In this interview, Rabbi Kassel Abelson (1924 - ) discusses his personal background, the details regarding the move of Beth El synagogue from North Minneapolis to Saint Louis Park, and the social-historical context in which the move took place. 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
In this interview, Rabbi Kassel Abelson speaks of his life, times, and views regarding Judaism. Abelson spent over forty years as senior Rabbi at Beth El synagogue in North Minneapolis and later Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, serving as a leader in the community and as a developer of national Judaic programs and policy. Abelson recalls his family background, his childhood in Brooklyn, his education culminating in the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York in the 1940s (a focus of discussion), his chaplaincy, his arrival and experience at Beth El, relocating to Saint Louis Park from Minneapolis' North Side and actions in setting Judaic policy. The focus of the interview, in addition to Abelson's personal narrative, is on his vision of American Judaism and how it was enacted through various programs and organizations, such as the United Synagogue Youth, in addition to his social justice principles exemplified by his participation in organizations such as the Urban Coalition 1960s on Minneapolis' North Side. This interview was conducted by Dr. Linda Mack Schloff, former director of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest, in effort to document the stories of Jewish immigration to and community leaders in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
The pamphlet contains recipes for baked goods written in both Enlish and Yiddish. Special issues of these recipe booklets were issued in different languages to introduce non-English speakers to American products.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
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
In this interview, Roz Baker (1923 - ) gives an account of her life as a Jewish native of Minneapolis. She relates her family background which includes an immigration story to the United States from Russia through Cypress in 1915. She describes her childhood growing up Jewish in Minneapolis, relating memories of Labor-Zionist meetings, holiday traditions, school experience, working as a teenager during the Depression and various class distinctions among the larger Jewish community. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Ann Schulman in effort to document the stories of Jewish immigration to and community leaders in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Confirmants in white robes are seated in two rows with Rabbi Aronson seated in the front middle row. Rabbi Aronson came to Beth El in 1924, and served the congregation for 35 years. Beth El, at the time the photo was taken, was on the North Side of Minneapolis. The congregation is now in St. Louis Park.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Letter to Erwin Oreck from L. M. Birkhead at the Friends of Democracy, Inc. thanks Erwin for sending information and states that they will do an "expose of O'Konski and his connections."
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A large group of young people sitting at a series of long tables in the Temple of Aaron in Saint Paul. United Synagogue Youth (USY) was founded in 1951 to promote living Jewishly to Jewish-American teens. Part educational and part service oriented, the organization encourages youth involvement in Jewish community service work; travel and service in Israel; and reflection on Jewish identity. USY is associated with Conservative Judaism. The photo was taken at Temple of Aaron in St. Paul
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, recognized leader in the Minneapolis community Marvin Borman gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan, war veteran, and legal practitioner. He was born in Indianapolis in 1923 and attended the University of Michigan in 1940 as president of the Zeta Beta Tau Jewish Fraternity. Borman describes how his family owned a dry goods business in a poor part of Indianapolis. He recalls how entered the Marine Corps after Pearl Harbor, and how after service he entered Harvard Law School and relocated to Minnesota due to marriage. Borman explains that he worked for various firms as a business litigation lawyer, and that later in his career he became a community leader as president of the Minneapolis Club, head of the Art Institute, the University of Minnesota Foundation and others. Each phase of his life is discussed in the Jewish and anti-Semitic context. 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
Myron Bright was a federal judge in the state of Minnesota. In this interview, he gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and legal practitioner. Bright was born in 1919 in Eveleth, Minnesota. He explains how his Jewish Orthodox father was possibly a fisherman in Russia near the Black Sea, who deserted the Russian Army near Germany, fled to London, then Canada, then Duluth where he worked in the shipyards, later becoming a clothing merchant. Judge Bright discusses more family history and moves into Jewish life growing up on the Iron Range in great detail. He recounts how people on the Iron Range valued education. Therefore he went into Junior College in Eveleth. Bright remembers moving on to the University of Minnesota for Pre Law and then onto the law school there. He speaks about the Jewish experience and anti-Semitism in law school and later as a lawyer in Fargo. A contrast is drawn between light anti-Semitism on the Iron Range and North Dakota with the heavier anti-Semitism of Minneapolis. Bright gives details about the Jewish community in Fargo, along with practicing law and politics there in the 1950s. He concludes with how he became a federal judge and his views on race and religion. 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
In this interview, Joseph Brochin gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and World War II veteran. Joe Brochin was born in 1918 and raised on the North Side of Minneapolis where his father operated a store. He discusses how he studied pharmacy at the University of Minnesota, enlisted in the military, and went to the South Pacific in combat infantry. He tells numerous stories about specific aspects of World War II. This interview was conducted by Diane Siegel 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
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
Edward Bronstein (1903 - ) was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, into a family of recent Jewish settlers from Prussia who were operating a local mattress factory. In this interview, Bronstein recalls the story of his family settling in St. Paul, describes the city with particular attention to different religious groups and their relations, as well as differences between various Jewish groups. The focus of the interview shifts to Bronstein's career fundraising for various civic and Jewish organizations starting in the 1920s and 30s. Special attention is afforded to Mount Zion synagogue, National Conference of Christians and Jews, United Jewish Fund (early history), United Charities, Jewish Charities and the Federation, as well as Zionism vs. non-Zionism in St. Paul. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Lois Devitt for the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, Mel Burnstein gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and legal practitioner. He was born in 1933 and raised in St. Paul by Russian Jewish parents. He discusses some family history related to Russia and St. Paul, growing up in St. Paul in Highland Park, and some details about the West Side of St. Paul. He started in Maddox Elementary, then Central High School, University of Minnesota (accounting, fraternity, R.O.T.C.) United States Navy (supply corps in Athens, GA, world tour), State Public Examiner's Office (accounting), University of Minnesota Law School, various law firms (business, tax and banking law), and banks in Minnesota. Anti-Semitism, the Jewish perspective, and racism are the main themes covered in this interview, especially in the military and law world. 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
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
In this interview, Judge Lawrence Cohen, mayor of St. Paul during the 1970s, gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan, politician and legal practitioner. Cohen recounts that he was born in St. Paul and has always lived in the western part of the city. He continues talking about how his father was a merchant who sold general wares. Cohen mentions that he belonged to Temple of Aaron, Talmud Torah, St. Paul Central, and the University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota School of Law, where he also belong to a Jewish fraternity. Cohen continues giving an account of his life, giving details about his law practice, his involvement in the Young Democratic Family Labor Party, his association with Hubert H. Humphrey and work as county commissioner. A discussion follows about Jews and politics in Minnesota. They discuss the differences between St. Paul and Minneapolis from a religious and Jewish perspective. Finally, the two discuss how Judaism affected Cohen's work throughout the years. 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
Rabbi Herman Cohen's response to Mrs. P. Braufman's request to read her letter and advise as to its tone and content. (See local identifiers MHS-D-593 and MHS-D-594)
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A contract between the Russian Brotherhood synagogue and Joe Isololen regarding payment for congregation membership. Payment amounts are specified, and the congregant is assigned seat 35A in the synagogue building.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Letter to Minnesota Jewish Council from Brownie Cote at Grand View Lodge responding to a letter from August 4 and explaining how they do not discriminate based on faith.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Letter to King's Gateway Hotel from Mrs. H. W. Davis at the Jewish Federation & Community Council asking if their policy has changed reguarding a member being rejected a suite of rooms after they were told it was available.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, Roger DeClercq (1922 - ) gives his personal background, which includes World War II military service, an advanced degree from the University of Minnesota and landing a teaching job in Saint Louis Park. The discussion moves to schools and education in Saint Louis Park during the 1950s and 60s, including information about the new influx of Jewish students, theater productions and theater trips. 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
President Eisenhower replying to a letter sent by Mr. Pink concerning Brotherhood Week, a public awareness campaign promoting religious tolerance sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Letter to Edward Owens from Grover C. Elmore at Kilkare Lodge and Cottages writes illustrating what the lodge has to offer. "Carefully restricted clientele" is noted.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Audio file of an interview with Irwin Epstein conducted by Laia Berstein. The interview includes: Epstein's experiences growing up in St. Paul; schooling; religious education; and medical school.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, Sidney Feldman gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and World War II veteran. He was born in St. Paul to Russian immigrant parents. Feldman gives a description of his childhood, basic training at Fort Knox, arriving in France twelve days after D-Day by boat, fierce combat in France and the living conditions, the journey towards the Battle of the Bulge, some recollection of the battle itself, his injury and Purple Heart and adjusting back home after the war. 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
Children of the graduating class of the Saint Paul Talmud Torah nursery school, wearing caps and hand-made costume. The St. Paul Talmud Torah was created in 1956 through the merger of several different Jewish education institutions as a beneficiary of the United Jewish Fund and Council. Oversight for Jewish education was centered in the Jewish Education Association, which planned and developed all forms of local Jewish learning, including weekday school and Sunday schools.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, Linn Firestone gives an account of Jewish and non-Jewish organizations in Minnesota during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. He explains how he got involved in organizations, his role within organizations and the roles of other prominent individuals. Firestone describes his Jewish family background and education in St. Paul before going on to describe his professional and non-professional activism, including information of numerous organizations, some of which he was president of and others where he sat on the board. Some examples of organizations include the Jewish Family Services, Mount Zion synagogue, the St. Paul Jewish Community Center in the 1950s, the United Fund in the 1960s and professional legal organizations and initiatives relating to anti-discrimination in the 60s and 70s. This interview was conducted by Jeanne Boutang 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
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
Letter to H.W. Davis at the Jewish Federation & Community Council from John J. Garber at King's Gateway Hotel responding to a letter from November 10th saying the hotel is booked due to hunting season.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, Joe Garelick gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and World War II veteran. He was born in West St. Paul and trained to be an aviator in the Army Air Force as a gunner during World War II. Garelick discusses how after training in various places in the United States, he ended up on a bomber crew over Germany during the height of the war. He supplies story after story of vivid detailing of the nuts and bolts of his job, missions and social life during this period. Garelick also gives in great detail stories about his post war life in St. Paul, Minnesota. 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
Howard Gelb, a senior Jewish lawyer in the Twin Cities and also a veteran of World War II, discusses in this interview his family history, his father's interests, his childhood in Minneapolis, family, education, military experience, legal work (real estate), US Attorney work, prominent political associations, social clubs and values all from a Jewish Minnesotan perspective. This interview was conducted by Brian M. Krasnow 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
The Hillel Israeli folk dance group gathered in front of Northrop Auditorium on the University of Minnesota Campus to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Men and women sit at rows of long tables for anniversary celebration of the Duluth Talmud Torah. The Duluth Jewish community at its height in the 1930s numbered about 4,000. Duluth's profile mirrored that of larger cities to the south, including a mix of German and eastern European settlers. The fact that both groups arrived within the same decade helped prevent some of the same identity-based separation that occurred in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Duluth Talmud Torah is officially named the Ida B. Cook Hebrew school, after the founder and a prominent Duluth citizen.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Double -sided brochure by the Governor's Interacial Commission discussing Minnesota's Equal Rights Law which prohibits exclusion on the basis of race, color, national origin or religion.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, Rose Godes gives her account of her involvement in the Jewish community in St. Paul and some of its history. The interview covers the early history of the Daughters of Abraham, which was closely associated with the work of the Jewish Home for the Aged, and financing various initiatives for assisting the aged. This interview was conducted by Annette Mack 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
In this interview, Kokie Goldenberg (Kalmen Goldenberg) gives a short account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and discusses related subjects. He was born in 1912 in Chisholm, Minnesota to Jacob E. and Esther Rosenfield, who immigrated from Russia. He discusses how Jacob was a Zionist and describes his many associations. Goldenberg then moves on to describe how the family moved to Duluth and did business as tobacco and candy wholesalers there and on the Iron Range. They moved to St. Paul in 1941. This interview covers Zionism, anti-Semitism, the United Palestine Appeal, the United Jewish Fund, B'nai B'rith, merging Talmud Torahs and Jewish education, the assimilation of Jews into American society, and a great deal about fundraising and charity. 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
In this interview, Maxine Goldenberg gives an account of some of the Jewish community initiatives taking place in the mid-20th century. She explains that she was on the board of the United Jewish Fund (St. Paul) in the 1950s and also the campaign chairman. Goldenberg mentions additionally that she served in several organizations in Duluth, which are covered in some detail during the interview. She also discusses the needs of St. Paul Jews at the time and how the National Jewish Fund was addressing them, such as Talmud Torahs and the Sholom Residence on Randolph Ave. They conclude by discussing the National Jewish Fund in greater detail, along with the role of women in the community at that time. This interview was conducted by Linda Schloff 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
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
Rabbi Yosi Gordon (1944 - ) worked as Associate and Acting Principal of the Los Angeles Hebrew High School. In 1978 he came to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he directed the Talmud Torah for 12 years and helped open the Talmud Torah Day School, where he taught for many years. He taught courses in Jewish studies and literature at the University of Minnesota, St. Olaf College and Hamline University. In this interview, Rabbi Gordon discusses the recent history of Jewish education initiatives in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Harriet Kohen in effort to document the stories of Jewish immigration to and community leaders in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, Lionel Greenberg gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and World War II veteran. He tells the dramatic story of how while as a navigator in the Army Air Corps during World War II, his B-24 collided with another B-24 over Bavaria. Miraculously surviving, Greenberg explains how he was taken prisoner for seven months and forced to march from prison to prison. The Russian Army liberated him from his final camp (Dulag Luft III), a place later depicted in the major motion picture The Great Escape. Greenberg's experience in Germany is described in great detail, with special emphasis on his Jewish perspective. He also explains the circumstances of his birth in Grafton, North Dakota, 1921, and how his poor Jewish family came to arrive there. Greenberg continues, describing his college experience at the University of Minnesota, subsequent jobs, enlisting in the Army Air Corps, training in Texas and Idaho, and the journey to Europe in detail. This interview was conducted by Brian M. Krasnow 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
Gymal Dolod was a Minneapolis-based Jewish social club founded in 1909. The club provided both a comfortable space in which to convene and socialize and an opportunity to form business connections. Clubs were also created in response to discrimination experienced by Jews prohibited from joining gentile business and social clubs.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
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
Businessman Amos Heilicher (1907 - ) grew up poor and Jewish in St. Paul, Minnesota, during the Depression. As a teenager he started a coin-operated machine company that later blossomed into several successful businesses, including a national retail record chain, real estate, banking, restaurants and more. This interview focuses on the history of Heilicher's business ventures during the Depression and post-WWII years, with special attention afforded to the retail record industry. This interview was conducted by Dr. Linda Mack Schloff, former director of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest, in effort to document the stories of Jewish immigration to and community leaders in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
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