Guide to the Raphael Family Photographs, c1900-1945, 1997

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Raphael Family Photographs
Creator
Raphael family
Collection Number
MSP#395
Extent
.5 linear feet (1 box)
Date
c1900-1945, 1997
Abstract
Ralph B. Raphael (1856-1903) was an early leader of the Zionist movement in Pittsburgh. This collection, which includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, logbooks, a scrapbook, and photocopies of articles, vital records, and obituaries, provides information about members of the Raphael family and their family businesses, the Raphael Electric Company and the Brit Equipment Company.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Martha L. Berg.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

Ralph B. Raphael (1856-1903) emigrated from Kalvarije, Lithuania, in 1871 at the age of 15. His family name, Wizansky, was changed at the time of his naturalization. He married Rachel Sandusky, the daughter of Louis Sandusky and "Bubbe" Hannah Sandusky, a well-known Pittsburgh midwife. Raphael, who supported his family by fashioning ornaments out of human hair, was an early leader of the Zionist movement in Pittsburgh. In 1893 he reorganized the Hovevei Zion (Lovers of Zion), called Dorshe Zion in Pittsburgh. In the same year he published a book in Hebrew, She'elat Hayehudim (The Jewish Question ), which advocated a return to the Jewish homeland. He was instrumental in bringing the American Zionist convention to Pittsburgh in 1903, but he died before it took place.

The nine surviving children of Ralph and Rachel Raphael were Harry M., Benjamin, Nathan, Israel, Lazarus and Sarah Raphael and Jennie (Mrs. Benjamin) Lencher, Rose Jellinger, and Mrs. Samuel Rosenthal. Lazarus Raphael was an athlete who died in 1917 at age 25. Harry Raphael became an electrical contractor in 1903 and founded the Raphael Electric Company. The company did the wiring for the original Montefiore Hospital on Center Avenue and its replacement on Fifth Avenue and for the East Liberty Presbyterian Church. They also rewired the Joseph Horne Company store after a flood and provided decorative outdoor lighting for the "Light's Golden Jubilee" display in 1929. Benjamin and Israel were partners in the company after Harry's death.

Between 1938 and 1941 the company name was changed to Brit Equipment Company, and its offices were relocated to 810 Penn Avenue. During World War II the Brit Equipment Company became subcontractors with the American Bridge Company, installing electrical wiring for 128 LST's (Landing Ship-Tanks), which were built in Pittsburgh for the war effort. In July 1944, the Company was awarded the Army-Navy "E" Award for outstanding production of war materials. Sally (Mrs. Israel) Raphael was given the honor of launching LST 835 in October 1944.

Scope and Content Notes

The Raphael Family Photographs are housed in one archival box and arranged by type of activity. They include photographs of members of the Raphael family and Hannah Sandusky (c1900-c1940); photographs of the Raphael Electric Company store, employees, and local lighting projects, including Light's Golden Jubilee (1929) and Joseph Horne Co. rewiring after a flood; and Brit Equipment Company photographs of LST production, launch of LST 835, the Army-Navy "E" Award, and miscellaneous photographs (1944-1945). Also included are photographs of a scale model of LST 835.

Conditions Governing Access

No Restrictions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials came in three accessions and were combined into one body of papers in 2003.

Acc#2000.0179 - Gift of Rachel and Bernard Latterman. (Rachel Latterman is the daughter of Israel R. Raphael, a partner in the Brit Equipment Company).

Acc#2000.0216 - Gift of Rachel and Bernard Latterman

Acc#2003.0107 - Gift of Rachel R. Latterman.

Preferred Citation

Raphael Family Photographs, c1900-1945, 1997, MSP#395, Rauh Jewish Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Martha L. Berg in October 27, 2003.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Raphael Electric Company (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Brit Equipment Company (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • American Bridge Company (Ambridge, Pa.)
    • Hovevei Zion

    Personal Names

    • Raphael family
    • Raphael, Ralph B., 1856-1903.
    • Sandusky, Hannah, 1827-1913
    • Raphael, Harry, 1881-1914
    • Raphael, Israel R., 1898-1992

    Other Subjects

    • Jews -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Zionism -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Electric industry and trade -- Pennsylvania --Pittsburgh
    • Lighting, Architectural and decorative -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • LST (Landing ship - Tanks)
    • Military training camps -- Pennsylvania --Pittsburgh

Container List

Raphael Family Members, n.d.
Containers
Box 1, Folder 1