Guide to the Herman Fineberg Papers and Photographs, 1941-1999
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Herman Fineberg Papers and Photographs
- Creator
- Fineberg, Herman, b. 1907 - d. 1999
- Collection Number
- MSS 0730
- Extent
- .25 linear foot linear feet (One box)
- Date
- 1941-1999
- Abstract
- Herman Fineberg was a business owner and a leader of the Pittsburgh Jewish community. He started Iron City Uniform Rental in 1928, and he held leadership roles in many local, national and international organizations, such as B'nai B'rith, Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged, the United Jewish Fund, Brandeis University, Technion University, and many others. The materials in the Herman Fineberg Papers and Photographs include newspaper articles that document Fineberg's activities, mostly with B'nai B'rith, and as chairman of the United Jewish Fund's 1949 fundraising campaign. Other materials include United Jewish Fund publications that document the 1949 campaign and the remarks made to introduce Fineberg when he won the 1956 Emmanuel Specter Award of the United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. The photographs document the activities of both Herman and Rebecca Fineberg.
- 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
History
Herman Fineberg was a business owner and a leader of the Pittsburgh Jewish community. He was born in 1907 in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pa. His parents were Albert and Dora Fineberg Smith. After graduating from Fifth Avenue High School in 1924, he started a company that became known as Iron City Uniform Rental. On July 23, 1929, he married Rebecca Rudin, and they had two children: Florita and Myrna Joy. While growing his business and raising his family, Fineberg devoted his time to many organizations.
He held leadership roles in many organizations, and he won several awards. He was president of B'nai B'rith Lodge 44, B'nai B'rith District 3 and of the Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged. After helping to establish the United Jewish Fund, Fineberg was the chairman of the 1949 fundraising campaign. He also helped found the United Jewish Federation Foundation where he established the Rebecca and Herman Fineberg Endowment Fund for Exceptional People. He was a founding board member of both the Community College of Allegheny County and of the Community Day School, and he was a trustee of Duquesne University. He established the chair of geriatrics at Brandeis University and the chair of infertility at Technion University in Israel. He was a life member of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, and he was a life commissioner of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith. Fineberg maintained memberships in two synagogues, Adath Jeshurun and Tree of Life. He established the Emmanuel Specter Award, which he was awarded in 1956. In 1996, he was awarded the United Jewish Federation Foundation Gift of Consequence.
Herman Fineberg died in Pittsburgh, Pa. on May 26, 1999.
Scope and Content Notes
The Herman Fineberg Papers and Photographs consists mainly of newspaper articles that document the Fineberg's accomplishments and activities, as well as the activities of the organizations with which he was affiliated. Organizations represented in both newspaper articles and in photographs include B'nai B'rith Pittsburgh, Caravan of Hope, Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged, and the United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. The United Jewish Fund 1949 fundraising campaign is documented in brochures and newsletters, such as Campaign Council Bulletin and Link. The 1941-1949 newspaper clipping file primarily documents the United Jewish Fund campaign. The photographs document the accomplishments and activities of Herman and Rebecca Fineberg and the activities of the organizations to which they belonged. The photographs include images of Herman or Rebecca Fineberg receiving awards and attending events. Of note is a photograph of the 1924 graduating class at Fifth Avenue High School.
Arrangement
- The Herman Fineberg Papers and Photographs are housed in one archival box. The papers are arranged alphabetically by topic. A grouping within the papers is labeled United Jewish Fund Publications, and those materials are arranged alphabetically by topic or by newsletter title. The photographs folders are arranged alphabetically by organization name.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Florita Sonnenklar in October 1999.
Preferred Citation
Herman Fineberg Papers and Photographs, 1941-1999, MSS 0730, Rauh Jewish Archives, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Kelly J. Smith in March 2012.
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 Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Related Materials
Packing Torahs for Europe After World War II, PFF 48
Subjects
- American Technion Society
- B'nai B'rith
- B'nai B'rith. Anti-defamation League
- Jewish National Fund
- State of Israel Bonds Organiztion
- United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
- Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- United Jewish Fund (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Fineberg, Herman, b. 1907 - d. 1999
- Fineberg, Rebecca, d. 1990
- Specter, Emmanuel
- Fundraising
- Jews -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh