Brest Lit(owsk) , Belarus [pages 637-639]

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The Landsmanschafts and the Story of the United Brisker Relief (cont.)

The Branches of the Brest Relief

The Brisker Shul “Tiferet Israel”.

In 1873 Jews from Newtown and 176 Chaddam Square formed a society that was a vital spiritual center to it's people. On the 23^rd of December 1873, a charter was granted to the following: Simon Halevitch, B. Barnet, Harry Berenstein, Max Halevitch, M. Rosenkranz, Hillel Berenstein, Leib Kaminsky, Josef Silberman and the Chazan (Cantor) Marcus.

Thus the Tiferet Israel Synagogue was founded. The office bearers were: President - Harry Berenstein, vice-president Simon Halevitch, - treasurer - Hillel Berenstein, and M. Halevitch - secretary. The cantor and preacher was Radi. The society purchased graves at Washington cemetery. Three years later they managed to lease a building on the Eldridge St Canal to be used as a synagogue. Later, they were forced to move from these premises because the people on the upper floors worked on the Sabbath. The society bought a place at 55 Hester St., corner of 26^th St., for $72,000 dollars.

Those days were the beginning of the Torah, Work and Charity era. Many new members joined the “Ahavat Moshe Society”, whose members were mainly from Pultusk. The president was Benjamin Davis, who managed to unite this society with “Achavat Achim Brisk D' Lita”, and the new united society was called “Tiferet Israel”, Brisker Shul.

The synagogue played a significant role in the Jewish life of those days. The president was Mr. Feldman who remained in this position for over 20 years. He was succeeded by Israel Avraham Gevirtzman who bought a property for the society in 1888, and was president for 16 years. City Hall decided to demolish this building and the society received a large sum of money as compensation. They built a new large synagogue at the corner of Climber St. and Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Sam Gevirtzman succeeded his brother Israel Avraham after his death. The Brisker Shul actively participated in the work of the Brest Relief for the entire period of its existence. The following were active members: I.A. Gevirtzman, Sam Gevirtzman, S. Seidman, David Seidman, G. Shonblum, L. Freidman, Y. Leshinsky, S. Wengerovski, and Binenbaum.

The Brest Branch of the Workman's Circle no. 286

This organization was formed in April 1909. The first members were revolutionaries from Russia who had received their socialist education in the Bund in Brest. In 1904 they had established a group with the aim of collecting money for the Bundist organization in Brest. Later the group assumed the principles of the Workman's Circle in the U.S. and joined them in 1909 as the Brest Revolutionaries Branch no. 286 of the Workman's Circle. This group participated in all the workers struggles in the socialist movement in the U.S. They have produced activists that became leaders in the workers movement and in American society. This organization participated in various cultural and social activities. Their primary aim was to provide medical and fraternal help for their members. They have been amongst the builders and leaders of the Brest Relief, and the backbone in all that it has acheived. Until today, they remain our most committed members. One of the finest pages of their 47-year history is their role in the Brest Relief.

This branch also published a magazine on their anniversaries.

Leaders of the Brest Branch No. 286 of the Workman's Circle

Bottom row R-L: A. Weinstein, T. Kaplan, Y. Rosenberg, B. Freidman, S. Lederman
Middle row: Y. Black, M. Kravitz, A. Epstein, Sarah Freidental, R. Grossman, M. Berman
Top row: A. Weiner, P. Mattenberg, P. Grossman, Y. Bein

The Brest Young Men's Association

This organization was founded in 1908 by a group of Brest compatriots (landsmen). The founders and leaders were Zionist in their persuasion, although the membership was diverse. There were 150 members at the time of its inauguration. Nowadays their membership has fallen – they give brotherly assistance, have their own cemetery, and participate in community work, especially Zionist causes. They have been a significant force in the activity of the Relief and some of their leaders were amongst the founders of the Relief and active in it for years.

Brisker Young Men's Association
(With the attendence of L Kossovski, B. Hari, Halperin, Dr. Margolis and others)

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