THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

18 Friday, March 12, 1976

Detroit's Lcxndsmanshc ► ten Societies
A Proud History
of Charitable Work, But Continuing membership Decline

for the Yiddish-speaking
Landsmanshaften's cul-
tural affairs, there were
142 groups and auxiliaries
in Detroit when the Lands-
manshaften were most
popular.
"These people would be
here for a year or two, mak-
ing $3 a week and sending
$1.50 of that back to their
families, and they would be
lonely," he said. "They
might be hungry, they
might be looking for a job.
They were looking for
friends, for work, for help."
The newcomers formed
mutual aid societies which
were the forerunner of
many of the social service
agencies now serving De-
troit's Jewish community
through the Jewish Welfare
Federation.
Many of the Landsman-
shaften functions were for
the purpose of raising funds
for overseas relief for their
landsleit and helping each
other locally through loans
and charity.
But from 142 organiza-
tions in the 1920s, De-
troiCs Landsmanshaften
were reduced to approxi-
mately 45 societies after
World War II, and now to
approximately 10 active
organizations.
At the risk of offending
some groups which may still
have some members who
meet occasionally, the four
men listed the following
groups as the remaining
active Landsmanshaften in
Detroit:
The Berditchev-Kishe-
nev-Zhitomir Aid Society,
Gombiner Society. of .De-
troit, David-Horodoker
Independent Ladies So-
ciety, Meseritcher Benefi-
cial Association, Pinsker
Progressive Aid Society,
Radomer Aid Society (two
groups), Rovner-Lachow-
itcher Aid Society, the
Turover Society, and the
Yiddish Folks Farein
which encompasses mem-
bers from all the groups.
Why the decline in the
Landsmanshaften from a
peak of 10,000 to an esti-
mated 400 to 500 active
members now?
Dishell blames the mem-

