Gilda Reiss (1880 – 1959)

Gilda’s High School Portrait

Gilda Reiss was born on October 3, 1880 in Newark, New Jersey. She married Oscar Pollak, and they had two sons, Mervin and Stanley. The family moved from Newark to Jamaica, Queens, New York, around 1922, coinciding with the 4th anniversary of the founding of Temple Israel of Jamaica, where Gilda became a lifelong member.

Gilda was actively involved in the Temple Israel of Jamaica Sisterhood from 1933 to 1936, holding various leadership roles such as Booth Chairman, aide for the Sisterhood card party, committee member, and trustee. Her commitment to her community was evident through her many contributions to the temple’s activities and events.

In 1930, the Pollaks owned a home in Jamaica, Queens, where Oscar worked as a self-employed jeweler. By 1940, they were renting an apartment on Merrick Road, and Oscar worked as a retail jewelry store manager. In 1950, they lived with their son Stanley and his family, with Oscar working as a salesman in a jewelry store and Stanley as an accountant.

1880 New Jersey Births

Gilda was born to Nathan Reiss and Carrie Schwerin on October 3rd, 1880 in Newark, New Jersey.1

1885 New Jersey State Census

In 1885, five-year-old Gilda lived with her parents, Nathan and Carrie (spelled Carry) Reiss, and her siblings, Louis, Jacob, Henry, and Bella. The older brothers were all between the ages of 5 and 20, and the youngest, Bella, was below 5. Name listed: Gilda Reiss2

1895 New Jersey State Census

In 1895, Gilda lived with her parents, Nathan and Carrie Reiss, and her siblings, Louis, Jacob, Henry, Bella, Sydney, and Tessie, and a boarder, Jas. McConnick. Nathan, Carrie, Louis, and Jacob were between the ages of 20 and 60, Gilda, Bella, and Sydney were between 5 and 20, Tessie was under 5, and Jas. was between 5 and 20. They lived in Newark City, New Jersey. Name listed: Gilda Reiss3

1900 United States Federal Census

In 1900, Gilda, 19 (born October 1880), lived with her parents, Nathan, 53 (born June 1846), and Carrie Reiss, 48 (born February 1851), and her siblings, Louis, 27 (born March 1873), Henry, 21 (born July 1878), Bella, 17 (born May 1883), Sidney, 13 (born April 1887), and Thresa, 10 (born January 1890) in a rented house at 334 South 10th Street, Newark, New Jersey. Louis was an artist, Henry was a butcher, and Gilda was a bookkeeper. Sidney and Thresa were in school. Nathan and Carrie were born in Germany, everybody else was born in New Jersey and could read, write, and speak English. Name listed: Gilda Reiss4

332-334 South 10th Street, Newark, New Jersey

The image above shows the location of 334 South 10th Street, Newark, New Jersey. However, the current building, which consists of 332-334 South 10th Street, was built in 2006.5

1905 Marriage to Oscar Pollak

Engagement Announcements

On January 9, 1905, the Waterbury Democrat in Oscar’s hometown in Connecticut posted an announcement that Miss Gilda Reiss, of Newark, New Jersey, was engaged to Arthur Pollak, Oscar’s younger brother. A correction was made the next day.6 They were married later that year.7

1905 New Jersey State Census

In 1905, Gilda, 25, lived with her husband, Oscar Pollak (misspelled Pollack), 30, her brother, Jacob Reiss, 35, and his family including wife, Luella, 32, and his children, Harold, 5 and Muriel, 3. They also had a live-in servant, Helen Kneher, 15. They rented a house at 138 South 8th Street, Newark, New Jersey. Everybody was born in New Jersey except for Oscar, who was born in Connecticut, and Helen, who was born in Germany. Oscar worked as a salesman, Jacob as an optician, and everybody could read, write, and speak English. Name listed: Gilda Pollak8

Gilda’s brother, Jacob, became a prominent optician in Newark, New Jersey, and even invented his own kind of nose clip for glasses, called the “Reiss Clip.” Some of his items can be found on eBay, including receipts, glasses, and their cases.9

Artifacts from the original J.C. Reiss Optician

Today, JC Reiss is still in business but has a different owner who is not related to the Reiss family.10

1910 United States Federal Census

In 1910, Gilda, 29, lived with her husband, Oscar N. Pollak, 34, and her son, Mervin (listed Milvin), 2, in a rented apartment at 549 Central Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. Gilda and Mervin were born in New Jersey and Oscar in Connecticut. Gilda’s parents were from Germany, and Oscar’s were from Austria. Oscar was a salesman in a jewelry store. Oscar and Gilda could read, write, and speak English. Gilda and Oscar had been married for four years, and they had one child together. At the end of the block lived Gilda’s parents, Nathan and Carrie Schwerin Reiss, and four of her siblings. Name listed: Gilda Pollak11

549 Central Avenue, Newark, New Jersey

Entrance of 549 Central Ave., Apt. 2, Photo credit: realtor.com

There is no publicly available information about the construction of this building, but a photo of the second-floor apartment on realtor.com reveals that the entrance is in the back.12

1915 New Jersey State Census

In 1915, Gilda, 32 (born October 1882), lived at 29 Farley Avenue in Newark, New Jersey, with her husband, Oscar N. Pollak, 37 (born August 1877), and their two sons, Mervin (listed Milton), 8 (born October 1907), and Stanley (listed Stanley John), 5 (born June 1911). Also residing with the family was Elizabeth Leonard, 16 (born June 1899), who worked as a servant.

Oscar, a jeweler, was born in Connecticut to parents from Austria. Gilda was born in New Jersey, to parents from Germany. The children were born in New Jersey, though their parents were incorrectly listed as being from Austria and Germany. Mervin attended Avon Elementary, a public school. Everyone in the household could read, write, and speak English. Name listed: Gilda Pollak13

29 Farley Avenue, Newark, New Jersey

29 Farley Avenue was built in 1905 and is now a multifamily home containing 3-4 bedroom apartments.14

The Hollanders and the Pollaks

Left to right, Adults: Jacob Hollander, Belle Reiss Hollander, Gilda Reiss Pollak, Oscar Pollak; Children: Howard Hollander, Stanley Pollak, Mervin Pollak

1920 United States Federal Census

In 1920, Gilda, 38, and Oscar Pollak, 43, lived with their sons, Mervin, 12, and Stanley, 9. They rented a home at 2 Farley Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. Oscar was a self-employed storekeeper at a jewelry store. Gilda and the children were born in New Jersey, and Oscar was born in Connecticut. Gilda’s parents were born in Germany, and Oscar’s were born in Austria. Everybody in the household could read and write, and Mervin and Stanley were in school. Name listed: Gilda Pollak15

2 Farley Avenue, Newark, New Jersey

2-4 Farley Avenue, Newark, New Jersey was built in 1907 as a multi-family home.16

1922 Relocation to Jamaica, Queens, and Joining Temple Israel of Jamaica

Temple Israel of Jamaica

In late November 1922, Gilda and Oscar, along with Gilda’s sister Belle and her husband Jacob Hollander, attended the 4th anniversary of the founding of Temple Israel of Jamaica in Jamaica, NY. This event was likely around when Oscar and Gilda moved from Newark to Jamaica, Queens.17

1924 New York Voter List

In 1924, Gilda Pollak of 18 Hillcrest Avenue, Queens, New York, was registered to vote.18 She had gained the right to vote just four years earlier with the passage of the 19th Amendment.19

18 Hillcrest Avenue, Queens, New York

The current house at 18 Hillcrest Avenue was built in 1925. Gilda probably lived in the previous structure and moved before it was built.20

1930 United States Census

In 1930, Gilda, 48, and her husband, Oscar Pollak, 54, lived with their sons, Mervin, 22, and Stanley, 19, at their home on 18 167th Street, Jamaica, Queens, New York. Their house was valued at $25,000. Oscar was a self-employed jeweler, while Mervin and Stanley were still attending school. Oscar was born in Connecticut, and the rest of the family was born in New Jersey. Oscar’s parents were born in Austria, but there was an error in the records listing Gilda’s parents, who were actually born in Germany, as having been born in Connecticut and New Jersey. Everyone in the household could read and write English, and they owned a radio. They lived next door to Gilda’s sister, Belle, and her family. Name listed: Gilda Pollak21

108-18 167th Street, Jamaica, Queens, New York

The house currently at 108-18 167th Street in Jamaica was built in 1945.22

1933-1936 Temple Israel of Jamaica Sisterhood

Gilda was a lifelong member of the Temple Israel of Jamaica, joining when she moved to New York. From 1933 to 1936, she actively participated in the Temple Israel of Jamaica Sisterhood. In 1933, she served as the Booth Chairman at their annual bazaar. The following year, she assisted with the Sisterhood card party. In 1935, she became a committee member, overseeing the 16th-anniversary luncheon and co-chairing a congregational Seder supper. In 1936, she was appointed a trustee of the group.23

