pdf available - Multiple Choices

368 LUBOML
Libovner-Voliner Benevolent Society. The constitution
consisted of 13 articles and many paragraphs.
The procedure for becoming a member was
very strict. Upon joining the society, each member
had to take an oath and also was obligated to
carry out the duties as set forth in the constitution.
There were 185 members at the time, calling
themselves brothers and sisters. Parents enrolled
their children, and the children enrolled
their children. The membership consisted of almost
all activists among the landsleit in New York.
Meetings were held twice a month, while
general meetings were called four times a year.
Children's benefit funds were collected at the
general meetings, a tradition carried on till the
present. The members enjoyed all of the benefits
that the society offered, such as: 1) the right to
be buried in the society cemetery (after "120
years") with all expenses paid in full; 2) the family
of the deceased received a lump sum at the
time of death ($1 for each member).
The society had several subcommittees: a
committee to visit sick members; a finance committee;
and a Chevra Kadisha (burial committee).
An ill member had access to the society's doctor.
The loan committee was ready at all times
to lend money to those in need. The society also
had funds put aside for helping other landsleit
in New York who were not members, when, for
example they could not pay their rent, or if they
were unable to make a wedding for a child.
The society was then located at 96 Clinton
Street. This building was used as a synagogue on
the Sabbath and holidays; the rest of the time it
served as a meeting place for the societies.
In 1935 a new executive committee was
elected, and Benny Sheingarten was reelected as
president, Israel Friedman as vice-president, and
Kalman Kramer, secretary.
When World War II broke out in 1939, all
contact between the society and the Jews of
Libivne was cut off. Our shtetl Libivne was in
ruins, together with all the other Jewish communities
in Europe.
Our parents, sisters, and brothers had been
slaughtered, and everything Jewish had been torn
out by the roots. The only ones that miraculously
remained alive, a small remnant, were living in
the DP camps and finally emigrated to Israel.
In 1948, with the birth of the Jewish state,
young Israel could not give very much to the new
immigrants who had to build new lives for themselves
with empty hands.
Therefore, after the proclamation of the State
of Israel, the society formed a committee whose
purpose it was to send help in the form of packages
to Israel for the newly arrived landsleit. The
elected committee consisted of Noach
Tzimerberg, Moyshe Krishtal, Nathan Eiger, and
Hershl Gershengorn.
In 1956 the society rented a little shul from
the Tschechanover Society at 74 Norfolk Street,
in New York City. The shul was used as a synagogue
on Saturdays, while at other times it was
used as a meeting place for gatherings.
In 1961, the society again sent $800 with
Nathan Eiger to the Israel Luboml loan fund. Later
it sent another $800 with Reuven Shneider (z"1);
and still later, with Velvl Sheynvald (z"1), to the
same group. Also, in 1967, the society sent $1,000
with Nathan Eiger and Avigdor Gershengorn for
the Israel loan fund.
In 1962, Benny Sheingarten died and the society
lost a most capable man. Benny
Sheingarten had served the society loyally, with
his whole heart and soul! He had served for over
30 years. The next president was Israel Friedman,
and Dorogusker, vice-president.
At the elections of 1964, Israel Friedman was
reelected as president, Nathan Eiger and Shapiro
as vice-presidents, and Avigdor Gershengorn,
treasurer. At new elections in 1965, Eiger was
elected president, Efrayim Lerner, vice-president,
and Avigdor Gershengorn, treasurer.
The same year, the society acquired land
from Beth-El Cemetery in Cedar Park, New Jersey;
the new cemetery was needed because the
Staten Island cemetery was almost full. The land
cost $20,000.
A year later, in 1966, the society moved from
Norfolk Street to the Forward Building at 175 East
Broadway. They had to move, for the older members
who had lived near the Norfolk Street location
had died and the younger ones moved to