1836-1922
Theresa Grotta was a Bohemian Jewish immigrant who worked tirelessly on behalf of needy families in Newark. She was president of Hebrew Ladies Immediate Relief Society and other relief societies.
Theresa was a member of the National Council for Jewish Women, first president of the Newark Council for Jewish Women. In 1893 she represented Newark’s Jewish Women at the Congress of Religious in Chicago. She was also a member of the Hebrew Ladies Sewing Society.
For her 80th birthday (March 1916) her friends founded Theresa Grotta Aid for Convalescent’s which developed into the Grotta Fund for Senior Care.
Theresa was born Theresa Swartz or Shwartz in Bohemia. Theresa and her husband appear on the 1860 census in Baraboo, Wisconsin with 3 children and what appear to be Theresa’s mother and brother. By 1870, they’ve moved to Newark with Theresa’s mother and now have 8 children, a 9th would be born in 1875. In 1880 they are listed at 375 Washington St.
Bibliography
Baker, Mariana Narrative for tableaux; Newark Women of the Century.
Rechcigl, Minoslav. Notable American Women with Czechoslovak Roots
“Mrs. Grotta Dies Thousands Mourn” Jewish Chronicle Jan 27, 1922
“Theresa Grotta” Jewish Chronicle Jan 27, 1922
G-30 Grotta, Teresa, Newark News Morgue, Newark Public Library
“Mrs. Therese Grotta” Newark Evening Star, Nov 6, 1914
“Women Active in Philanthropy Are Summoned by Death’s Call” Newark News Jan 20, 1922
Census records