History
Greeks first came to America in the late 1800s. They formed local associations, based on their native locals. As the Greek American community grew, 19 representatives from different associations joined together with the intention of building a parent body for the local associations. (Federation’s History)80.
(Photo courtesy of Hellenic Society of Greater New York)
On November 22, 1937, in the Assembly Hall of the Cretan Hall the representatives made the official decision to create the Hellenic Society of Greater New York to represent New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. By August 12, 1938 the Division of Corporations of the State of New York declared the Federation of Hellenic Societies a Non-Profit organization, exempt from taxation by the Internal Revenue Service.
The first By-Laws of the federation were approved by representatives of societies from: Athenian, Aetolo-Acarnanon, Andros, Vryseon-Anavritis, Northern Epirotan ,Aevoees, Thessalian, Icarian, Carystian, Kastorian, Cephalonian, Corinthian, Cretan, Cytherian, Laceademonian, Messinian, Naupactian, Piraean and Chion associations. (Federation’s History)80.
(Photo courtesy of Hellenic Society)
The Federation’s charter states their goal as follows:
“To uphold the ethnic ideals of our country, America, and those of our birth land Greece .To support the patriotic, philanthropic and humane pursuits of the American and Greek peoples, as well as the interests of the Societies which constitute the Federation each one accepted as a whole.The moral and as far as possible financial support to the new Hellenic-American generation, by the grant of this Organization of scholarship awards in money or other moral recognition to pupils and students of the regular and higher education.The establishment (founding) in New York of a Greek Home, to serve as the center of non racial culture together with the other local Hellenic-American Organizations.Members of the FederationAny local, legally recognized, Greek Society, Association or Fraternity, having its principal office in New York or the environs, may become a regular member of the Federation on the approval of its application by the majority of the Societies which comprise the Federation in General Assembly.” (Hellenic Society Website).
(Federation’s History)80
Supporting Greek Interests
One example of the Federation’s display of Greek interest was in organizing the protests based on the Macedonia naming dispute in 1992 in Washington DC. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Macedonia gained independence, and wished to be identified as the Republic of Macedonia. However, Greek people were offended by the name, because Macedonia refers to Northern Greece, and is a unique culture, that the Republic of Macedonia isn’t part of. Unwilling to accept a name stolen from their culture, Greeks (many who identify as Macedonian, but not from Macedonia) refer to the current Republic of Macedonia as FYROM ( or Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia) (Federation’s History)80.
“Macedonia overview” by Future Perfect at Sunrise – Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.
The Hellenic Society staged a massive protest in 1992 to match those going on throughout the world (below pictured an Australian Protest), and over 75,000 people showed up.
“Macedonian Greek-Australians rally in Melbourne, people with flags and signs” por George Papadopoulos from Melbourne, Australia – Uploaded to Flickr as untitled. Licenced by CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
In 1994, another demonstration was staged, where over 10,000 people showed up, protesting against the illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus by Turkey (Federation’s History)80.
What The Hellenic Society Does Today
The Greek Independence Day Parade is one more big event, sponsored yearly by the Hellenic Federation.
(Photo Courtesy of Greek Reporter)
Below a video of the Greek Independence Day Parade compiled by Youtube user Jose Stephen
Today, the Federation of Hellenic Societies, serves as an umbrella organization for the various local associations, serving the interests of the Greek-Americans in the greater New York area.
The Building
When I walked into the Federation’s building, I saw in the entrance hall, pictures representing Greek culture, along with Greek and American flags, representing the duality that the federation represents.
(Photo Courtesy of Rebekah Lopatto)
(Photo Courtesy of Rebekah Lopatto)
Inside the buildings main room, there is a town hall type set up, where the members can sit and discuss issues and events.
Along the wall are pictures of heroes from the Greek Revolution, representing a pride in heritage, and an upkeep of Greek history in America.
(Photo Courtesy of Rebekah Lopatto)
(Photo Courtesy of Rebekah Lopatto)
–Yigal Saperstein
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