Preserving Jewish Heritage in Texas Texas Jewish Est. 1980 Historical Society September 2020 News Magazine

TJHS To Hold Zoom In This Issue: Board Meeting Message from the President...... 2 A Jewish Woman Warrior...... 3 Weekend by Mel Eichelbaum With a successful Zoom Board Meeting that was held in June, 2020, the Meeting Committee, chaired by Sally What I Did During the Pandemic...... 4-6 Drayer, has decided to hold the Fall Board Meeting via Speaker’s Bureau In the Time of Zoom with virtual activities over a weekend. It will be COVID-19...... 7 held October 23-25, 2020, which is the date that TJHS was by Jan Siegel Hart going to join the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society in Los Cruces, New Mexico for a joint meeting. The Galveston Movement...... 8-9 The Meeting Committee, with President Susan Zack Meet Your Board...... 10-11 Lewis, have planned the following tentative activities for the weekend. The final schedule and Zoom link will be Update on Temple Freda in Bryan, Texas...... 12 sent to all Board Members prior to the weekend. Lynna Kay Memorial Award Friday, October 23, 2020 in Texas Jewish History...... 14 Attend Zoom Shabbat services of your choice, and after Grant Application...... 15 services join TJHS for a virtual Oneg. The “hospitality room” will be “open” from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. Three Marshallites Become Citizens...... 16-17 by Vickie Vogel Saturday, October 24, 2020 From the Zoom Board Meeting, June 2020...... 18 2:00-2:30 pm Vickie Vogel will speak Application for Preservation of Texas about the 1918 Pandemic and Jewish History Award...... 19 how it affected Texas. 7:00 pm TJHS Texas History Awards...... 20 Havdalah Service with TJHS by Willie Braudaway members participating with Roots and Boots...... 20 their unique Havdalah Sets. by Tumbleweed Smith 7:15 pm Mel Eichelbaum, TJHS Board Guess this Member...... 21 Member, will speak about In Memoriam...... 21 significant cases dealing with civil rights and poverty law reform based on his book, The Legal Aid Lawyer. Virtual “Hospitality Room” will be “open” following program until 9:30 pm.

Sunday, October 25, 2020 9:30 am Zoom Fall Board Meeting

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 © 1980-2020 Texas Jewish Historical Society, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 1 Message from the President by Susan Zack Lewis Big plans… choice. posting it. This should be a great No plans… Understanding David’s prophetic time for someone to take on the task Months flow like psalm, of writing and researching a paper on sand. I see the valley, Jewish life in Texas. Technology Feel the shadow near the alley of When we were in Palestine last friend reality. summer, historian Ben Campbell Technology foe, Words taking flight, spoke to us about Jewish history in Too much to Landing hard at night. that city. He mentioned that the mu- learn, This virus is a fright… seum had the dedication tablet, cor- Too much to know. Ready to steal………..Life. nerstone and two windows from the Hopeful Collected thoughts running synagogue there. Sadly, the museum Hopeless around in my head sometime over- is closed and not expected to reopen. Sad to say, shadow the work and effort to main- He offered these items to the society. I won’t need that new dress. tain meaningful progress. However, That prompted a search on my part to Sun rise…too real, as I look through the emails from the find a home for them. It’s ongoing. Courage found, last few months I do see that life con- However Ben is looking into the pos- Must cook that meal. tinues and accomplishments happen sibility of having the tablets mounted Zoom meetings, with amazing determination. on stone and placed inside the Jewish Almost fine. Recently I received word that the cemetery in Palestine. They’ve been Facebook messages, latest issue of the Southwestern His- exposed to the elements for a number We’re live now…on line. torical Quarterly contains the notice of years and should be fine out there. Virtual services to hear Rabbi’s voice of the Lynna Kay Shuffield Award. I welcome ideas for the windows. Best we can do, there’s no other Willie Braudaway did a great job of The colored glass is plain with no decorative design. A stained glass artist might be able to use the glass in The Texas Jewish Historical Society some way to honor their origin. September 2020 I’ve had questions about finding a home for old Jewish themed shel- Quarterly News Magazine lac records from a gentleman in the The Texas Jewish Historical Society News Magazine is published Dallas area. I was able to send him four times annually. Stories about Texas Jewish history, oral histories, and contact information to help in that requests for assistance with research are welcome, as are photographs and quest. historical documents. Please provide color photocopies or scans at 300 dpi When the Jewish newspapers ar- rive I look for familiar names. During or greater in gif, tif, or jpg format, and send electronically to Editor Davie June and July there were numerous ar- Lou Solka at [email protected] or by mail to 3808 Woodbrook Circle, Aus- continued on page 14 tin, TX 78759, 512-527-3799. Be sure to include your name and contact information. The News Magazine of the Editor Davie Lou Solka Texas Jewish Historical Society Layout/Design Editor Alexa Kirk (USPS) is published four times a Proof Readers Ruthe Berman, Sally Drayer, Jan year by the Texas Jewish Histor- Hart, Jack Solka, L. David Vogel, ical Society, P. O. Box 10193, Vickie Vogel Austin, Texas 78766-0193, Travis County. Periodical postage paid Note: The Texas Jewish Historical Society is unable to guarantee the at Houston, Texas. Postmaster, safe receipt and/or return of documents and photographs. It is strongly send address changes to the Texas recommended that you provide color photocopies of both color and black & Jewish Historical Society, P. O. white documents. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Box 10193, Austin, Texas 78766- Visit us on the web at www.txjhs.org. 0193. www.txjhs.org

Page 2 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 A Jewish Woman Warrior by Mel Eichelbaum Born in Brooklyn in 1935, Han- her home which kitchen. As Seder guests, they were nah Margolis spent the predominant it has remained welcomed to bring gifts of matzah and part of her youth being raised in the ever since. wine, provided the products did not Bronx borough of New York City. Af- Hannah’s come from Israel. ter graduating high school, the family first overseas While in Libya, Hannah had the moved back to Brooklyn where she assignment opportunity to work with the local attended Brooklyn College, complet- was at Wheelus hospital treating their polio patients. ing her undergraduate work with a AFB in Tripoli, Although in the U.S. that disease had degree in Education and a specialty Hannah Margolis Libya. This pretty much been brought under con- in Physical Education (P.E.). Being a at her retirement was during trol, the same was not the case in Lib- bit influenced by her mother, Hannah ceremony. the pre-Kadafi ya. By utilizing her P.T. skills, Hannah thought she would drift into a position era, and one was able to help and improve the lives of teaching P.E. in high school, but as of Hannah’s of hundreds of afflicted individuals, it turned out her ship was destined to patients was the while at the same time not only en- sail a different course. Queen of Libya hancing her personal reputation, but Hannah had a yearning to go to who used to also bringing a sterling credit upon her graduate school, but her family could show up, cov- country, her branch of service, and her not afford it. In 1956 the Air Force ered from head gender amongst the local population. had a significant need for Physical to toe, in ul- Hannah’s second overseas as- Therapists. Upon inquiry Hannah was tra-orthodox Ar- signment was at Clark AFB in the convinced that the field of Physical abic garb. Upon Philippines. This was at the height of Therapy was the profession to which Recent photo of her arrival at the Vietnam War. Many American and she wanted to dedicate her life’s Hannah Margolis the hospital, South Korean troops who had been in- working endeavor. At that time the wearing blouse and at which time jured were in need of treatment before Air Force offered an opportunity to scarf she wove. no other Arab being sent home. While there Hannah pay for one year of graduate school persons were allowed to be there, she and her team were able to develop in exchange for two years of military quickly donned western-styled attire, temporary prostheses, using a plaster service. To Hannah that was a “win- which she much preferred. Private- cast, a crutch part, and a foot made win” solution, and so despite her par- ly the Queen was distinctly rather from spare parts recommended by ents being somewhat skeptical about pro-western. an aircraft mechanic. Assisting these her being in the military, Hannah Hannah’s tour in Libya was troops to be able to walk again was in- joined up. At that time Hannah had no particularly challenging for a Jewish deed an inspiring experience. During idea that the military would become woman. As a First Lieutenant, she this tour of duty, she had to deal with her career. was the senior ranking Jewish officer an assigned Orthodox Rabbi, which Initially Hannah attended the and so ended up being the Jewish could have posed a bit of a problem. University of Pennsylvania where she Lay Leader for her group. She always However, a compromise was achieved completed a special one year course of advised her fellow Jews that it was for Shabbat services, whereby each study, receiving a Certificate in Phys- perfectly acceptable to take off for the week ten men would sit up front, and ical Therapy (P.T.). Later she earned Jewish holidays, but then she expect- then the rest of those in attendance, her Master’s degree in Education, ed them to volunteer to serve during including the women, would then sit with a specialty in P.T. at New York the religious holidays of others. While behind them. University (NYU). there she and some of her Jewish While at March AFB in Riverside, Her first foray into Texas was personnel had the occasion to spend California, Hannah had the special in 1970 when she was stationed at Passover Seder with a Libyan family experience of treating President Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls. In of Jewish-Italian extraction. As an Eisenhower. It was determined that 1973, she was transferred to Lackland American woman and an Air Force it would be easier to treat him at his AFB in San Antonio. Hannah fell in officer, she was able to sit at the din- home rather than to make all the spe- love with the charm and multi-faceted ing table with the men, while the rest cial security arrangements that would culture of the city and adopted it as of the women were relegated to the continued on page 12

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 3 What I Did During the Pandemic

COVID 19 hit—Texas, the United States, and the world—hard and left a ”new normal” for everyone. On March 13, 2020, the order came for all Texans to stay home and only those who had “essential jobs” should go to work. Schools, restaurants, stores, offices, bars, movies, barber and beauty shops were closed by order of the governor. Most people have learned to work from home and several home offices, as well as a place for students to do classes, became a staple in many homes. We have learned that staying home, wearing masks and socially distancing is necessary to curb this virus. So TJHS members have been doing their part. Following are some of the ways that our members have found to stay busy while staying home. Your story is welcome—they will be printed in future issues. Send your story to [email protected]

by Jan Siegel Hart The week of March 9, I let my decision tomorrow. When the morn- bridge partners know I would not be ing of the 24th arrived, we heard In March as we began to get news playing at the Bridge Studio in Temple the news that all nail and hair salons of the COVID 19 Pandemic, Charles for a while. Some of my friends had were closed. So after talking with my and I realized that the Annual Gath- been playing bridge on line, but I was hairdresser, I took out my scissors and ering of the Texas Jewish Historical never interested, until now. So I regis- cut my hair. Five weeks later, right on Society in San Antonio should be can- tered with Bridge Base Online (BBO) schedule, I cut my hair again. I was celed. It had been scheduled for April and learned how to play with my pretty pleased at the way it looked. I 17-19 at the Omni Hotel. As chair partner, Mary. We have been playing no longer color it and let it go natural, of the Meeting Committee, Charles almost every day since then. which I call “Pandemic gray.” had spent hours on the phone with Before all the shops and restau- I am an avid reader and often the hotel, as well as with the Institute rants closed, we had made arrange- check out books at our public library. of Texas Cultures, where we were to ments to go out to eat with our cous- Since that is no longer possible, I meet and have lunch. The meeting ins from Waco, Harry and Beverly read more on my Kindle. We have a was canceled just days before we were Harelik. The day before our date, I large home library, so I looked on the to go to San Antonio for a tasting for called to invite them to have dinner in shelves and discovered a book that the banquet at the hotel and to make our home on March 15, so that we did my son, David, gave me over a year final arrangements. This was Charles’ not have to be out. They were the last ago, The Norton Anthology of English final meeting before handing the chair- people to be in our home for the next Literature. I wanted to rediscov- manship over to Sally Drayer. few months. er the poets I once enjoyed. David Book Club, as well as lunch and Our grandson, Joshua, traveled to had marked several poems for me to dinner dates were canceled. On March his dad’s home in College Station for read, and I went right down his list 1 we met friends for lunch in George- spring break. We were to visit with of Romantic poets. Then I turned to town. That was our last meal out. him while he was home. However, his the Victorians. Now I am reading the As we began isolation, I was classes at UC San Diego were can- more modern poets. It seems I will determined that we would eat healthy celed, so he stayed home to finish his have plenty of time! I am also reading and I would follow an exercise plan semester on line. The B’Nai B’rith History of the Jewish I had set up a while ago. I need to On March 24 I was scheduled People. Charles recently read the have a project every day, and my first to get my usual haircut. The night book by our cousin, David Hoffman, project was to clean the refrigerator. before, I told my daughter, Debbie, The Red Shtetle. This is not to say that Other projects followed, cleaning out that I was looking forward to getting we have not watched hours of reruns the kitchen cabinets, which yielded my haircut. She informed me that I on television. two garbage bags full. Since I put my should not be going to a hair salon. March 28 is Debbie’s birthday maid on furlough, I did some deep After we hung up, my other daughter, and she had planned an event at I Fly cleaning, under and behind furniture, Kathy, called to add her “two cents” in Austin. That got canceled, so she places that were not normally touched. that I should not be going to a hair set up a family Zoom. This was our Both of us cleaned out our file cabi- salon. I hung up and told Charles, first experience with Zoom. Debbie nets, too. that I would be the one to make that continued on page 5

Page 4 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 What I Did During the Pandemic, continued from page 4 walked us through it. I am proud to ing. I didn’t feel comfortable with Debbie very generously decided say we are now experts at Zooming that, so I stopped going. to give me a trip to Russia for my and are very thankful to have this way Debbie agreed to join us on our upcoming birthday. Our trip was to communicate with family every anniversary, June 4. She not only scheduled for July, but as the date got Sunday. brought us items we couldn’t find closer, we decided to cancel. We were At this point, with nothing else here, including a Star of David mask really looking forward to discovering on my calendar, I began to make which she made, but cleaned all our our family roots in the shtetle of Parit- note of household chores, and when carpets herself. It was wonderful phys- chi near Minsk. We hope to be able to I went to shop for groceries. I want- ically being together. make this trip at a later date. ed to see how long I could go before Charles asked what I wanted for We were able to Zoom on several being forced to shop. We made it 11 our anniversary and I told him food birthdays, our anniversary, Mother’s days before running out of bread and that I didn’t have to cook. He ordered Day and even for Passover Seder. We milk. We kept a running list all week. from BJs and picked it up. Debbie normally have it together, where each Since I was used to running in to buy a joined us for dinner. It was a very person brings their specialty. We pre- couple of items every few days, it was different celebration, but I was thank- pared the seder plate, but had to make nice to know that I could manage to be ful for it. some substitutes. Instead of parsley, much more organized with my shop- I have been doing work for Scott we had celery and instead of horserad- ping. Making a note of when things and White Hospital as a “Standardized ish, we had sliced jalapenos. David’s got done was necessary, since days Patient” for ten years. This involved family has not been able to join us in were running together. memorizing a script and pretending the past, but they had the opportunity Shopping was a whole new ex- to be a patient for the medical stu- this year, with his children asking the perience. The first few weeks I stood dents. With the shutdown, the pro- four questions. During the meal, we in line wearing a mask and gloves gram changed to on line. The training each ate and visited, as if we were in order to enter the store. Once in, turned out too involved, and I was not at the table together. It turned into a many items were not to be found, such interested in face-to-face meetings. So three-hour seder, which was surpris- as toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, I decided that now was a good time to ing and wonderful. Houston Jewish hand sanitizer, liquid soap, etc. I retire. It was really a great experience Archives at Rice University put out a bought more than usual so I would not and I enjoyed the challenge. request for stories and photos of how have to return so soon. Charles went to I cook our main meal every day everyone was celebrating Passover. Sam’s the next day and bought a large and have plenty of fruits and vege- We were happy to share a picture of package of toilet paper (45 rolls) and tables to go along with the meat that our unusual seder plate. 15 mega rolls of paper towels. Charles insists on having. We do pick I have been watching Houston’s I enjoy walking, so most morn- up food sometimes, like hamburgers, Emanu El Sabbath service on Face- ings I have walked at a park, just 10 barbecue, and finally a Dairy Queen book for a while. It makes me feel a minutes away. It is so pleasant to see blizzard, which I had been thinking part of the Jewish community, since the ducks, the lone goose, turtles and about for weeks. We are not ready to we have none here in Temple. Occa- wildflowers, it gives my spirits a lift. dine-in yet, even though restaurants sionally I see our friends and family Some days I walk at a trail along a are now open. there and let them know we are with creek, and see the waterfalls and lots Every May we look forward to them virtually. Now with the Temples of people with dogs, strollers and traveling to Wisconsin to see our son, and Synagogues closed, everyone is bikes. David, his wife, Karen, and our grand- doing the same thing. Two friends had been visiting children, Daphne and Zachary. The One of the saddest things about outside on one of their patios. After kids are now nine and eleven years old COVID 19 is not being able to hug three months of seeing no friends or and have been taking dance for several someone at a funeral. Our cousin, family in person and having a melt- years. The recital was canceled, so the Dorothy Harelik, died in Hamilton, down, I knew I needed to get out, so I kids donned their costumes and Karen Texas, soon after celebrating her 90th agreed to join them. It was so nice to taped their dances, first at home, then birthday. Her family arranged a small be with friends. We made it a weekly on the stage. It was certainly not the graveside service in the Waco Jewish visit, but one more person was invited same as the excitement of a full audi- Cemetery. We decided to go to our each time, until I realized no one wore torium and stage full of dancers, but very first group outing on June 7. We masks and we were not social distanc- this is our new normal. continued on page 6

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 5 What I Did During the Pandemic, continued from page 5 started out with masks and trying to spreadsheet includes names, date of 8th—then to August 15th. We finally social distance. But it really broke birth and death; places of birth and attended the wedding of Kevin Solka down when we went to our cousins’ death and names of fathers and moth- and Sara Drapkin on August 22nd with home afterwards for a meal together. ers (including maiden, whenever pos- ten people in attendance! Mazel Tov It is impossible to eat wearing a mask. sible). The spreadsheet also indicates to them and what a story they have to The very next week, we attend- what additions and corrections need tell (as my wife says) our great-grand- ed our dear friend, Bernie Berman’s to be made in TJHS’s and Jewish- children! funeral on Zoom. And the next night Gen’s databases. On the Find a Grave A byproduct of the current situa- we participated in his Zoom minyan. website, I create memorials and/or add tion is that Davie Lou and I decided How hard it is to not be able to be with photos of gravestones and documen- to sell one of our cars. This is the first dear friends when they really need us. tary information. I also identify any time that we have only one car for the I ventured out to have my teeth veteran and forward that information past fifty years! The savings is consid- cleaned on June 3 and my hair cut on to Hershel Sheiness. It has kept me erable and we can always buy another June 9. Both offices took special care quite busy! car in the future. to wear masks and make sure every- thing was germ free. by Jack Solka by Larry Holtzman We had Debbie, Kathy and Joshua here for Father’s Day, which was also By the time the COVID-19 hype The fear and uncertainty surround- Charles’ 85th birthday. We also had got hot in March, 2020, I had already ing the coronavirus pandemic may feel dinner with cousins in their home in experienced the need to self-quaran- new to many of us. However, it has Georgetown. It is a new normal to tine since December, 2019, when I brought back similar memories for me, only be in small groups. I don’t see had lung surgery. After the surgery I being one of those who lived through anything changing any time soon. was concerned about getting pneumo- the polio epidemic of the last century. We had our first Texas Jewish His- nia. I did get pneumonia some time The poliomyelitis virus arrived each torical Society Zoom quarterly board in January. I have been fighting this summer striking without warning. meeting. It turned out to not only be condition ever since. How it spread was a mystery to sci- well attended, but very productive Since March I have had numerous entists at the time. The virus was dis- as well. None of us were in a hurry hours of boredom. I have added some covered to be spread usually through to leave. We enjoyed seeing friends activities to fill the time. Since I have water or food contaminated by poor that we normally are with four times not been able to visit the Fitness Cen- sanitation and could also be spread by a year. I am thankful that our News ter at Shalom Austin, I have started a saliva from an infected person. There Magazine Editor, Davie Lou Solka, daily walking routine. I walk in the was no known cure or vaccine. asked for our experiences during the mornings and was walking in the eve- When I was growing up in the late Pandemic. It gave me a “project of the nings until the temperatures reached 1940s and 1950s, the swimming pools day.” the high 90s and 100 degrees. and movie theaters closed during the I miss my previous breakfast and summer. Sadly, it was the children by Kathy Kravitz lunch meetings with friends. Tele- who were most affected by polio. We phone calls are not the same. TV, Net- stopped going to playgrounds or birth- Well, I have NOT been ignoring flix, and reading take up some time. I day parties for fear of catching polio. TJHS. In fact, I have been spending have read more books in the past few In 1952, the number of polio cases in many hours every day working on months than I have read in years. the U.S. hit over 57,00 resulting in Texas Jewish burial records. For any My trips out of the house have 3,145 deaths. Those who survived given cemetery, I open numerous been primarily to doctor’s offices and could end up with some sort of paral- tabs on my computer – TJHS Burial a few trips to the Post Office. Our ysis because the virus destroyed nerve Database, JewishGen’s Burial Regis- kids have been very supportive. They cells in the spinal cord. The most try, Ancestry.com, and Find a Grave, make efforts to see us by visits in our dangerous paralysis was to the mus- being the main ones. I compare the driveway or their backyards. cles needed to bring air into the lungs. data on these websites to get the most Our grandson was to be married Those affected would be put into an accurate information I can. Then I on May 1st. We watched as the date iron lung, which was a large tank make a spreadsheet; with the names of was changed—along with the num- respirator that would pull air in and all burials within that cemetery. The ber of people attending—to August continued on page 14

Page 6 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Speaker’s Bureau in the Time of COVID-19 by Jan Siegel Hart The Speaker’s ie gave a delightful Bureau normally program on "Little get requests from Known Texas Jews.” congregations, She used people she had where we then ask written about for the one of our speakers News Magazine which to contact them to were gleaned from the make arrangements Texas Jewish Historical to give a program. Society archives at the Last January Dolph Briscoe Center we received a for American History. request from the There were about 20 Program Director participants, including a at the Congrega- few of our own mem- tion for Reform bers. She was able to Judaism in Hous- plug our website and the ton. He said that a News Magazine, as well Vickie Vogel speaking to Chavurah at Sun City couple of years ago as quarterly meetings. Barbara Rosenberg gave a program His congregants would greatly appre- The program was filmed and put on that was well received. He wondered ciate it. At that time none of us were YouTube where it can be viewed any if she could come back with another knowledgeable about Zoom, so it was time. It was not only informative, but subject. put on hold again. very entertaining. She was so well In March, when Covid 19 hit, By April, Vickie Vogel let me received that she was asked to come it was no longer feasible to meet in know that she was comfortable on back with more "Little Known Texas person. The Program Director asked if Zoom and would be glad to present Jews." we could do a Zoom meeting instead. a program. On May 14, 2020 Vick- On June 27, 2020, Vickie gave the same Zoom program for Temple Mount Sinai in El Paso, where several of our members attended. On August 2, Vickie present- ed the program to the Sun City Havurah in George- town; and again, several of our members attended. People are so hungry for human contact, that they are even more appre- ciative of programming that can be met on Zoom. There are many benefits for this type of program- ming: people can be flexible about attending, they don't have to be in the same town at the same Group in Sun City Chavurah. continued on page 17

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 7 The Galveston Movement

In 1907, European Jews began coming to the United States via Galveston, Texas. They were routed from locations along the East coast to relieve crowding in overpopulated cities and prevent a public wave of anti-Semitism, which could lead to immigration restrictions. This immigration continued until 1914 and became known as the Galveston Movement.

The American Hebrew and “Major News cities, especially Houston, Dallas, Jewish Messenger was a About Immigration San Antonio, and Galveston. The weekly publication with to Galveston (State population of the state is approx- articles of Jewish news of Texas).” The imately 3,000,000. Compared from around the world. It pamphlet was pub- to its huge area of territory, its sold for ten cents a copy or lished in Ukraine population is very small. The state three dollars a year. Gregg in 1907 mostly has lots of empty space for new Philipson, TJHS member, in Yiddish by the immigrants. recently acquired a copy Jewish Territori- If your family came through the of the May 23, 1913 issue al organization Port of Galveston in the years of the for his collection with (ITO). It is one of Galveston Movement, 1907-1914, the following article: only two known to please send us their story. So many exist, and was dis- people did not stay in Texas, and we Galveston Work Taken tributed in Eastern would love to have their stories. Send Over By the ITO Europe to encour- them to [email protected]. It is reported from Ber- age Shtetl Jews lin that the Jewish Coloniza- Bette Evans to come to Texas. tion Association has decided At that time there My Galveston to take the place of the Jew- were about 20,000 Connection ish Territorial organization Jews in Texas. It as the supervisor in Europe has been translated by Bette Evans of the Jewish immigration to as follows: Chana Gorelik, a seamstress and Galveston. The Galveston The state Velvel Astonovitsk, a carpenter, married movement [sic], so-called, [sic] of Texas in Parichi, Byelorussia (now Bellarus) has been financed at this end is the largest in 1906. A few months later, Velvel by Mr. Jacob H. Schiff. In in the United and his siblings left to start a new life in Russia and other ports of States. It oc- the United States, with the help of the embarkation, the work has cupies 262,290 Galveston Movement. Velvel and Cha- hitherto been conducted by English square na were my grandparents, and he first agents of the Ito [sic], Mr. miles and is worked in the slaughterhouse of Fort Zangwill’s organization. It larger, for Worth for fifteen cents an hour. How is rumored that the funds of the to example, than all of France. Its could a man who had known nothing have been exhausted. The work has soil is especially fertile for grazing but kosher meat have survived the filth been so successful; however, that it cattle and cotton plants. Except of slaughterhouse in those days? has been found desirable to have the for its southern section, its climate Before long, Velvel had saved European service transferred to the Ito is good for your health, especially enough money to acquire a peddler’s [sic] which seems to have ample funds in the winter months. The pop- wagon and became one of the many for the work. ulation of the state consists of Jewish peddlers who carried bananas Englishmen, Spaniards, Germans, and other novelties to the isolated small Josh Furman, Director of the Frenchmen, Negros, Indians, and towns of Central Texas. My grand- Houston Jewish Archive, at Rice others. There are Jews in signif- parents were naturalized as American University obtained a pamphlet titled icant numbers only in the larger continued on page 9

Page 8 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 The Galveston Movement, continued from page 8 citizens in Waco – the nearest communities with 1917, and synagogues – for the High Holidays. Velva became They worried who their children would Wolf Novit marry. and Chana The immigrant generation learned became English—and spoke with a delightful Annie. Over combination of Yiddish accents over- the next few laid with a Texas twang and slang. As years, he was they prospered, they became leaders able to bring in their communities. My grandfather over Annie’s funded, out of his own pocket, the brothers and hiring of a music teacher in the local parents and schools. His brother-in-law became they in turn, mayor of Dublin. By the time the next brought a generation came along, they were all wider ex- Texans. But they carried an unspoken, tended family. Standing: Annie Harelik Novit, Haskell Harelik, Morris and perhaps unconscious burden: they Wolf settle his Harelik, Esther Novit Hoffman. Seated: Wolf Novit all felt the need to be uncontroversial holding Fannie Novit, unidentified man, Sol Novit. growing family and to fit seamlessly into the local cul- (four daughters and one son, my father) theless, he prospered and soon was able ture. Even in the midst of success and in Dublin, Texas. to leave the wagon and open a small acceptance, they felt vulnerable. He chose Dublin, because in his general store on the main street. All of the Novit children, and their travels, when he arrived there, business Our family was never offended by spouses opened their own dry goods was booming and the main street was well-meaning neighbors who tried to stores in the surrounding towns. My crowded. On the spot he decided to bring us to their churches. My parents sister and I grew up in Stephenville, settle there. Only later did he realize taught that they really cared for us and where our parents owned one of the that he had arrived on “First Monday, genuinely wanted us to be saved. We of the main stores on the town square. the monthly market day that brought thanked them graciously, but declined. Our lives were much the same as our farmers into town for shopping. Never- Sometimes the Novit children did not local friends, except when we all met quite get the message. Both my father to celebrate the Jewish holidays our and I remember taking communion in family did not quite understand. Given Methodist chuches because we thought our parents lack of Jewish education, it they were serving grape juice and is no surprise that ours was worse. For crackers. several years, our parents drove us to Saturday was the major business Fort Worth every Sunday for Sunday day in farming towns, so Sabbath rest School at the conservative synagogue. was not an option. Nor was kosher As “country cousins”, we were pain- food. I suspect the biggest loss must fully conscious of being outsiders and have been the lack of a good Jewish learned absolutely nothing. education for their children. My father But we learned other things –Jew- recalls being prepared for a home Bar ish merchants had to be not only scru- Mitzvah by a relative whose teaching pulously honest, but also scrupulously made no impression at all. The chil- accommodating. If a farmer wore his dren did not learn Hebrew, and Yiddish work shoes for a year and then returned was reserved for conversations between them because they didn’t wear well, he parents when they did not want their would be given a refund. My cousins children to understand what they were and I learned that we must always be saying. Jewish holidays were celebrat- good, because our behavior “reflects on ed in the home, although as cars and all Jews.” roads became more accessible, they As our families became more would drive for hours to Fort Worth or W.H. and Annie Novit, about 1940, continued on page 13

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 9 Meet Your Board Ruthe Berman is from Katy Texas, a competitive swimmer. He has two card catalogue and at- children, Rachel Chafetz and Valerie in the school’s tended the Chafetz Gonzales, and one grandson library. Sev- University Brayden Chafetz. Nelson lives in Aus- eral years later, of Texas. tin and is a thirty-three-year member he wrote letters, She worked of United States Masters Swimming held a meeting, at Dow Organization, and in his spare time, is and the Texas Chemical as a party barge captain. Jewish Histori- a paralegal cal Society was for seven- Deidra B. Cizon lives in Dallas with born. (Read the full story on our web teen years, her husband, site.) He was the Director of the Hillel and upon Gordon, Foundation at the University of Texas retiring, began volunteering in various who is also a in Austin before assuming the pulpit organizations. She has two children TJHS Board in Galveston. He was the first rabbi and two grand-children. She likes to Member. in the history of Freemasonry in Texas travel, cook, play Mah Jongg and read. She is a to be elected the presiding officer of native of a Masonic lodge. He served as the Douglas Braudaway is from Del Rio, Fort Worth Chaplain of the Galveston County and teaches government and history and was a Sheriff’s Office and as a visiting Rabbi at South- member of Beth-El Congregation. at UTMB. Jimmy and his wife, Shel- west Texas ley, enjoy their children and grandchil- Junior Col- Joan Katz is from Houston, TX, and dren. In 2018, a street near the Temple lege. He is a Past President of a Branch of was renamed Rabbi Jimmy Kessler is married National Women’s League and the Drive in honor of his Double-Chai An- to Willie, Lions Club. She has been an AZA niversary at Congregation B’nai Israel. who is also advisor, held a TJHS many offic- Molly Kristall, was born in Duis- Board es in Beth burg-Hamborn, Germany, and arrived Member, Yeshurun in the U.S. with her family in Decem- and they have five children and fifteen Sisterhood ber, 1949. Her father served in WW grandchildren. Doug enjoys writing and Hadas- I and WWII. He was in the Lodz history and historic marker applica- sah. She is Poland Ghetto tions. a life-time and spent four member of years in the Nelson Chafetz, Austin, is a lifelong the Houston Auschwitz Texas resident, who was born in San Livestock show and Fort Bend Coun- concentration Antonio. He attended the University ty Fair. Joan enjoys cooking. Joan camp. Mol- of Texas/ attended the University of Oklahoma ly has three Austin, and the University of Houston. She sons, one where he is a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi daughter, and received sorority. two grand- a BSEE daughters. She is looking forward to degree. He Rabbi Jimmy Kessler is the founder the birth of her grandson in October. is married and first president of the Texas Jewish Molly has served as President of the to another Historical Society. He is the Rabbi Sisterhood in McAllen and of District native-born Emeritus of Congregation B’nai Israel #22 NFTS (now Women of Reform Texan, Mitzi in Galveston. When he was a rabbini- Judaism). She has been a member Chafetz. cal student at HUC-JIR in Cincinnati, of the WRJ National Board. She is Nelson works for the Texas Commis- Ohio, he discovered that there were an event planner and loves music, art sion on Environmental Quality and is only two cards on Texas Jews in the continued on page 11

Page 10 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Meet Your Board, continued from page 10 history, and Jewish films and music. President, and Gertrude Teter. She is and Past President of Temple Ema- Since moving to Austin, she has been President of Congregation K’Nesseth nu-El. She and husband, TJHS Past a coordinator for the Health Profes- Israel in Baytown and treasurer of the President, Rusty Milstein, have three sions for Austin Community College Baytown Chapter of Hadassah. She children, including Amy, who is Cor- and has served as an usher for the and her husband, Ruben, have three responding Secretary of TJHS. ZACH Theatre. daughters, one son, and six grandchil- dren. Joan is serving as 3rd Vice-Pres- Jack Solka was born in Mexico City Bob Lewis, aka Tumbleweed Smith, ident of TJHS. and immigrated to Texas in 1945. is from Big Spring, TX. He hosts a He grew up in Corpus Christi. Jack daily radio show, Sound of Texas, that Abigail (Abbi) Glosserman received a Bachelor’s degree in Archi- is syndicated throughout Texas. It is Michelson was born in Lockhart and tecture from Texas A&M College and a show featuring Texans talking about still lives there. She graduated from a Masters in Architecture from Co- their interesting careers and sometimes the University of Texas in Austin and lumbia University in New York City. unusual experi- is a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi He practiced ences. He writes Sorority. She taught school in Dallas architecture a newspaper col- before she married David J. (Buddy) for over fifty umn, also syndi- Michelson, who lived in Gonzales. years, and cated in the state, Abbi and had his own and is co-owner Buddy firm in Cor- of Multi Media lived in pus Christi Advertising, Gonzales for over forty Inc. Bob taught when they years. He communications at UTPB in Odessa were first is married for thirty-four years, was District Gov- married, to TJHS ernor of Rotary, and has won many and after Past President and News Magazine awards for audio and video produc- ten years, editor, Davie Lou Solka. They have tion. One was the Gold Award for moved to three sons and daughters-in-law and Excellence from the Communicator Lockhart. Her children, Jeffrey and six grandchildren—one is married, Awards for “Texas Jews go to Cuba,” his wife, Shelley, live in Lockhart and and one is engaged. He and Davie a documentary about the first TJHS her other son, Jon, lives in Austin. Lou relocated to Austin in 2007 to humanitarian mission trip to that coun- She loves to travel, entertain, and be be closer to their family. In addition try. He and his wife, TJHS President, with people. Abbi is always willing to to his TJHS work, Jack volunteers in Susan Zack Lewis, have two children help with all meetings—especially the construction management projects for and four grandchildren. Bob is Public- hospitality room! non-profit organizations in Austin. He ity Chair for TJHS. has been a member of Rotary since Mitzi Milstein is from Longview, 1968, and continues this active role Joan Teter Linares, is a retired Texas, and grew up in Dallas. She is a in Austin. He was involved in the elementary teacher who taught for graduate of Hillcrest High School, and moving of the Brenham Historic B’nai thirty-two years at Harlem Elementary attended the Abraham Synagogue to Austin from School in University Brenham, Texas. As Regional Direc- Baytown of Texas, tor for the Volunteers for Israel Pro- Texas. where gram, Jack assists civilian volunteers Joan grew she was a from Texas to go to Israel to work in up in Bay- member of Israel Defense Forces camps. Jack is a town and Sigma Delta member of the Grant Committee. learned Tau Soror- about the ity. She Betty Fram Weiner grew up in Goose Texas Jew- is a mem- Creek (now Baytown). While attend- ish Histori- ber of the ing UT Austin, she met her husband, cal Society Longview Junior League, Past Presi- Ira Weiner, who was in the U.S. Air from her parents, Don, who is a past dent of Longview Community Theatre continued on page 13

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 11 Update on Temple Freda in Bryan, Texas

Stephanie A. Hil- participating again this liard, President of the year in Brazos Valley Brazos Heritage Society, Gives, an annual commu- sent the Texas Jewish nity fund-raising campaign Historical Society an that benefits a number update on the preserva- of non-profit organiza- tion of Temple Freda in tions in the Brazos Val- Bryan, Texas. She said ley. Our goal is to raise “For many years, the the $150,000 needed to building sat unoccupied complete Phase II of the until it was in danger of Temple Freda restoration. collapse. However, a “In preparation for this few years ago, a pres- fund-raising, we’re reach- ervation project was ing out to Jewish historical started under the auspic- societies who may be able es of the ad hoc Friends Temple Freda, Bryan, Texas to get word out to the Jew- of Temple Freda, the City of Bryan, will be put into service for public ish community about an opportunity to and the Brazos Heritage Society. We events in keeping with the mandate preserve an historic property.” have completed Phase 1 to stabilize that it be used for benevolent purpos- If you wish to contribute to this the property and are now working on es. It will become another important project, contact Stephanie A. Hil- Phase II of what is planned to be a part of the award winning and ongoing liard at [email protected]. 5-phase project. beautification of downtown Bryan. For more information, see the “After completion, the building “As part of our efforts, we are Brazos Heritage Society web site brazosheritage.org. Jewish Woman Warrior, continued from page 3 have been required for his treatment at was a credit to her extraordinary ogy Outreach Program for the Jewish the base hospital facility. So Hannah record of service. When she retired, Federation of San Antonio, which was reported to his home to perform her Hannah and one of her Black friends eventually taken over by the Jewish P.T. treatments on his behalf. Mamie received a full military parade in their Family Services. Hannah has served was so impressed with Ike’s progress honor at Lackland AFB, which includ- on the Boards of the Jewish Commu- that in gratitude she invited Hannah ed attendance by all of the trainees. nity Center, the National Council of and the Hospital Commander to have Initially her friend did not want a pa- Jewish Women, SAM Ministries, and breakfast with her and President rade, but Hannah convinced him that Temple Beth-El, and currently is on Eisenhower, which was indeed a most it was important for the basic trainees the Board of their Sisterhood. Hannah memorable event. to see how a Black person and a wom- is an expert weaver, weaving scarves After 27 years of service with an could make it to the top. which she donates to various charita- the Air Force, Hannah retired at the Hannah’s remarkable dedication ble organizations for their fund raising rank of Colonel. At that time it was to service did not stop after retirement. auctions. She weaves unique tallitot rare for a woman to have achieved Shortly thereafter she was responsible for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. She also such a high rank in the military, which for setting up a successful Gerontol- serves as a docent at the Institute of Texan Cultures.

We Need Your Stories! If you need TJHS We are earnestly looking for stories with ties to Texas Jewish history! membership applications Any kind of story about your family history or your Temple’s history can for an event, program, fill the pages of our News Magazine. Everyone has a story to tell, long or personal use, etc., please short. To submit your story, or if you need help writing your story, con- contact Rusty Milstein at tact Davie Lou Solka at [email protected] or 512-527-3799. [email protected].

Page 12 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 The Galveston Movement, continued from page 9 Meet Your Board, continued from page 11 Force. He was her life partner for over sixty-five years until his death in 2017. After mov- ing to Houston in 1962, she worked for many years in fund raising, volun- teer ac- tivities, and plan- ning special events for non-profit groups, including W. H. Novit and cart about 1908. the Mental Health Associa- tion, Jewish Family Service, comfortable as rural Texans, our songs than Jewish ones, and later and the Houston Ballet. Then, parents worried that we would (as an academic) probably know acting on her love of travel, stop being Jewish. So, by the more about Christian theology she became a travel agent for time we were approaching adoles- than Jewish theology. It was several years before retiring. cence, they decided to leave their only as an adult that I became Betty now spends her time beloved community and move to seriously interested in my own enjoying her family—a son in Dallas, where we could belong religion. New York City, and a daugh- to a synagogue and join Jewish But whatever I missed by not ter and her husband and two organizations. The transition from growing up in a Jewish commu- grandchildren living in Hous- rural to urban child was easier on nity, I have gained something ton. She also enjoys reading, my younger sister than on me. In that has become an enormous theater, travel, and various subtle ways, I had grown up in blessing. Even as a child, and volunteer groups. a Protestant world rather than a long before I knew the word, I Jewish one. I know more Gospel understood marginality. Having Gary P. Whitfield is from one foot in very different Fort Worth, and is a former worlds gave the ability to coach and teacher. He retired look at each with an outsid- from the Air Force Reserve er’s eye. This gift has given where me a special appreciation he was for the immigrant generation a small who made a literal transition arms from one world to another - instruc- from the shtetl to the Texas tor. He countryside—from forest is a to plains—from Yiddish to former Texas English—from a seam- Data less Jewish community to a Col- totally foreign one. We, the lector (Field) RTI and is a descendants of the Galveston Annie & Wolf Novit (formerly Chana and past chairman of the Tarrant Visit us on the web at www.txjhs.org. Visit Movement are who we are www.txjhs.org Velvel Astonovitski). Novit was taken out County Historical Society. of Astonovitski in the U.S. because of them.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 13 What I Did During the Pandemic, continued from page 6 out of the lungs, allowing the person ed. She spent about six months in the of polio by 90%. By the end of the to breathe. iron lung before she could breathe on century, the polio scare had become In 1950, my cousin, Harriette her own. a faint memory in the United State. Holtzman was in Tulsa, Oklahoma Ultimately, poliomyelitis was Rotary International with support visiting her grandmother when she conquered in 1955 by a vaccine de- from the Gates Foundation founded began to have trouble breathing. She veloped by Jonas Salk and his team the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was diagnosed with polio and placed at the University of Pittsburgh. The which has reduced polio worldwide by in an iron lung. The polio patients research money came from the March more than 99.9%. were quarantined in the basement of Dimes, founded by President Frank- I remember being in a long line of the hospital. She and two other lin D. Roosevelt, who contracted polio of kids in 1955 at Sam’s Memorial youngsters were there. The other and was never able to walk again. Stadium to get my vaccination. Let’s two died. Harriette was considered Leading drug manufacturers made the pray that a vaccine will soon be found lucky to be in Tulsa because at that vaccine available and more than 200 for COVID-19, and the long lines for time Brownsville lacked an adequate million doses were distributed between food, water, employment and other amount of iron lungs that were need- 1955 and 1962, reducing the cases necessities will also be a memory.

Lynna Kay Shuffield Memorial Award in Texas Jewish History The Texas Jewish Historical or lay historians who have created a years 2018, 2019, and 2020. More Society has joined the Texas State work of scholarship in Texas Jewish submission details will be available Historical Association in offering history, including published books, on the Texas State Historical Associ- the Lynna Kay Shuffield Memorial chapters in published books, articles ation website at tshaonline.org Award in Texas Jewish History for published in scholarly journals, and As a lay historian herself, Lynna $2,000. The first award will be post-graduate theses or dissertations. Kay Shuffield appreciated how much presented at the 2021 Texas State Eligible works will have been work and passion it takes to preserve Historical Society Annual Meeting. created within the previous three Texas Jewish history. Her legacy Competition for the award will years; i.e. the 2021 Award will be will be to reward others for doing the be open to any graduate students offered for a work created in the same.

Please Note: If you are sending a check to the Texas Jewish Historical So- ciety, please indicate the purpose of the check—dues, gift, contribution, etc.

President’s Message, continued from page 2 ticles about Rabbi Jimmy Kessler: one I’ve also reached out to Rabbi Kessler. Lou Solka, Sonny Gerber and I had an from Tumbleweed about his life and After great consideration, Davie interesting conversation with Kenneth others about his new book, Ramblings Lou Solka requested a refund on Hoffman, Executive Director. Look at of a Texas Rabbi. What fun to read the remaining funds from the intern the website to see what they’re doing. upbeat, positive news! program at the Briscoe. The amount www.msje.org One of my high school chums was less than $200, but the shutdown Sally Drayer and her meetings recently wrote to me about restoring a might have an effect on who works committee hope to have plans for the house in Galveston owned by a rabbi there in the future and our connections Fall Zoom meeting complete soon. for a number of years. The house has may need to be reestablished. L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu V’te- been in and out of her family twice. The Museum of the Southern ichateimu. This is a year to stay safe, She’s looking into the history hoping Jewish Experience is set to open in stay healthy, stay involved and stay in to discover a connection for TJHS. New Orleans, in early 2021. Davie touch!

Page 14 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 The Texas Jewish Historical Society Grant Application The mission of the Texas Jewish Historical Society is to expand and enhance the knowledge and understanding of the Jewish presence in Texas and the history of Jews from their first arrival in the State to the present. We solicit applications for research projects that are in this spirit. Deadlines for submission are March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. Application Form

The Texas Jewish Historical Society will consider applications from individuals and non-profit organizations in any written or visual media. Attach additional sheets as necessary. Contact Name: ______

Organization: ______Address:______City: ______State: ______Zip: ______Phone: (______)______Cell: (______)______Email: ______Title and Description of project. ______Briefly outline personal and professional background information that support this application. ______What is the anticipated budget for the project? Are you seeking additional support from elsewhere? ______Please detail the timeline of your project. ______

Completed project must acknowledge TJHS support. A copy or account of the completed project should be submit- ted to the Society’s archive at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin.

Send applications to: TJHS Grant Committee: P.O. Box 10193, Austin TX 78766-0193, or email to [email protected].

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 15 From Our Archives

This column is based on information in the TJHS Collection, housed at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas campus in Austin. It has been supplemented with online research. If you have corrections or additions, please submit them in writing to the TJHS editor at [email protected]. We want our archives to be as complete as possible. Three Marshallites Become Citizens by Vickie Vogel Our archives contain a in Muenster. He 1934. It was considered the nation- news clipping from May 20, served in several al newspaper of record until it was 1945 from the Marshall News congregations in dissolved. The owners were Jewish, Messenger profiling three Berlin, and from and even though they purged Jewish residents, including two Jews, the pulpit, he staff and hired new staff with German recently awarded United States preached against Nationalist tendencies, that didn’t save citizenship. Rabbi and Mrs. Nazism in syn- the paper.6 Adolf Philippsborn and Mrs. agogues in the Philippsborn worked on the newspa- Philip Maranto were congratu- Ruhr, Westfalia, per while still fulfilling rabbinical duties lated in Jefferson. Mrs. Maran- Eilesia, and with congregations in Berlin. His work to’s sister, Mrs. D. Tatillo of Pomerania and as Reichstag correspondent brought him Beaumont; Mrs. Henry Stein other places. He in touch with leaders of all political per- and Rev. L. L. Meyer, both of addressed hun- suasions from Nazis to Communists. He Marshall, were in attendance. dreds of meet- met former Chancellors—Dr. Wilhelm “I Am an American” Day Unidentified with Rabbi ings in Berlin, Marx, Dr. Heinrich Bruening, Dr. Karl was authorized by congression- Philippsborn, right. Frankfurt, and Wirth, Philipp Scheideman, Franz von al resolution in May, 1940, other cities telling Papen as well as Foreign Ministers such honoring naturalized citizens. people of the Nazi as Dr. Gustav Streseman. He met with It was a special day for Rabbi danger. He wrote the first president of the Reich, Fried- and Mrs. Philippsborn who had articles in German rich Ebert and his successor Paul von barely escaped Nazi Germany.1 newspapers about Hindenburg as well as Martin Erzberger The rabbi fled Berlin on April the threat to world and Walther Rathenau, members of 9, 1933 for Paris. His wife, peace as well as democratic governments who were Gertrude,2 and younger son, the German peo- assassinated. When Hermann Goering Kurt, followed ten days later. ple. He knew he became president of the Reichstag in Their older son, Heinz, re- was a marked man 1930, Philippsborn met with him, and mained in hiding in Berlin until and had to leave. also met Dr. Joseph Goebbels. he was able to leave in May, In Paris, Adolf and January 29, 1933, twenty hours be- directly for Palestine. Gertrude read in fore Hitler came to power, Philippsborn The rabbi was born in Marshall News Messenger, the paper that they went to the lobby of the Hotel Kaiser- May 20, 1945, from The 1888 in Potsdam3 and grew had both been hof which was Hitler’s headquarters Texas Jewish Historical deprived of their up hating fascism because his Society Collection, Dolph at the time. Hitler, Goebbels, Goering, father, Leopold Philippsborn, Briscoe Center for American German citizen- Himmler and others were sitting in the had taught him the ideals of History, University of ship because “we lobby. Rumors were flying that Hitler democracy.4 He studied Semit- Texas at Austin. were not faithful would march against Berlin if von ic languages and philosophy, to the fuehrer and Hindenburg did not appoint him chan- graduated from the Victoria Gymnasi- his people.”5 cellor. At the press conference the next um and college in Potsdam, and attend- Adolf was connected with the day, held at the Palace Leopold across ed the University of Berlin and Heidel- Vossische Zeitung, a well-known liberal the street from where von Hindenburg berg, and the Jewish Teacher Seminary Berlin newspaper which lasted until continued on page 17

Page 16 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Marshallites, continued from page 16 lived, journalists buzzed that Hitler and Italy. They were separated from Jewish Archives in Cincinnati. was meeting with von Hindenburg at their parents for twelve years. that moment. At last, Privy Counsellor “Before we came to America we Endnotes von Heyde, deputy chief of the press lived in Germany, France, Spain, the 1 https://www.findagrave.com/ department of the German Foreign Netherlands. I was in Switzerland, memorial/11096861/gertrude-s_- Office arrived. With trembling hands, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, philippsborn he read the announcement of Hitler’s Poland, Yugoslavia, Romania, Belgium, 2 1898- http://collections. appointment. Great Britain, but - there is only one americanjewisharchives.org/ms/ Thus, Philippsborn was yards America, and we are proud to be its ms0010/ms0010.html. Rabbi away from the birth of the Third Reich. citizens.” Philippsborn married Frida Anna “The end of the Third Reich which Philippsborn came to Shreveport Jacob Philippsborn (b. 1896) and Hitler predicted to last a thousand in 1939 and was connected with B’nai they had two daughters, Lieselotte (b. years - I witnessed it here in Marshall,” Zion congregation, assisting Rabbis 1913) and Ruth (1916-2014). Ruth Philippsborn said, “in these blessed Abraham Brill and David Lefkowitz. In died in Buenos Aires. https://www. United States of America, whose citi- 1942, He was elected rabbi of Temple geni.com/people/Frida-Philippsbo zens my wife and I now are.” Moses Montefiore in Marshall. He suc- rn/6000000030546322115 3 The Rabbi was grateful that Hitler ceeded Dr. David H. Wittenberg who http://collections. told the world he and his wife had noth- had been rabbi for the past year and americanjewisharchives.org/ms/ ing in common “with those gangsters resigned because of ill health.7 ms0010/ms0010.html. This source gives who have tortured and slain innocent Philippsborn was a member of the the date of birth as 1898, but https:// people, who have extinguished the Marshall Rotary Club and president of www.geni.com/people/Rabbi-Adolf-Ph lights of freedom in Europe, and who the Marshall Ministers’ Association, ilippsborn/6000000007551168810 says have set the world aflame.” serving as secretary-treasurer for sev- 1888. 4 Once in the United States, he eral years. He was secretary of Reu- His mother was Johanna studied at Hebrew Union College ben Lodge No. 237 of B’nai B’rith of Philippsborn. https://www.geni. in Cincinnati. He was committed to Marshall, chaplain at Harmon General com/people/Rabbi-Adolf-Philippsbo rn/6000000007551168810 Reform Jewish institutions, joined Hospital in Longview, and represen- 5 Unless otherwise stated, all information the Central Conference of American tative of the National Jewish Welfare is from Box TN 21367 of the Texas Rabbis, and was on the committee for board. Other activities included serving Jewish Historical Society Collection, Family, Marriage, and the Home. He on the council of the Boy Scouts of Dolph Briscoe Center for American was an executive board member for Harrison County, publicity chairman of History, University of Texas at Austin. the southeastern region of the Union the Marshall Boy Scouts and member 6 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ of American Hebrew Congregations of the district board of review, East Vossische_Zeitung and was active in the Kallah of Texas Texas Area Council. He also served 7 Dr. Wittenberg had been a Marshall Rabbis. on the council of the Harrison County resident for 18 years and often served as When asked if they would like Girl Scouts and was a member of the rabbi during that time. to return to their homeland, Rabbi Marshall USO council. 8 Box 1, Folder 1, History of the Marshall Philippsborn replied that they preferred After leaving Marshall, he served Jewish Community, Adolf Philippsborn, dry bread and salt in the United States congregations in Harlingen; Lubbock; January 1943. http://collections. to fried chicken in Germany. Gadsden, Alabama; Muncie, Indiana; americanjewisharchives.org/ms/ Meanwhile, their two sons were in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and ms0010/ms0010.html Palestine. Heinz was with the Eighth Vicksburg, Mississippi. He died in 9 https://www.findagrave.com/ 8 British Army from 1940, and Kurt from Vicksburg in 1967, and Gertrude in memorial/11096861/gertrude-s_- 9 1942. They saw action in Africa, Sicily 1976. His papers are in the American philippsborn.

Speaker’s Bureau, continued from page 7 time, they can attend even if they are Vogel for representing Texas Jewish Zoom programming may be with under the weather, they don't have to Historical Society so well. us for a long time, with senior citizens find a sitter, they save on gas, they get Zoom may never replace in person not anxious to be out in groups. If you to see their friends and family without meetings, because of the personal con- wish to have a TJHS Zoom program, being exposed to the virus. tacts, but (as Vickie says) "it is another contact Jan Hart or Gayle Cannon at I want to publicly thank Vickie arrow in our quiver.” [email protected].

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 17 From the Zoom Board Meeting, June 2020 • The 2020-2022 Membership Direc- tory was mailed to all members. • Davie Lou Solka, News Magazine Editor, is seeking ar- ticles from members whose family came to the U.S. through Galveston during the Galveston Movement years (1907-1914); and also, articles from members on how they have spent their time in isolation during the COVID-19 Pandem- ic. These will be ongoing articles— contact Davie Lou is you would like to submit an article. • The Board approved expendi- ture of $5,000 for an intern for Jewish Exhibit at the Institute of burials database. A goal is to a semester at the Dolph Briscoe Texan Cultures in San Antonio create a “search feature for News Center for American History have been placed on hold due to Magazine articles. on the UT campus to continue the Pandemic. When they reopen, • Approval was given to open organizing and perhaps digitizing they will contact us on their plans. a corporate account for future our Collection. This will be done • The web site was accessed 3,548 Zoom meetings and perhaps for when the Center reopens after the times, including 1,541 new vis- Vimeo access to relevant docu- Pandemic. itors. It is updated with current ments, lectures, and other presen- • Plans for the updating of the information, including the Jewish tations.

Does TJHS Have Your Current Email Address? Is your email address current? Has and printing delays, we are going to be it changed since the 2018 directory was electronically sending as much mail as printed? Have you changed email pro- possible, so don’t be left out or behind— viders? If so, please send Marc Worm- send your current information today! ser an email at [email protected] so Please put “email change” in the sub- that he can update your information in ject line and with your name in the text of the database. To reduce postage cost your message, send it today! Thank you.

Page 18 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 The TJHS is Accepting Nominations for Two Outstanding Recognition Awards for the Preservation of Texas Jewish History Texas Jewish Historical Society (TJHS), founded in 1980, is seeking nominations for Outstanding Recognition Awards in two areas: (1) Significant Historic Site Preservation (awarded first to Leon and Mimi Toubin for the restoration of the Orthodox Synagogue originally in Brenham and moved to Austin, in order to continue as a sacred place for Jewish worship services) and (2) Extraordinary Historic Project (awarded first to Rabbi Jimmy Kessler for the 1980 founding of the Texas Jewish Historical Society, which continues to educate, to preserve stories, and to archive Texas Jewish History). TJHS now seeks your help to identify and honor those individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on the preservation of Texas Jewish History. Only one award per year can be given in each category; but it is not mandated to be given yearly, only when an outstanding accomplishment merits the award. Recognitions as determined by TJHS Award Committee will be presented at TJHS Spring Annual Gathering. Applications must be received by July 15, 2021 and mailed to Cynthia Wolf, 4305 Sterling Lane, Beaumont, TX 77706. Application Form

Date of Submission: ______Name and Contact Information of Nominee(s): ______Name and Contact Information of Person(s) Recommending Nominee(s) for Consideration: ______Category of nomination:  Significant Historic Preservation  Major Historic Project

In the packet that you will return with this sheet as your cover page, please include the following: • Complete description of the accomplishment • Reasons that you are submitting this nomination and how you became aware of this accomplishment • Pictures and other documentation • Impact of this accomplishment and how it has and will continue to make a difference now and in the future on the ongoing story of the Jews of Texas • Short bio of nominee(s)

Thank you for helping us recognize deserving individuals!

Send applications to: Cynthia Wolf, 4305 Sterling Lane, Beaumont, Texas 77706 For more information, contact Cynthia Wolf at 409-899-4499 or [email protected].

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 19 TJHS Texas History Awards by Willie Braudaway

The 40th Texas History Day 2020 Jack Jordan (Veterans Memorial the Senior and Junior divisions each was held virtually due to COVID-19 Early College High School, Browns- year. The Texas History Day His- restrictions. The Texas Jewish His- ville) received a Second-Place award tory Committee, chaired by Willie torical Society awarded two Jewish of $50 from TJHS. His paper was Braudaway, with members Doug History Awards in the Senior Division. titled “Breaking Barriers: America’s Braudaway, Jan Hart, and Hollace The theme was “Breaking Barriers.” Response to the Holocaust.” Jack was Weiner, read and judged papers that Courtney Lamb (from Travis B. a first-place winner in 2019. were potentially eligible for the Jewish Bryan High School, Bryan) received The winning papers can be viewed History Awards this year. The Com- a first-place award of $100 from on the web at http://texashistoryday. mittee will be actively encouraging TJHS. Her paper was titled “Breaking com/?q=education%2Fstudents%2F- students to consider writing Jewish Barriers During the Warsaw Ghetto texas-history. History papers for Texas History Day Uprising.” TJHS offers monetary awards in 2021. Roots and Boots by Tumbleweed Smith A group of immigrants in Dallas minutes into my presentation, when was full of diamonds. That evening has formed an organization called one of them asked me to start over be- he arrived at the airport with his arm Roots to Boots. Boris Gremont and cause he could not understand a word in a cast. Of course, the authorities his wife, Joan, immigrated to the I had said.” were watching for him. They pulled United States from South Africa in When Boris left South Africa, him aside and took him into an inter- 1978, and settled in Dallas. Boris was taking money out of the country was rogation room and asked about the an established, successful accountant dangerous. “It was considered treason diamonds in his cast. He said he had in Johannesburg, but he says every day if you were caught taking money out, no idea what they were talking about, was uncertain as to what the day might and you could receive a prison sen- but they continued to badger him until bring politically. He had to re-qualify tence,” said Boris. They don’t have they eventually decided to cut off the as a CPA in Texas. “When I went to a legal system that is here in America cast to take a look. They peeled it the certification board, they said ‘give with lawyers fighting for you. There it off, layer by layer and there were no us $90; stay here for ninety days, and is pretty much an open and shut case.” diamonds. we’ll make you a CPA.’ I thought this Boris had a friend who decided to The security officials were very is my kind of town.” take his wealth with him in the form embarrassed and apologized, and the He was showing some people of diamonds when he left. He put his man told them they had made him from South Africa around Dallas who arm in a plaster cast and was going to miss his flight. They said they would were thinking of immigrating. He imbed the diamonds in the cast and go get him on the next night’s flight. The took them to a grocery store, and when through the airport and go to London. next night he went to the airport with they saw sixty kinds of bread, they He called the security authorities at the his cast full of diamonds and they thought the country was too confusing airport the day he was leaving and said escorted him onto the plane. and decided not to immigrate. there was a British Airways flight from Editors Note: If you immi- Boris found a job in the account- South Africa to London and a short grated to Texas from South Africa, ing department at Neiman-Marcus. “I fellow (he was short) was planning and would like to tell us your story, was giving a financial report to some to take that flight. He told them the please send it to Davie Lou Solka at executives, and was about forty-five fellow had his arm in a cast and it [email protected]. The deadline for the Save Postage December 2020 TJHS Please notify TJHS when your address has changed or if you may be News Magazine is temporarily away from home when the News Magazine is to be delivered. These issues are returned to us at a postage due rate of $1.52. We want to Friday, November 13. save you money!

Page 20 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 In Memoriam Guess This Member Bernard (Bernie) Berman, TJHS member, We had a winner! Mazel died June 7, 2020, in Hous- Tov to Areve Alexander who ton. He is survived by his guessed that our cutie from wife, Phyllis (Bumar); chil- the past few issues is Janice dren, Mark (Rocio Lilliana) Gerber from Houston. Areve Berman; Cynthia (John) will receive a year’s member- Riddle; sister, Susie Abramson; sister-in-law ship in TJHS for her excellent Ruthe Berman (TJHS Board Member); and sleuthing. Here’s another four grandchildren. cutie for you. This little one has been a Dr. Louis Harry Green, TJHS member, faithful TJHS Board Member died May 21, 2020, in for many years. Houston. He is survived by Email your guess to his children, Shelley Green; Davie Lou Solka at editor@ Chuck (Pat) Green; Lauren txjhs.org any time begin- (Robert) Smith; three ning Monday, September 14. grandchildren, and two Entries received before that great-grandchildren. date will not be considered. Family members and previous Dorothy Harelik, former TJHS Board winners and their families Member, died June 6, are not eligible to participate. 2020, in Hamilton. She Good luck! If you’d like to try is survived by her bo- and stump the TJHS member- nus children Mark and ship, please send your photo to Spencer Harelik; Joe and [email protected]. Marcia Medrano; Matt & Dawn Harelik; two grand- sons; many cousins, nieces and nephews. Contributions Nick Kotz, TJHS member, died April 26, The following donations have been received by the 2020, in Broad Run, Virginia. Mr. Kotz was Texas Jewish Historical Society: an author and Pulitzer Prize-wining journal- In Honor of From ist, and was born Nathan Kallison Lasser in Joyce K. Lieb, on receiving the BSA Bernadine Belkin San Antonio, Texas. He is survived by his Silver Beaver Award in El Paso wife, Mary Lynn; a son, Jack Kotz; and one Vickie Vogel Temple Mount Sinai in El Paso grandson. In Memory of From May their memories Dorothy Harelik Barbara & Ben Rosenberg be a blessing. Rabbi Kenneth Roseman Susan & Bob Lewis Gift Membership For From Merom & Judy Brachman Areve Alexander Richard & Phyllis Ulman Mazel Tov Shawn Ulman to the following TJHS Members Andy & Brandie Kessler Rabbi James & Shelley Kessler Jenny Kessler & Nick Bius Jack Solka, on becoming a member of the 2019- B. Z. Lewis Susan & Bob Lewis 2020 Rotary District #5879 Roll of Fame for his Kevin Lewis outstanding exemplification of the Spirit of Rotary. Norma Rabinovich Cecilia Shapiro

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 21 Welcome New Members! Sheila Aron Roslyn Hoffman Pittsford Frances Goodman 121 N. Post Oak Ln., #406 10210 Piping Rock Lane 2702 Cembalo Blvd #110 Houston, TX 77024 Houston, TX 77042 San Antonio, TX 78230-303 [email protected] 832-326-6002 713-824-6096 [email protected] Ruben & Joan Teter Linares [email protected] Merom & Judy Brachman Norma Rabinovich 311 N. Drexel 5916 North 1st Street Melvin Lipsitz Columbus, OH 43209 McAllen, TX 78504 [email protected] 614-252-4336 956-631-0111 cell: 956-821-5480 [email protected] Babbette (Blankfield) Samuels Bruce A. Hoffman [email protected] 6952 Salizar St. Freida Lee Schwartz San Diego, CA 92111 4304 Donnybrook Place Arthur & Joyce (Proler) Schechter 858-204-8067 El Paso, TX 79902-1312 1100 Uptown Park Blvd. #273 [email protected] 915-526-2250 Houston, TX 77056 [email protected] Vicki (Aaronson) Hutson Davie Lou & Jack Solka 6160 Prickly Pear Lane Richard & Phyllis (Alexander) DavieLou cell: 361-946-6880 Jackson, WY 83001-9584 Ulman Jack cell: 361-946-6879 301-523-5010 5730 Cheltenham [email protected] Houston TX 77096 David & Joy Turkel 713-206-1820 [email protected] Andy & Brandie Kessler [email protected] 16310 Heatherdale Dr. Elliot & Marcia Goren Weser Houston, TX 77059 Shawn Ulman Marcia: marcia @emweser.com 281-245-6304 1703 Canterbury, Unit A Elliot: [email protected] [email protected] Austin, TX 78702 310-867-3325 Jenny Kessler & Nick Bius [email protected] If you have any changes in your 1616 Q Street N.W. information, please contact Washington, DC 20009 Rabbi Ben Zeidman Marc Wormser at 409-771-0703 4408 N. Stanton St. 832-288-3494, [email protected] [email protected] El Paso, TX 79902 915-503-0575 B. Z. Lewis [email protected] 6802 Gunn Dr. TJHS on Oakland, CA 94611 Directory Kevin Lewis 4126 University Blvd. Changes Facebook Dallas, TX 75205 Did you know that TJHS has a Sandy Dula Facebook page? 512-520-4522, cell: 915-241-4523 Jack & Barbara Markman Like us at https:// 624 East Friar Tuck www.facebook. Sandra (Miron) Freed Houston, TX 77098 com/pages/ 713-524-0401 Texas-Jewish- Drs. Robert & Miriam (Kalman) cell: 713-851-4040 Historical-Society/ Friedman fax: 713-524-0403 187629054741368.

Page 22 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 TJHS Board of Directors

Officers Board of Trustees Board of Trustees President 2019-2021 2020-2022 Susan Zack Lewis (Big Spring) Elaine Albin (Rockport) Ruthe Berman (Katy) 1st Vice President Douglas Braudaway (Del Rio) Gordon Cizon (Dallas) Sonny Gerber (Houston) Willie Braudaway (Del Rio) Michael Furgatch (Brownsville) 2nd Vice President Gayle Cannon (Austin) Marlene Eichelbaum (San Antonio) Sheldon Lippman (Austin) Nelson Chafetz (Austin) Mel Eichelbaum (San Antonio) 3rd Vice President Deidra Cizon (Dallas) Jeffrey Josephs (Austin) Joan Linares (Baytown) Lynda Furgatch (Brownsville) Joan Katz (Houston) Janice Gerber (Houston) Louis Katz (Houston) Recording Secretary John Campbell (Austin) Sharon Gerber (Houston) Kay Krause (Richardson) Dolly Golden (Austin) Molly Kristall (Austin) Corresponding Secretary Jan Hart (Temple) Bob Lewis (Big Spring) Amy Milstein (Frisco) Morton Herman (Fort Worth) Marilyn Lippman (Dallas) Treasurer Kathy Kravitz (Austin) Mitzi Milstein (Longview) Ben Rosenberg (Sugar Land) Abbi Michelson (Lockhart) Ruth Nathan (Houston) Historian/Archivist Samylu Rubin (Dallas) Dr. Marc Orner (Abilene) Sally Drayer (Dallas) Phyllis Turkel (Houston) Jack Solka (Austin) Gary Whitfield (Fort Worth) Betty Weiner (Houston) Parliamentarian Cynthia Wolf (Beaumont) Michael Wolf (Beaumont) Davie Lou Solka (Austin) Joyce Wormser (Pearland) Past Presidents (Living Past Presidents are TJHS Traveling Exhibit members of the Board of Trustees, The Texas Jewish prepaid freight via UPS per our By-Laws.) Historical Society has in waterproof boxes to three museum quality your location. There will David Beer (Dallas) photo exhibits, with be the expense of prepaid explanations depicting freight back to the shipper Sally Drayer (Dallas) early Jewish life and via UPS ground. Charles B. Hart (Temple) contributions. The The exhibits have exhibits highlight the been displayed in various Rabbi Jimmy Kessler (Galveston) lives of Jews in Texas locations in Texas and Howard “Rusty” Milstein (Longview) since the early part of other parts of the United Barbara Rosenberg (Sugar Land) the century. States, including Rhode Each exhibit is Island and California. Lionel Schooler (Houston) comprised of approxi- They are an excellent pro- Davie Lou Solka (Austin) mately thirty-six photo- gram for schools, congre- graphs that can either be self-stand- gations, and other organizations. To Vickie Vogel (La Grange) ing with an easel back or hung on schedule the exhibits, please contact Helen Wilk (Houston) a wall. There is no charge for the Dolly Golden at goldendolly81@ exhibits and they will be shipped yahoo.com or 512-453-8561. Marc Wormser (Pearland)

Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020 Page 23 NONPROFIT ORG. Texas Jewish U.S. POSTAGE PAID Historical Society HOUSTON, TX P. O. Box 10193 PERMIT NO. 1662 Austin, Texas 78766-0193

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The Texas Jewish Historical Society New Membership and Information Update Form Join the Texas Jewish Historical Society today! Or use this form to update your contact information. Mail this form with your check made payable to the Texas Jewish Historical Society, P. O. Box 10193, Austin, TX 78766-0193. Please PRINT. m YES! Count me in! My dues are enclosed. m Please update my information. Check the Appropriate Box(es) m New Member Who suggested TJHS to you? m Renewing Member Name:______m Special interests, professional background, talents______Membership Category m $18 Student Member m $35 Annual Member m $100 Sponsor m $500 Benefactor m $50 Supporting Member m $250 Sustaining Member m $1,000 Patron Name(s):______Maiden Name:______Address:______City:______State:______Zip:______Phone: ______Fax:______Cell: ______Email:______Website:______Contributions to the Texas Jewish Historical Society are tax deductible within the limits of the law. Page 24 Texas Jewish Historical Society - September 2020