Malbish Arumim's file / תיק , מלביש ערומים

A close examination of the attached sources yields a detailed picture of welfare and charitable activity within the Jewish community of Riga (and not Estonia, as stated in the original), primarily through the work of the "Malbish Arumim" society between 1915 and 1930 (O26-1f). Below is a historical overview based on the archival findings:

The Society’s Beginnings and Organizational Structure

The "Malbish Arumim" society was founded with the aim of providing clothing and footwear to the poor, and its activity documented in the sources relates to the period between March 1915 and March 1930 (O26-1f). In its early years, the society’s leadership included the president (prezes) Dr. M. Schatz, the vice presidents Meir Berlin and Y. H. Mushat (of blessed memory), the secretaries M. Shreiber and Z. Tulbovitz, and the treasurers Ts. Rubin (of blessed memory) and M. Labkowski (O26-1f). Additional central figures who received honorary titles were D. M. Vysotsky (honorary vice president), and Dr. L. Gribshak and Dr. L. Shnfeld (honorary members) (O26-1f). At the first general assembly, Rabbi Z.K. and Hirsh Raik were elected honorary members of the society (O26-1f). Hirsh Raik also served as president of the society in its early stages (O26-1f). From 28 April 1918 onward, the society stood under the continuous leadership of Dr. L. Gribshak (O26-1f).

Relief Activity and Working Methods

The main activity of the society focused on supplying shukhvarg (footwear) to schoolchildren and adults, as well as support for the wives of reserve soldiers (rezervisten) (O26-1f). In 1917, for example, 34 pairs of boots were distributed to men, 91 pairs to women, and 205 pairs to children (O26-1f).

The working method included conducting "recherchen" (investigations/inquiries): requests for aid sent to the society were distributed among the board members, who received written lists of addresses and personally examined the degree of need of the applicants (O26-1f). Board members visited homes in remote corners of the suburbs, in attics and basements, and at times had to visit the same address several times until they found the residents (O26-1f). This information was brought to each board meeting for decision-making (O26-1f).

Because of the war and the expulsions from Lithuania, Courland, and Poland, many Jewish refugees arrived in Riga (O26-1f). The board members and their wives mobilized to help, purchasing clothing, footwear, bedding, hats, and soap for 125 children, and assisting in clothing and washing the refugees before the continuation of their journey to Russia (O26-1f).

Prominent Events and Resource Mobilization

The society used cultural events and banquets to raise funds:

• The concert of 1918: The society organized a concert performed by the singers M. Kipnis and Z. Zelikfeld from Warsaw, under the name "Ost Yidishe Muzik Abend" (O26-1f). The event, which received permission from the German occupation authorities, took place on 22 August 1918 and yielded an income of 15,757 Ost roubles (O26-1f).
• The banquet under German occupation: On 1 March 1918, an event was held under the German name "Einweihungs-Fest" (housewarming celebration) on the occasion of the move to a new apartment at 10 Paulucci Street (O26-1f). The German city commander, Hoppf, gave his consent and even sent a written greeting (O26-1f). The event was considered a tremendous success, and 36,470.25 Ost roubles were raised at it (O26-1f).
• Assistance to Dvinsk: After a major flood in Dvinsk (Daugavpils), in which many Jewish families lost their property, the society immediately sent 60 pairs of boots (O26-1f). Despite claims by two members at the general assembly that the city lay outside the society’s area of activity, the society’s leadership insisted that in a time of distress help must be extended to every Jew regardless of geographic or political affiliation (O26-1f).

The Peak Year 1929 and the Organization’s Development

The year 1929 is regarded as a "peak year" in the society’s activity (O26-1f). In that year, a permanent storeroom was established for equipment for newborn babies from low-income families (O26-1f). The packages included shirts, jackets, diapers, a warm blanket, soap, powder, and more (O26-1f). The women’s committee worked voluntarily to prepare the supplies free of charge (O26-1f). By that time, approximately 2,500 pairs of shoes and about 3,500 different clothing items had been distributed (O26-1f). The society’s budget grew and reached 45,000 lats (O26-1f).

Additional Prominent Individuals

• Dr. A. Berkovitz (of blessed memory): Joined the leadership on 29 May 1921 (O26-1f). He was described as someone who participated in every meeting and every initiative of the society with great energy and experience (O26-1f). After his death in December 1921, it was decided to hang his portrait in the meeting hall, and the board members donated 12,000 roubles in his memory for the distribution of clothing to poor children without any payment on their part (O26-1f).
• B. Zalmanson: Was elected to the leadership and worked with great devotion as secretary of the society for about two years (as of the time the report in the source was written) (O26-1f).

Terms and Explanations

• Malbish Arumim: (literally: clothing the naked) the name of the society, based on the commandment of charitable kindness.
• Recherchen: (from French/German: Recherche) investigations, inspections, or in-depth inquiries regarding the economic condition of the applicants.
• Generalfarzamlung: (German/Yiddish) general assembly of the members of the organization.
• Shukhvarg: (German/Yiddish) footwear/shoes.
• Ost rouble (Ost Ruble): currency issued by Germany for use in the occupied territories of Eastern Europe during the First World War.
• Lat (Lat): the official currency of independent Latvia.
• Oysshteyer: (German/Yiddish) usually a dowry, but here meaning initial and essential supplies for a newborn baby.
• Frakht-vaganes: (German/Yiddish) freight wagons.
• Rezervisten: (German/Yiddish) reserve soldiers.

Historiographical note: The source states with regret that the society register from the early years was lost, and therefore the information on this period is based on memories and partial records (O26-1f).

List of Sources

• O26-1f : Historical overview and activity reports of the "Malbish Arumim" society in Riga between 1915-1930, including details of office holders, relief activities, and fundraising events.

O26-1f

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