Lazar and Minnie Dithy Perskie immigrated to the US in 1882, along with their son Jacob, and three daughters, Yochaved, Fanny, and Sadie after experiencing anti-Semitic persecution in what was then their home, Volozhin, the Russian Jewish Pale of Settlement. Here Jews were not permitted to own and farm land. With the assistance of the Alliance Israelite Universalle they were able to come to this country, along with forty-three other families from similar backgrounds, all sharing the philosophy of the Am Olam Movement. These pioneers founded the first Jewish agricultural colony in the United States in Alliance/Norma/Brotmanville, NJ. Lazar's and Minnie's younger son, Joseph B. Perskie, was their only child born in the United States, in 1885, on the farm in Alliance.
The Am Olam movement was a response to the stereotype of the Jew as an "urban parasite," and its constituents had vowed to prove to the world that they could be hardworking, land-tilling producers. "Our motto is labor in the fields," an Am Olam member explained, "and our goal is the physical and spiritual rejuvenation of our people. In free America, we Jews shall find a corner in which to rest our heads. We shall prove to the world that we are qualified for physical labor."
The agricultural colony still exists today in Norma, NJ, along with the original synagogue, buildings, a museum and cemetery, filled with tombstones "of those who toiled and sacrificed their lives in exchange for freedom which they found in the new world." (Jacob Perskie). The descendants of the original pioneers have become prominent citizens - physicians, lawyers, judges, elected officials, rabbis, artists, photographers, writers, manufacturers, teachers, businessmen and women who contribute much to our society.
We take great pride in our rich heritage and respect and admire the hardships our ancestors experienced to forge a better life for us all.
The First Settlers of Alliance, NJ, who arrived in 1882: Eli & Ethel Abramowitz, Eli & Feigeh Bakerman, Moses & Ethel Bayuk, Abraham & Channah Leah Berman, William & Beckie Cohen, Hersh & Jennie Coltun, Joseph & Rachel Diamond, Jacob & Rebecca Ecoff, Chaim & Bessie Goldman, Nissan & Molka Greenspan, Abraham & Duba Grutsky, Simcha & Sarah Helig, Joseph & Yenta Kleinfield, William & Lizzie Kolman, Zurach & Esther Konowitz, Hersh & Rivka Kutzibow, Isaac & Golda Krassenstein, Labe & Bayla Kuden, Simcha & Pearl Luborsky, Israel Hersh & Esther Levin, Leapa & Toba Levinsky, Berel & Leah Levinson, Labe & Toba Riva Levinson, Henry & Rose Levy, Sholom & Pearl Luberoff, Chaim & Sarah Mennies, Labe & Rachel Moyd, Israel & Feigeh Opachinsky, Lazar & Mindel Perskie, Jacob & Golda Rosenberg, Yonah & Anna Rosenfeld, Jacob & Anna Rosinsky, Joseph & Feigeh Rothman, Joseph & Deborah Rudnick, Solomon & Frima Salonsky, Moshe & Ruchel Serebrenick, Chaim Hersh & Sima Liba Silberstein, Hersh & Rose Silberman, Lazar & Bessie Staver, Eli & Riva Gitel Stavitsky, Moses & Bayla Strasnik, Pesi & Brucha Tolchinsky, Naphtula & Deborah Yosep, Joseph & Rose Zager.
This is a research work in progress. Any information would be appreciated. I am also willing to share the information that I have.
*** I would like to acknowledge the work of Lawrence M. Perskie (01/09/1926 - 10/2005) who did much of the original research and compilation for this family tree. Also, thank you to David B. Perskie, who is responsible for many valuable updates...and to my sister, Merle Perskie, for her research assistance and support on this project.
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- The Rovines at family celebration - early 1950s. (820 KB)
Clockwise from left: Hyman Backman, Rose Rovine Backman, Al Rovine, Rose Sagorsky Rovine, Ben Grossman, Helen Rovine Grossman, Pearl Backman Promislo, Charles Promislo, Abe Brodsky, Sarah Rovine Brodsky, Herman Brodsky, Kitty Rovine Brodsky, George Rovine, Rosanna Lipsitz Rovine, Reba (Becky) Rovine. - Page 1 of the text of Lazar Perskie's Will. (2605 KB)
Page 1 of the text of Lazar Perskie's (Laser Persky's) last will and testament. - Pg. 2- Lazar Perskie's Last Will (2381 KB)
Page 2 of the text of Lazar Perskie's (Laser Persky's) last will and testament. - Jacob H. Perskie (8 KB)
Jacob H. Perskie, eldest son of Minnie & Lazar Perskie, (07/25/1865 - 06/26/1941). - Lena Abramowitz Perskie (18 KB)
Lena Abramowitz Perskie, (06/22/1875 - 01/22/1921) wife of Jacob H. Perskie & mother of thirteen. - Yocheved Perskie Rovine & Family. (51 KB)
Yocheved Perskie Rovine with husband Aaron and children Rose & William, 1886. - Joseph B. Perskie (39 KB)
Joseph B. Perskie, (07/20/1885 - 05/29/1957). - Arron Rovine (472 KB)
Aaron Rovine, 1860 - 1935; husband of Yocheved Perskie. - Joseph B. Perskie & Wife Beatrice M. Perskie (25 KB)
Joseph B. Perskie & Beatrice Masliansky Perskie, 1948. - Telegram from FDR upon death of Jacob Perskie (862 KB)
Mrs. J. H. Perskie: I have heard with deep regret of the great sorrow which has come to you in the passing of your devoted husband who was my faithful friend. Please accept for yourself and for all who mourn with you this assurance of heartfelt sympathy. Franklin D. Roosevelt - Jacob Perskie With FDR at White House (37 KB)
Text of newspaper clipping: "Jacob H. Perskie, well-known portrait painter, of Atlantic City, is shown in the executive office of the White House as he presented to President Roosevelt the originals of the portraits used during the presidential campaign." (1932 campaign) "Perskie is the first caller to be photographed with Mr. Roosevelt at the executive desk. - The Rovine Sisters (156 KB)
The Rovine sisters, left to right: Sarah, Rose, Kitty, Reba - Helen is in front. - Jacob H. Perskie, circa 1940 (9 KB)
Oil portrait of Jacob Harrison Perskie, done by Perskie.
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