Letter written to Harry Goldie, principle developer of the Calhoun Beach Club building. Goldie was a Minnesota native and U of MN graduate. At the time this letter was written, Minneapolis was being referred to in the national press as the "Capitol of American Anti-Semitism." Jews in Minneapolis were denied membership in various associations, hospital admissions and were legally prohibited from purchasing homes in "covenanted" areas. Goldie's complex was eventually built, and Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale were among the guests at the club's opening.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Kokie Goldenberg standing at a podium and addressing attendants of a rally for the U. J. F. C.The United Jewish Fund and Council was founded in 1935 as the fundraising arm of the St. Paul Jewish community.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A photograph of Julian Freeman standing behind a podium and giving a speech for United Jewish Appeal. The United Jewish Appeal was founded in 1934 to help provide financial and political relief to Jews in Europe. It unified fundraising efforts for European relief for an increasingly diverse American Jewish community. In 1947, U. J. A. shifted its focus from collecting funds for refugees to providing support for the proposed independent state of Israel.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Ada Rubenstein (1917 - ) was born in St. Paul, Minnesota; became involved with Jewish organizations at an early age and later took on several leadership positions. In this interview, the women discuss Rubenstein's career in community service and the community's needs at the time, with detailed discussion about various organizations such as Hadassah, the Council of Jewish Women, Sholom Residence, and the United Jewish Fund. 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 first of a series of three letters concerning the denial of an insurance policy to a Jewish family in Perham, Minnesota. The letter was mailed to the insurance agent, who then submitted it to the Braufman family. (See local identifiers MHS-D-594 and MHS-D-595.)
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Founded in 1911, the Ladies Auxiliary raised money for a variety Talmud Torah related functions by sponsoring dances and food and rummage sales. An early outcome of providing women with a role in Jewish education was a fortification of both Jewish and American identity .
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Hadassah members met in small and large groups to socialize and to raise money for Israel. The pushke, or canister, in the picture, could be found in many, if not most Jewish homes in the 1950s and 1960s. The blue and white canisters with the outline of Israel were used to collect money for land purchases and reforestation efforts, and were a direct reminder of the bond between Israel and the American Jews.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Marion Herman (1912 - ), native Russian and immigrant to St. Paul, Minnesota, begins this interview with a description of St. Paul Jewish neighborhoods and synagogues during the Depression years. The focus turns to Herman's involvement in various community organizations and fundraising initiatives, with discussion relating to the Capitol Fund Drive, Parent Teacher Association, Talmud Torah schools, area Hebrew schools and synagogues. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Harriet Kohen for the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral 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
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
Poale Zion was a Zionist-Socialist-Laborite group founded in Russia. The St. Paul chapter in the picture is promoting "Tag Day" a fundraising activity supporting Jewish emigration to Palestine. A close look at the photo shows coin collection cans, called "pushkes" and paper tags with Mogen Davids (Star of Davids) in several of the young women's hands.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In 1949, the national United Jewish Appeal sent a train to different parts of the country, appealing for donations for the young state of Israel. The two final cars of the train contained exhibits on Israeli agriculture and business and room for meeting and socializing. The train was staffed by Israelis who spoke good English. Children, members of organizations and clubs and the Jewish community at large were invited to visit the exhibits, listen to speakers, and donate money to support Israel and especially displaced persons arriving from North Africa and Europe for re-settlement.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In 1949, the United Jewish Appeal sent a train to different parts of the country, appealing for donations to the young state of Israel. The two final cars of the train contained exhibits on Israeli agriculture and business and room for meeting and socializing. The train was staffed by Israelis who spoke good English. Children; members of organizations and clubs; and the Jewish community at large were invited to visit the exhibits, listen to speakers, and donate money to support Israel and especially displaced persons arriving from North Africa and Europe for re-settlement.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
This photograph of attendees of the 66th Annual B'nai Brith banquet was taken at the Lowry Hotel in downtown St. Paul. B'nai Brith chapters were established in St. Paul in 1871 and Minneapolis in 1877. The organization was founded in the United States in 1843 by German Jews interested in meeting socially and creating business contacts away from the synagogue.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A view showing the front exterior of the building which housed the Saint Paul Hebrew Institute, and the Jewish Shelter Home. The Hebrew Institute was on the second floor, and served children of Orthodox families affiliated with several St. Paul Orthodox synagogues. The Jewish Shelter Home on the first floor functioned as a way house for indigent and transient Jews, thus fulfilling an important mitzvah to care for the traveler and the homeless.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Women seated at a long table set with tablecloths, floral centerpieces and candles. B'nai Brith Women was the women's division of B'nai Brith, the oldest Jewish service organization in existence. The St. Paul B. B. W. O. chapter held its annual luncheon at the Lowry Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Portrait photograph showing members of the Workmen's Circle outdoors. Yiddish-speaking Socialists in Minneapolis and St. Paul established a vibrant network of cultural, educational, political and fraternal networks and organizations. Workman's Circles provided medical and insurance benefits to its members. In addition, circles organized Yiddish libraries, theatrical events, Yiddish language classes and lectures. Circles were secular rather than religion-oriented.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Ruth Melamond, Dr. Owen Wangensteen, and Luella Maslon at a Mt. Sinai Women's Auxiliary function. Dr. Owen Wangensteen of University Hospitals was a supporter of Mt Sinai. He originally proposed that the hospital be built on University of Minnesota property on the West Bank, but the idea never gained traction with the University Board.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Children of varying ages stand and sit in front of the Jewish Sheltering Home building. The adults in the photograph are Rose and Harry Feiler: they were administrators of the Home in the mid-1930s. The Sheltering Home was a community resource dedicated to providing a stable, Jewish environment for Jewish children unable to live with their families. Residency was for the most part short term, with children staying until a sick parent recovered, or a child could be taken in by a member of an extended family. Children attended public school, and went to Talmud Torah after school. The St. Paul community also provided support for the home.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Children of varying ages sit on the steps outside of the Jewish Sheltering Home. An unidentified man and woman sit to either side of the children. The Sheltering Home was a community resource dedicated to providing a stable, Jewish environment for Jewish children unable to live with their families. Residency was for the most part short term, with children staying until a sick parent recovered, or a child could be taken in by a member of an extended family. the children attended public school, and went to Talmud Torah after school. The St. Paul community also provided support for the home.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
People sitting at tables reading books. The University of Minnesota Hillel Society was founded in 1940, with Rabbi Milgrom as its first director. By 1941 the membership of over 500 enjoyed a full agenda of programs including classes, discussion groups, debate, drama and social activities. The lack of a permanent home was an issue as early as 1943, and the U. J. F. C. sanctioned a fund drive in 1945. A permanent building (the current one) was purchased in 1956. Even without a home, activities included a model Seder, Friday night services and dinners, and activities, such as vocational guidance, for returning veteran students. The Seder in the photograph was held during the early 1940s at the Tau Delta Phi house, a fraternity originally founded by Jews in New York in 1914.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Loretta (Lucky) Bellman escaped Nazi Germany in 1939 and settled in New York, where her father started a successful furniture business. Butch Levy met and fell in love with Lucky, marrying her in 1944. Peter Bellman, Lucky's brother, had been sent to Britain on a children's transport in 1938, and was finally reunited with the family in America 1939. He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1941, and died in the Battle of the Bulge. Peter, Lucky and Butch are shown together on a leave during the war.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A duplicate portrait photograph of Nellie Weiss Bondy in her wedding dress. Nellie Weiss married Louis Bondy in 1886: the event is reputed to have been the first Jewish wedding in Duluth.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph showing the front exterior of the Neighborhood House, which was the first settlement house in St. Paul serving the Jewish community. It was founded in 1897 by the women of Temple Mt. Zion as a place for newly arrived Eastern European immigrants to receive social and medical services.