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Krakauer-Yampoler Beneficial Society Records

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Held at: Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

The Krakauer-Yampoler Beneficial Society is the merged organization of two Jewish beneficial associations: the Krakauer Beneficial Society and the Yampoler Beneficial Association. The Krakauer Beneficial Society was founded in 1876 by a group of Jewish immigrants from Krakow, Poland. Some of the members were also instrumental in establishing the Beth Elohim Synagogue at 510 South 5th Street. In 1882, they officially incorporated as the Krakauer Beth Elohim Beneficial Society. A Ladies Auxiliary was formed in 1931. In 1947, the society changed its name to the Krakauer Beneficial Society. The society participated in Jewish sports leagues, donated to charitable organizations, sponsored social events and activities, and opened a credit union for members. Over the years, they owned plots at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Roosevelt Memorial Park, and Mount Sharon Cemetery. In 1997, the Society merged with the Yampoler Beneficial Association, a similar organization founded in 1925 by immigrants from Yampol, Ukraine. The merged organization was renamed the Krakauer-Yampoler Beneficial Society.

This collection contains the records of the Krakauer Beneficial Society and the Yampoler Beneficial Association, as well as records of the merged organization. Materials include meeting minutes, financial ledgers, membership logs, and some correspondence.

The collection is arranged into 3 series as follows:

Series 1: Krakauer Beneficial Society, 1881-1997, undated
Series 2: Yampoler Beneficial Association, circa 1921-1992, undated
Series 3: Krakauer-Yampoler Beneficial Society, 1997-2017

Additions to this collection are expected. For information on material that may have been added since the last finding aid update, please contact the Special Collections Research Center.

Collection donated by the Krakauer-Yampoler Beneficial Society in 1984, 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2002. Some materials placed on permanent deposit by the Krakauer Beneficial Society in 1990. Collection previously administered by the Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center, acquired by Temple in June 2009.

Collection processed and finding aid prepared in August 2015 by Jenna Marrone, Special Collections Research Center.

Publisher
Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center
Finding Aid Author
Machine-readable finding aid created by: Rajkumar Natarajan, Sky Global Services India (P) Ltd.
Finding Aid Date
June 2024
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

The Krakauer-Yampoler Beneficial Society Records are the physical property of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.

Collection Inventory

Scope and Contents

Series 1: Krakauer Beneficial Society, 1881-1997, undated, contains the society's meeting minutes and membership logs, as well as some correspondence, newsletters, and printed materials from events and anniversary celebrations. Until 1947, the society was called the Krakauer Beth Elohim Beneficial Society. Please note that meeting minutes kept prior to 1905 are written in German. Materials are arranged alphabetically by type of material, and then chronologically.

Amendment regarding name change, 1947.
Box 1 Folder 1
Anniversary celebrations: invitations, programs, and planning materials, 1916, 1966-1985.
Box 1 Folder 2
By-laws and membership directories, 1949-1981.
Box 1 Folder 3
Charter, 1882.
Map Folder M1d
Physical Description

(copies)

Correspondence, general, 1907-1926.
Box 1 Folder 4
Correspondence regarding charitable donations, 1991-1992.
Box 1 Folder 5
Flier, membership event, 1955.
Box 1 Folder 6
General ledger, 1979-1985.
Box 1 Folder 7
Health examination results, 1888.
Box 1 Folder 8
Initiation ledger, 1881-1908.
Box 1 Folder 9
"Krakauer News" newsletter, 1952-1960.
Box 1 Folder 10
"Krakauer Menorah" newsletter, 1995-1997.
Box 1 Folder 11
"Krakauer News" newsletter, 1982, 1984-1995.
Box 1 Folder 12
Ladies Auxiliary anniversary speech and invitation, 1980s.
Box 1 Folder 13
Ladies Auxiliary meeting minutes, 1932-1938.
Box 1 Folder 14
Lists of members, leadership, and foundations, undated.
Box 1 Folder 15
Meeting minutes, 1895-1902.
Box 1 Folder 16
Meeting minutes, 1905-1907.
Box 1 Folder 17
Meeting minutes, 1917-1918.
Box 1 Folder 18
Meeting minutes, 1919-1927.
Box 1 Folder 19
Meeting minutes, 1926-1935.
Box 1 Folder 20
Meeting minutes, 1935-1943.
Box 2 Folder 1
Meeting minutes, 1943-1948.
Box 2 Folder 2
Meeting minutes, 1949-1956.
Box 2 Folder 3
Meeting minutes, 1956-1964.
Box 2 Folder 4
Meeting minutes, 1964-1971.
Box 2 Folder 5
Meeting minutes, 1971-1980.
Box 2 Folder 6
Membership book, 1888-1907.
Box 2 Folder 7
Membership book, 1907-1917.
Box 2 Folder 8
"Menorah" newsletter, 1939-1940.
Box 2 Folder 9
Tombstone deposits, 1946-1947.
Box 2 Folder 10
Resolution regarding World War I, 1917.
Box 2 Folder 11
News clippings, 1897, 1976.
Box 2 Folder 12
Physical Description

(copies)

Secretary's reports, 1914-1917.
Box 2 Folder 13
Treasurer's ledger book, 1949-1958.
Box 2 Folder 14

Scope and Contents

Series 2: Yampoler Beneficial Association, circa 1921-1992, undated, contains the association's meeting minutes, financial ledgers, membership logs, and some general correspondence. This series also contains the constitution of the Zwenigorodker Beneficial Association, a related beneficial organization. Please note that the early meeting minutes are in Yiddish. Materials are arranged alphabetically by type of material, and then chronologically.

Bylaws, circa 1925.
Box 2 Folder 15
Charter, 1925.
Map Folder M1d
Correspondence, general, 1961-1978.
Box 2 Folder 16
Financial ledger, 1958-1962.
Box 2 Folder 17
Financial ledger, 1963-1966.
Box 2 Folder 18
Financial ledger, 1974-1980.
Box 3 Folder 1
Financial statements, 1967-1992.
Box 3 Folder 2
Meeting minutes, 1925-1934.
Box 3 Folder 3
Meeting minutes, 1935-1949.
Box 3 Folder 4
Meeting minutes, 1958-1961.
Box 3 Folder 5
Meeting minutes, 1961-1968.
Box 3 Folder 6
Meeting minutes, 1962-1963.
Box 3 Folder 7
Meeting minutes, 1964-1975.
Box 3 Folder 8
Meeting minutes, 1969-1976.
Box 3 Folder 9
Membership ledger, 1925-1956.
Box 3 Folder 10
Membership ledger, 1958-1983.
Box 3 Folder 11-13
Memorial service script, undated.
Box 3 Folder 14
Zwenigorodker Beneficial Association constitution, circa 1921.
Box 3 Folder 15

Scope and Contents

Series 3: Krakauer-Yampoler Beneficial Society, 1997-2015, contains newsletters, annual banquet invitations, and the constitution and bylaws of the merged society. The series is organized alphabetically by type of material, and then chronologically.

Annual Banquet invitations, 2013-2016.
Box 3 Folder 16
Constitution and bylaws, 1997.
Box 3 Folder 17
"Menorah News" newsletter, 1997-2010.
Box 3 Folder 18
"Menorah News" newsletter, 2011-2015.
Box 3 Folder 19
"Menorah News" newsletter, 2016-.
Box 3 Folder 20

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