The National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, established in 1913, brought together women’s groups in synagogues nationwide to enhance the role of women in Reform Judaism. During the era of women’s suffrage and temperance, the group was actively involved in women’s emancipation. Gilda was an active member when the organization appointed its first full-time executive director, Jane Evans, who advocated for religious pacifism and encouraged women to voice their opinions publicly.24

1940 United States Census

In 1940, Gilda, 58, lived with her husband, Oscar N. Pollak, 63, in a rented apartment at 88-24 Merrick Road, Jamaica, Queens, New York, paying $59 per month. The apartment was located at the northwest corner of Merrick Road and 89th Avenue. Oscar was born in Connecticut, and Gilda was born in New Jersey. Both had completed school through the 8th grade. They had been living in this apartment since 1935. Oscar worked 52 hours per week as a manager of a retail jewelry store, earning $2,600 the previous year. Name listed: Gilda Pollak25

88-24 Merrick Road, Jamaica, Queens, New York

1950 United States Census

In 1950, Gilda, 68, lived with her husband, Oscar N. Pollak, 75, their son Stanley I., 39, his wife Berenice Newmeyer Pollak, 38, and their children Gail C., 9, and Jeffrey D., 3. They resided at 176-37 80th Drive, Jamaica, Queens, New York. Gilda and Stanley were born in New Jersey, Berenice in Pennsylvania, Gail and Jeffrey in New York, and Oscar in Connecticut.

Oscar worked 40 hours a week as a salesman at a retail credit jewelry store, while Stanley worked 48 hours a week as a self-employed accountant. Oscar had lived in the same house the previous year, and he attended school until the 7th grade. The previous year, he worked 52 weeks and earned $3,600. The household’s total income was $13,600. Oscar had never served in the United States military. Name listed: Gilda Pollak26

176-37 80th Drive, Jamaica, Queens, New York

176-37 80th Drive, Jamaica, New York was built and designed by Gilda’s son, Stanley Pollak, in 1940, although it has been through remodeling since he sold the residence in the late 1970s.27

Death of Gilda Reiss Pollak, October 3, 1959

Gilda passed away on October 3, 1959, at the age of 78 in Jamaica, Queens,28 New York. Her obituary was published in the New York Times. She was laid to rest at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Glendale, Queens, New York.29

Obituaries printed in the New York Times30

Transcript:
POLLAK-Gilda Reiss, beloved wife of Oscar, devoted mother of Mervin and Stanley, grandmother of Gail, Julia, William and Jeffrey. Services Monday, 1:45 P.M., at Schwartz Brothers "Forest Park Chapel," Queens Boulevard and 76th Road, Forest Hills.
POLLAK-Gilda, Temple Israel of Jamaica regrets passing of its devoted and failful member.
   SIDNEY G. ROSENBERG, President.

Gilda’s life was marked by her dedication to her family and her active participation in her religious community. She was laid to rest with her husband at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Glendale, Queens, New York.

