Guide to the Lawrence Reznik Collection 1954-1996
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Lawrence Reznik Collection
- Creator
- Reznik, Lawrence (1911-2003)
- Collection Number
- MSS#477
- Extent
- .5 linear feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1954-1996
- Date
- 1976-1989
- Abstract
- Lawrence Reznik was amateur artist who was involved in the B'nai Israel Congregation as a member of the board of directors and president of the Men's Club. The collection primarily contains the artwork that Lawrence created for the service bulletins, anniversary brochures and various other publications of the B'nai Israel Congregation.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for this project was made available by Simon Hafner Charitable Foundation.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Lawrence Reznik was born on August 1, 1911 and died in the year 2003. He graduated from Fifth Avenue High School at age 16, in 1927, and attended Columbia University. Unable to complete his studies in New York City, he returned to Pittsburgh where he attended Carnegie Technical Institute (now Carnegie Mellon University), taking evening classes in advertising and layout. In 1934, he married Rose Fairman Reznik and they had two children, Rochelle and Alan. From approximately 1934 to 1942, he worked as a sign painter at Reymer and Brothers, a local candy company. Beginning in 1946, he worked in the family business, Reznik and Sons, a dry goods store, which was founded by his father Samuel. The store was located on Logan Street and later moved to 5th Avenue.
His non-professional activities centered on the B'nai Israel Congregation and in Jewish organizations. He served the B'nai Israel Congregation in multiple capacities including as a member of the board of directors, as president of the Men's Club, and as a Cub Scout Troop leader in the 1940s. His drawings were used in many of the congregational bulletins and other publications. In his home studio, he created large signs for local Jewish organizations, such as B'nai B'rith and the Jewish War Veterans. Many of these organizations honored him for his sign work.
Rochelle Reznik Blumenfeld was born in 1936, to Lawrence and Rose Reznik. In 1954, she attended Carnegie Technical Institute studying in the Painting and Design department until her marriage in 1955. After her marriage, she attended a painting workshop at the Young Men and Women's Hebrew Association taught by Samuel Rosenberg with whom she studied for eight years. She held her first exhibit of paintings in 1957, and her work is found in many private and public collections.
Scope and Content Notes
The Lawrence Reznik Collection is housed in one box and consists of ½ linear foot. It primarily contains the artwork that Lawrence created for the service bulletins, anniversary brochures and various other publications of the B'nai Israel Congregation. Series have been created for Lawrence Reznik, Lawrence Reznik and Rochelle Blumenfeld, Rochelle Blumenfeld and Miscellaneous. The materials include B'nai Israel publications and some of Mr. Reznik's original sketch art.
Conditions Governing Access
No Restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The records were received in one accession.
Accession # 2007.0022 was received on January 10, 2007. Gift of Rochelle Blumenfeld.
Preferred Citation
The Lawrence Reznik Collection, 1954-1996, MSS#477, Rauh Jewish Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Jennifer Bator in March 2008.
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
- B'nai Israel Synagogue--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Reznik, Lawrence (1911-2003)
- Blumenfeld, Rochelle Reznik (1936-)
- Artists--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Painters--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Women, Jewish--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh