Noah Benevolent Society, 1849-1980

Noah Benevolent Society (1849-1980)

Seven German Jewish immigrants who wished to provide a forum for mutual assistance and social support founded the Noah Benevolent Society in New York on January 7, 1849. Electing to name the lodge after a representative of American Judaism, they chose Judge Mordecai M. Noah for his "fervent patriotism" and "deep religious feeling," and elected Judge Noah as an honorary member. The lodge sought to provide "mutual relief of its members in sickness, destitution or distress, their interment in a suitable burying ground, the relief of their widows and orphans, and other like benevolent purposes." It quickly grew in membership, and joined the Independent Order Free Sons of Israel that organized in March 1849. In December of that year, Noah Lodge purchased a large plot (Section 1) in Cypress Hills cemetery. Additional grave plots were later purchased in Mt. Hope Cemetery (1883), Cypress cemetery, Section 14 (1912), Mount Pleasant Cemetery (1927), and Beth Israel Cemetery in New Jersey (1947). Noah Lodge No. 1 broke away from Free Sons of Israel over a disagreement over insurance plans in 1870, and chartered its own organization titled the Noah Benevolent Widows' and Orphans' Association. The name of the Association changed to the Noah Benevolent Society in 1916, and also in 1916, the official language for Noah switched from German to English. Please note that the Membership minutes are written in German until 1907, and the Trustee minutes are written in German until 1912.

Noah Benevolent Society stayed true to its mission to help its members and other Jews in need. In 1916, the Herman Brand (a popular Noah President) Welfare Fund Committee was formed to assist impoverished members. In the 1930s, Noah was involved in educating refugees. Through its Committee for Refugees (1939-1941) it created a refugee school and offered special social events. Among the charitable funds Noah contributed include helping Jews in Morocco (1860), Jerusalem (1863), Jewish Federation of Charities (beginning in 1937) and the United Jewish Appeal (beginning in 1939). Noah also annually disbursed small donations to various Jewish charities. In 1963, Noah elected a sponsor charity, and chose the Association for the Advancement of Blind Children.

Having served as a security and close community for its members for 131 years, Noah disbanded in 1980. Unable to financially stay afloat due to a lack of new membership, deaths of its elderly members, and increasing Life Members (members who had been in the Society over 50 years and were not required to pay dues) it was forced to liquidate its assets.

References

Compiled from the records of the Noah Benevolent Society, Ref. #I-186.

From the guide to the Noah Benevolent Society Records, undated, 1852-1979, (American Jewish Historical Society)