Jewish Progressive Club Records

The Jewish Progressive Club was established in 1913 by Russian Jews who felt unwelcome at the Standard Club that had been founded by German Jews in 1867. Its organizers set up a holding company with a capitalization of $25,000 to invest in real estate. In 1916, they constructed on Pryor Street a clubhouse which included a hall for dances, a billiard room, and a swimming pool. It was one of the only clubs in America to express its Jewishness openly. The Jewish Progressive Club was less exclusive than the Standard Club, and also more affordable. Since membership dues were a mere three dollars per month, it was quite popular with the "Russian" Jews, who were welcomed as members. In comparison, the Standard Club a fifty dollar initiation fee and annual dues of forty two dollars. By 1924, the Jewish Progressive Club's membership surpassed 500, and the building had to be expanded. Source: Shankman, Arnold. "Atlanta Jewry, 1900-1930." American Jewish Archives Journal. Vol. 25, No. 2 (1973)