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1. Brothers Gus and Louis Halter, Virginia, Minnesota

Date Created:
1918
Description:
The two brothers are dressed for a formal studio portrait.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Still Image
Format:
Studio portraits

2. Dr. George Gordon, Director of the Minneapolis Talmud Torah, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date Created:
1934-05-22
Description:
George Gordon began his life-long career as a Jewish educator at the first Hebrew Free School on Minneapolis's North Side, where as a twenty-year old, he helped teach the Hebrew alphabet to young students. He earned an M. D. degree in 1900, then devoted the rest of his professional life to promoting all aspects of Jewish education. Dr. Gordon taught at Hamline University, and created and oversaw adult, collegiate, high school and Hebrew education classes at the Minneapolis Talmud Torah.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Still Image
Format:
Studio portraits

3. Hubert Humphrey, Harry Goldie and Walter Mondale at the grand opening of the Calhoun Beach Club, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date Created:
1946
Description:
Harry Goldie had an interesting career, which included amateur boxing, coaching, and real estate development. He spearheaded the creation of the Calhoun Beach Club, and is shown here welcoming Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphrey to the club's opening. While the club was chartered in 1928 and building began in 1929, financing for it foundered during the Depression, and it didn't officially open until 1946. Goldie's dream for the club entailed an egalitarian social and athletic space that would welcome members regardless of race, religion or sex.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Still Image
Format:
Black-and-white photographs

4. Interview with Aaron Nathenson (1939 - ), Urban Exodus: St. Louis Park Oral History Project, St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Creator:
Nathenson, Aaron, (1939 - )
Date Created:
2012-08-28
Description:
In this interview, Aaron Nathenson (1939 - ) gives an account of his life and some related history of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota. He discusses how he was born in 1939 in North Minneapolis and raised there before studying ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota. Nathenson reflects on growing up Jewish in North Minneapolis, provides information about the neighborhoods racial tensions and demographics, Jewish schooling, his parents moving to Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, residency and military service, and later his relocating to Saint Louis Park and practice of ophthalmology. The interview concludes on the topic of Saint Louis Park Public schools and his connection to the city today. This interview was conducted by Jeanie Anderson, a volunteer for the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest. "Urban Exodus: The Saint Louis Park Oral History Project" explores the post-World War II migration of Minneapolis's Jewish community from the city's North Side to the western suburb of
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

5. Interview with Abe Calmenson, United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Calmenson, Abe
Date Created:
1978 - 1983
Description:
In this interview, Abe Calmenson gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan. He describes involvement in the early Zionist movement around the United States and what was then Palestine. While there Calmenson co-founded the Jerusalem School of Music. Topics associated with Zionism in this interview were the ZLA, Theodore Herzl, and Henrietta Zoild. The bulk of the interview is however devoted to Calmenson's family and his life in the early 20th century on the East Side of St. Paul, with special consideration given to his father who was a scrap peddler. This interview was conducted by an unknown interviewer as a part of the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project focusing on the West Side Flats/Lower West Side Jewish community in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

6. Interview with Adeline Fremland, United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Fremland, Adeline
Date Created:
1978-04-17
Description:
In this interview, Adeline Fremland (Tendser) gives an account of her early life as a Jewish Minnesotan. She was born in Mankato, Minnesota to Maurice Tendser and Fanny Silverman, who were Russian immigrants. She discusses how they came through Canada in the late 1800s, living at first in a log cabin, and describes how Maurice peddled merchandise to farms in Minnesota, eventually settling in Mankato. There he set up a store and arranged for other immigrants to do the same, although in different Minnesota towns. Fremland discusses Mankato life, how there were few Jews, and how the family used to take the train up to St. Paul, Minnesota, where they soon after opened up a shop. She discusses riding the streetcar, other Jewish families in business, life in Jewish neighborhoods such as the West Side, high school rivalries, Selby-Dale neighborhood, Crocus Hill, Irving School, Central High School, Hebrew School and Temple of Aaron, Zionist organizations, the National Jewish Fund, Jewish debate teams in high school, and working after high school. This interview was conducted by Ellen Lipschultz as a part of the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project focusing on the West Side Flats/Lower West Side Jewish community in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

7. Interview with Allen Oleisky (1938-?), Judges and Lawyers Oral History Project, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Creator:
Oleisky, Allen, 1938-?
Date Created:
2008-10-20
Description:
In this interview, Judge Allen Oleisky gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and legal practitioner. He was born in 1938 in Pierre, SD, to immigrant parents from Lithuania and Poland. Oleisky gives family background, describes their move to Minneapolis and gives an account of his childhood, which includes a description of the North Side. Oleisky describes work at a Jewish camp in Wisconsin and attending the University of Minnesota. He discusses the law school, working in law firms and activity in the Minnesota DFL party. His concludes his account of his life by describing how he was appointed Judge by Governor Anderson, which is also discussed from the Jewish perspective. The two conclude with a dialogue regarding the role of Jewish values in practicing law and community activism, mentioning the Jewish Historical Society and the National Jewish Fund. This interview was conducted by Helen Rubenstein as a part of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest Jewish Judges and Lawyers History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

8. Interview with Avis Held (1948 - ), Urban Exodus: St. Louis Park Oral History Project, Golden Valley, Minnesota

Creator:
Held, Avis, (1948 - )
Date Created:
2012-06-06
Description:
In this interview, Avis Held (1948 - ) gives a short account of her experience growing up Jewish on the North Side of Minneapolis and subsequent move to Saint Louis Park, with particular attention devoted to the differences between school experience in the respective locales. Furthermore, the interview focuses on class differences among Jewish families in Saint Louis Park, social cliques in Saint Louis Park schools, and reasons for moving from the North Side to Saint Louis Park. This interview was conducted by Jeff Norman, oral historian from California. "Urban Exodus: The Saint Louis Park Oral History Project" explores the post-World War II migration of Minneapolis's Jewish community from the city's North Side to the western suburb of Saint Louis Park. The 35 oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within and beyond the Jewish community, tell the complex story of how, from 1945 to 1970, Saint Louis Park became a major center of Jewish life in Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

9. Interview with Daniel Heilcher (1923-?), World War II Veterans Oral History Project, Minnetonka, Minnesota

Creator:
Heilcher, Daniel, 1923-?
Date Created:
2005-04-15
Description:
In this interview, Daniel Heilcher gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and World War II veteran. He was born in 1923 and raised on the North Side of Minneapolis. Heilcher gives a description of his Jewish childhood on the North Side, and explains how he entered the service with the Air Corps Cadets, training in various places around the country, including St. Paul. He remembers in the interview how he rode on bombers that landed in France and subsequently pushed forward to Paris where his unit worked to ferry supplies to the front lines. Toward the end of the war he traveled around Europe. Heilcher recalls the arrival back in the United States and his post war life. Much of the interview involves Heilcher's post-war record company that expanded almost nation-wide. He concludes with an account of his personal life and family after the war. This interview was conducted by Linda Schloff as a part of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest World War II Veterans Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

10. Interview with Debra Stone (1952 - ), Urban Exodus: St. Louis Park Oral History Project, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Creator:
Stone, Debra, (1952 - )
Date Created:
2012-06-22
Description:
In this interview, Debra Stone (1952 - ) begins by giving some family background as it relates to St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. In doing so, she tells briefly the story of her Communist father in Minnesota and the interesting circumstances which lead to both sides of her family settling in the Twin Cities area. As an African American, she talks of racial integration as it occurred on the North Side of Minneapolis where she grew up, Jewish life, school on the North Side, reasons for moving from the North Side to Saint Louis Park, school experience in Saint Louis Park, and class issues within Jewish society. This interview was conducted by Jeff Norman, oral historian from California. "Urban Exodus: The Saint Louis Park Oral History Project" explores the post-World War II migration of Minneapolis's Jewish community from the city's North Side to the western suburb of Saint Louis Park. The 35 oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within and beyond the Jewish community, tell the complex story of how, from 1945 to 1970, Saint Louis Park became a major center of Jewish life in Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

11. Interview with Earl Schwartz (1953 - ), Urban Exodus: St. Louis Park Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Schwartz, Earl, (1953 - )
Date Created:
2012-06-20
Description:
In this interview, Earl Schwartz (1953 - ) discusses his family background from Europe to settlement on Minneapolis's North Side and their practice of Judaism in the United States, with particular respect to his own experience. The interview transitions to a focus on his career as a Talmud Torah teacher and college professor. The conversation moves to black-Jewish relations on the North Side and class issues illustrated with many anecdotes, particularly with respect to Jewish businesses on Plymouth Avenue. Crime, urban renewal and civil rights are discussed at length against the background of and local events and personalities in the late 1960s. The interview concludes with a discussion of the porous relationship between the suburbs and the North Side, neighborhood covenants in Golden Valley, the building of I-94, and the North Side today. This interview was conducted by Jeff Norman, oral historian from California. "Urban Exodus: The Saint Louis Park Oral History Project" explores the post-World War II migration of Minneapolis's Jewish community from the city's North Side to the western suburb of Saint Louis Park. The 35 oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within and beyond the Jewish community, tell the complex story of how, from 1945 to 1970, Saint Louis Park became a major center of Jewish life in Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

12. Interview with Edith Milavitz (1907-?), United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Milavitz, Edith, 1907-?
Date Created:
1978-03
Description:
In this interview, Edith Milavitz gives an account of her early life as a Jewish Minnesotan. She was born in 1907 in St. Paul of Russian immigrant parents. Milavitz speaks about how her father was a junk peddler and how her mother and family sold chickens from the front yard of their St. Paul home on the West Side. The majority of this interview is devoted to Milavitz's life as a child and young adult. Special consideration is paid to her family and Jewish life, but other topics are covered as well, such as popular music and local politics. This interview was conducted by Judy Aronson as a part of the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project focusing on the West Side Flats/Lower West Side Jewish community in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

13. Interview with Ellen Roitenberg (1938 - ), Urban Exodus: St. Louis Park Oral History Project, Golden Valley, Minnesota

Creator:
Roitenberg, Ellen, (1938 - )
Date Created:
2012-06-12
Description:
In this interview, Ellen Roitenberg (1938 - ) discusses her Jewish family and their background on the North Side of Minneapolis. She discusses how difficult it was to get jobs, even as a trained professional, if you were Jewish. She talks of her father being a physician and the impact of the founding of Mount Sinai Hospital in Minneapolis. The discussion turns to Jewish life on the North Side and subsequent migration to Saint Louis Park, class distinctions among Jews on the North Side, housing covenants and class distinctions in Saint Louis Park. This interview was conducted by Jeff Norman, oral historian from California. "Urban Exodus: The Saint Louis Park Oral History Project" explores the post-World War II migration of Minneapolis's Jewish community from the city's North Side to the western suburb of Saint Louis Park. The 35 oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within and beyond the Jewish community, tell the complex story of how, from 1945 to 1970, Saint Louis Park became a major center of Jewish life in Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

14. Interview with Elliot Kaplan (1936-?), Judges and Lawyers Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Kaplan, Elliot, 1936-?
Date Created:
2009-08-11
Description:
In this interview, Elliot Kaplan gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and legal practitioner. He gives a narrative of his life, which includes the circumstances of his birth to grocers on the East Side of St. Paul, growing up in Highland Park, attending Randolph Heights and Central High School, being president of Hillel while attending the University of Minnesota for seven years, and enlisting in the Army Reserve. The conversation moves to Jewish law firms in the 1960s, to working with numerous Jewish and non-Jewish organizations such as the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the University of Minnesota Fund. The interview concludes with changes in the legal community since the 1960s, particularly for Jewish lawyers, and implementing Jewish values and ethics into Kaplan's legal and personal life. This interview was conducted by Helen Rubenstein as a part of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest Jewish Judges and Lawyers History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

15. Interview with Esther Brody (1906-?), United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Brody, Esther, 1906-?
Date Created:
1982-09-02
Description:
In this interview, Esther Brody discusses her early Jewish life in St. Paul and involvement in the Jewish community. She was born in 1906 to Rose and Isaac Weinstein, of Russia in St. Paul, in what is now called Lower Town, where she was raised. Brody recounts decades of work with Junior and Senior Hadassah, B'nai B'rith where she was president in the 1940s, National Jewish Welfare Board, Hillel, Young Judea, United Jewish Fund and the building of St. Paul JCC. The two conclude the interview by discussing Jewish events, people, fundraising and holidays during these years. This interview was conducted by Ruth Markowitz as a part of the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project focusing on the West Side Flats/Lower West Side Jewish community in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

16. Interview with Felix Phillips, Judges and Lawyers Oral History Project, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Creator:
Philips, Felix
Date Created:
2008-08-25
Description:
In this interview, Felix Phillips gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and legal practitioner. Felix was born in Minneapolis, and raised in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Giving a brief family history, he explains that his grandparents were from Poland and father was well established in New York City. He describes a bit of his Jewish childhood and raises the issue of anti-Semitism on the south side of Minneapolis where he attended Washburn High School. The conversation moves to his experience at the University of Minnesota School of Law, his experience there, and how he was influenced to pursue a career in law. Phillips recalls how he later joined Maslon law firm, and the two discuss the difficulties of being a Jewish lawyer, how Jewish lawyers were perceived, and draw a distinction between Jews in the Minneapolis Athletic Club versus the St. Paul Athletic Club. This interview was conducted by Helen Rubenstein as a part of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest Judges and Lawyers Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

17. Interview with Gerald Weinberg (1921-?), World War II Veterans Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Weinberg, Gerald, 1921-?
Date Created:
2006-06-06
Description:
In this interview, Jerry Weinberg gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and World War II veteran. He was born in 1921 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Weinberg explains that his father owned a hardware store on West 7th and an appliance store on Rice Street. He recalls his enlistment attempt during World War II with the army to be a teletype operator in the Philippines and later New Guinea. Weinberg discusses his memories here and tells his stories from a Jewish and Minnesotan perspective. He concludes the interview by talking about his post-war life in St. Paul working in the store on Rice Street, his family, and by showing Fay Kaye photographs and other wartime memorabilia. This interview was conducted by Fay Kaye as a part of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest World War II Veterans Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

18. Interview with Harold Arenson (1922-?), World War II Veterans Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Arenson, Harold, 1922-?
Date Created:
2006-10-9
Description:
In this interview, Harold Arenson gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and World War II veteran. He was born in 1922 in St. Paul. Arenson explains the while attending the University of Minnesota he joined the Service as a combat engineer and eventually fought in France, Belgium and Germany. He suffered an injury but continued to serve after rehabilitation. Arenson tells stories abundantly about the war. He recounts his post-war experience partnering with his father on St. Paul's East Side, and raises the issue of Jews fighting war in general. This interview was conducted by Susan Hoffman as a part of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest World War II Veterans Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

19. Interview with Harold Specktor (1923-?), World War II Veterans Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Specktor, Harold, 1923-?
Date Created:
2006-10-18
Description:
In this interview, Harold Specktor gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and World War II veteran. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1923. Specktor explains that he joined in the Army as infantry and received training to be a combat engineer. He describes his training and subsequent combat along the Siegfried Line in Europe, giving specific information about combat and casualties in his unit, along with a description of his life during the occupation of Germany. Specktor concludes with a description of his post-war life in St. Paul as a carpenter building homes in the Highland Park area of St. Paul. This interview was conducted by Fay Kaye as a part of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest World War II Veterans Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

20. Interview with Harry Rosenthal (1897 - ), United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Rosenthal, Harry, (1897 - )
Date Created:
1977-03-08
Description:
In this interview, Harry Rosenthal (1897 - ), leader in the St. Paul, Minnesota Jewish community gives an account of his community involvement over a near sixty year period. Rosenthal recounts his early interest in Zionism and the beginnings of his involvement in Jewish communal affairs after World War I. He describes encounters with numerous internationally notable Zionists, pre -history of the United Jewish Fund, work with Hebrew schools, camps and numerous other Jewish organizations. The conversation moves to how Jewish traditions and values have changed over recent decades, transmission of values to younger generations, contemporary and historical Jewish life on a global scale, and the future of Judaism. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Morris Lapidos for the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

21. Interview with Harry Rosenthal (1897 - ), United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Rosenthal, Harry, (1897 - )
Date Created:
1982-11-09
Description:
This interview investigates the life and activity of Harry Rosenthal (1897 - ), leader in the St. Paul, Minnesota Jewish community over a period of several decades. Rosenthal discusses his immigration story from Eastern Europe to New York City and then St. Paul, military activity in World War I, marriage to Rose Calmenson, his business and interest in Zionism. The focus of the interview moves to Young Judea and then the Jewish Education movement in the 1920s and 30s. Rosenthal discusses the establishment and improvement of Jewish schools in St. Paul along with some information about the history of other Jewish community establishments. He recounts his activity with the American Jewish Conference in New York City, the establishment of the state of Israel, and its impact upon the St. Paul Jewish Zionists. The interview concludes with Rosenthal describing the formation of the St. Paul Jewish Community Center and his second marriage. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Morris Lapidos for the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

