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Meretz Relief Association (Boston, Mass.) Records

 Collection
Identifier: I-217

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains materials from the Boston Meretz Relief Association (Boston MRA), including constitutions, meeting minutes and financial reports (1893-1991), correspondence, announcements of meetings, bulletins and programs of special events (1908-1992), newspaper clippings, photographs (including photos of the Lithuanian town of Meretz and its inhabitants between the two World Wars), and miscellaneous historical information.

Dates

  • undated, 1893-2003

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is in English.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for researcher use. Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@nehgs.org.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@nehgs.org.

Historical Note

The Boston Meretz Relief Association (Boston MRA) was founded by the Jewish immigrants of the town of Meretz, Lithuania, Russia. During World War II, the Jewish community of Meretz was destroyed by the Nazis.

Officially incorporated in 1893, the Boston MRA was an association that celebrated their Meretz identity and heritage, as well as a humanitarian association dedicated to assist all Meretzers in need, whether in Boston or in Israel. Among its projects were the Free Loan Association (1915/1916-1978) and the Meretz Cemetery Association (1914-1984). Some survivors from Meretz managed to escape to Israel, which prompted the creation of the Meretz Free Loan Fund in Israel. Collections were taken up to aid their fellow Meretzers in Israel.

In 1992/1993 the Boston MRA discontinued operations.

Chronology

1883
Boston Meretz Relief Association was founded.
1893
Boston Meretz Relief Association (Boston MRA) was incorporated on November 15, 1893.
1914
Meretz Cemetery Association was founded.
1914
The Ladies Auxiliary was founded.
1915 or 1916
Meretz Free Loan Association was founded.
1944
Meretz Free Loan Association Inc. was incorporated on February 23, 1944.
1951
Grandiose Banquet celebrated and raised funds for the Meretz Free Loan in Israel on January 14, 1951.
1962
Monument to the Martyrs of Meretz was dedicated at MRA cemetery in Woburn, MA on September 16, 1962.
1966
Death of Sarah Levitan, president of Ladies Auxiliary. Ladies Auxiliary discontinued operations.
1978
Meretz Free Loan Association discontinued operations.
1983
MRA celebrated its 100th birthday on June 5, 1983.
1984
Meretz Cemetery Association joined the Jewish Cemetery Association.
1992 or 1993
Boston MRA discontinued operations.

Extent

1.5 linear feet (3 manuscript boxes, 1 oversized folder)

Abstract

The Boston Meretz Relief Association (Boston MRA) was founded by the Jewish immigrants of the town of Meretz, Lithuania, Russia. Officially incorporated in 1893, the Boston MRA was an association that celebrated their Meretz identity and heritage, as well as a humanitarian association dedicated to assist all Meretzers in need, whether in Boston or in Israel. This collection contains constitutions, meeting minutes, financial reports, correspondence, photographs (including photos of the Lithuanian town of Meretz and its inhabitants between the two World Wars), and miscellaneous historical information.

Physical Location

Located in Boston, Mass.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Elihu H. Bell in 1985 with later accretions from Morton Rubin, 2003.

Processing Information

Processed by Mary Chen, 2012

Title
Guide to the Records of Meretz Relief Association (Boston, Mass.), I-217
Author
Processed by Mary Chen
Date
2012
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository

Contact:
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston MA 02116 United States
617-226-1245