The History of the Forest City Hebrew Benevolent Association

For over 100 years the Forest City Hebrew Benevolent Association and it's hundreds of men and women members, have met monthly within a Jewish spirit to apply the philanthropic, educational, and social goals of our organization.

Founded in 1906 by a small group of “lantsleite” who gathered together to organize this society. We were originally known as the “Slobodker Benevolent Society”. Our purpose at the time was to help one another in making our way in this new country. As time went on, we found that our organization had to assume other responsibilities. Among these were the furthering of Jewish life, both cultural and educational, in this country; aiding to support the famous Jewish educational institutions all over the world; and helping the various charitable organizations in this city and other cities. In addition sickness and death benefits were established to help the members and their families in time of need.

As the tragedy of our people in other lands unfolded, we increased our contribution to the Jewish Welfare Fund from twenty-five dollars in 1938, to the sum of one thousand dollars in 1946, plus another one hundred fifty dollars on behalf of our Ladies Auxiliary in 1946. Similarly, our contribution to the Jewish National Fund increased from an annual fifteen dollars per year in 1906 to the sum of six hundred-fifty dollars in 1946. Since WWII we have had the good fortune to see the initial savings of our founders grow exponentially.

These are merely typical examples of the part we have come to play in the Jewish community of ours. Since the time of our formation, we have travelled a long road together, a road that has known both prosperity and adversity. Many of our members have joined our ranks to take their place.

Now we have come to a crossroad, and the road that will govern our future. We are confronted with the following problem: On the one hand our financial situation has increased to the extent that our society now has a solid financial foundation. On the other, our membership is growing older and has begun to decline.

There are two roads open before us. The first is the up and coming generation will join with us in continuing and furthering our fine work; and eventually take control and carry on in the spirit of your parents.

The second road lying open to us is a continuing decline of membership and eventual dissolution of this society. This would mean a loss to the Jewish community of America, and all over the world. We can’t let that happen here!

We cannot continue to be a single unit by reason of common birthplace or experiences of childhood and associations during our growing-up period. It now becomes our province to cement a relationship among our children and grandchildren comparable to ours. As a result of our experiences together and our long friendships the basic purpose of our first meetings. Let them go on from here for the next hundred years, cementing forever our friendships and work toward their goal of assistance to each other, and to Jewry as a whole.”

Today our membership has a strong philanthropic history supporting college bound high school seniors, spiritual and social community action organizations, and teaching facilities both here and abroad.

Our hope is to expand our membership by offering a social and spiritual comradery among a like-minded community.

We are looking for members who believe in the causes we support and the brotherhood we share. If you think you can bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to the association or you just want to belong, we welcome your membership. Consider Forest City Hebrew Benevolent for the security of belonging and a lifetime of brotherhood.