Hebrew Free Loan Society (Boston, Mass.) Records

Collection

Identifier: I-115

Staff Only

View the "Hebrew Free Loan Society, I-115" Digital Collection

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains the records of the Hebrew Free Loan Society’s major operations. Documents primarily describe the governing principles of the Society in logistical and administrative articles, the activities of directors in meeting minutes, and the distribution of the budgets in financial reports and statements. Also included, in a shared oversized box, is a folder with incorporation certificates dated 1913 and 1937.

Dates

undated, 1912-1974

Language of Materials

The collection is in English.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for researcher use. Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@nehgs.org.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@nehgs.org.

Historical Note

The Hebrew Free Loan Society was organized in 1912 to provide temporary financial assistance to those in need, regardless of religion, race, or nationality, as stated in their Constitution. Establishment of the Society was primarily motivated “for the purpose of preventing pauperism by promoting and encouraging thrift and self-support among those who are in impoverished circumstances and by assisting them to establish themselves in life.” Formed in the wake of increasing immigration from Eastern Europe and the proliferation of urban poverty, the Society received personal contributions in its first year of $25,000 from Nathan Pinanski (the organization’s first president), Albert Ginzberg, Oscar Grosberg, and Lassor Agos. As a result, that year they underwrote 192 interest free loans. Forty years later, in 1952, the Society had given a total of 47,262 loans, amounting to $6,011,850. The Society became a constituent of the Federation of Jewish Charities (later, Combined Jewish Philanthropies).

References

Materials from the collection.
Sarna, Jonathan D., Ellen Smith, and Scott-Martin Kosofsky. The Jews of Boston. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005.

Chronology

1912
: First organizational meeting.
1913
: Organization incorporated.
1937
: Name changed to “Hebrew Free Loan Society of Boston."

Extent

0.75 linear feet (2 manuscript boxes and 1 oversized folder)

Additional Description

Abstract

The Hebrew Free Loan Society was organized in 1912 to assist those in need of temporary financial relief. Formed in the wake of increasing immigration from Eastern Europe and the proliferation of urban poverty, the Society also became a constituent of the Federation of Jewish Charities. These records document the Society’s major operations and include administrative articles, in meeting minutes, and financial reports and statements.