scarce. Single men and women became boarders, with families already overcrowded. Couples with children found quarters on the East Side, in Harlem, Brownsville and Williamsburg.
Without a knowledge of the language, without the security of a job, without the assurance of assistance when needed, these immigrants entered the bitter struggle to find a footing for themselves in America. Some had hope, others despaired in trying to adjust themselves to the new way of life in America. They toiled with sweat and muscle and sinew to sink their roots in the soil of America. A few who were unable to withstand the tempo of America returned to their homeland.
But our fathers and mothers, our grandfathers and grandmothers persevered. They sought the Landsleit out, to talk over their mutual problems, to make plans for their protection in case of distress, to give assistance to those in need, and to enjoy the good-fellowship of Landsleit. A meeting place was found in the home of Joseph and Celia Schneider, at 35 Henry Street, New York City. Joseph Schneider, although himself a "Litvak", had married a Radomysler girl, and being a warmhearted and affable couple, they kept an open door to the Radomysler landsleit. Their home soon became known as "Stancie Radomysl". Brother Schneider would bountifully put a gallon of whiskey on the table and his good wife, Celia, would serve the most delicious pickled herring. Among the chevra who gathered round their table were Louis Lansky, Sam Kipnis, Harry Packer, Aaron Lipkin, Louis Schneider, lzzie Beller, Aaron Dolgin, Barney Novack, David Cohen and many others.
Landsleit kept coming more and more. The Schneider's home could not accommodate them. It was decided to rent a Hall and found a Society. On March 4th, 1904 the Radomysler Unterstizung Verein was found and met at 49 Henry Street, New York City. Its purpose was to give assistance to those brothers who were in distress and to provide a meeting place where the brothers could assemble in joy and in sorrow. During 1905 more landsleit came and the membership grew apace.
In 1906 the first banquet was held in the Hall at 49 Henry Street, with Sisters Celia Schneider, Bessie Novack and Ethel the Savarin (Caterer) doing the cooking. The Brothers, their wives and children, gathered together and celebrated the establishment of the Society and their new found home in America where they could live and work inpeace and plan a future for themselves and their children. But their joy was shortlived. The following year, 1907, witnessed a depression which shook the country; unemployment was widespread and many of the Brothers were in dire need. The young Society with its meager treasury was barely able to survive in name only. 1907 and 1908 were rough years for these new immigrants. Meetings were held intermittently; the treasury was empty; and it became a time of every man for himself. But the Brothers still clung together in their adversity. The year 1909 took a turn for the better and our Society got back on its feet. Meetings were again held regularly and the ever increasing number of landsleit who came to America each year caused our membership to grow by leaps and bounds.
Society business was brisk, members were marrying and children were being born to members. On January 8th, 1910, the Society changed its name to the Radomysler Benevolent Society and received a Charter of Incorporation. Among the incorporators appear the names' of Barney Miller, Samuel Goldfarb, Nathan Kaplan, Alex Braunstein, Barnett Goldfine, Isaac Rader, Louis Shapiro and Abraham Baranoff. At least two-thirds of the incorporators were already citizens of the United States.
Meetings were held on Saturday nights and the Brothers after a hard week's work would dress up and attend meetings religiously. Much of their discussion was taken up with talk of a Cemetery, a subject which was to be of perennial importance at meetings for the next thirty-five years, for in 1910 the Brothers bought our Mt. Zion Cemetery plots at a cost of $1,600. Money was raised by selling inscriptions of names engraved on the stone pillars supporting the gates to our Cemetery plots.
The years kept rolling on, the Society thrived and admirably performed the functions for which it was founded. On March 4th 1914, the Society celebrated with a banquet the tenth year of its existence; this became a custom each decade thereafter. What a joyous event the Tenth Anniversary banquet was! More than three hundred men, women and children attended. Less than four months later World War I broke out and immigration came to an abrupt end. The intervening years saw the overthrow of the Czaristic Government and the eventual coming to power of the Soviet Government. After the war was over, with few exceptions, our kinfolk left behind in Radomysl were doomed. Conditions in Russia were chaotic; hunger, starvation, pestilence and pogroms prevailed there. Our Society, together with other societies and organizations, undertook a program of relief work. Thousands of dollars were raised, bundles of food and clothing were gathered and sent to Radomysl. The Soviet Government would not allow its people to emigrate nor would America accept them.
The children of the Brothers were coming of age; and their sons and sons-in-law were joining the Society. All during the years our membership averaged about 150 members. Time has taken its toll during the half-century of the Society's existence and many of the founding fathers lie buried in our Cemetery plots which their labors provided.
Our Annual Memorial Meeting was instituted in November, 1937 to honor the memory of our beloved departed members. It is a dignified and worthy tribute to those who built our organization and passed away.
In 1943, our Constitution was revised, promulgated and published.
Our treasury envoys the best financial standing. Through prudent, business-like management of the affairs of the Society by its officers and the membership, the benefits afforded the members at minimum dues include but are not limited to: sick benefit, medical service, burial and death endowment, Old Age Fund and the Thelma Kipnis Loan Fund. We also own a large cemetery plot on the Beth David Cemetery. We make annual contributions to worthy causes.
Even a brief history of the Radomysler Benevolent Society, such as this is intended to be, which fails to note the services of Brother Aaron Dolgin, who has faithfully and loyally performed the office of Financial Secretary for forty-five years of its existence would be remiss and incomplete.
It is our fervent desire that the work of the founders of our Society shall continue to prosper - that their labors shall not have been in vain. Their accomplishments throughout the years have not been the result of haphazard growth, but were the culmination of provident planning and hard work. They expressed their true character in unselfish labor to make our Society what it is.
Compiled by BETTY MILLER and ARTHUR GRUTMAN