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Natives of Zinkov in America

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During the first decade of the 20^th century, after the failure of the first Russian revolution and the outbreak of terrible pogroms against Jews throughout Czarist Russia, many Russian Jews and their families emigrated to America.^[2] Several families of our small town, Zinkov, also left for America. Their example was followed by many young people, who became convinced that there was no hope for them if they remained in Zinkov, as there was no work and it was impossible to earn a living. As for intellectuals, they were not allowed into the upper classes of the Russian gymnaziya. There was a quota for Jewish students; besides, Jews were forbidden to live in many large Russian cities where there were gymnazyas.

This was the state of emigration to America until 1914, when the First World War broke out.

New arrivals in New York often met with their townspeople in the 7^th Street park on the East Side, and exchanged news of their home town, which had come through their families. This, as well as letters, was how our Zinkov natives maintained their links to our town. This continued for a long time, until the first Zinkov immigrants died, and there was need of material help, through a Chesed shel Emes, to help bury the deceased.^[3] It was then that the natives of Zinkov first realized that they needed to establish a Zinkov Society.

Our fellow Zinkov native Morris Buchalter – then very young and energetic – devoted himself, with several other natives of Zinkov, to this important task. It did not take long before

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the organization was established. To this day, it bears the name “Zinkover–Podolier Benevolent Association.” When I came to New York after the First World War, the society had about 120 members. They brought their families over from our home town; thanks to this, the Zinkover Ladies Auxiliary was created. Together, the organizations were busy helping the Jewish institutions: HIAS, the Denver Sanatorium, the Orphanage, Maot Hittin, as well as providing support to needy families.^[4] They held a ball or a theater benefit nearly every year, raising money for the support of community institutions.

Our esteemed friend Harry (Shabse) Zala (seated) Standing behind him, from right to left: Moyshe Grinman, Zala's wife, Borech (Benny) Laskin, and Moyshe Garber

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to build up the Jewish homeland, the State of Israel. It began contributing this aid in the first days of the new state and is continuing to do so up to the present day. The thousands of dollars that the Society collected in the past were sent to the Histadrut and the United Jewish Appeal in America.^[5] Several projects were initiated. Money came from the Society's members, but most contributions were voluntary, from natives of Zinkov, including many who were not members. Our women's organization was also very active in the projects to benefit Israel, and earmarked some of its funds for this purpose.

This is only a short glimpse of the activities of our Zinkov Society.

On March 10, 1956, the Society celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. This occasion marked the start of a campaign to attract young members. The children of members were granted special privileges. The campaign is still ongoing. We hope that this will help us attract new energy, and ensure the Society's existence for many years to come. Below is the list of old and new activists of the Zinkov Society:

Mordkhe Zaltzman	Idel Berger	Yisro'el Roytburd
Naftali Foyerl	Zissi Burd	Moyshe Garber
Yankev Rigard	Zissi Natenzon	Moyshe Grinman
Pini Saliternik	Moyshe Buchalter*	Max Frayfeld
Yeshaya Burdman	Shapse Zala**	Dovid Fuks
Nokhem Druker	Sam Greenberg	Avrom Rapoport
Jack Silverman	Levi Greenberg	Y. Hauptman
L. Bleker	Philip Rozenblat	B. Shiley
Noyekh Shpilerman	Shloyme Nesis	Benny Laskin[6]

Translator's Footnotes:

1. Pages 216 and 218 are blank in the book. Return
2. The first Russian revolution began in 1905. Return
3. Chesed shel emes (“Charity of Truth”) is an organization in many Jewish communities with a mandate to prepare members of the Jewish community for burial according to Orthodox tradition. Return
4. HIAS (the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) was established in 1881. The Denver Sanatorium was founded 1904 by the Jewish Consumptive Relief Society. Maot Hittin is the custom of collecting money to help the local poor cover the cost of Passover supplies. Return
5. The Histadrut is the General Organization of Workers in Israel, which was one of the most powerful institutions in the country before Israel was founded. Return
6. The asterisks in the original list indicate the following:
   *Active participant in the founding of the Society; Chairman for thirty years
   ** Devoted financial secretary for many years. Return

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The monument

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