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph of a woman using a measuring tape to measure the length of a skirt on Ida Blehart. Neighborhood House was founded by the Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society. Neighborhood House was founded primarily to provide recreational, educational and social activities to residents of the West Side neighborhood. It maintained an active recreational program for girls in the neighborhood, teaching sewing, cooking and other domestic arts.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph showing members of the National Jewish Workers Alliance Home standing in front of the meeting hall, which appears to be a personal home. N. J. W. A. was the Americanized name for the Farband. This is the second part of a two part photograph. See also mhs06636.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph showing members of the National Jewish Workers Alliance Home standing in front of the meeting hall, which appears to be a personal home. N. J. W. A. was the Americanized name for the Farband. This is the second part of a two part photograph. See also mhs06636.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Groups of women sit at tables during a Mount Sinai Auxiliary luncheon. The Auxiliary was both a fund-raising arm of Mt. Sinai Hospital and a leadership training ground for some of the women that spearheaded fundraising events. The Auxiliary's work pushed Jewish community visibility further into the general public awareness.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Sophie Wirth Camp provided immigrant Jewish children with summer recreational opportunities and a chance to leave the city behind. The same opportunity was available to their mothers, who were periodically invited to join campers for a day on White Bear Lake. The camp served the St. Paul Jewish community. Minneapolis summer campers went to different camps.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Three women stand at a table with a large model house displayed on it. The Oak Park Home Auxiliary raised money for the Oak Park Home, also known as the Jewish Sheltering Home for Children. The Home was a beneficiary of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, but funds for operations were always tight and fundraising was an ongoing concern.
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
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
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
Portrait photograph of some men affiliated with Central Community House. Central Community House and its West Side counterpart, Neighborhood House, were created to assist immigrants newly arrived to the community. Although the settlement house roots were in the Jewish community, the curriculum and activities offered emphasized Americanization and secularization. The group of young Jewish men in the photo may be members of Coming Men of America, a fraternal order with Masonic roots who met at the House.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Portrait photograph of members of the Workmen's Circle, which was created in the late 1800s by Jewish immigrants as a mutual aid society. The Circle was secular, practical and leftist, and many members were involved in support for Palestine.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Portrait photograph showing members of the Minneapolis Workmen's Circle. Workman's Circle members were non-religious, politically active Jews, many of whom were Socialists. They espoused a classless society, favored the use of Yiddish for cultural expression, and created a variety of services for members, including medical and insurance benefits.
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
The Atlas Club was one of several Jewish social clubs in the Twin Cities operating during the early 1900s to the 1920s. The clubs were a response to the fact that "downtown" social clubs such as the Athletic Clubs would not admit Jews. The Atlas Club was absorbed into Gymea Doled in 1919. Unfortunately, there is no additional information on Rhoda and Harry Hirsch, the "World's Greatest Entertainers."
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Front exterior view of the Jewish Sheltering Home, also known as the Oak Park Home. Founded as a safe harbor for Jewish children unable to live with their families, the Minneapolis Jewish community paid for the structure and all of the care offered by staff. Children at the home attended nearby public schools and the Talmud Torah. Most stays at the Home were of relatively short duration.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
The Jewish Mothers Club was organized through the Central Community Center in St. Paul. It provided an opportunity for Jewish women, many of them immigrants, to socialize together.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
The Jewish Home for the Aged was established in St. Paul in 1908 as a care facility for the elderly poor. The building in the picture was the second home, opening in 1923. It provided room and care for indigent Jewish elders from throughout the state.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
This photo may reflect a gathering of boys from several different groups, suggested by the different numbers on the sleeves of several of the scouts. Many of the troops that Jewish boys and girls belonged to were synagogue-sponsored. That allowed for the adaptation of scouting themes and activities to incorporate Jewish values.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
