Raphael Family Papers
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains photographs and personal items of the Raphael family as well as memorabilia and photographs of the Bialystoker Somech Noflim (Mutual Aid Society). The family items consist of personal photographs, correspondence, telegrams, a dozen debenture bonds from 1927, a 1920 stock certificate and legal documents. The Bialystoker memorabilia includes a program from 1936, leaflets in Hebrew, photos of organizational gatherings including three large size photographs of Bialystoker anniversary banquets from 1930-1950.
Dates
- Creation: Undated, 1916-1950
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1920 - 1930
Creator
- Raphael, Aaron (Person)
Access Restrictions
The collection is open to all researchers, except items that may be restricted due to their fragility, or privacy.
Use Restrictions
No permission is required to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection, as long as the usage is scholarly, educational, and non-commercial. For inquiries about other usage, please contact the Director of Collections and Engagement at mmeyers@ajhs.org.
For reference questions, please email: inquiries@cjh.org
Historical Note
Aaron Rafalowsky was born in Russia in 1883 and came to the United States in 1902 with his wife, Ida Rafalowsky. They had three children, Julius (1905), Israel (1908) and Joseph (1916).
Aaron Rafalowsky,later Raphael, was an active member in the Bialystoker Somech Noflim (or Mutual Aid Society) which operated in New York City in the early twentieth century. Starting in the late nineteenth century, over forty organizations sprang up in the U.S. whose roots originated in Bialystok. During the late nineteenth- and early twentieth-centuries, Bialystok was a part of the Russian Empire, but in 1919 became a part of Poland. The Bialystoker groups were some of the most active Landmanshaftn or hometown organizations. These organizations were set up to help service the social and financial needs of their community. They also sent delegates back to Bialystok with relief aid. Aaron was one of the delegates to travel back to Bialystok.
In 1921 the Bialystoker Center became the umbrella organization that oversaw all the Bialystok groups. The Center was also a physical space located at 228 East Broadway in Manhattan. During the 1920s the Center’s focus shifted to assisting the New York Jewish community. This included creating a home for the aging population. The home operated from 1929 to 2011.
Extent
.25 Linear Feet (1 half manuscript box and 1 OS1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Hebrew
Abstract
This collection contains photographs and personal items of the Rafalowsky family as well as memorabilia and photographs of the Bialystoker Somech Noflim (Mutual Aid Society). Aaron Raphael was an active member in the Bialystoker Somech Noflim which operated in New York City in the early twentieth century. The Bialystoker groups were some of the most active Landmanshaftn or hometown organizations.
Physical Location
Located in AJHS New York, NY
Acquisition Information
Donated by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Raphael, 2013.
Subject
- Raphael, Aaron (Person)
- Raphael, Ida (Person)
- Raphael, Julius, 1905- (Person)
- Raphael, Israel (Person)
- Raphael, Joseph, 1916- (Person)
- Bialystoker Center (New York, N.Y.) (Organization)
- Bialystoker Young Men's Association (New York, N.Y.) (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Raphael Family Papers, undated, 1916-1950 P-1029
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Kristiana Weseloh
- Date
- © 2017
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
Revision Statements
- December 2020: RJohnstone: post-ASpace migration cleanup.
Repository Details
Part of the American Jewish Historical Society Repository