22. Interview with Irving Nathanson (1900-?), United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Nathanson, Irving, circa 1900-?
Date Created:
1978-04-05
Description:
In this interview, Irving Nathanson gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan. He explains how he was born around the turn of the 20th century to Morris and Jenny Nathanson, who left Chicago for Eveleth, Minnesota to be merchants. Nathanson continues, telling the story of how the family moved to St. Paul in the 1920s so that Irving could go to the University of Minnesota. He and his father than successfully started and operated an importing business which survived the Depression. Life in the 1920s is discussed at length, including home life, cars, neighborhoods in St. Paul (Crocus Hill, Grand Avenue, and possibly Rondo), Jewish businesses, temple, and family. This interview was conducted by Andy Gellman as a part of the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project focusing on the West Side Flats/Lower West Side Jewish community in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

23. Interview with Irving Stern (1928 - ), Urban Exodus: St. Louis Park Oral History Project, Yuma, Arizona

Creator:
Stern, Irving, (1928 - )
Date Created:
2012-06-15
Description:
In this interview, Irving Stern (1928 - ) gives his perspective as mayor of Saint Louis Park and Minnesota state senator on local politics, commercial and residential development, and Jewish issues during his years in public service. The beginning of the interview consists of Stern's journey to politics and family background, including historical information related to the Jewish community of Saint Louis Park. Particular topics discussed were the Planning Commission, campaigning, anti-Semitism and Minnesota state politics. The interview concludes with a discussion of the Jewish migration from the North Side to Saint Louis Park, local synagogues, Saint Louis Park schools and the Iron Range. This interview was conducted by Jeff Norman, oral historian from California. "Urban Exodus: The Saint Louis Park Oral History Project" explores the post-World War II migration of Minneapolis's Jewish community from the city's North Side to the western suburb of Saint Louis Park. The 35 oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within and beyond the Jewish community, tell the complex story of how, from 1945 to 1970, Saint Louis Park became a major center of Jewish life in Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

24. Interview with Irwine Gordon, United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Gordon, Irwine
Date Created:
1982-10-10
Description:
In this interview, Irwine Gordon, president of the St. Paul Jewish Community Center in the 1940s, chair of the National Jewish Fund, and board member of the United Jewish fund, gives an account of some of the Jewish community initiatives in the Twin Cities. Additional topics covered in this interview include the Rosenthal family, funding initiatives devoted to Jewish education through a Social Planning Committee, the idea of building a Talmud Torah adjacent to the not yet built Temple of Aaron, the Kaplan Fund, and Jewish Community Cemetery administration. This interview was conducted by Phyllis Saltzman as a part of the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project focusing on the West Side Flats/Lower West Side Jewish community in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

25. Interview with Jerry Sinykin (1925-?), World War II Veterans Oral History Project, Corona del Mar, California

Creator:
Sinykin, Jerry, 1925-?
Date Created:
2006-03-06
Description:
In this interview, Jerry Sinykin recounts how he witnessed the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp (Dachau) as a Jewish Minnesotan member of the American infantry. He was born in St. Paul, 1925, and gives his family background and connection to Russia and North Dakota homesteading. Sinykin discusses how father was a manufacturer of cosmetics in St. Paul, and goes on to describe his Jewish childhood, answering questions about anti-Semitic hazing in junior high. He explains an attempt to enlist in the Navy Air Corps and that he was denied but was later drafted into the Army, receiving infantry and engineering training. Sinykin remembers how he crossed the Atlantic on a boat with Winston Churchill who addresses the men onboard. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and Siegfried Line in the rear supplying the front, and recalls many stories illustrating the anxiety of battle. Sinykin describes his participation in the liberation of Dachau and Mauthausen concentration camps, depicting the scene with several anecdotes, all the while affording special attention to his perspective as a Jew and a Minnesotan. This interview was conducted by Linda Schloff as a part of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest World War II Veterans Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories
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