Rosh Hashana
Gardens Limited
JGS Presents: Adina Newman
Cemetery database offline
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Sept. 7 and 8: Rosh Hashana |
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Pittsburgh Post, Sept. 12, 1901 |
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With sundown on Monday night, the holiday of Rosh Hashana begins.
Starting in the late 19th century, local newspapers regularly noted the arrival of the High Holidays and published long pieces explaining the Jewish customs to their readers.
These articles are often full of errors and small misunderstandings. And yet they are also one of the best surviving accounts of Jewish worship in this city at that time. They reveal details found in no other record.
For example, in late September 1902, the Press reported that at many Orthodox congregations, "'Mashulochim' are seated at small tables which are stationed at the entrance, and upon which are places about a dozen small plates. As the worshippers enter they deposit various sums of money in the plates, which are there for that purpose."
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The Rauh Jewish Archives wishes all who celebrate the holiday a happy and sweet new year. The archive offices, phones and email account will be closed both days of the holiday, although the Detre Library & Archives reading room will be open during its usual hours on Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
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The Gardens Limited booth at the May Market, 1983
—from Gardens Limited Records, MSS 579
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The first Jewish garden club in Pittsburgh appears to have been started by the National Council of Jewish Women-Pittsburgh Section in 1933. By the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, the city was home to at least a dozen Jewish garden clubs.
We'll start our review with Gardens Limited. It was the longest-running of the Jewish garden clubs and the only one to leave behind a significant record.
Gardens Limited began around 1955. Over the next half century, the club held monthly meetings, arranged special flower shows throughout the Jewish and general community, and organized trips to local gardens including Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Kentuck Knob and many private gardens.
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By the time Gardens Limited donated its records to the Rauh Jewish Archives in 2010, it was the only Jewish garden club left in the city.
The records include minutes, correspondence, and guides to various shows and events arranged over the years. But what is most exciting is the large collection of photographs of Gardens Limited events from around 1980 until the mid-2000s. The photographs are individually labelled. It is possible to identify each person and each occasion, and thereby create a timeline of the affairs and members of the organization across 30 years.
All this year, the Rauh Jewish Archives is highlighting stories of Jewish club life in Western Pennsylvania. If you would like to donate records of a local Jewish club, or just chat about clubs, contact the archive or call 412-454-6406.
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Guide to "Autumn's Palette," a flower arranged by Gardens Limited, 1979
—from Gardens Limited Records, MSS 579
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Sept. 19: JGS Presents: Adina Newman |
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Adina Newman, EdD, is the owner of My Family Genie, where she assists clients with their research and blogs about her own family history. Her main interests are in Jewish genealogy, genetic genealogy, and New England. She has a doctorate in educational leadership and the certificate in genealogical research from Boston University. She volunteers as a Facebook moderator for a Jewish genetic genealogy group, Social Media Coordinator for NextGen Genealogy Network, and a discussion leader for ProGen 50. She was also a 2020 recipient of the AncestryProGenealogists scholarship.
This program is possible through the support of the William M. Lowenstein Genealogical Research Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation.
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Cemetery Database back online |
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The Western Pennsylvania Jewish Cemetery Project continues to have sporadic down time as we address technical issues. We apologize for the inconvenience, and we thank everyone for their patience as we resolve this problem.
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[IMAGE: Marian Schreiber and employees at the Schreiber Trucking Company, c.1943—from Schreiber Family Papers and Photographs, MSS 846.]
If you like this newsletter, why not forward it to a friend? We want to share the story of Western Pennsylvania Jewish history with as many people as possible.
If you've received this newsletter from a friend or neighbor, and you want to read more, just click on the link below to start receiving future editions.
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The Rauh Jewish Archives was founded on November 1, 1988 to collect, preserve, and make accessible the documentary history of Jews and Jewish communities of Western Pennsylvania. You can help the RJHPA continue its work by making a donation that will directly support the work being done in Western Pa. |
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Plan a Visit
Senator John Heinz History Center
1212 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222
412-454-6000
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A proud affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Senator John Heinz History Center is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania and presents American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection.
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