A benevolent society is a charity group organized by immigrants to serve their new community through programs, sponsorships and donations. Many societies also provided further for their members (and their families) by offering both emotional and financial relief and assistance to those distressed and needy, furnishing ministration for the sick, and helping with rituals associated with the proper rites of death and mourning. Although the majority of many benevolent society memberships were men, it was not uncommon for women to be involved in daily activities.
The Center's partners hold collections and materials relating to dozens of benevolent societies and philanthropic groups. To browse the breadth of the holdings available, simply search for 'benevolent society' (or societies) as keywords at search.cjh.org or click HERE to be taken there directly.
Records of the Source of Life Benevolent Society (ASF AR-69)
The Source of Life Benevolent Society was a fraternal organization incorporated in New York on September 21, 1911. According to the state of New York incorporation records (Box 2, folder 12), the Society was founded “for the advancement of social, intellectual and moral and charitable purposes…to foster the bonds of brotherhood…to voluntarily afford relief and assistance to distressed and needy members and furnish ministration for the sick; to bury our dead and offer prayers for the repose of their souls according to the rites of the Hebrew faith, and to render voluntarily aid necessary in the proper preparation of the dead for burial.”
Freedom Benevolent Society Collection (AR 11099) [Collection is partially digitized and available online.]
The Freedom Benevolent Society was a mutual aid and fraternal organization founded by Jewish immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1882, on the Lower East Side of New York City. The collection documents the society's activities over more than a century, from 1884 until its initiation of dissolution proceedings, in 1991. This collection is available on microfilm only. Please refer to MF 1629 when requesting this collection in the Reading Room.
Satanover Benevolent Society Records (RG 818)
Founded in New York in 1903 by immigrants from Satanov, Ukraine, and chartered in 1904. Organized the Satanover Relief Committee for the War Sufferers to aid *landslayt* during World War I. Sent two delegates to Satanov in 1921 to bring relief and correspondence from American *landslayt*. Aided *landslayt* after World War II.
Progressive Horodenker Benevolent Society (RG 820)
Founded in New York in 1914 by immigrants from Gorodenka (Pol. Horodenka), Ukraine, as the Progressive Horodenker Young Men's and Ladies Sick Benevolent Society, Inc. Formed a joint relief organization after World War I with the First Horodenker Society and the Horodenker Lodge, Independent Order Brith Abraham. Organized a ladies auxiliary in 1940 and its own relief committee in 1944. Also organized a junior league for children of members in 1935. Name changed to Progressive Horodenker Benevolent Society, Inc. in 1961. Collaborated with *landsmanshaft* in Israel to publish memorial book.