Guide to the Pliskover Free Loan Association Records, 1915 -1987

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Pliskover Free Loan Association Records
Creator
Pliskover Free Loan Society (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Collection Number
MSS#164
Extent
.25 linear feet (1 box)
Date
1915 -1987
Abstract
Pliskover Free Loan Society was a benevolent fraternal organization chartered in 1910 by Pittsburgh Jews who had come from Pliskover in the Ukraine. The organization offered mutual support to compatriots. The records include meeting minutes and cemetery records.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Susan Melnick.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

The Pliskover Free Loan Association, a fraternal organization originally known as the Pliskov Association of Pittsburgh, was chartered in 1910 by Pittsburgh Jews who had come from Pliskover, a small town in the Ukraine. The organization was typical of immigrant benevolent societies by offering mutual support to compatriots. Although the Pliskover Association was originally formed to address the needs of their Pliskover brethren, in Pittsburgh or abroad, the group's activities expanded to support a broad range of Jewish causes and charities, particularly Zionist ones. The fraternal nature of the organization was felt on the local level as well. Members visited the sick, provided burials, maintained a cemetery, and helped support those in need.

During World War I, the Pliskover became active in war relief efforts and helped organize Pliskover war relief groups in Erie, Pa., New York, Chicago, and Cleveland. To escape pogroms in the Ukraine during the Russian Revolution, many Pliskover fled to Rumania. The war relief groups sent a delegate there in 1919 to aid the many Pliskover refugees. Aid to Pliskover in Europe and Palestine was continued after World War II both in the form of money and as relief packages. Ties to the other Pliskover organizations continued after the war.

A ladies' auxiliary was organized in 1929 with the mission to help Pliskover in Pittsburgh and in Pliskov; to relieve the distress of all Jews, and to work to rebuild Palestine. They greatly expanded their work during World War II, supporting the war effort with activities such as bandage rolling, blood donations, contributions to the Red Cross, and collecting bundles for Britain.

The misery of the Depression and memories of the high interest rates charged by money lenders in Pliskov inspired the group to establish a Special Loan Fund Committee in 1934. The organization began to make interest-free loans to compatriots whose businesses were facing economic ruin.

Pliskover Free Loan had elected officers--a president, vice president, treasurer, financial secretary and a recording secretary. The organization had monthly meetings, which were moved from the Young Men and Women's Hebrew Association in Oakland to Congregation B'nai Emunoh in Squirrel Hill in May 1950. In addition, there was an elected board of directors who met separately once a month and which had elected officers.

At the monthly meetings, life events--deaths, illnesses, births, marriages, and bar mitzvahs-- were acknowledged. Members made donations or sometimes sponsored a kiddush (a reception at which a blessing is said over the wine) to mark such events in their lives. Picnics, dinner dances, and anniversary celebrations were part of the organization's agenda.

Maintenance of the cemetery was managed by the membership. Discussions concerning the cemetery occupied part of most meetings. Members made decisions about outlays for improvements; caretaker payments; and who qualified for burial in the cemetery. At the May 1950 meeting, it was decided that families of the deceased whose graves were overgrown should receive a courteous letter asking that the graves be attended to. Such a letter, dated June 26, 1950 can be found in Folder 1, the Cemetery Plot Records. The letter outlines the improvements which had been made to the cemetery and suggests that the recipient of the letter either "trim it down" or have the caretaker do it "for a nominal fee."

Funds were raised through membership dues, initiation fees, donations from members to mark special occasions, and burial fees. Prospective members were voted on and initiation fees were set by those in attendance at the meetings.

Requests for aid from individuals and Pliskover organizations were considered and put to a vote. At times these were referred to the Board of Directors. In cases of need that were deemed emergencies, funds were forwarded immediately, without action from the membership, and then reported on at the meeting. One such situation arose in December of 1948. Money was sent to a "Pliskover Girl Refugee" (the relative of a Pittsburgh member) who was in dire need in Europe. The membership approved the aid after it had been sent. In March of 1949, the minutes reported that a thank-you letter had been received. In July, it was reported that she had arrived in Pittsburgh via Australia and was staying with her relative.

Not all Pliskover business was transacted at these meetings. No record of discussion about the lending function of the organization is to be found in the minutes. There were mentions of donations made to the loan fund and, in at least one case, of money being offered to a family in need. Apparently, loans were not managed at the regular membership meetings.

Scope and Content Notes

The Pliskover Free Loan Association Records are housed in one archival box and arranged chronologically. The records include meeting minutes and cemetery records. The minutes cover monthly meetings of the general membership from 1947 through April 1979.

The cemetery records provide burial information from March 1915-August 1989. They are arranged by year. From 1915 through 1972, the name of the deceased, the date of death, and the section, row, and lot number of the burial plot are listed. After 1972, only the date--presumably the date of death--is included in the list.

Conditions Governing Access

No Restrictions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Harry Weiner, recording secretary for the Association, on March 12, 1990.

Preferred Citation

Pliskover Free Loan Association Records, 1915-1987, MSS#164, Rauh Jewish Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Susan Melnick in October 30, 1997.

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

    • Pliskover Free Loan Society (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

    Other Subjects

    • Jews--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
    • Jews--Pennsyvlana--Pittsburgh--Societies, etc.
    • Jews--Ukraine--Pliskover
    • Jews, East European--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
    • Friendly societies--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
    • Cemeteries (Jewish law)--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh

Container List

Cemetery Plot Records, 1915-1989
Containers
Box 1, Folder 1
Meeting Minutes, 1947-1955
Containers
Box 1, Folder 2
Meeting Minutes, 1956-1964
Containers
Box 1, Folder 3
Pliskover Organization Minute Book, 1974-1979
Containers
Box 1, Volume [1]