bers began sending Block
and Poupko clothing la-
bels back to the store, and
the owners quickly pur-
chased the ad.
Now, the men agreed, it is
their cemeteries that hold
many of the groups to-
gether, although the re-
maining Landsmanshaften
hold numerous social
events, and fund raisings for
Israel through the Jewish
National Fund, the Israel
Emergency Fund and other
Israel causes.
Discussing the rise, growth and decline of the Landsmanshaften Societies of
According to the four, it
Greater Detroit are, from left seated: Jacob Gubow, president of theRovner-Lachow-
was the Landsmanshaften
itcher Society; Abe Dishell, president of the Meseritcher; Nathan Samet, a pioneer that created Chesed She]
member and vice president of the Turover Society; Louis Leyine, a founder of the Emes — the Hebrew Bene-
Pinsker Progressive Aid Society, who has held every office in that organization; and voltent Society and its ceme-
Alan Hitsky, news editor of the Jewish News. Standing are: Paul Masserman, doing tery — and that organiza-
public relations for JNF and Percy Kaplan, executive director of the Jewish National tion's minutes, by charter,
Fund of Michigan. The Landsmanshaften for JNF will hold their annual Purim Cele,- must still be taken in Yid-
bration, honoring William and Belle Levine, 8:15 p.m. Wednesday at Cong. Bnai
dish.
Moshe, and Dishell is chairman of the event.
Landsleit from Russia
* * *
* * *
were the founding fathers of
Cong. Bnai David, Hungari-
hers themselves. "The youn- the duplication of social cies in Detroit that they
ans
formed Bnai Moshe,
now
head,"
he
said.
services
now
provided
by
the
ger generation will not join
Galitzianer formed Beth
because the parents haven't Jewish Welfare Federation
"They forget the power
Abraham, Germans at Beth
instilled in their children locally and by national Jew- the Landsmanshaften had
Hillel, Romanians formed
ish
agencies
through
the
what these organizations
. . . in politics, in charitable
Beth MoseS, and several
United Jewish Appeal,.have work. These people did not
stand for."
Levine said the average usurped the purpose of the just sit and play cards." - Landsmanshaften, like Tu-
rover, had their own syn-
Landsmanshaften society Landsmanshaften. And
Samet said the Turover
was riot interested in reli- with the immigrants' chil- group, one of the first agogues.
Now the Landsmanshaf-
gion, although a few formed dren and grandchildren not Landsmanshaften in De-
ten
are reduced to 500
sharing
the
common
ties
of
synagogues.,Many of the
troit when it formed in 1910,
members at most, and only
groups were socialistic, a home community in Eu- has contributed more than
some extreme left, some rope and the Yiddish lan- $125,000 in 66 years to char- the Jewish National Fund
In YOUP
contiues to hold a separate
guage, the Landsmanshaf- itable organizations..
Zionist.
event for them each year.
"The organizations ten socieities die as their
And even that may be
He said an example of
which had political lean- members die.
coming to a close with
how strong the Landsman-
ings — the socialists, the
Dishell is bitter about shaften were was when a
Wednesday evening's
communists — they are
Landsmanshaften Purim
the decline. "The big Jewish store on Hastings
dead," Levine said.
event at Bnai Moshe, ac-
"The organizations that shots, the sons of these St., Block and Poupko, once
cording to local JNF direc-
leaned toward Russia died immigrants, don't show refused to take out an adver-
tor Percy Kaplan, who sadly
sooner than the organiza- respect. They forget that tisement in a Landsman-
reports a continuing decline
shaften program, after hav-
tions that were more sup- the Landsmanshaften on
and created the ing done so for years.
in the event's annual attend-
portive of Israel."
ance.
Landsmanshaften mem-
Levine said Pinsker is work of the various agen-
growing because it has
They come to your
strong cultural programs.
home or office with
He estimated its member-
their "garage-on-
ship at 200 couples.
wheels." Valet
A major factor in the dec-
service that doesn't
line of Landsmanshaften is
cost one penny extra!
the decline of Yiddish, the
■ Expert diagnostic tune-up
universal language children
■ Electronic analyzer — all
William and Belle Levin, • ion for the Joint Distribu- songs in Hebrew, Yiddish
and grandchildren did not
engine systems
tion Committee and of the and English.
learn. Dishell said many civic and communal leaders,
■ Professionally trained
Abe Dishell, chairman of
Conference of Jewish_
who
have
played
prominent
mechanics
members have given him
Landsmanshaften for JNF,
Claimsagainst
Germany.
roles
in
Jewish
National
■ Perfect results assured
this typical answer when he
Call Sanford Rosenberg
will be the chairman of the
has tried to promote new Fund for more than 30 He was the editor of the En- Purim Celebration. Mark E.
years,
will
be
the
guests
of
glish
page
of
the
Jewish
398-3605
membership: "My son, the
6-cyl. cars $31.50 includes
Schlussel,- president of
doctor? What business honor at the, annual Purim Daily Forward.
EVERYTHING: Labor AND Parts.
Greater Detr6it JNF Coun-
Celebration of the Lands-
4 and 8 cyl. comparatively low.
would he have with you?"
Mort Freeman, "singer cil, will make a special pres-
manthaften
Societies
of
Masterchat ge and BankAmericard
The decline of Yiddish, Greater Detroit 8:15 p.m.
of all seasons", will be the entation to the Levins.
guest entertainer. Free- Purim refreshments will be
Wednesday at Cong. Bnai
man has starred on TV `served. Admission is by the
Moshe.
They will be honored for and radio and is a leading planting of one Or more
5 WEEK SESSIONS
their "distinguished service recording artist. His re- trees. For information, call
pertoire includes folk JNF, 968-0820.
to the Jewish community,
BEGIN MARCH 1 5th
to Israel and to the Jewish
CALL 476-6446
National Fund". A wood-
Cutbacks in NY Hurt Many Jews
land of 2,500 trees will 'be es-
Private Lessons Available
administrative employes
NEW YORK (JTA) — Ap-
tablished by the Landsman-
shaften in the American proximately half of the esti- and particularly guidance
Bicentennial. Park in Israel, mated 24,000 civil service counselors.
NON-MEMBERS WELCOME
Weiser also said tha'
CHILDREN'S SPECIAL!
to be known as the "William employes dismissed to date
48 Hour Deluxe
AGES 8 to 18
and Belle Levin Woodland". in the city's austerity cut- about 5,000 Jewish subst..
tute teachers no longer haw
Racquet Stringing
Dr. Judah J. _Shapiro, backs are Jews, according to
INTENSIVE TENNIS CAMPS
president of the Labor Zion'- Louis Weiser, president of jobs. He said substitutes ar
S Hours of insfruction
not included among the
ist Alliance and of The Na- the. Council of Jewish Or-
PROGRAMS FOR BEGINNERS TO
Saturday 10-12Noon—Begins March
tionalCommittee for Labor ganizations in Civil Service. Board of Education's per-
20th
ADVANCED PLAYERS ALL AGES
Weiser said the majority manent civil service em-
Sunday 12-2 p.m.—BegineMarch 21st
Israel, will be the guest
"Gift Certificates Available"
speaker. Dr. Shapiro, au- - of the approximately 12,000 ployes. Weiser also reported
thor, educator, lecturer and Jewish civil service em- there have been severe cuts
•WHIRLPOOL • SAUNAS • SUPERVISED NURSERY
sociologist,
has served as na- ployes who have been laid of Jewish civil service work-
• BOUTIQUE PRO SHOP • EVERYTHING IN TENNIS
off were employed by the ers in the city's social sere-'
tional director of the Bnai
Board of Education, which ices. -
Brith Hillel Foundation,
C Farilll
secretary of the National
is not controlled by the city
No man is expected to
administration. He said the
Foundation for Jewish Cul-
Farmington,
Michigan
48024
•
Phone
476-6446
22777 Farmington Rd.
admit that he is wicked.
ture, director of cultural dismissed Jewish education
—The TalMud
and educational reconstruc- employes included teachers,

By ALAN HITSKY

Only a few days before
the Landsmanshaften So-
cieties of Metropolitan De-
troit annual function on
behalf of the Jewish Na-
tional Fund, four members
of the remaining Lands-
manshaften groups in
Greater Detroit gathered to
discuss what the Lands-
manshaften -were, what the
societies accomplished for
their members and for Je-
wry, and why they are
dying.
Abe Dishell of the Meser-
itcher Society, Jacob Gubow
of the Rovner-Lachow-
itcher, Louis Levine of Pin-
sker and Nathan Samet of
Turover recalled the days in
Detroit following World
War I when an estimated
10,000 persons belonged to
the local organizations.
Landsmanshaften were
immigrant benevolent or-
ganizations named after the
members' European resi-
dences and formed for mu-
tual aid; the raising of funds
to help their overseas Ian-
dsleit, and for social and
cultural purposes.
According to Samet,
whose printing firm
printed many a program

Right

Own Driveway!

TUNE
-UP
MAN

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LADIES
TENNIS
LESSONS

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ngtork citficcittet Club

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Landsmanshaften Purim Event
to Honor Levins, Hear Shapiro

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