Immigrants Mutual Aid Society, Inc. Records

The Immigrants Mutual Aid Society, Inc. (IMAS) was founded in 1938 by a group of Central European refugees, to ease immigrants' adjustment to the economic, spiritual, cultural, and social life of the American community and to provide mutual assistance to its members and aid to other immigrants. IMAS's original purpose was to assist refugees from Nazi persecution. In early years, IMAS was primarily concerned with securing affidavits for émigrés, and providing them with English lessons, as well as assisting them in finding jobs and homes. (Walter Bieringer's Boston Committee for Refugees worked with IMAS in this regard.) IMAS set up a clothing exchange, which was in operation with until the end of World War II and also established a women's auxiliary, offering assistance in cases of illness and other emergencies. In addition, IMAS sent care packages overseas.

IMAS was also concerned with providing social and cultural activities for its members, such as lectures and dances, in addition to offering religious services for the High Holy Days. The elderly and ill were visited by members of a Chevra Committee, which was established in 1942; the Committee also provided supplies to those in need during the Jewish holidays and ensured that inexpensive funerals were made possible. IMAS provided financial assistance to its members and, in 1960, established the IMAS Mutual Aid Fund, with a grant from United Help, Inc. IMAS also on occasion granted scholarships to its members. The organization functioned without paid staff, and without a permanent office or formal ties to other Jewish organizations.