Meretz Relief Association (Boston, Mass.) Records
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains materials from the Boston Meretz Relief Association (Boston MRA), including constitutions, meeting minutes and financial reports (1893-1991), correspondence, announcements of meetings, bulletins and programs of special events (1908-1992), newspaper clippings, photographs (including photos of the Lithuanian town of Meretz and its inhabitants between the two World Wars), and miscellaneous historical information.
Dates
- undated, 1893-2003
Creator
- Meretz Relief Association (Boston, Mass.) (Organization)
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 Boston Meretz Relief Association (Boston MRA) was founded by the Jewish immigrants of the town of Meretz, Lithuania, Russia. During World War II, the Jewish community of Meretz was destroyed by the Nazis.
Officially incorporated in 1893, the Boston MRA was an association that celebrated their Meretz identity and heritage, as well as a humanitarian association dedicated to assist all Meretzers in need, whether in Boston or in Israel. Among its projects were the Free Loan Association (1915/1916-1978) and the Meretz Cemetery Association (1914-1984). Some survivors from Meretz managed to escape to Israel, which prompted the creation of the Meretz Free Loan Fund in Israel. Collections were taken up to aid their fellow Meretzers in Israel.
In 1992/1993 the Boston MRA discontinued operations.
Chronology
- 1883
- Boston Meretz Relief Association was founded.
- 1893
- Boston Meretz Relief Association (Boston MRA) was incorporated on November 15, 1893.
- 1914
- Meretz Cemetery Association was founded.
- 1914
- The Ladies Auxiliary was founded.
- 1915 or 1916
- Meretz Free Loan Association was founded.
- 1944
- Meretz Free Loan Association Inc. was incorporated on February 23, 1944.
- 1951
- Grandiose Banquet celebrated and raised funds for the Meretz Free Loan in Israel on January 14, 1951.
- 1962
- Monument to the Martyrs of Meretz was dedicated at MRA cemetery in Woburn, MA on September 16, 1962.
- 1966
- Death of Sarah Levitan, president of Ladies Auxiliary. Ladies Auxiliary discontinued operations.
- 1978
- Meretz Free Loan Association discontinued operations.
- 1983
- MRA celebrated its 100th birthday on June 5, 1983.
- 1984
- Meretz Cemetery Association joined the Jewish Cemetery Association.
- 1992 or 1993
- Boston MRA discontinued operations.
Extent
1.5 linear feet (3 manuscript boxes, 1 oversized folder)
Abstract
The Boston Meretz Relief Association (Boston MRA) was founded by the Jewish immigrants of the town of Meretz, Lithuania, Russia. Officially incorporated in 1893, the Boston MRA was an association that celebrated their Meretz identity and heritage, as well as a humanitarian association dedicated to assist all Meretzers in need, whether in Boston or in Israel. This collection contains constitutions, meeting minutes, financial reports, correspondence, photographs (including photos of the Lithuanian town of Meretz and its inhabitants between the two World Wars), and miscellaneous historical information.
Physical Location
Located in Boston, Mass.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Elihu H. Bell in 1985 with later accretions from Morton Rubin, 2003.
Processing Information
Processed by Mary Chen, 2012
- Title
- Guide to the Records of Meretz Relief Association (Boston, Mass.), I-217
- Author
- Processed by Mary Chen
- Date
- 2012
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository