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
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
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
Governor Freeman and two Hadassah members holding a flag that is to be taken to Israel by Hadassah Women. From left to right: Mildred Rosen, Governor Orville Freeman, Mrs. I.E. Greenberg of Duluth. Rosen was a vice president of the Upper Midwest Region. Greenberg was the regional president. The state flag was used in dedication ceremonies at the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem.
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
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
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
Portrait photograph of the chairwomen for the Hadassah rummage sales. The rummage sales were part of the fundraising efforts the Minneapolis Hadassah chapter. Money collected from fundraising efforts helped build the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem and fund the Youth Aliyah.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
From left to right: Louis Greene, recently elected president of B'nai Brith Lodge 271; Joseph Schanfeld, center, the oldest living president at the time of the photo; former president Sam Dott.
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 group of women belonging to Hadassah standing in front of an airplane. The women leading Hadassah groups learned and exercised leadership skills as the result of their work fundraising and participating in Jewish and Zionist education. Hadassah was involved in teaching adult Hebrew classes to better promote understanding and communication between Jewish Americans and Israelis
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Photograph of a display window with women's clothing and informational materials. The clothing in the window (probably the Miller Vocational High School in Minneapolis) was all hand sewn by members, and sold at the Funtennial, Hadassah's annual fundraiser at the Minneapolis Armory. Hadassah's membership between the end of WWII and the 1970s swelled. By the mid-1960s, more than 1,000 women were meeting in 80 minyans, socializing and fundraising for children's and healthcare causes in Israel. One of the popular activities was providing clothing to send to Israel.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Marking the beginning of Hanukkah, Harry Lerner of Minneapolis, lights a candle in Jerusalem. Lerner spent time in Israel during the early years of the country's existence, one of thousands of Americans who lent time, professional expertise and resources to insure Israel's survival. American Jews were encouraged to purchase Israel Bonds to support Israel's economic stability, and did so in record numbers.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of women standing around a table set with cookies, cake and tea. An unidentified woman is sitting at the head of the table. The Hadassah Supply showers were popular events: members collected and contributed towels, sheets and other essentials en mass and sent them to hospitals and clinics in Isael. Members would come together at sewing parties, forming friendships as well as solidarity in support of the young Israeli state.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Jewish organizations worked within the larger community to promote and educate about democratic values. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) focused on civil rights discrimination in the South, but also raised a national campaign to expose resort discrimination against Jews and Blacks. The ADL's "Crack the Quota" campaign reached its peak in Minnesota during the late 1950s.
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
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
Florence Kunian Schoff was a Hadassah leader for the Minneapolis Hadassah chapter, and an avid Zionist. Schoff made multiple trips to Israel on fact-finding tours related to Hadassah projects, which feature support for public health and hospital projects. The other two people in the photo are unidentified.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
The Mt. Sinai Auxiliary raised significant funds that were used towards patient care. Events included book sales, cookbook publishing and other social events, including the famous annual ball. Shown purchasing the cookbook is Luella Maslon, the book's author.
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
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
Jenny Smith sits on a couch surrounded by her grandchildren. Jenny Smith was born in Russia and lived on the West Side of St. Paul. Her husband, a peddler, died at a young age and she raised nine children. She died in 1956 at the age of 94.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
