Charity: Tradition and status

Charity: Tradition and status

For the Munk family, as for many Jews, tzedakah, or charity, was a moral obligation. It was also a prerequisite for social status. Wealthier family members, including Gabor and Miklos Munk, gave generously to local Jewish organizations. Others served in charitable organizations. Mrs. Armin Schönberger (née Juliska Munk) was Deputy Chair of the Israelite Women’s Association in Oradea and founded a charity called “Fészek” (nest). Noémi Munkácsi was vice president of the Israelite Women’s Association in Nagykanizsa. Gabor Munk was honorary superintendent of the Pest Jewish hospital.

This photo of the Chevra Kadisha of Pest, the Jewish burial society, includes Gábor Munk (far left, front row), Dohány Street Synagogue Rabbi Zsigmond Groszmann (third from left, front row), and other community leaders.