Preserving Jewish Heritage in Texas Texas Jewish Est. 1980 Historical Society December 2015 News Magazine B’nai Abraham: From Brenham to Austin by Davie Lou Solka

Leon and Shalom Aus- Mimi Toubin tin, to see if had a dream— he thought their dream was there would that the B’nai be interest in Abraham Syna- moving the gogue building synagogue would one day to Austin. again be a place Jay imme- for worshippers diately said to hold daily yes, and the minyanim, for journey be- happiness and gan. Leon kvelling at a Bar and Mimi Mitzvah, at a contacted wedding, and family mem- even at a bris. bers and That dream others who came true—not had roots in in Brenham, From Brenham to Austin. On left: B’nai Abraham in Brenham, Texas. On right: At Brenham and Texas, where its new home in Austin with a new sign. money began the 122-year- to come in old synagogue building was begun, but in Austin, Texas, for the move, including a $25,000 grant from the Texas on the Dell Jewish Community Campus. The ninety-mile Jewish Historical Society. The cost of this move was over journey for the synagogue began on January 3, 2015, $600,000. when the building was cut into three horizontal pieces and In 1885, the Jews of Brenham organized a formal placed on flatbed trucks to be transported to Austin. congregation with twenty-two charter members. The first The Toubins had lovingly cared for the building and synagogue was built in 1892, but burned down and was re- gave tours whenever someone wanted to visit, but they placed with a new building the next year – 1893. By 1899, began to realize that they would not be able to continue to B’nai Abraham was organized as an Orthodox congregation do this much longer. Leon contacted Jay Rubin, CEO of continued on page 5

In This Issue:

Message from the President 2 Encyclopedia—Galveston 7

The Levine Brothers of Sealy, Texas 3 The Jewish Literary Society of Houston 12 by Melvyn Levine by Vickie Vogel

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 1 Message from the President by David Beer

Dear Fellow Society visit the Jew- was nice to not have scheduled events. Members, ish cemetery or Saturday night was a wonderful It would appear the Tyler Rose dinner at our hotel, followed by Rabbi that cooler weather has Garden due to Neal Katz giving us a presentation on heralded the arrival of the weather, but “The Jews of Smith County” (where fall. (It’s about time!) we all enjoyed Tyler is located). This was a delightful With summer behind a Shabbat Eve program that really gave us a good us, the temperature is dinner at Con- understanding of the history of the falling and the days are gregation Beth Jewish community of that area. Sun- shorter, and we start El with services day morning, we held our quarterly to think of upcoming following. We board meeting. events. Thanksgiving, had a wonderful Plans were made for our Winter Chaunukah and finally Saturday morning Board Meeting in Galveston on Jan- the start of the secular panel discussion uary 8-10, 2016. The founder of our New Year. about growing up in Tyler with some organization, Rabbi Jimmy Kessler, For those of you who were not of the people who still call Tyler and I have worked to put together a able to make our fall meeting held in home. Because of the rain, Saturday weekend of activities that will be a Tyler October 23-25, 2015, a great afternoon was a “take it easy” affair, perfect way to start the New Year. time was had by all, in spite of the rain with everyone doing whatever they The weekend will begin with a (which fell continuously throughout wanted. Although this was different Shabbat eve dinner at Temple B’nai the weekend). We were not able to from our usual Saturday afternoons, it Israel, followed by Shabbat services. Saturday, we will visit the old Tem- ple, the Scottish Rite Temple and the The Texas Jewish Historical Society Seaport Museum. Saturday night will be special. We will have dinner at December 2015 the world famous Gaido’s Restaurant Quarterly News Magazine and then attend a performance of The Rose, starring Olympia Dukakis in a The Texas Jewish Historical Society News Magazine is published one-woman show at The Grand 1894 four times annually. Stories about Texas Jewish history, oral histories, and Opera House. Sunday morning, we requests for assistance with research are welcome, as are photographs and will meet at B’nai Israel for breakfast, historical documents. Please provide color photocopies or scans at 300 dpi followed by our board meeting. This or greater in gif, tif, or jpg format, and send electronically to Editor Davie is going to be a great weekend, so Lou Solka at [email protected] or by mail to 3808 Woodbrook Circle, Austin, TX 78759, 512-527-3799. Be sure to include your name and con- continued on page 11 tact information.

Editor Davie Lou Solka The News Magazine of the Layout/Design Editor Alexa Kirk Texas Jewish Historical Society Photographers Sally Drayer, Marvin Rich, Davie Lou Solka, Marc (USPS) is published four times a Wormser year by the Texas Jewish Histor- ical Society, P. O. Box 10193, Note: The Texas Jewish Historical Society is unable Austin, Texas 78766-0193, Travis to guarantee the safe receipt and/or return of docu- County. Periodical postage paid ments and photographs. It is strongly recommended at Houston, Texas. Postmaster, that you provide color photocopies of both color and send address changes to the Texas black & white documents. We welcome your com- Jewish Historical Society, P. O. ments 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 - December 2015 The Levine Brothers of Sealy, Texas by Melvyn Levine

My dad, Gus Louis to the store. However, Levine, with only an my mom insisted that eighth grade educa- I go to college, so I tion, opened a very reluctantly enrolled at small store on Fowlkes Oklahoma University Street in Sealy in 1915, in Norman, Oklahoma. after he left Brenham This was one of the at the age of twenty. best decisions I have In 1917 he bought the ever made. I was a Otto Albert store (built member of Sigma Al- around 1890) at 217 pha Mu fraternity and Main Street in Sealy made lifelong friends across from the present from across the United Citizens State Bank. States with whom I Here they sold groceries, am still in contact on a hardware, saddles, har- monthly basis. nesses, and feed. A few When I graduated years later they had an from college, I immedi- Oliver tractor dealership ately returned to Sealy and sold the first tractors and worked in the store Levine Bros. grocery store interior, 1947. Note bank teller cage which in Austin County. became the office. Behind counter on left are Gus Levine, Maurice Levine, until it was closed on Uncle Abe Levine and Frank Fisher, a Katy Railroad agent. In front of the counter are December 24, 1994. joined the business after William Black and Joe Block. Until we closed the World War I, and Uncle store, I believed that Maurice became the third partner in recess I would go to the store for a half I would be in the store every day of 1924 after attending Brenham’s Blinn hour to stock shelves or just “hang my life. I married Barbara Macow, College. He pitched for the Blinn out.” No one was concerned that any who was from Houston (her parents baseball team and was known as safety problems would arise as they are Moses and Shirley Macow) on “Lefty” Levine. would today. February 3, 1953, and we have three In 1928, they constructed an adja- My dad, Gus, died at a train cross- wonderful children—Janis, Mike, cent building of equal size. Two large ing accident on December 29, 1948, and Sharon—all of whom graduated archways were put in the partition when I was ten. My mom, Frieda, my from Sealy High School. Sharon died wall enabling customers to go from sister, Dana, my brother, Sid, and I of cancer at the age of thirty-nine on the grocery store to a new “dry goods” moved to Houston in 1949, but kept December 29, 2008. My father-in-law, store. The new addition offered men’s, our Sealy home. We would go to Moses, grew up in Austin across the ladies’ and children’s clothing, shoes, Sealy every weekend, and Mom and I street from the Treaty Oak. fabric, sheets and towels, tables and worked in the store. From 1930 until the late 1950s, chairs, and Samsonite luggage. When I graduated from high tokens and coupon books were used The brothers were always looking school in 1956, I was ready to get back continued on page 21 for new ventures. In 1940, they started ranching, which developed into a cow/ calf operation. Uncle Maurice usually Save Postage looked after the cows and also worked Please notify TJHS when your address has changed or if you may be temporarily at the Wednesday cattle auctions start- away from home when the News Magazine is to ed by C.A. Mewish of Bellville. be delivered. These issues are returned to us at The Sealy Elementary School a postage due return of $1.52 (at printing date) (now Levine Park) was two blocks per Magazine. These amounts add up—it’s from the store. Frequently during your money we are trying to save!

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 3 TJHS Winter Meeting in Tyler October 23-25, 2015

Members mingled in the Hospitality Room. Rabbi Neal Katz presents Saturday night panel: Jimmy Franks, Mike “A History of the Jews Gross, Ronnie Horsley, and Donn Bindler. of Smith County.”

Sitting in the back row: Debbie Winegarten and Joan & Louis Katz. In the front row: Samylu Rubin.

Members visited before the meeting began on Sunday morning.

Susan Lewis, Recording Secretary, and David Beer, Presi- dent.

Ruth Nathan; Sonny & Sharon Gerber; Dick & Claire Brooks; Rusty Milstein and Gary Whitfield. Vickie & David Vogel. Photos by Sally Drayer and Gayle Cannon

Page 4 Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 B’nai Abraham, continued from page 1 and had an active religious school Central Texas resident who now re- to maintain the character of the syna- with twelve students. It remains an sides in Israel. Once the building was gogue as it was when it was located in Orthodox congregation to this day, moved and reassembled, he returned Brenham. and Orthodox services will continue in to Austin from Israel to reassemble Groundbreaking for the move Austin as a home for Tiferat Israel, a and restore the Ark and Bimah to their was held on October 26, 2014, on a modern Orthodox congregation. The present conditions. Some of the work beautiful, hot day. Soil from Bren- inside of the building was based on required included a new roof, new continued on page 6 Eastern European synagogue design, exterior siding, new flooring and and the exterior was designed to blend new paint throughout the Sanctu- in with similar religious structures in ary. The contractor was instructed the area. In addition to cutting the building into three parts for transport, permits had to be ob- tained, and architectural drawings for the resto- ration and upgrades. In order to meet City of Aus- tin building codes, the electrical and air condition- ing systems had to be completely replaced, along with handicap accessi- bility and a separate building for restrooms. Prior to making the move to Aus- Clockwise from top left photo: Interior of the synagogue in Brenham. B’nai tin, the Ark Abraham Synagogue in Brenham. The roof was lowered into place in Austin. and Bimah Each section of the building was trucked separately on a flatbed truck (three photos). Attaching the middle section. Mimi & Leon Toubin waved good-bye as were taken B’nai Abraham began its journey to Austin. The middle section was lowered into place in Austin. The doors apart by Tom in Brenham with the Historical Marker. The crane took the synagogue apart to prepare for the move. Three Schiffour, center photos clockwise from top: The sides were carefully attached into place. The supports that held the a longtime middle section in place on the truck. Even the smallest ones watched as the building was reassembled.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 5 B’nai Abraham, continued from page 5 ham, Austin and Israel was placed in the ground where the synagogue would be located. The first third of the roof arrived on the Dell campus on January 15, 2015, after spend- ing seven nights in Rockdale due to rain and winds. The second section arrived January 27-28, and the final third arrived February 5, 2015. The roof was reattached on February 13, 2015, with many people watch- ing, including children from the Austin Jewish Academy and the Preschool. The work began at 8:00 am, and continued through- out the day, finishing in time for the beginning of Shabbat. Dedication of B’nai Abra- ham Brenham Historic Syna- gogue was held on August 30, 2015, with over 500 people in attendance, including Austin Mayor Steve Adler; Austin City Council Member Sheri Gallo; and Brenham Mayor Milton Tate. Tours of the building were held for attendees in groups of forty at a time. The B’nai Abraham building is owned by the DJCC Development Corporation and will operate as part of Shalom Austin, a nonprofit community organization. In addition to Orthodox services conducted by Con- gregation Tiferet Isra- el, Shalom Austin plans to hold adult educational and cultural programs in the building and make the Clockwise from top right photo: Ark & Bimah with Mechitza in Austin. Brenham soil that was combined space avail- with soil from Austin & Israel that was placed under the building. The congregation brought the Torahs to their new home in Austin. Helen Wilk, Awards Chair, presented the TJHS Award to Mimi & Leon Toubin. able to other The original bench with a new cover. The view of the synagogue from the balcony in Austin. Debbie continued on Winegarten, then-TJHS President, and Jack Solka, Grant Committee Member, present TJHS’s check for page 11 $25,000 to Jay Rubin, CEO, Shalom Austin.

Page 6 Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Encyclopedia of Texas Jewish Communities The Texas Jewish Historical Society awarded a grant to the Institute of Southern Jewish Life to research and publish the histories of Jews in Texas towns. These histories are available on the Institute’s website and are called “Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities.” We will adapt one of these histories in each issue of our News Magazine. Thanks to the History Department of the ISJL for permission to do so. To see other towns, go to the TJHS website at www.txjhs.org, or the Institute’s website, www.isjl.org, click on the “History Department” and look for “Encyclopedia” in the drop-down menu. Galveston Driving down to Galveston in Broadway Avenue, 1838, quickly one can see the became a town splendors of Gal- alderman and was veston’s past in the elected mayor in enormous Victorian 1853. In a letter homes that once to the national housed the com- Jewish newspa- mercial magnates per, the Occi- who transformed dent, Seeligson this small island explained that into the largest city he ran for may- in Texas. Yet these or to “thwart historic homes also the Designs of a reflect a city whose certain Clique” peak was over a [sic] who had century ago. Rav- been speaking out aged by hurricanes publicly against and competition Jews. Seeligson’s from nearby Hous- comments indicate ton, Galveston has that while there survived largely on Market Street in Galveston, late 19th or early 20th century. was a degree of vacationers and tour- antisemitism in ists who flock to the island to enjoy its recommended a warmer climate for Galveston during these early years, the beaches and unique history. The Jews his wife, Rosanna, who had a heart town’s Jews were willing and able to of Galveston have been an integral condition. Osterman became one of confront and defeat it. Seeligson was part of the city’s epic rise and decline. the first merchants to set up shop in not the only officeholder among these Arriving just as the town was laid out the new town and quickly amassed a early Jewish settlers. Isadore Dyer in 1838, they continue to maintain significant fortune through the cotton served as an alderman in the 1850s, a vital presence today, though the trade. Rosanna had a strong business ’60s, and ’70s. Galveston Jewish community strug- acumen and helped him run the store. While a growing number of Jews gles with many of the same challenges After only a few years, Osterman sold moved to Galveston during the 1840s faced by small Jewish communities his store, then the largest in town, to and 50s, they were slow to establish across the South. his brother-in-law, Isadore Dyer, and Jewish institutions and often struggled Jewish immigrants who saw focused on real estate ventures. By to maintain their religious traditions. tremendous economic potential in the 1860, Osterman was worth $191,000. In 1852, one local Jew reported to port city were among the earliest set- When the city government had trou- the Occident that E. Cohen chose tlers in Galveston. Joseph Osterman, ble paying its debts in the early years, to circumcise his own son since he a Dutch native, moved to Galveston Osterman would often lend it money. was unable to bring in a mohel from from Baltimore in 1838 after doctors Michael Seeligson, who also came continued on page 8

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 7 Galveston, continued from page 7 New Orleans to perform in Galveston in the 1860 the ritual. A local surgeon census. The local news- supervised as the untrained paper praised the creation Cohen performed the of the benevolent society, procedure. That same year, but called on Galveston Galveston Jews dedicated Jews to go further and their first cemetery, bring- construct a house of wor- ing in Rev. M.N. Nathan ship, arguing that if they from a New Orleans syna- were religiously observant gogue to lead the ceremo- Jews, they would be better ny. According to the local citizens and would help newspaper, there were not uplift the entire commu- enough Jews in Galveston nity. to support a congregation. This development was Rev. Nathan chided Galves- slowed by a major yellow ton Jews during his remarks Jewish immigrants arrive in Galveston, ca. 1907-1914. fever outbreak in 1867, for neglecting their religious which killed as many as traditions and even attending Christian severely during the war. forty Jews in the area, forcing Galves- churches. Nathan admitted that while Rosanna Osterman was dedicated ton Jews to buy land for a new cem- they were too small in number to build to building the local Jewish commu- etery. Isadore Dyer, president of the a synagogue, “you can pray at home, nity. After she tragically died in a Hebrew Benevolent Society, made an instead of inconsistently going with steamboat explosion in 1866, her will appeal for financial help in the Occi- your families to church and chapel to provided money to start various Jew- dent newspaper since the society had pray to a mediator who is not instruct- ish organizations in Galveston. Her already spent all of its money help- ed in Israelite beliefs and listen to dog- bequests included money to buy addi- ing the sick and burying the Jewish mas and doctrine to which you cannot tional land for a cemetery, $1,000 for dead. Despite this setback, the Jewish subscribe.” Despite Nathan’s entreat- a Jewish Benevolent Society, $1,000 community moved forward as external ies, Galveston Jews did not hold reli- for a Jewish school and $5,000 to go pressure, Osterman’s financial largesse gious services until 1856, when they toward construction of a synagogue. and the growing size and wealth of the prayed together in the home of Isadore Osterman also left money to the state’s Galveston Jewish population finally Dyer. By 1859, they were meeting only chartered congregation, Beth led to the formation of Congregation for the high holidays. The progress of Israel in Houston, as well as other B’nai Israel in 1868 and the construc- the Galveston Jewish community was Jewish organizations and charities tion of a grand synagogue in 1870. interrupted by the Civil War. When around the country. Through her will, After the Civil War, business as the Union military captured the city Osterman was able to jump-start the usual was restored in Galveston and a early in the conflict, most Galveston Galveston Jewish community after growing number of Jews from Alsace, Jews moved to Houston, while others decades of lethargy. Germany, and Poland came to the port went to Matamoros, Mexico, where With Osterman’s money as the city to seek their fortunes. By 1868, they were able to ship cotton through impetus, eight Galveston Jews estab- an estimated 125 Jews lived on the is- the Union blockade. Rosanna Os- lished a benevolent society in 1856 land. Leon Blum left Alsace in 1852, terman, whose husband, Joseph, had and soon discussed forming a congre- and spent the first eighteen months in died in 1861, remained in Galveston gation. A local gentile butcher began the U.S. as a traveling peddler in rural during the war, nursing the wounded to supply kosher meat to the Jewish Louisiana. He came to Galveston with of both sides in her home. According community. All of the founding his older brother, Alexander, in 1859, to legend, Osterman overheard crucial members of the Hebrew Benevolent but fled the city after the start of the troop information while nursing Union Society were merchants, while most war, moving their business to Houston soldiers and shared it with Confeder- were young. Only one, Isadore Dyer, and later, Matamoros, Mexico. Right ate forces, enabling them to retake the was over thirty-five years old. All after the war, the Blums returned to city in early 1863. Nevertheless, the but one was foreign born, with most Galveston and opened a wholesale dry Union continued its blockade of the from Alsace and the German states. goods house, which became a quick port, as business in the city suffered Two of the eight were listed as living continued on page 9

Page 8 Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Galveston, continued from page 8 success. In 1879, the firm did over an important civic leader, serving as a Harris Kempner’s death, his son, Isaac one million dollars in business; that city alderman before being elected to Harris Kempner, took over the family same year they opened a huge new the state legislature in 1876. He was operation, which included a wide array building on the downtown Strand. also very philanthropic, supporting the of businesses, including railroads, By 1863, Leon Blum’s business was local Protestant Orphans Home, which insurance, ranching, oil, real estate, one of the leading wholesale houses named the Kopperl Infirmary in his and cotton. In 1902, Kempner bought in the South employing 200 people. honor. Island City Savings Bank, later chang- Blum became one of Galveston’s The Jewish family that had per- ing its name to Texas Bank & Trust business titans. A member of the haps the most lasting impact on the Company. He also served as president Cotton Exchange, Blum led the effort island was the Kempners. Polish-born of the Galveston Cotton Exchange. In to construct a grand building for the Harris Kempner came to the U.S. in 1907, he bought a regional sugar com- organization. He worked to improve 1854, settling initially in Cold Springs, pany, renaming it Imperial Sugar. the city’s port and its rail links to the Texas, where he worked as a peddler. Several other Jews opened suc- Texas interior, helping to found the After fighting for the Confederacy, cessful businesses in Galveston in the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad. Kempner moved to Galveston in years after the Civil War. Felix Halff Blum also established the People’s 1870, opening a wholesale grocery moved to the city just after the war Street Railway, a public transportation and liquor business with partner Max ended, starting a wholesale dry goods system that was later absorbed by the Marx. According to a Galveston firm. In 1872, he opened a high-end city. Business Review published in 1884, clothing store with Albert Weis on Blum was just one of a number Marx & Kempner had built up “a the Strand. Brothers Joseph and Ben of prominent Jewish business mag- colossal trade, whose ramifications Levy started a livery and undertaking nates who helped to make Galveston extend beyond the confines of Texas, business that remained in operation the economic and cultural center of and reached into the land of the Mon- for over a century. Their sons lat- the southwest in the 19th century. tezumas.” In 1885, Kempner became er took over the business. Joseph’s

Boulevard and Bath Houses, Galveston, Texas, 1910s.

Moritz Kopperl came to Galveston president of the Island City Savings grandson, Joe Levy, ran the funeral in 1857, but especially thrived in the Bank. Kempner was also a cotton home from 1930 until he sold it in post-war period, establishing a suc- factor. When he died in 1894, he was 1969. When newspaper editor Charles cessful cotton commission and coffee one of the largest cotton dealers in Wessolowsky visited Galveston in import business. In 1868, Kopperl Texas and left an estate worth $1.25 1879, he noted how many Jews owned became president of the National million. His wife, Eliza, was very large commercial firms, declaring Bank of Texas. Nine years later he active in local charities, spending fifty that such a number “are seldom to was president of the Gulf, Colorado, years on the board of the Galveston be found in any city in the South.” and Santa Fe Railroad. Following Orphans Home. She also donated a Wessolowsky claimed that “our Isra- the pattern set by the earliest Jewish house to B’nai Israel, which was used elite brethren are adding vastly to the settlers in Galveston, Kopperl became as a parsonage for the rabbi. After continued on page 16

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 9 Grant Committee by Hollace Weiner, Grant Committee Chair The TJHS Grant Committee Texas. He is the author awarded research funds to an architec- of two books, American tural historian, a college writing teach- Synagogues: A Centu- er, and a Jewish day school for projects ry of Architecture and that further the Society’s mission to Jewish Community and disseminate information about Jew- Synagogues (The Great ish involvement in the state’s social, Architectural Series). economic, religious, professional, and 2. Memoir: What Be- cultural history. The Grant Committee came of Houston’s accepts applications year round, with Boy Scout Troop quarterly deadlines on December 1, 27 and Other True March 1, June 1, and September 1. The Tales application is online at www.txjhs.org. Third-generation Hollace Weiner of Fort Worth Texan S.L. “Sandi” chairs the Grant Committee. Serving Wisenberg, a prolific with her are Sonny Gerber of Houston, author who teaches Guy Manaster of Dallas, Jack Solka creative writing at of Austin, and Michael Wolf of Beau- Chicago’s North- mont. western University, is At its quarterly meeting, conducted researching a nonfiction via conference call, the Grant Com- book on the South that mittee approved allocation of funds for includes pieces about three projects. They are: her family’s experiences 1. Synagogues of the South: An from the 1930s into the Online Architectural History twenty-first century. In This exhibit, spearheaded by her words, “Texas-cen- Samuel Gruber, president of the tric pieces in the book International Survey of Jewish Monu- are about integration in ments, will include 19 images of Texas Houston (including the synagogues. Many of these houses of integration of Kolter worship have been demolished, adding Elementary in 1967), importance to this in-depth look at the flooding in Meyerland, past. and the Houston Jewish Gruber, the keynote speaker at our community in the nine- 2014 Austin meeting, is collaborating teenth, twentieth, and Vintage picture postcards show the facades of three with the Jewish Heritage Collection twenty-first centuries.” synagogues, subsequently demolished. From top to at the College of Charleston in South She is also writing about bottom: San Antonio’s Temple Beth-El, 1910-1919; Carolina on this project. Utilizing Texans Clara and Sam Austin’s Congregation Beth Israel, 1913; and Hous- picture-postcard images already in Feldman, who lived in ton’s Beth Yeshurun, 1908 (which the photographer the college’s William A. Rosenthall Victoria and Harlingen. identified mistakenly as Beth Israel). Courtesy Judaica Collection, this exhibit will Wisenberg’s writ- William A. Rosenthall Judaica Collection, College of include essays about changing styles in ing style is that of an Charleston. synagogue design, the fate of historic engaging story teller, synagogues, and the Jewish architects jected at $26,300.) When completed, yet her essays are entirely factual and who designed many of these religious Synagogues of the South will be easily based on interviews and research. Her landmarks. accessible to our membership through books include Holocaust Girls: Histo- Gruber requested and received a link on the TJHS website. Gruber, ry, Memory and Other Obsessions; The $2,500 for the Texas portion of the who lives in Syracuse, New York, Sweetheart is In; and The Adventures project. (The exhibit’s total cost is pro- traces his family roots to Brenham, continued on page 20

Page 10 Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 B’nai Abraham, continued from page 6

Jewish organizations and for Jewish life cycle events. Because the building is no longer on its original site, it will lose its official historic status with the State of Texas. However, it will remain a visible part of the Jewish history in Texas and represent the continuation of Jews whose roots began in small communities around the state.

Clockwise from top right photo: Klezmer band played during a gathering of attendees at the dedication on August 30, 2015. Key players in the move (left to right): Rick Goldberg; Jay Rubin; Mimi & Leon Toubin; Tom Schiffour, the craftsman who handled the moving of the Ark and reading stand; Chris Sharp, with the construction company; and Jack Solka. Mayor of Brenham, Milton Tate and Mrs. Tate attended the Dedication Ceremonies. Mimi & Leon Toubin. President’s Message, continued from page 2 mark your calendars now. Think of it this Mazel Tov way—how often do you have the oppor- to the following tunity to visit a sub-tropical seaport in the dead of winter? I encourage you to Texas Jewish Historical Society Members plan to attend and send your registration Debbie Winegarten was awarded the Gold Medal from the Military as soon as possible since we need to order Writers Society of American for her book, Oveta Culp Hobby. She is tickets for The Rose. I promise you that a also a finalist for the Willa (Women Writing the West) Literary Award. good time will be had by all! Please send information for this column to Have a good rest of your year, and David Lou Solka at [email protected]. we’ll see y’all in Galveston. Your President, David Beer

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 11 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. The Jewish Literary Society of Houston by Vickie Vogel A few years ago while rummag- commemorative postage stamp. The for the Defense and Sheriff Ketchum ing through the index to the TJHS desk attendant helped me remove it I. Lynchem, and an astonishingly Collection at the Briscoe Center for and the next layer until we reached full cast of thirty-five actors, includ- American History, I noted an inter- the three TJHS items. The first was ing prominent Houston names like esting title, “Sylvan Beach Party.”1 I an 8 x 10 photograph of a mock trial Westheimer, Weingarten, Dannen- finally got around to looking it up. I from May 10, 1915, given by the baum, Lippman, and Hurwitz. The was surprised when the aide brought Jewish Literary Society of Houston.3 staff loaned me a magnifying glass so me not a typical file box, but a large A program of the event accompanied I could read the signs posted on the flat box like an evening gown would it. The case was styled State of Texas stage set, such as “A Great Dowry is a be packaged in at a department store.2 v. Reginald Shimsha Muchwed and bed full of troubles,” “Witness Room: I lifted the lid and saw an oversized was a charge of polygamy. Clearly, it Dice, cards and whiskey may be had photograph of the late Congressman was an amusing evening with charac- from the judge,” and “A deposit of 97¢ Mickey Leland that was used for a ters like Winem & Losem, Attorneys continued on page 13

Sylvan Beach Picnic, 1913. Texas Jewish Historical Society Records, di_10287, The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Page 12 Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Jewish Literary Society, continued from page 12 required on all cases before trial.” ing, the maintenance of a library, and ski, and Jessie Stark. An Amusement The third item was an amazing the support of other arts. Their annual Committee was formed. panoramic photograph of the promised activities included the mock trial, a The rabbis of Houston became Sylvan Beach party of 1913. It is about boat ride, a declamation contest, a interested and offered their services. 7" tall and 20" wide. The participants public Seder, a Purim ball for Sunday Meetings were held in the Mason are dressed mostly in white with boat- School children, a carnival ball, a new Building. Congregation Beth Israel er straw hats, many wearing ties even year’s ball, a musical, monthly literary used the same hall for Friday night for a beach picnic. I counted about 132 meetings, dances, a bulletin of activi- services during the construction of people. There is no further description ties and editorials, a weekly debating their temple. The first debate was held and no one is identified. club, an orchestra, and public athletic in 1906 on the topic “Are We Better My curiosity piqued, I returned games. There were also daily athlet- Than Our Forefathers?” The affirma- to the index to see what else we have ics, and the building could be used tive side won the debate. 1907 saw on the Jewish Literary Society, and I by members “when nothing special is Henry Dannenbaum elected president, was not disappointed. We have their going on.” the presentation of the first mock constitution and bylaws from 1907, The Society came into being when trial (Jewish Literary Society v. J. L. an article on their history from 1906 Max Flaxman, H. Grossman and Boris Mendlovitz for Breach of Duty), and to 1916, a roster of members in 1916, Litowich called a meeting to organize the annual boat ride to the San Jacinto along with several bulletins from a Zionist society at Adath Yeshurun Battleground. 1915 to 1917 and a small amount of Synagogue. The young people who In 1908, a library was started with correspondence. It was organized for showed up, however, wanted a differ- Max Westheimer’s gift of a twenty the purpose of promoting “culture ent kind of society on a broader basis, volume set of Charles Dickens. Class- and character along lines approved by and the Jewish Literary Society of es were organized to teach English Jewish thought and ethics.” This was Houston was born. Isidor Tiras was and American customs to immigrants.4 expanded to include the support of any elected President; other offices were continued on page 14 literary, musical or scientific undertak- filled by Sadie Eden, Max T. Karkow-

Sylvan Beach Picnic, 1913. Texas Jewish Historical Society Records, di_10287, The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 13 Jewish Literary Society, continued from page 13 The first Carnival Ball was October room, dressing rooms with showers, directed the show in April. Basket- 27. and storage space. On September 12, ball and baseball teams were orga- In 1909, a $2 initiation fee for the first dance in the new building nized. To express encouragement and male applicants and a 50¢ fee for was held.5 welcome to young men and women graduates and confirmands, an annual Kadimah Reception was started. A girls basketball team was formed, and a Sunday School opened with Dr. W. Willner as superintendent. By 1913, businessmen were starting to take note of the growing organization, and a special sustain- ing membership of $10 was created for them. Joseph Fels gave a talk on single taxation.6 The annual outing in 1914 was a trolley ride via the interurban to Gal- veston Beach, joined by 147 mem- bers and friends. About 2,500 people attended the Cabaret Play presented at the City Auditorium, netting over $900 for the Society. In 1915, the Society filed suit against Galveston-Houston Interurban continued on page 13 The Group Photo, Mock Trial, 1915: Texas Jewish Historical Society, di_10290, The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Aus- tin (the group photo) females was instituted. A major effort Membership increased with the was made to abolish Jewish stereo- new building. Any Jewish organiza- types in the theater. A resolution was tion without a hall of its own could passed that any theater presenting a use this one. Galveston’s Rabbi Jewish character “giving offense to Henry Cohen, a great supporter of our people or casting a reflection on the organization, was the speaker in them” would be boycotted. All the- December. There was also a lecture aters were informed, and they prom- about Russian Jewish immigrants, ised cooperation. and Literary Wednesdays was insti- A committee was formed to raise tuted. The office of General Secre- money and purchase land for a build- tary was created to look after the af- ing of their own. They began nego- fairs of the group. Sam Bloomberg tiations to buy the Adath Yeshurun of San Antonio was elected General vacant lot. The lot was purchased in Secretary in 1911. He was closely 1910 and the use of the Mason build- connected with the JLS of that city, ing was discontinued. The Society which was formed two years after was granted use of Montefiore Hall Houston and patterned after it. S. J. by CBI for public meetings and Adath Westheimer was elected president. Yeshurun Hall for business meetings. There were 170 members. Mock Trial Program, 1915. Texas Jewish A temporary building was constructed In 1912, Bertha Westheimer Historical Society, di_10291, The Dolph with an auditorium for dances and suggested a vaudeville show and Briscoe Center for American History, The public meetings, a library, directors a committee was formed. Bertha University of Texas at Austin.

Page 14 Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Jewish Literary Society, continued from page 11 for placing tracks in the street in front cannot be the result of a process in TJHS Travel of their building, claiming damage to which the ethnic distinctiveness of by Vickie Vogel their property. The trial court ruled the immigrant is melted out…Hence, Members of the Texas Jewish in their favor, but the appellate court whatever agency helps any one of the Historical Society are a curious reversed the judgment. The Society various racial elements constituting lot. As an organization, we want maintained it owned to the middle of the American people to gain a clear- to collect and preserve all we can the street, and the railroad laid tracks er and a deeper appreciation of the about Texas Jewish history, but as down the middle without condemning peculiar contribution which it can individuals in our spare time, our the property and making compensa- make, out of its own culture, to the curiosity expands to the ends of tion. The Defendant said it was using upbuilding of the American charac- the earth! Houston Electric Company streetcar ter…is an agency deserving all praise Since it’s more fun to explore tracks and was entitled to do so. The and welcome. This…is the funda- with each other, we occasionally court stated it was a difficult case, but mental aim of the Jewish Literary organize Jewish-themed trips that the use of the street by the inter- Society.” outside Texas. Each participant is urban railroad was basically the same responsible for his/her own travel 7 as the street railway company. Endnotes expenses, and TJHS funds are 1 Sylvan Beach is in La Porte. The JLS reached its peak around never used in planning, organiz- 1916. Large crowds attended the 2 Unless otherwise stated, all information ing, or implementing. In fact, the mock trial, the annual Kadimah Re- is from Box 3So3 (photos and program) tour company for our Cuba trip ception, the kosher public Seder, and and Box 3A191 of the Texas Jewish made a generous donation to our Historical Society Collection, Dolph the tenth anniversary celebration, a general fund because we had so Musical Night with the JLS Orches- Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin. many participants. tra and others. Leona Westheimer8 We hope you will travel with 3 gave a reading from Anne of Green With gratitude to J. L. and Rose Keeper us soon, on a faraway trip or to for donating this photo for preservation. Gables. 200 attended the Shirtwaist one of our quarterly Texas week- Dance in June. They were still trying 4 Eventually, the City of Houston opened ends. Come have fun with us, and to pay off the building. night schools for this purpose. learn something new! At its height, the JLS had some 5 The October 19 Jewish Herald contains 400 members, but World War I appar- a good description of the dedication ently took the wind out of the sails, ceremonies. and the group disbanded in 1920.9 6 A single tax is a system of taxation For ten years, though, the Jewish based mainly or exclusively on one tax, Literary Society was an important typically chosen for its special prop- organization in Houston and widely erties, often being a tax on land value. praised and supported by the commu- The idea was proposed by both John nity. Rabbi W. Willner called it “one Locke and Baruch Spinoza. https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_tax. of the best assets of our community.” Rabbi Henry Barnstein said it filled 7 https://books.google.com/books?id=On “a grievously needed want among VFAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA325&lp g=RA1-PA325&dq=jewish+liter the young Jewish people of Hous- ary+society+houston&source=bl&ots= ton,” teaching them how to use their fie_fK9LRp&sig=25Inj8AAUa4ad The deadline for leisure hours “pleasurably and prof- eRvvY3KTPp5Mlg&hl=en&sa=X itably in the cultivation of athletics, &ved=0CDAQ6AEwBGoVChMIybX the February by social intercourse, and by literary B4OSTyAIVQZQNCh0eegxr#v=one exercises.” page&q=jewish%20literary%20soci 2016 TJHS Dr. Radoslav Andrea Tsanoff of ety%20houston&f=false. the Rice Institute praised the group, 8 See TJHS summer news magazine, News Magazine putting it in an even larger context. 2010, “From the Footlights” about “American nationalism does not Leona Westheimer. is Friday, rest upon racial homogeneity, nor 9 http://www.isjl.org/texas-houston- January 4. upon a common language bond. It encyclopedia.html.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 15 Galveston, continued from page 9 progress, advancement and promotion According to local of the city.” legend, Cohen, B’nai Israel’s first synagogue along with his building was dedicated on June 9, close friend, Father 1870. The cornerstone for the build- James Kirwin ing was laid by Mr. Tuck, Grand of the Catholic Master of the Masonic Lodge of diocese, prevented Texas. From its founding in 1868, the Ku Klux Klan B’nai Israel was a Reform congrega- from marching tion, befitting the cultural assimilation on the island by and German heritage of its members. blocking them Soon after they organized, the mem- on the causeway bers hired Alexander Rosenpitz as bridge. When their first spiritual leader. In 1870, the Cohen learned that Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Society the U.S. Navy had was created. Caroline Block was its no Jewish chap- first president, and she served thirty lains during World years in that position. In 1871, B’nai War I, he lobbied Israel hired its first ordained rabbi, successfully for Abraham Blum, who led the island special legisla- congregation for the next fourteen tion allowing for years. During his tenure as rabbi, rabbis to serve as Blum received a degree from the local Navy chaplains. medical college and became a mem- President Wood- ber of the State Medical Association row Wilson sent of Texas. Rabbi Blum took part in a Cohen the pen he statewide circuit riding rabbi program, used to sign the visiting small Jewish communities bill into law. An throughout Texas. Rabbi Blum was obituary that ran in Text around the photo reads “Some of the First Jewish able to help start religious schools the Associated Press Immigrants under the auspices of J. I. I. B. North in Brenham, Waco, Fort Worth and described Cohen as German Lloyd Wharf, Galveston, Tex.” Brownsville. B’nai Israel was rel- “one of the great- atively small but had lots of young est crusaders and inspirational and B’rith. Levi lobbied the government families. In 1880, the congregation spiritual leaders in Texas history.” to do something about anti-Semitic had sixty-one member households but According to historian Jacob Rader laws in Romania and Russia and draft- 188 students in its religious school. Marcus, Cohen was a “pastor whose ed the protest petition sent to the czar The course of B’nai Israel and field was not the small confines of the by President Theodore Roosevelt after the Galveston Jewish community was Jewish Parish but the entire communi- the Kishinev Pogrom. After Levi died forever changed when the young rabbi ty of which he became the throbbing in 1904 at age 47, B’nai B’rith named Henry Cohen arrived on the island in heartbeat.” a hospital and rehabilitation center 1888. For the next sixty-four years, Rabbi Cohen was not the only after him in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Cohen put his indelible stamp on Galveston Jew to play a role on the Located on an island in the Gulf of B’nai Israel and set a remarkable stan- national political stage. Leo N. Levi, Mexico, Galveston has often found it- dard for rabbinic involvement in the a native of Victoria, Texas, moved to self in the path of hurricanes. In 1900, larger community. Rabbi Cohen was Galveston after graduating from the the city was struck by a tremendous a strong advocate for prison reform, University of Virginia in 1876. Levi storm that helped end Galveston’s serving on the Texas Board of Pardons became active in the local B’nai B’rith prominent role in the state’s economy. and working to rehabilitate released lodge, which had been established in The hurricane killed between 6,000 prisoners. After the great hurricane of 1874. He also served as president of and 8,000 people and caused over 1900, Rabbi Cohen helped to main- B‘nai Israel from 1887 to 1899. In twenty million dollars in damage. As tain order in the city and organized a 1900, Levi moved to New York to community leaders, prominent Jews central executive relief commission. become the national president of B’nai continued on page 17

Page 16 Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Galveston, continued from page 16 played a big role in the rebuilding ef- the immigrants would be placed on a continued to worship in the Avenue fort. I. H. Kempner gave interest-free train heading to another town in Texas I synagogue. The other, made up of loans to B’nai Israel, several local or the Midwest, where they would be immigrants from Galicia and Austria, churches, the library, and the local given a job and a place to live initial- created the Hebrew Orthodox Be- orphans’ home to help them get back ly. During the brief time they were in nevolent Association, which met in a on their feet after the storm. In 1901, Galveston, the immigrants were often building on Avenue H. During these Kempner became Galveston’s first visited by Rabbi Cohen, who could early years, Rabbi Geller led the Aus- finance commissioner and helped the serve as a Yiddish translator. The trian shul, while Abraham Gordon led city regain its economic footing. De- “Galveston Movement” took place the Russian congregation. Both were spite the work of Kempner and Rabbi from 1907 to 1914. About 10,000 shochets (kosher meat slaughterers) Cohen, Galveston would never be the Jewish immigrants came to Galves- and had a hard time earning a living same after the storm. With the rise ton under its auspices. Most of them providing kosher meat to the Galves- of industrial and railroad centers like did not remain on the island, though ton Orthodox community. After Gor- Dallas, Galveston had already slipped twenty-five percent ended up settling don left for Fort Worth, Rabbi Geller to the fourth largest city in the state elsewhere in Texas, the most of any led services at both congregations for by the time of storm. With Galveston state. the High Holidays before he moved devastated by the hurricane, nearby The first Jews to live in Galves- away in 1910. The rift between these Houston moved forward with its plan ton were from Alsace and the Ger- two Orthodox congregations was to build a ship channel from the Gulf, man states. By the late 19th century, often bitter and personal. It would be completing it in 1914. The Port of another wave of Jewish immigrants a quarter of a century before Galves- Houston soon outstripped Galves- began to settle on the island. Desiring ton’s Orthodox Jews reunited. ton, eventually becoming the second a more Orthodox religious practice, While the island’s two Orthodox busiest port in the country. By 1980, these Eastern European immigrants congregations did not get along, they Galveston was the 25th largest city established their own congregations seemed to have cordial relations with in the state with its economy based with the encouragement of the Reform the much larger and wealthier B’nai largely on tourism. B’nai Israel. In 1888, B’nai Israel lent Israel. For many years, Orthodox Despite this impact on Galves- a Torah to a group of Russian Jews children attended Sunday school at the ton’s economy, the city remained a who had begun to pray together in Reform temple. Rabbi Cohen fought port of arrival for many European Galveston. In 1894, they established to ensure that their families did not immigrants in the early 20th century. a Young Men’s Hebrew Association have to pay to send their children to While Galveston paled in comparison with the express purpose of creating the Sunday school. Cohen wanted to to the great East Coast immigration a place for poorer Orthodox immi- ensure that these young people re- ports like New York and Baltimore, grants to worship. In 1895, the group ceived instruction in the tenets of their one effort sought to transform Jewish formally established its own congrega- religion, in addition to the Hebrew settlement in America, by encouraging tion, know initially as Ahavas Israel. language lessons they learned in their immigration through the Texas port. The Orthodox congregation hired own congregation’s weekday Hebrew National Jewish leaders like Jacob Jacob Geller as its rabbi. By 1907, schools. In 1917, of the 200 children Schiff worried that the growing num- Ahavas Israel had sixty members and in the B’nai Israel Sunday School, ber of poor Jewish immigrants con- daily services, with a Hebrew school about 160 were from the Orthodox centrating in northern cities like New led by Rabbi Geller. community. In 1919, Galveston’s Or- York would lead to calls to restrict In 1905, there was a split within thodox Jews finally created their own Jewish immigration to the United Galveston’s Orthodox community, religious school. States. Schiff’s plan was to disperse with Jews from the Austro-Hungarian While they were divided in their these newly arriving Jews more evenly Empire forming their own separate religious worship, Galveston’s Eastern throughout the country by encourag- congregation. It’s unclear what exact- European immigrants came together to ing them to come through the port of ly caused the split, but differences in support larger Jewish causes. In 1898 Galveston instead of New York. Gal- Minhag (religious customs) along with they founded the B’nai Zion organiza- veston was selected because it was a disagreements over the certification of tion which worked to create a Jewish western terminus of several railroads, kosher food likely played an important homeland in Palestine. While the had Rabbi Henry Cohen, and because part. One group, made up primarily Zionist movement was never particu- the city was too small to entice many of Russian Jews, became known as the larly strong in the city, Galveston Jews immigrants to remain there. Instead, Young Men’s Hebrew Association and continued on page 18

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 17 Galveston, continued from page 17 were able to raise a significant amount synagogue of the Hebrew Orthodox Israel had 177 dues-paying members; of money to support the Jewish Benevolent Association was used as a in 1996, 132 families belonged to the settlement in Palestine. Women later Talmud Torah, holding both weekday congregation. This corresponded with established a Hadassah chapter on the Hebrew school and Sunday school a decline in the city’s Jewish popula- island. In 1952, Etta Lasker Rosen- for the children of the congregation. tion, which went from 1200 people in sohn of Galveston became the national Rabbi Feigon led the Orthodox con- 1948 to 680 people in 1968. Despite president of Hadassah, the first Texan gregation for twenty-nine years until this decline, the financial generosity of to hold this position. Rosensohn also his retirement in 1959. Beth Jacob a few members, including the Kemp- served on the board of the Hebrew remained Orthodox for several de- ner and Seinsheimer families, kept University in Jerusalem. Eastern cades, holding daily minyanim in both B’nai Israel afloat. European Jews founded a Galveston the morning and evening. George Despite the decline, Galveston branch of the socialist Workmen’s Cir- Berkman served the congregation as a Jews have continued to play a leading cle in 1912. Frieda Weiner, who came shochet for over twenty-five years. In role in the civic affairs of the city, fol- to the island in 1915, was a longtime 1971, Beth Jacob decided to affiliate lowing a pattern set in the earliest days leader of the group, which advocated with the Conservative Movement and of Jewish settlement on the island. Yiddish culture and working class pol- hired Jerome Epstein, a graduate of Morris Lasker represented Galves- itics. Weiner later founded a chapter the Jewish Theological Seminary to be ton in the state senate in the 1890s. of Pioneer Women, a labor Zionist or- their rabbi. Isidore Lovenberg spent thirty years ganization and served as its president B’nai Israel continued to be influ- on the Galveston school board, and a for thirty years. enced by Rabbi Henry Cohen, even local junior high school was named By 1907, approximately 1,000 after he passed away in 1952. His in his honor. I.H. Kempner served as Jews lived in Galveston. For the next vision of social justice undoubtedly mayor from 1917 to 1919. Two de- half century, the Jewish population inspired the congregation’s leadership cades later, Adrian Levy became may- on the island remained on a plateau, to open the Temple Academy in 1957. or, leading the city from 1935 to 1939. reaching 1200 people in 1937. Never- At a time when Galveston was still During his tenure, Levy cracked down theless, B’nai Israel enjoyed a period socially segregated and there was no on gambling and had slot machines of growth in the first half of the 20th public kindergarten for blacks, the removed from restaurants and other century, increasing its membership temple’s preschool and kindergarten public establishments. Eddie Sch- from 150 dues-paying families in 1910 accepted students of all races. Af- reiber was selected by his fellow city to 190 in 1930. In 1928, the congrega- ter the Selma march in 1965, B’nai council members for the position in tion added a community house named Israel’s board voted to give money to 1961, but then was elected directly by after Henry Cohen, next to their syna- Martin Luther King’s Southern Chris- the voters in 1965, 1967 and 1969. gogue which included new classrooms tian Leadership Conference. B’nai Ruth Levy Kempner became the and an auditorium. Israel reached its peak membership first woman elected to the city council The economic hardships of the in 1945 with two-hundred thirty-nine in 1961. Barbara Crews served as Great Depression affected each of the families. After Rabbi Cohen retired Galveston’s mayor from 1990 to1996 city’s congregations, but its most sig- in 1950, B’nai Israel had a series of after spending several years on the nificant impact was on the Orthodox rabbis over the next several decades. city council. A. R. “Babe” Schwartz community. With both Orthodox con- Rabbi Jimmy Kessler came to B’nai represented Galveston in the Texas gregations facing financial hardship in Israel in 1976, leaving after five years. Legislature as a liberal Democrat from 1930, they finally agreed to set aside He returned to the congregation in 1955 to 1981. Schwartz was a strong their differences and unite to form a 1989, and was B’nai Israel’s rabbi un- supporter of environmental laws and new congregation. Beth Jacob was til his retirement in 2014. Kessler is a civil rights. Once, when the Ku Klux officially chartered in 1931. The new historian and the founder of the Texas Klan sent each legislator an honorary congregation hired Rabbi Louis Fei- Jewish Historical Society. The current membership card, Schwartz de- gon, who helped negotiate the merger rabbi is Marshal Klaven, who arrived nounced the organization on the floor of the two factions. Max Baum, who in 2014. of the Texas House, declaring that one had been president of the YMHA In 1953 B’nai Israel decided to couldn’t be an honorable member of a congregation became the first presi- move out of its grand synagogue dishonorable organization. dent of Beth Jacob. In 1932, the new and build a more modern, functional While the phenomenon of Jewish congregation built a brick synagogue one. The new one-story building was mayors and officeholders has been at 24th Street and Avenue K. The old completed in 1955. By 1976, B’nai continued on page 22

Page 18 Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Honor or Memorialize a Friend or a Loved One With a Donation to the TJHS Endowment Fund

When you honor or memorialize a The Texas Jewish Historical Society gratefully acknowledges your friend or a loved one with a donation to gift to its Endowment Fund in the amount of the Texas Jewish Historical Society’s Endowment Fund, you help support im- $______portant programs. Send the honoree’s full In honor/memory of:______name, type of honor (memorial, congrat- ______ulations, or occasion—birthday, anniver- Acknowledge to: sary, award, new child or grandchild, etc.) Name:______and your name, along with a check in the amount of your choice, to Address:______Texas Jewish Historical Society Phone:______P. O. Box 10193 Donor Information: Austin, TX 78766-0193 Name:______Address:______Your support of the Texas Jewish ______Historical Society’s programs is greatly Phone:______appreciated and will be recognized in an Your gift will further the efforts the record, preserve, and dissemi- issue of the quarterly News Magazine. nate historic information about Texas Jewish culture. Thank you.

In Memoriam

Morris Atlas, TJHS Henrietta Krumholz, Ellen Rae Hur- member, died on formerly of Bay City, witz Penner, TJHS October 4, 2015, Texas, and long-time member, died on in McAllen, Tex- TJHS member, died on September 4, 2015, as. He is survived October 6, 2015, in Fort in Houston, Texas. by his wife of sixty-eight years, Worth, Texas. She is survived by her She is survived by her sons and Rita; his son and daughter-in-law, son and his husband, Karl Krumholz daughters-in-law, Murry & Kar- Scott & Nancy Atlas; his daugh- & Dick Limoges; her son and daugh- en Penner and Howard & Nancy ters and sons-in-law, Lauren & ter-in-law, Richard and Betty Krum- Penner; her daughter, Shari Penner Alan Silverblatt and Lisa & Jeff holz; her daughters and sons-in-law, Risenfeld; and seven grandchildren. Genecov; his daughter Debra Atlas; Rozanne & Billy Rosenthal and Pearl and five grandchildren. & Marc Kudisch; nine grandchildren; May their memories be a and three great-grandchildren. blessing.

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

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 19 Grant Committee, continued from page 10 of Cancer Bitch. She has written for The New Yorker and is the recipient of the Pushcart Prize, awarded to writers published in small presses. The Grant Committee approved $950 to fund a two-week trip to Texas to research a 1933 photo of her father’s Boy Scout Troop 27. Wisenberg is tracking down what became of those eight youths. “I want to interview sur- viving family members in Houston and possibly Austin. I want to find ways to bring the boys/men back to life and show what their lives meant.” She will compare their life experiences with Jewish youths in the Trumpeldor Boy Scout troop that met during the 1930s in Paris, France. At the Houston Public Library, Wisenberg plans to review San Jacinto Boy Scout Troop 27, Houston, 1933. Photo, courtesy S.L. Wisenberg. High School yearbooks and microfilm reels of The Jewish Herald-Voice. In Hillel files on the World War II era. will have her students profile Texas Austin she will comb the archives of 3. Elementary Pupils to Profile Jewish pioneers and civic figures. The the Texas Jewish Historical Society, “Jewish Stars in Texas.” biographical essays will be mount- housed at the Dolph Briscoe Center for Houston’s Beth Yeshurun Day ed and framed along with photos of American History at the University of School plans to initiate a social-studies their subjects. The resulting exhibit Texas. Specifically, she plans to exam- unit for fourth and fifth graders called may be shared with other schools and ine TJHS files on Houston, Victoria, “Jewish Stars in Texas.” Cathryn synagogues. The Grant Committee World War II Letters, and the family of Mellon, director of curriculum as well allocated $250 toward this educational Sam and Clara Feldman, as well as UT as a social-studies and history teacher, project.

Can You Guess We need This Member? Your Congratulations to Cynthia Wolf of Beaumont Stories! who guessed the cutie in the “romper” was none oth- We are earnestly looking for stories er than Charles Hart! We with ties to Texas Jewish history! Any thought that it would take kind of story about your family history several months to guess this one, but Cynthia did it in or your Temple’s history can fill the two! She will receive a one pages of our News Magazine. Every- year’s free membership to one has a story to tell, long or short. To the TJHS. We’re not show- submit your story, or if you need help ing a person this issue. If you have a suggestion, send writing your story, contact Davie Lou it to Davie Lou Solka at Solka at [email protected] or 512- [email protected]. 527-3799.

Page 20 Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Levine Brothers, continued from page 3

in the store. We had a large number of Save the share-croppers and farmers as custom- Date ers, and this offered them a simplified manner of managing January 8-10, their accounts. This 2016 also fit within our scope of business since we were Board Meeting in the major cotton buyer in Galveston Austin County. Usually a family, depending on their cotton acreage and family size, could get about $10-40 month- ly to be paid in full upon If you need TJHS the sale of cotton and corn membership appli- in the fall. Tenant farmers paid cations for an event, as rent to their landlords one-quarter of their cotton harvest and one-third program, personal of their corn harvest. If there was a use, etc., please con- crop failure, the unpaid balance would be carried over without question until the next year. I tact Rusty Milstein at cannot remember any account not being paid. At that [email protected] time, sugar was eighty-nine cents for ten pounds, flour was $3.50 for fifty pounds, coffee was thirty-five cents a pound, and blue denim button fly Levi’s were $2.99 a pair! The store was converted to only clothing in 1966 and a new front was added to the building. Looking back, we probably should not have changed the front exterior of the building. In 1981, we built a strip center that was an- chored by us, Wal-Mart, and Bill’s Supermarket on Highway 35 south of town. TJHS on Levine Brothers always offered excellent customer service and tried to treat each customer as if “they were the only customer we would have that day.” facebook John Selman, Citizens State Bank president, asked me if I would consid- Did you er being a director on the board in 1966. I told him that I really didn’t know the “difference between a bank director and a traffic director and would try it know that for six months to see if we would be a fit.” It continues to be a “fit” since I continue to be a director forty-nine years later. To me, it has been like being TJHS has enrolled in graduate school. A very important part of the success of the store is the wonderful loyal a Face- employees who helped us through the years. Some of them include Leonard book page? Hintz, Ms. Nentwig, Louis & Julia Zapalac, Willie Davis, Henrietta Froebel, Thelma Stock, Mildred Surovik, Mary Pagel, Grace Viereck, Bobbie Hintz, Like us at https://www. Lyn Novicke, Amy & Chad Novicke, Louise Kuchara, and Elaine Kulow. I know I may have omitted some, but it was not intentional. The store was facebook.com/pages/ closed on December 24, 1994, after being in business seventy-seven years. Texas Barbara and I moved to San Antonio, Texas, on May 20, 1995. Our son, -Jewish-Histori- Mike, lives in Chicago, and our daughter, Janis, and her husband, Larry Stone, cal-Society/187629054741368. live in Austin with their three children, Jake, Rachel, & Kayla Rosanno.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 21 www.txjhs.org Galveston, continued from page 18 Visit us on the web at www.txjhs.org. Welcome rather common in the South, the number of Jews elected to polit- ical office in Galveston is quite remarkable and reflects a unique New level of integration into the larger community. Over the last several decades, Galveston Jews have largely moved out of the commercial sector of the economy, although Members! a few have remained. Most notably, in 1972, Meyer Reiswerg opened the renowned “Col. Bubbie’s Strand Surplus Senter,” a pur- Sam Glast veyor of authentic military surplus merchandise. Though Reiswerg 14811 Quorum Dr., #500 died in 2009, his iconic store remained in business on Galveston’s Dallas, TX 75254 downtown Strand until 2014. By the 1970s, Galveston Jews were 972-419-8350 more likely to work at the University of Texas Medical Branch Cell: 214-783-0555 on the island than to own a downtown store. According to Rabbi [email protected] Kessler, about one-third of B’nai Israel’s members were affiliated with the medical school in 1976. Dr. William Cohn Levin served Ed & Linda (Blum) Goff as president of the medical school from 1974 to 1987, P. O. Box 31305 Today, the Jewish community of Galveston continues to Santa Fe, NM 87594 shrink. B’nai Israel has 130 member households, while Beth 505-428-0591 Jacob’s membership is less than half that number. Currently, Beth [email protected] Jacob brings in a visiting rabbi a few times a year to lead services. The congregation has not had its own religious school since the early 1990s. Hurricane Ike, which hit Galveston in 2008, had a John Rich big impact on the Jewish community with both synagogues sus- 2320 Halladay Trail taining storm damage. After Beth Jacob’s sanctuary and chapel Fort Worth, TX 76108 were flooded during the storm, the congregation met for services 682-333-1662 in their front lobby. Rabbi Kessler led High Holiday services Cell: 630-988-7950 outdoors that year since the B’nai Israel building had no electric- [email protected] ity. Perhaps most ominously for the Jewish community, the UT Medical Branch announced a significant downsizing in the wake If you have any chang- of the storm. Galveston also has to deal with the ever encroaching es in your information, borders of the Houston metropolitan area. Many Jews who work please contact Marc on the island choose to live in the southeastern suburbs of Hous- Wormser at 1601 S. ton. New congregations in cities like Clear Lake have cut into the Riviera Ct., Pearland, TX Galveston congregations. Whatever the future holds for the Jewish 77581, 832-288-3494, or community, its legacy as a central part of Galveston’s history and [email protected] development is assured.

Does TJHS Have Your Current Email Address?

Is your email address cost and printing delays, we are current? Has it changed going to be electronically send- since the 2015 directory was ing as much mail as possible, printed? Have you changed so don’t be left out or behind— email providers? If so, send your current information please send Marc Wormser today! an email at c2aggie@gmail. Please put “email change” com so that he can update in the subject line and with your your information in the name in the text of your mes- database. To reduce postage sage, send it today! Thank you.

Page 22 Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 TJHS Board of Directors 2015-2016

Officers Board of Trustees Board of Trustees President 2014-2016 2014-2016 David Beer (Dallas) Marvin Barenblat (San Antonio) Elaine Albin (Rockport) 1st Vice-President Susan Lewis (Big Spring) Rabbi Murray Berger (Dallas) Douglas Braudaway (Del Rio) Nelson Chafetz (Austin) Dick Brooks (Houston) 2nd Vice-President Davie Lou Solka (Austin) Gordon Cizon (Dallas) Suzanne Campbell (San Angelo) Bette Jean Cohen (Plano) Brad Greenblum (Austin) 3rd Vice-President Jane Manaster (Dallas) Anita Feigenbaum (College Station) Jan Hart (Temple) Treasurer Sonny Gerber (Houston) Morton Herman (Fort Worth) Ben Rosenberg (Sugar Land) Dr. Neil Gurwitz (Bastrop) Harold “Pacey” Laves (Austin) Recording Secretary Marilyn Jorrie (Boulder, CO) Marilyn Lippman (Dallas) Daniel Weinbaum (Beaumont) Joan Katz (Houston) Amy Manuel (Denton) Corresponding Secretary Louis Katz (Houston) Abbi Michelson (Lockhart) Claire Brooks (Houston) Kay Krause (Richardson) Amy Milstein (Frisco) Historian Scott Langston (Weatherford) Allen Mondell (Dallas) Sally Drayer (Dallas) Mitzi Milstein (Longview) Shirley Rich (Houston) Archivist Ruth Nathan (Houston) Lynna Kay Shuffield (Houston) Samylu Rubin (Dallas) Jack Solka (Austin) Larry Simpson (Wichita Falls) Parliamentarian David Vogel (La Grange) Rosalie Weisfeld (McAllen) Vickie Vogel (La Grange) Hollace Weiner (Fort Worth) Bobbi Wells (Plano) Immediate Past President Jerry Wells (Plano) Gary Whitfield (Fort Worth) Debra Weingarten (Austin) Sherry Zander (Dallas) Joyce Wormser (Pearland) TJHS Traveling Exhibit The Texas Jewish UPS ground. Historical Society has The exhibits have compiled two muse- been displayed in var- um-quality photo exhib- ious locations in Texas its, with explanations, and other parts of the depicting early Jewish United States, includ- life and contributions. ing Rhode Island and Both exhibits highlight California. They are the lives of Jews in Tex- an excellent program as since the late nine- for schools, congrega- teenth century. tions, and other orga- Each exhibit is com- nizations. To schedule prised of approximately the exhibits, please thirty-six photographs contact Sally Dray- that can be either self-standing prepaid freight via UPS in water- er at 972-458-7298 or with an easel back or hung on a proof boxes, to your location. The [email protected] or con- wall. There is no charge for the only expense to the borrower will tact Marc Wormser at 832-288- exhibit and they will be shipped, be shipping the exhibit back via 3494 or [email protected].

Texas Jewish Historical Society - December 2015 Page 23 NONPROFIT ORG. Texas Jewish U.S. POSTAGE PAID Historical Society HOUSTON, TX P. O. Box 10193 PERMIT NO. 1662 Austin, Texas 78766-0196

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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. Complete each section below. Clip out and 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 m Donor:______m Renewing Member Address:______m Updated Information Only Phone: ______Occasion:______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 $1,00 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 - December 2015