Sources

  1. “New Jersey, Births and Christenings Index, 1660-1931,” entry for Reiss, 3 October 1880, database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 October 2021). ↩︎
  2. 1885 New Jersey Census, Essex County, population schedule, Newark, Ward 6, p. 227, dwelling 652, family 1099, Gilda Reiss, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021), citing New Jersey State Archive, Trenton, NJ, microfilm 13. ↩︎
  3. 1895 New Jersey Census, Essex County, population schedule, Newark City, p. 119, dwelling 374, family 555, line 3550, Gilda Reiss, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021), citing New Jersey Department of State, New Jersey State Archive, Trenton, NJ. ↩︎
  4. 1900 U.S. Census, Essex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newark City, ward 6, enumeration district (ED) 60, p. 19 (stamped), p. 6B (penned), dwelling 69, family 110, Gilda Reiss, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 964. ↩︎
  5. “332-334 S 10th St, Newark, NJ 07103,” Zillow (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/332-334-S-10th-St-Newark-NJ-07103/38699104_zpid/ : accessed 27 February 2021). ↩︎
  6. “City News,” The Waterbury Democrat, Waterbury, CT, 9 January 1905, p. 10, col. 3, image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-waterbury-democrat/149307954/ : accessed 14 June 2024), clip page by user genistory; “City News,” The Waterbury Democrat, Waterbury, CT, 10 January 1905, p. 1, col. 5, image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-waterbury-democrat/149307879/ : accessed 14 June 2024), clip page by user genistory. ↩︎
  7. “New Jersey Marriage index, 1901-1914,” entry for Gilda Reiss and Oscar Pollak, 1905, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 August 2021), citing New Jersey State Archive, Bride Index 1904-1909, reel 7. ↩︎
  8. 1905 New Jersey Census, Essex County, population schedule, Newark, ward 6, p. 12A, dwelling 141, family 255, Gilda Pollack, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 August 2021), citing New Jersey State Archive, Trenton, NJ. ↩︎
  9. “1910 J.C. Reiss Optician receipt Newark, NJ signed by J.C. Reiss,” eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/314984790263?itmmeta=01J09RN5T7H7FA648DQKQB4YWW&hash=item49568e78f7:g:Ud8AAOSwMdNf4gqW&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4KnZPt20rrtdp3w9nfkIluqwhRpAiHaf92IUnGHw%2F3ci3Oyskwcy83W14zs0lXodSPhZfCYO5we8XFFvNPB7pxXKVFe4obr1gL01BOzdh9kb6W918m%2BcDKvGwWWqMtVh3g%2F81%2BjK1hBmFOZA3GMXSqBiBQ8Tx2L78fpEnVBFsec0rlP8VSbhBRWOso9O8trePpMtbDG0fgkQofYgNAwD1WLTItBJiRjRRGRl%2FDGKcaZupyuQL17ymWWAvOGDg31LYjiGqVgVC90RBj8XW%2FNVS9j2ivec4VYpdMAIErsgNA3C%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5zd1LiCZA : accessed 13 June 2024); “Search results: jc reiss,” eBay (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=jc%20reiss&ssPageName=GSTL : 13 June 2024). ↩︎
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  11. 1910 U.S. Census, Essex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newark, ward 11, enumeration district (ED) 97, p. 217 (stamped), 90A (inked), dwelling 162, family 215, Gilda Pollak, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T624, microfilm 954, roll 880. ↩︎
  12. “549 Central Ave Unit 2, Jersey City, NJ 07307,” realtor.com (https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/549-Central-Ave-2_Jersey-City_NJ_07307_M94211-15504 : accessed 13 June 2024). ↩︎
  13. 1915 New Jersey Census, Essex County, population schedule, Newark, ward 16, enumeration district (ED) 4, p. 3A, dwelling 29, family 62, Oscar N. Pollak, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 June 2021), citing New Jersey State Archive, Trenton, NJ, publication L-05, microfilm 23. ↩︎
  14. “29 Farley Ave,, Newark, NJ 07108,” realtor.com (https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/29-Farley-Ave_Newark_NJ_07108_M65578-46267 : accessed 10 June 2024). ↩︎
  15. 1920 U.S. Census, Essex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newark C., district 17, enumeration district (ED) 291, p. 67 (stamped), 3A (penned), dwelling 23, family 51, Gilda Pollak, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 June 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 1038. ↩︎
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  21. 1930 U.S. census, Queens County, New York, population schedule, Jamaica, enumeration district (ED) 41-319, p. 63 (stamped), 6A (penned), dwelling 73, family 87, Gilda Pollak, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 June 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 1597, microfilm 127.0. ↩︎
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  25. 1940 U.S. Census, Queens County, New York, population schedule, Queens Borough, enumeration district (ED) 41-1161, p. 61A, household 58, Gilda Pollak, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 August 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 2742. ↩︎
  26. 1950 U.S. Census, Queens County, New York, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 41-1455, p. 6, dwelling 52, Gilda Pollak, image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 June 2024); citing NARA publication P1. ↩︎
  27. “176-37 80th Drive, Jamaica, NY 11432,” Property Shark https://www.propertyshark.com/mason/Property/504018/176-37-80-Dr-Queens-NY-11432/ : accessed 11 June 2024). ↩︎
  28. “New York, New York, Death Index, 1949-1965,” entry for Gilda Pollak, died 3 October 1959, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 July 2024). ↩︎
  29. Find a Grave, database, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/99254491/gilda-pollak : accessed July 11, 2024), memorial page for Gilda Pollak (unknown–3 Oct 1959), Find a Grave Memorial ID 99254491, citing Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Glendale, Queens County, New York, USA; Maintained by Athanatos (contributor 46907585). ↩︎
  30. “Historical Newspapers, Birth, Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003,” The New York Times, undated, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 July 2024). ↩︎

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