The Jewish National Workers Alliance, or Farband, was the mutual aid component of the political party Poale Zion. Farband organized cooperative insurance and medical services and Yiddish language adult education for its worker members. Farband was active all over the U. S., primarily in the East. The greatest Twin Cities involvement in the Farband was among children of the first wave of Eastern European immigrants.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In addition to activities for children, the St. Paul JCC undertook programming for the increasing number of seniors at the end of the war. These seniors are part of the Golden Circle Group, which provided a place for older adults to socialize and learn together.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph of members of the Ivria Club standing beneath a pergola at the Como Park Conservatory. Ivria Clubs were social clubs for young people dedicated to promoting Hebrew language and culture. This chapter was sponsored by the Minneapolis Talmud Torah. The idea of binding the "old" that was Hebrew with the "new" that was American--"Ivrit B'Ivrit"-- was introduced by Elijah Arvin. Arvin is on the bottom row, second from the right.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
The Oreckovsky family migrated to the United States from Russia the 1880s. The first-generation pioneers of the family--Joseph and Israel-- undertook the journey to Minnesota across Canada by foot, peddling clothes to rail- and mine-workers as they moved westward. The picture features the second generation, Israel's children, later in life. "Big Joe" Oreckovsky, seated in the middle on the couch, ran the First Street Store, a well-known Duluth department store. He was best known for his support of the Duluth Children's Home, and for hiring newly arrived Russian immigrants, both Jews and gentiles. "Big Joe" is surrounded by his sisters, clock-wise from left; Sarah, Channa, Pearl, Ida and Riva.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of young men and women stand and sit outside of a building at Christmas Lake. Sigma Alpha Mu (also known as "Sammy") fraternity was founded at City College in New York in 1909. Originally a Jewish fraternity, it remained so until the mid-1950s, when members from all backgrounds were accepted.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Members of the Temple of Aaron synagogue Women's League cook dinner to raise money for the United Synagogue Youth. Written on the back in no particular order: Tone Spizman, Rae Robinson, Celia Marofsky, Mae Gross, Edna Gordon, Nina Blizin, Sima Seigal.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph showing fathers and sons sitting at long tables which are set with dinnerware. Mikro Kodesh was organized as Anshei Russia (Men of Russia) in 1901, and later changed it's name to Mikra'e Kodesh, or Holy Assembly. The name change bore the suggestion that national distinctions among North Side congregants where becoming less important to membership. By the time this photo was taken, Mikro Kodesh boasted a membership of several hundred families.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Two photographs, combined to make one finished picture, showing members of the Mikro Kodesh Men's Club. Mikro Kodesh was an Orthodox synagogue located on Oliver Avenue on the North Side of Minneapolis. It was built in 1926.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Front exterior view of Mikro Kodesh synagogue. Mikro Kodesh was one of the largest congregations in the Midwest during the 1950s. The building was designed by Samuel Bowler and completed in 1926. It features two prominent Byzantine domes and rounded Romanesque windows, as well as the three-door motif and five second-story windows.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph showing members of the Minneapolis Board of B'nai Brith Women posed outdoors. B'nai Brith Women was an international charitable organization founded in 1909 to give women a voice in B'nai Brith.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A bird's eye view of people attending the Funtennial which was Hadassah's largest fundraising event. Essentially, Funtennial was a large-scale community carnival, with arcade-type games, a queen contest, door prizes, dancing and booths with food and crafts. Hundreds volunteered for the event, and for a decade between 1949 and 1959, thousands attended. Significant funds were raised, all of which went to Israel projects
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Bird's eye view of the Minneapolis Funtennial organized by Minneapolis Hadassah. One of the actions Hadassah supported was Youth Aliyah. Youth Aliyah began as a rescue and relief operation for children of Holocaust victims. These children were brought to Palestine during and after the war and settled in residential care. Over the decades, Youth Aliyah has provided services and homes for children and families from the soviet Union, Ethiopia and North Africa.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A woman stands in front of a microphone, while Hurbert Humphrey sits at the table next to her at a Hadassah Supply Shower luncheon. Hadassah promoted health and welfare services to Jewish women and children in Palestine. By the end of WWII, the Minneapolis chapter of Hadassah was 1900 members strong. This photo taken at the Supply Shower luncheon at the Nicollet Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. The luncheons helped collect goods such as layettes and linens to be sent to hospitals and clinics in Palestine. Minnesota dignitaries like Humphrey spoke to show their support for Palestine relief, and by extension, a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
ICOR, founded in 1926 in Philadelphia, stood for the "The Association for Jewish Colonization in the Soviet Union." ICOR promoted the success and survival of Biro-Bijan, a Jewish autonomous region in the Siberia. The inscription at the bottom of the third panel of the photo triptych reads" Minneapolis ICOR greets the Pioneers in Biro-Bijan at the 5th Annual Picnic, Aug.10-1930." The Minneapolis North Side was home to many Jews whose families had immigrated from Russia.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
ICOR, founded in 1926 in Philadelphia, stood for the "The Association for Jewish Colonization in the Soviet Union." ICOR promoted the survival and success of Biro-Bijan, a Jewish autonomous region in the Soviet Union. The inscription at the bottom of the third panel of the photo triptych reads" Minneapolis ICOR greets the Pioneers in Biro-Bijan at the 5th Annual Picnic, Aug.10-1930." The Minneapolis Jewish North Side contained a large number of Jews whose families had immigrated from Russia.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
ICOR, founded in 1926 in Philadelphia, stood for the "The Association for Jewish Colonization in the Soviet Union." ICOR promoted the survival and success of Biro-Bijan, a Jewish autonomous region in the Soviet Union. The inscription at the bottom of the third panel of the photo triptych reads" Minneapolis ICOR greets the Pioneers in Biro-Bijan at the 5th Annual Picnic, Aug.10-1930." The Minneapolis North Side was home to many Jews whose families had immigrated from Russia.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph of the Minneapolis North High School men's tennis team which went on to win the state high school tennis championship in 1949. Many of the team members were Jewish: one of the team members, Eddie Kantor (pictured front row on far right) went on to become a championship-caliber U. S. table tennis player.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
These young women were Midwest Talmud Torah chapter presidents at the annual convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. From left to right, Lila Labovitz, Fanny Miller, Sarah Levitman; Beryl Bearman, Sarah Ritzner, and Libby Kramer.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph showing graduates of the Minneapolis Talmud Torah Bet Midrash class, wearing caps and gowns and holding a banner. The Class of 1924 was the first class to hold classes in the new Emanuel Cohen Center building. The Center was purchased through funds donated by Emanuel Cohen, a prominent Minneapolis lawyer. By the mid-1920s, the Minneapolis Talmud Torah was recognized as one of the most modern and effective Hebrew schools in the country. In addition to memorizing Hebrew, students learned to read and speak Hebrew conversationally, and studied Hebrew dramatics and Jewish affairs. The Bet Midrash students shown here had completed the last two years of a ten year curriculum!
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph of men and women sitting at a long table set with coffee cup and water glasses. The Gymal Doled Club was a Minneapolis "town club"--an alternative to a "country club"--that provided opportunities for socializing without the attendant golf and status issues. Town clubs were secular in nature, organized to "develop…Jewish ideals and American patriotism." The Minneapolis-based club flourished long after its St. Paul counterpart disappeared. The staying power of Minneapolis clubs was due in part to aggressive anti-Semitism in Minneapolis, where Jews were excluded from many social and civic organizations. "Gymal" and "Doled" are the third and fourth letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph of young boys and girls in a classroom. Some children are sitting at desks and some are standing at the chalkboard with chalk in hand. The first Talmud Torah building was located on Fremont Avenue North and Eighth Street. The president, Nathan Weisbren, spoke to Thomas Lowry, president of the Minneapolis Street Car Company, and arranged for a charter street car to carry students to class. For even the youngest students at the new school, the first day of class began with the expectation that classes would be conducted in Hebrew. Memorization was supplemented by reading, acting, conversation and playing games.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
The Women's Auxiliary raised money for service programs at the Talmud Torah. This particular popular program featured at least two generation of women's in their bridal gowns.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Members of the Minneapolis Workman's Circle are pictured with a banner, in the front that reads, "District Committee." A mutual aid society chartered in New York in 1909, the Workman's Circle not only provided loan, health and death benefits for members; it's aim was to "promote the full emancipation of workers from oppression and exploitation. It was known as the "Red Cross of Labor." Minneapolis had a very active chapter.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Interior view of Minnehaha Liquor Store with two men standing in the aisles. Minnehaha Liquor Store was owned and operated by Sam Zimmerman, seen at left. The store is still at its original location at Lake St. and Minnehaha Boulevard
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives