Guide to the Congregation Ahavos Zedeck (Hazelwood, Pa.) Records, 1920-1955
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Congregation Ahavos Zedeck (Hazelwood, Pa.) Records
- Creator
- Congregation Ahavos Zedeck (Hazelwood, Pa.)
- Collection Number
- MSS 401
- Extent
- .5 linear feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1920-1955
- Abstract
- Congregation Ahavos Zedeck was founded in the early 1900s by Jewish immigrants in the Glenwood section of Pittsburgh and later the neighboring Hazelwood neighborhood. The records include a minute book and financial ledger from 1920 to 1930, a photocopy of the minute book, an agreement between Ahavos Zedeck and Homestead Hebrew Congregation for use of cemetery property, a cash ledger for those cemetery plots, an undated letter regarding the sale of the Ahavos Zedeck synagogue to the Hazelwood Christian and Missionary Alliance, and a transcription of a memorial board.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
-
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
Biographical / Historical
Congregation Ahavos Zedeck was founded in the early 1900s by Jewish immigrants in the Glenwood section of Pittsburgh and later in neighboring Hazelwood. The congregation rented various meeting places throughout the neighborhood while it attempted to raise funds to build a synagogue, hire a rabbi, and establish a burial ground. Ahavos Zedeck eventually dedicated a synagogue at 200 Glen Caladh Street in 1927 and 1928. An associated Mothers' Club supported educational and social activities within the congregation and officially became the congregational Sisterhood in 1929.
With the decline of the Jewish population of Glenwood and Hazelwood in the 1930s and 1940s, and the growth of nearby Greenfield and Squirrel Hill, Ahavos Zedeck struggled to maintain its building and eventually to gather a minyan for High Holiday services. In the mid-1950s the congregation sold its building the Hazelwood Christian Missionary Alliance Church. The building was demolished after 2008.
Scope and Contents
The Congregation Ahavos Zedeck Records contain one volume and four folders. The records include a minute book and financial ledger from 1920 to 1930, a photocopy of the minute book, an agreement between Ahavos Zedeck and Homestead Hebrew Congregation for use of cemetery property, a cash ledger for those cemetery plots, an undated letter regarding the sale of the Ahavos Zedeck synagogue to the Hazelwood Christian and Missionary Alliance, and a transcription of a memorial board.
The minute book contains approximately 215 pages of minutes, followed by approximately 85 pages of financial reports. The minutes include information on membership, dues, social activities, educational programs, High Holy Days observances, and contributions to Jewish organizations. Recurring themes are the search for a suitable building to house the congregation (a new building was completed in 1928), and an effort to buy lots for the congregation in the cemeteries of other nearby Jewish congregations, namely Congregation Beth Shalom and Homestead Hebrew Congregation. Family names on the memorial board are Friedman, Spiegelman, Jacobs, Lebowitz, Eisenberg, and Kalson.
Arrangement
The Congregation Ahavos Zedeck (Hazelwood, Pa.) Records are arranged chronologically.
Conditions Governing Access
No Restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of David Spiegel, Willie Newman, Sidney Schwimer, Edward Wittlin, and Myer Rosenbloom, members of the Congregation, in 1997. Archives accession 1997.0286
Gift of Congregation Ahavos Zedeck (Jan Gross) in 2021. Archives accession 2021.0221
Preferred Citation
Congregation Ahavos Zedeck (Hazelwood, Pa.) Records, 1920-1955, MSS 401, Rauh Jewish Archives, Thomas and Catherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
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.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Martha L. Berg on 04/12/2004 with additions incorporated by Catelyn Cocuzzi on 11/01/2022.
Subjects
- Congregation Ahavos Zedeck (Hazelwood, Pa.)
- Hazelwood Christian Missionary Alliance Church (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Homestead Hebrew Congregation-Rodef Shalom (Homestead, Pa.)
- Newman, Nathan, 1885-1955
- Glenwood (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Hazelwood (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Jews -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Jews -- Religious life
- Synagogues
- Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny County
- Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh