Look to thc Fock ,.eom attl,ich l.t t uteee he.un E lJrri, 1tJ-5t tgrtrt

cbtcoco Jeal)lsl') brstonrcol soctetJ Vol.2l,No. 8, winter, 1997

,{{'j,,, : ,:'r i,, ; iu" :i.;, :!', 'iffl;1!i" # ffiffiffiffi Prof.Paula Zionist Odd Couple: Pfefferto WhenChaim WeizmanPersuaded Albert DeliverFirst Einstein to Join Him in a Lecture Tour that Brought the TwoMen to Chicago,He Set OrlinskyTalk in Motion One of the More Unlikely PaulaPfeffer, associate professor Pairings in Zionist ActiviQ History of histon at Loyola Universityof By Walter Roth Chicago,rvill deliver the first rn a seriesof annuallectures honoring the hicagosaw many of Europe'smost prominent Zronists pass through long-time Board memoryof Society in theearly decades of tlrecentury, but it is possiblethe most unusual member and rvell-knolm Chrcago oarrof all wasAlbert Einstein and Chaim Weizman. When Aaron activistElsie Orlinsky. Aaronsohn,Shmariyahu Levin, Vladimir Jabotinsky,and Weizmanhimself Pfeffer'stalk is titled,"A Homefor cameto Chicago,each was a seasonedZionist speakerand public figure Evelr'Baby. a Babyfor EveryHome: a politicalpositions Jewishadoption in Chicago." whose would havebeen farniliar to mostin their audiences. Pfeffcr will Einstein, in contrast, was a Zionist unknown. The most onpaEe 3) famousscientist in the world, he was onlyjust beginning onpase t) speak at Lovola Goktinued Gontinued

Rabbi Alex J. Goldmanhas won the 1996 Alex Goldman Doris Minsky Memorial Award. His Inside: mutsscript, My Father, Myself A Son'sMem- roral HistoryExcerpt of NamedSixth oir ofhis Father,Rabbi YehudaD. Goldman, Conversationwith Rabbi will be publishedand distributed to all Society LeonardMishkin Winnerof the membersby this Fall. Goldman'smemoir is essentiallya biogra- lFragmentsof the Life MinskyAward phy crossedwith an autobiography.In it, he of ChicagoRabbi Chaim recountshis own expenencesgrowing up in Mednick for Memoirof Chicago.training for therabbinate, and serving rJewishWar Veterans as one of the country's leadrngconsewative Selfand Father (continuedon page I2) CelebrateCentennial to seeing the many uses to rvhich members of our Societ_vand other Chicago-areahistorians can put it.

Closer to home- however, I hale While not to be locatedin Chicago.a Thesefour major resourceswill be neu's of sadnessto report. As 1996 ne\\, center for housedtogether in a new edifice being drew to a close,Chicago lost one of its Jenish Leamingar.rd formed out of trvo existing ManJrattan great Jewish scholars.Rabbi Leonard Culturebeing built in buildingslocated on ll6th and llTth Mishkin. Nes York Cit1 streets-just westof Fifth Avenue. On December 29, 1996. Rabbi should be a great The Center will house over 80 Mishkrndied tragicalll . Heheld r arious resource for million archivalitems. 500-000 library leadership roles as a teacher and Chicago-based volunres-and thousands of artworksand administratorin the Orthodox Jcrvish scholars. teachers. artifacts. community-but u'as equalll noted for andstudents of c\ er] Somepcople are alreadrreferring to his historicalcollections. Walter Roth facet of American it as the "Library of Congress and He was a national authorig' on Jerrish history, SmithsonianInstitution of the Jeu'ish AmericanJewish history. and he owned scholarship.art. and people." It should prove to be an a comprehensivelibrary of Yiddish and culturc. unparalleledresource for the country Hebrew publications. manJ-of them Thc nel institutionis called The andthe rvorld. originatingin Chicago. Ccnterlbr Jorish Histon- and-b1'the For communitiessuch as ours- the Both as a tributeto his memon and cndol' 1997-it l ill houscthc collections technicalinfrastructure being designed as a meansof presentingaccounts of of lour natioualJclish organizations:for the Centershould be of greatvalue. Chicago Jewish history, ue are Thc Amcrican Jesish Historical A tailored computer netw'ork should publishingan excerptof an oral history gave Socrctl.rrlrrch spccializcs irt Amcrican make it possible for Chicagoansto he to Societymembers in 1978-and publishing Jcrn rrrdol rrlrch our Socichis an accessthe collections b1 computer. we are also an accountof the al'llliatc:tlrc Lco BaeckInstitutc- lhich The Centcralreadv plans to provide life of Rabbi ChaimMednick that Rabbi couccntrJtcs oll Genuan-speakinga numberof lntemetresources. including Mishkin had a hand in recolering lrorn page Jc\ n : thc YIVO Inslilutefor Jewish digitized archires and computerized obscuritl. See 12 for the oral Rcscarch.rr hich focuses on East databasesthal rvill lurther the rvork of historyexcerpt and page 8 for the article Europcan Jor ish Histoq: and the local researchers- students. and on Rabbi Mednick. Ycshrra Unircrsitr Museum"dedicated historicalsocieties. We extendour deepest sympathies lo 10 lntcrprottngJclish arl. cultrtrc-and The Centerpromises to be a resource Rabbi Mishkin's family and manv hlston. for theentire countn'- and I look fomard friends. tr

ing Journal. Wrong. Il ilas the Mr Fishbeinsays- "Ml mothcr canrc Letters: Jev,ishCourier locatedat l2 l4 South from ... Polandcalled Plaunch." Thc "Plonsk." To thc Societl: HalstedStreet. correct spelling should be ln thc last eclitior of (hicago.leu,- TheMorning Joutzal was a Yid- from the Russian. His father's home t:h Hittor.t (Vol. 21. No.7. Fall- dish periodical (daily-)available by tovvnshould be spelled"Stashor'" not 1996)-I loundsone errorsand/or orer- subscriptionor on the neustandsrn "Stasich." You should find both of sights in thc oral histon excerpts of Chicagobut publishedin Nel York. thesetowns listed in the ShtetlFinder \cllazcl r Jack Fishbcut (A Mr. Milner rvasa Chicagorepre- and perhapsDr. ln,ing Cutler's rccenl In ;olrrnrnonc on pagc') I bclicre sentatiYefor that nervspaper.) book should have those shtctlach 'fhe that in listing Chicago uelspapers at Jau,ishl)ailv Forv,ard ttas listed. rhc tinrc- N'lr Fishbein omitted the publishedin Chicago (The Chicago ln fact. Chicagohad trlo largc ( htctr,qol.tcntng ['o.tt a:ndt\e Herald- Edition). and ilas localedin its orvn landsmenshaften:one was thc Ploi?.sler l.xonincr Thc cditor should hare burldingon the conler of KedzieAr. Verein andthe otherwas the Indcpen- nladc r notc to thal cf'fcct emrcand l3th Street. The cxact ad- dent,\|q.\ h ov e r Ver ei n. In colurun 2. in listing Yiddislt dresssas I25(r SouthKedzie Ai- I sincerell hope that the mistakes nc\\spapcrs in Chicago.Fishbein could enue. JacobSiegel las the editor of rvill be conectedso that the archival not rccall tlic rlamcofthe nervspaperat the Chicagoedition. Morris Seskind datarvill not har.ethese errors. lirh rnd Halstcd Tlrc editor'snote in rvasthe laboreditor. l):rr(nthcsrs slalcs llrat it rras thcM0l ir- On pagc li) of thc samea(icle. Fugel R. Ilntcrntun Randolph, a founder of the civil Elsie Orlinsky was a founding Pfeffer rights movement. boardmember and a long-timeactive conthued.fron page one In addition,she is at work on a memberof the Society. biographyof Esther Loeb Kohn, a Her family and friends have University's Crown Center descendantof a pioneer Jewish establishedthe Elsie Orlinsky Fund Auditoriumon February9. The talk family who worked closely with as a meansof celebratrngher life and beginsat 2 p.m.,and there will be a immigrant communities in adding to the telling of Chicago socialhour starting at I p.m. conjunctionswith JaneAddams of Jewishhistory. Loyola Hillel is co-sponsoringtlre Hull House. TheFund provides an honorarium talk and will be providing both the Pfeffer has previouslytaught at for an annual talk given on some hall andsome of the refreshments Mundelein College, Northwestem, aspectof Jewishhistory. Pfeffer'sareas of specialization and NortheasternIllinois. She Thereis no chargefor the talk and are United States history and receivedher B.A. and M.A. fiom it is opento the public. We encourage sociologyof etlnic groupleadership. Northeastemand her Ph.D. from membersto attend and to brins Shehas written often about A Philip Northwestem in 1980. guestswith them.

withoutsuch time-consurning *ork, InfOfm^tion ReqUeSt: BoardMember Dr. muchof the infonnationremains inac- cessibleto historianswho might U" Seeking Matefials N. SueWeiler to interestedin it. ChairOral History Inone efrort to make the material of On Synagogues Of the oral histories more widely avail- The Society announceswith plea- able, the Society recently tumed over the Old WestSide sure that board member Dr. N. Sue stewardshipof them to the Asher Li- The ChicagoJewish Historical Soci- Weiler has agreedto assumethe chair brary of the SpertusInstitute of Jewish ety is seekinginformation about the syn- of our oral history conxnittee. Studies. agogues that were operational on Weiler takes over leadershipof the Anyone interestedin exanining our Chicago'sWest Side. project from long-time board member existing oral history collection can do As part of a project to preservethe andchair Sidney Sorkin. so by going to 618 South Michigan history ofthe many large and small con- Sorkin has recently resigned from Avenue. Fifih Floor. gregations that flourished on the West the board- bul he remains an active Anyone interestedin volunteering Side in the early half of this century, u€ memberand an active participant in the to help in the Society's effort to con- are interested in heanng from anyone oral historyproject. trnue the oral history project should with historical accountsor archival ma- The Society'soral historyproject is contactthe Societyoffice at (3 l2) 663- terial. an effort to have individuals recount 5634. o While the greater Lawndale area is their experiencesin a lessformal his- the focus of the project.we are inter- toricalsetting. estedin material about other synagogues Oral historiesoften a{ford glimpses Cutler Book Wins from the West Side as well. of unusualprofessions, recollections of Such material might include syna- overlookedindividuals and events, and Best Book Award gogue documents, architectural studies unusualperspectives on more familiar Society Board member Irving Cut- or details, photos, or memorabilia of happenings. ler's book, Ihe Jews of Chicago: From any sort. Ifyou have unusualor peculiar While tracking down and inter- Shtetlto Suburb,haswon first placefor items,please let us know. One can never viewing appropriate subjects is obvr- Best Regional Book by the Mid- be c€rtain whet detail might help unlock ously a centralpart of what the com- AmericaPublishers Association. a larger mystery. mitteedoes. it doesa greatdeal of other Cutler's book has enjoyed remark- We are also seeking a local photog- work aswell. able sales and has received a number of rapher interestedin working on this pro- Many of the oral historiestaken by favorable reviews. ject Sociefymembers over the last 20 years It remains on sale at bookstores Pleasecontact Societyboard member haye never been transcribedfrom their throughoutfte Chicago arca. Bea Kraus at (312) 663-5634,or by originalaudio tape. The entire Society congratulateshim e-mail at [email protected] if you In addition,the Society has only and the University of Illinois Presson have anytiring you believe might be use- begunto index our oral histories; lust the honor. o ft1. u *t*"*- Zionists soon possible to his missionif continuedfrompasean alertedto the benefits someoneof Einstein's repute would join him on a to speakpublicly about Zionism when he appeared1n forthcomingtrip to the United States Einstein had Chicagoin I 92t . impressedWeizman in his stand againstGerman anti- and his wish for the creationof a Hebrew While Weizmanwas a popularspeaker and beloved !_e-idsm Zionist figure - he would eventuall'ybecome the g'rr., Universityin Palestine.A brief look at Einstein'searly president of the State of Israel - it was Einstein who professionallife will serve to clarify how Einstein came to Zionism' drew the interestofEnglish-language newspapers during rt !t the pair's Chicagostay. From hrs publicationof the 'r Einsteinwas bom of German-Jewishparents in Ulm' generaltheory olrelativity in 1905tlyough a succession ^ scientifictnumphs culminating* th'" tSZt 11o6.1 Germanyin 1879. His earlyschool years were spentin of -wonder prize, Einstein awoke a broad in Jews and Munich and thenfor someyears in Zurich, Switzerland. non-Jews across the Beginning in 1902 he job world. Strlla relatively ., held a pedestrian as Einstein,D;-.r-j- itir,,,nn was said,oni) had' ' no idea oJ" young man, he was anengineer in theSwiss *idel-y creiited with what he was getting into. He had little PatentOffice. It was '-ing period devisrngthe most knowledge of Zionist "realpolitik," was ' this thathe significantstep forward . 7... . illr_ . devetopmuch n0lVe poUtrcAlly '7 qnd ' WAS rcleAllstlc. of the work for whichhe rn 'Tiieohvsrcs since Ne*on. story of their is best remembered, partnershipand their Chicago visit marksanother chapter including "The Special - " rn the storyof Zionism'scoming to Chicago. Theoryof Relativrty * ,r, i - From 1909 to 191I he was a professor at the The unlikely pair may have come together, but they University of Zunch, from where he moved to Prague. had separateagendas and separatemotives. Einstein In 1914, he was appointedProfessor of the Prussian spokeon behalf of raisurgfimds for the new Hebrew Academyof Sciencein Berlin. University in Jerusalem,while Weizman sought to During World War I, his pacifisticviews broughthim inaugurate a new organization, Keren Hayesod, into conflict with the pro-war sentimentssweeping dedicatedto rebuildingthe landofPalestine, Germany and the resurgent anti-Semitism which came Both men shared an interest in Jewish culture, during and after the War. He saw first-hand the however, and both were distinguished scientists. oppression of East European Jews and became Although Einstein's accomplishments dwarfed convincedthat a natronalhome was the only solution for Weizman's, the eventual president of Israel had theplight of EastEuropean Jews. discovereda potentexplosive which was helpful to the Einstein was urged by non-affiliated Jewish British in theirwar effortsduring World War L colleaguesto resistZionist overtures on the groundsthat Where Weizmantumed the bulk of his energiesto Zionism made assimilation more difficult. Such politics,however, Einstein continued working chiefly as colleaguesargued, as would many in the United States, a scientist. Weizman had becomethe leader of the that Zionism threatenedJews by assertingthat they were EuropeanZionist Movement, with muchof his influence different fiom other people in the countriesin which they stemmingfrom the Balfour Declarationof November2, lived. l9l7 in which the British declaredtheir support for a Although Einstein did not immediately declare Jewishnational home in Palestine.Weizman, by 1921, himself a Zionist, he made clear his distastefor such washighly involvedin Zionistpolitics and in the struggle arguments.On April 3,1920,he senthis now famous for the overall leadership of the American Zionist letter to the "Central Associationof German Citrzensof Organizationwrth theLouis Brandeisgroup. the MosaicFaith" decryingJewish self-hatred: The Chicagomission was an unlikelyone for Einstein, I am a Jew and glad to belongto the Jewishpeople, however. He was not only a non-observantJew, but he even if I do not considerthem in any way God's wasnaive politically, a pacifist,and an anti-nationalist. elect. Let us calmly leave anti-Semitismto the Weitzmanhad not known Einsteinoersonallv before non-Jewsand retain our lovefor peopleofour kind. Laterhe wroteto anotherGerman Jewish group:

4 The GerntanJew who works for the Jewish people and for the Jewish home in Paiestine no more ceasesto be a German than the Jew who becomes baptized and changes his name ceasesto be Jew Einstel'l'sViews soon reachedthe headquarters of Chainr Weizman in London. where he functionedas the t/c./aclo European leader of the Zionist movement. At thal time. in 1920, ChaimWeizman (second from left)and AlbertEinstein (fourth) on April2, 1921as Weizmanwas planning theyarrive for their U.S.tour, Also pictured(from left) M. M. Ussishkin,Zionist rhe trip to the United leader;Vera Weizman; Elsa Einstein; and BenZion Mossinsohn,principal of the Statesto raisefunds fbr Jaffe college the Keren Hayesod. Thinkinghe neededadditional scope for his mission,he mindedness,and besidehim the shorterfeatures of urged Einstelnto come along; Einstein's role would Einstein." focuson raisingfunds for a HebrewUniversity and Einsteinwore a fadedgray overcoatand a black hat. \\'eizmanfor the KerenHayesod. He lookedlike an artist,a musician,wrote one reporter. To thesurprise of everyone,Einstein quickly accepted "He is of mediumheight with stronglybuilt shoulders, Werzman'soffer. but with + :r. + no air of fragility and self-effacement.Under a broad,high foreheadthe large and luminouseyes were Einstein,it was said, had no idea of what he was almostchildlike in theirsimplicity and unworldliness." getting into. He had little knowledge of Zionist The Americantour now began. Naiveas he was said "realpolitik,"was naivepolitically and highlyidealistic, to be, Einsteinquickly limited his role to fundraisingfor while Weizman was "overbearing politically and The Hebrew Universityand excludedthe intra-Zionist ruthless" Weizmanwas also locked in theepic political polemics.Most of all, he spenthis effortsin lectureson strugglewrth Louis Brandeis and his group for controlof "The Theory of Relativity" made to the American theAnrencan ZionistOrganizatron. The Brandeis group academicworld. disapprovedof the creationof the Keren Hayesod and FromNew Yorkthe group went to Washington,D C., Weizman'sfund raisingefforts in America. Einstein, where Einsteinvisited PresidentHarding with a group untouchedby these polemics,blithely left Berlin for from theNational Academy of Sciences,at whoseannual Hollald on March 2l , I 924 with his secondwfe and dimerEinstein spoke. first cousin.Elsa Therethey embarkedon the liner On May 2, 1921,W eizmauland Einsteinarrived in Rotterdamand werejoined by Chaim Weizmanand his Chicago.where they quickly went their separateways. spouse. Whrle Weizman and his chief lieutenant.M.M During the sea voyage,Weizman wryly wrote: Ussishkin,went to the EastEuropean Jewish immrgrant "Ernsteinexplained his theory relativity of to me every community of Chicago's West Side for parades, day and on my arrival I was fully convincedthat he demonstrations,and speeches,Einstein departed for the understoodit " calmerintellectual world of Chicago'sleading university, At the liner'sarrival in New York City, the group the UniversityofChicago, wrth professorsfrom different receiveda tremendous receptionfrom political leaders unrversitiesattending his lectures. andrlasses ofJews. "Whatthe crowds sawatthetop of Also on lt4ay 2. 1921, the (-hicaso Tribunt, the gangwaywas Weizman,smiling but stiff, almosla announcedElnstein's arrival under the headline..Dr nrodel of Lenrn in physical featuresas in single EinsteinHere Today to ExplainHis Relativity" The newspaperwrote that Einsteinwas to lecturefor thenext interview.The reporterquoted Einstein as stating: "If the threedays, at the Unlversityof Chicago,wlth lecturesof ChicagoJews wrll respondto my appealon behalfofthe one hour eachat Mandel Hall. "Dr. Einstein,who is in University,I will be the happiestman on earth." Chicago in the interest of a drive for funds for the Einsteinsaid that he was pleasantlysurpnsed at the HebrewUniversity in Jerusalem,now beingerected on generositydisplayed by the AmericanJews. "They are the Mount of Olives, maintainsthat a conceptionof Iiberal-mindedand generousand take a deepinterest in relativitycannot be properlyexpounded in lessthan three the life ofour peopleabroad." hours.and has steadfastly refused to undertaketreatment EinsternIeft Chicagoafter three days.bound for of thesublect rn less time." Pnnceton University for a week of lecturrng,before 'l The ribuna concludedby noting: "The famous retumingto Europe. scientistwill be a guestat a receptiontonight at the home +,** of Iv{axEpstein. 4906 Greenwood Avenue." Chicago'sleading Yiddish newspaperof strong On the next day. the Tribune headhnedits story of Zionist sentiments, the Jewish Courier, represening Einstein."Audience Sinks lnto EinsteinRelativity Sea." Eastem EuropeanJewry, barely coveredEtnstein's It alsodrsplayed a largepicture of Einsteinand his wife arrivalin its editions,merely giving a shorthistory ofhis undera bannerheadline, "World's Smartest Man?" life and accomolishments.Weizman's and Ussishkin's The Tribttna wrole mission,however, was thatthe audience listened widely covered and to Einsteinexplain "The Weizmanwryly wrote: " Einstein strongly supported Theory of Relativity." explainedhis theoryof relativity to me editorially. Their "The scientrstslooked, portraits were carried listened a.nd paftly every day and on my arrival I wasfully under the caption r:rrderstood.The restof. convincedthat he understoodit. " "Welcome- Leadersin the audiencejust looked Israel." lt alsopnnted and listened." While welcomlng messages Einsteinspoke in simpleGerman, it wasreported that the from Chicago Mayor William Thompsonand Illinois audrencewas soon lost. GovernorLennington Small. Einsteinalso spoke highly of Universityof Chicago After Princeton,Einstein retumed to Germany,and l'rofessorand Nobel LaureateAlbert Mrchelsonand his hrs first missionto Americawas called a successeven rvork "in connectionwith measurements."He also thoughhis role as a fundraiserhad been dtsappointrng. offeredhigh praisefor ProfessorRobert Milliken of the Two years later, Einstein visited Palestinewth great Universitvof Chicago. Both werescientists of world- fanfare,but this too did not end well whenhe cameinto ,"vrde fame conflictwith politicalproblems in the Zionist movement; 'l'rihuna The also reported that Einsteln was and, in yearsto come,he alsoretreated from playingan scheduledto speakto highschool students at theFrancls aclrverole at theHebrew Unrversity. ParkerSchool the next moming on thesubject "scientific In the early 1930sEinstein left Nazi Germanyand research."Years later a Parkerbooklet described the cameto the United States,taking up a professorshipat eventas "MorningExercises with AlbertEinstein." In Princeton. He visited Chicagoa numberof times after the Fall. 1996 issueof Parker magazine,Madt Bacon that,and his role with Americanscientific efforts in peace recalledthe talk as bewildering but "fun." first 'l and wartime are well-known. But his trip to hc Scntinel.Chicago's Jewish English weekly, Chicago rn I 92I was the memorableevent that coveredEinstein's arrival in Chicagoin great detail, introducedEinstein to the United Statesand showedthe r.,hilelargely ignoring Weizman's activities. It notedthat pride AmericanJews felt in havinga clarmon the "most Einsteinhad arrivedwith his wife anda secretary,Mr. famousman in the world." Ginsbr.rrg.the son of AhadHaAm (a greatZionist leader An interesting,final footnoteto the Einstein-Weizman andwell-known Hebrew author). A committeeof fifteen missioncame in 1952when David Ben-Gurion looked to universitlpeople had gone to therailroad statlon to meet appointsomeone to be the secondPresident of Israel. Einstein ln addition.a groupof"Hadassah girls headed Wantingsomeone wrth world-wideeminence. he offered br \liss Shulmanpresented a bouquet of flowersto Mrs. the appointmentto Einstein. Flattered. Ernstern " Einsteln. neverthelessdechned the honor. Israel'sfirst President, The Einsteinswere then driven to the Auditorium of course,had been Weizman, the manwho first inrtrated Hotel.nlrere rheScntinel reporter was givena spectal him into Zionistactivity. LJ

6 While not a member of the Diana Haskell Chicago Syrnphony Orchestra. Bloomfield-Zeisler performed fre- SharesHistory of quentlyuith the CSO as a guest artist. PianoVirfuoso Sheperformed in a similar capac- Beforea sizeablecrorvd at Temple it-v rvith orchestrasall around the Sholomfor theOctober 27- 1996Socr- world. etr bi-monthlvmeeting. Diana Haskell. Haskell recounted that Llold Lelis Curator of Modern Bloonrfield-Zeisleroyercame a repu- Manuscriptsa1 the NervberryLibrary. tation for frailtr. While shc u,as a spoke about tlre lrle of Fannre student.at leastone instructor thought Bloomfield-Zeisler-one of the most shewould be unableto withstandthe famouspianists in Chicagohistory. rigorsof top-flightorchestral playing, Alt lrouglr born in Auslria. andhe refusedto rvorkwith her. Bloourfield-Zeisler immigrated to Years later. Haskellreported- the Chicagoat an earlv age. While she sameinstructor ackrolvledged that he rclrrrnedlo Ellropeto finrshher srudies. could not have beenmore nistaken. DianaHaskell and Society Vice- shc canc to her greateslfame as a shewas undoubtedly world-class. f,l PresidentBurt Robin Chicagoan. PhotopraDh b\ NonnaD Sch$aiz

memberswho haveallorved their membershipsto lapse-and SocietyMembership Reaches it is difficult for us to targetpotential groups of nelv mem- bers. All-TimeHish of Over600 We grorv the samervay we opcralc. We reh on the pleased year's We are to announcethat last successful strengthsand energiesof our current members. Such au growing nerr menrbershipdrive hasculminated in our larger approachmeans that eachof us bearsthe burdeno[ perpctlr- lhan at an) tilne in our t\\'enry--vearhistory. ating the Society.but it has the r,irtuethat rve eachhar c a Underthe creative leadership of co-chairsElise Ginsparg real and u'orking stake in qho rve are. Er,enthing lc andMark Mandleand with considerablesupport from long- accomplishcomes from the energl and crcativitv of our tirne board member Clare Greenberg-rve have had four members. quarters grouth. successir,estrong of Our currentmernber- As Sociefy"President Walter Rothsaid- "For an organiza- shiptotal stands$ell above600- a mark wc haveapproached tion composedof all volunteersand rvithout anr major rn thc past-but neYermaintained consistently. funding.ue do remarkablework. Whonmost peoplc scc thc Whileue hopeto continuegroling. it seemsappropriate talks we present-the publicationswe pul out- the nerlsletler to rellect on how remarkableit is for any all-volunteer we rvrite,and the general presencc we maintain-ther hare no associationto sunive and gro$ over a more than fwo- ideathat rveare able to do somuch rvith soferv resources.-' decadeperiod. We look forward to continuingour grorth in 1997"and Thror,rghoutour existence.we have had successat re- lve invite eachof you to considergiving membershipsin thc cmiting uel mcrnbers.but r,r'ehave at times lacked the Societyto family. friends.neighbors. and othcrsrvho sharc inJiastructureto retainthem all. With the limited resources an interestin our subjectand rvho rnight apprcciatcbcing rrc harc. it is difficult for us to make repeatedappeals to part of our sharedenterprise D

Welcomes (-harles Block \1r. & llts. ('harle:t Wc kno$ that all o[ our prescntand Society SaDdraBonslcin continutngmembersioin us in uclcom- St art Bn[man Lcstcr Lerinson ing them to thc Socict\ . New Members Pat Braus Wc look foru ard no1 mcrcll to In keepingrvith the successue had Urilliam l.ishbcin Stcngcl throLrghoutthe entirevear in attracting Bemice Fried sharing our rvork and our pro_jects.but ncl menbcrs. l'e are pleasedto an- Dr. & A,lrs- Jantes l\1r. & },lrs. Harty to leamlng from them as rvcll. nornceolrr mostrecent ne\\'nembers. Gold As ahval,s- lle encourage vou to Jack Goodmat Hclct Rosenbetg \Vc sun ir e as an organizationonly think about giving Societ\ mcmbcr- Faye (irossman Dr. Sanuel Schall ships as gifts. We also encourage1 ou tluoughthe creativitl,and resourcesof llr. & lvtr:. Jerold ATauricc Swcryn to join us at oLrr bi-monthh meelings our l]lelnbers. lfr. & l,lrs But'tott and to considercontributing material to Our ne$est nernbers include the Stewn Kailcr Ithx lblloling: H.G. Kanies Hrrgo llolf our ne$sletter publication. D Nearly Forgotten Volume Begins to Recall Legacy of RabbiChaim Mednick 7'he.folloving essay was written by an anonwous conlrihulor as an introduclion to a collection oflYritings by llabbi Chainr Mednick. Mednick lived in Chicago lntnr 1925 until his death in 1955, and u,as a leading ligyra in thc Orthodox comntunity. He was rabbi ol ('ongragation Agudas Achim and lhen oJ Congregation Mochazikc Hadal. St.tcictvhoard nember and pasl President Norman Schvurtz rccumts that he first heard of Rabbi Mednick frcnt llabhi Leonarcl Mishkin. an excerpt of whose orctl hi.\tor.t oplcLlr: on page 13 of this issuc. According to .\chvttrtz. Mishkin vas concerned that Meclnick's con- lribution\ to (-hicago Jevish historlt hacl nol received

''ltuhhi ltrlishkin told ma that Rahbi Mednick had vritlcn u btnk that was in the librttry of the Hebrev, '!'hnlogitttl ('ollege." Schv,artz said. "Il'hen I went to thc library,. lhough. I couldn't .find the book, and I curldn't .fincl it in the card calalogue. ''I roltl llahbi Mishhn I hadn't beenable to.find it." ing, to the famousyeshiva in Mir and studiedthere with St:h:rtctrtzconlinrtctl. 'antl he insisted on shoving me the headof the yeshiva,Harav Hagaon Baruch Kamai of hinsclf therc il vas. Sure enough, vilhout needing Io blessedmemory. He was in frequentattendance at the look it ryt in lhe catalogua. he wenl right to lhe spot on Slobodke Yeshiva where he studied Torah with the thc .shcl/v harc thc book v'as k

8 In 5685(1925), Rabbi Chaim arrived in the United and long life, amen)when the SeferKerun T'zt)on,VoL published.Harav HagaonRabbi Chaim Med- States.Upon his arrival,he becamethe Rabbi of congre- Xtr was gatlonAgudas Achim AnsheTzetenheim in Chtcago. nick contributedan article dealing with an Halachic matter, and both he and the article were describedin In 5691( I 93I ), he becamethe Rabbi of Congregation MachazikeHadas in Chicagowhere he rema:nedto the highly complimentaryterms. reactionin letterto the ofthis endofhrs days. RabbiChaim's a author "I His influence reachedbeyond the area where he accountwas oneof disapproval. will not denyifI say I his words he know I served as a Rabbi. OutstandingRabbis and Torah was angeredby and should that. am genuinely to thrscharacterization of me." scholarsthroughout the United Statestumed to him wrth opposed Rabbi wrote,"Knowing questronsdealing with Halachic law, such as what is On anotheroccasion Chaim myself he my qualities forbiddenand permitted, and with questionsofRabbinic asI do, I believe overestimated by those with whichI measuremyself " argumentation.Every detail interestedhim, and he an- standards EretzYisrael was central in his thoughts.His greatest swered every requestby individua.lsseeking to better desirewas to live in the Holy Land. To this end, he understandG-d's word with civrliw andwarmth. with researching issues He showedpartrcularly great affec- becamedeeply involved Halachic pertaining to Ererz Yisrael. tion toward young Rabbinicalstudents MidrashB'nai Tziyonin Jerusalem from Chicago's Hebrew Theological His in/luencereached becamethe institutionwhich he Collegewho receivedtheir Rabbinical beyondthe area where most admired for its devotion to ordinationfrom him. He concemed Halachic researchdealing with hrmselfwith the problemsand doubts heserved as a Rabbi... EretzYisrael, and he becameone ol' troubLngevery individual who tumedto [extendingl throughout thestaunchest supporters of thisin- him. Theynot only wantedhts guidance in matterspertalning to Ha.lachicand the United States stitution. Rabbi developeda very religiousmatters but with all problems Chaim specialrelationship with the Gaon confrontingthem in therrroles and duties as Rabbis. Tzvi memory. They exchanged His greatnessin Torahwas matchedby his ability to PesachFrank of blessed varietyofHalachic matters, some of relateto peoplewith loving kindness,a qualityexpressed correspondenceon a whichappears in this volume. throughhrs love for his fellow man. Fatiguedid not deter As he was hrs eightresand he was be- hinr.and he did not sparehimself in giving of hrstime no approaching comingphysically infirm, he refusedto give up his life's matterwhat it entailed.He would be everywhereseeking love:love of Torahand love of man. helpfor thosein needofbeing relievedoftheir depressed In 5715(1955), he decidedto leavethe United States stateof mindor improvingtheir economicwell-being. and in the Holy Land. He preparedhimself for the He neverneglected giving his supportto public insti- settle joumey and had alreadybought a travel ticket. Great tutionssuch as Ezrat Torah. was his joy that soonhe would be in Eretz Yisrael,the Durrnghis advancingyears, Rabbi Chaim remained a landhe yeamedfor all his days. pillar of lovingkindness whose home was always open to But it was decreedotherwise, for on the day he was all, and he was generousin performingacts of kindness scheduledto leavefor Eretz Yisrael, the sixth day of to others. Tevet, (Dec.,1955), he suffereda fatalillness and His was an image refined by the fire of Torah and 5715, died. ever strengthenedby the awe in which he held G-d. In The religious community of the United States addition,his ability to absorbthe teachingsof the great moumedthe deathof RabbiChaim Mednick. His casket Torah scholarshelped him contendwth the constant was followed by multitudes,and he was eulogizedby changesthat life confrontedhim with. scholarsand Rabbrs. Rabbi Chaim remainedan authenticand true Torah Even thoughhe never lived to make alyah to Eretz scholar. One could sensethat he enjoyedthe give-and- Yisrael,he was privilegedto be buriedthere: in the take of Halachaand that he had completedevotton to cemeteryZichron Meir B'nai Brak. Torahand fear of G-d. In the historyof the religiouscommunity of the United Outstandingwas his trart of modestyin the presence States,Hagaon Harav ChatmMednick of blessedmem- of Torah scholars.An exampleof this is relatedby the ory will be rememberedas one who put his stampon headof MidrashB'nai Tziyonin Jerusalem,Harav Ha- reliuiousJudaism in theUnited States. tr gaonRabbi Yitchak Rosenthal Shlita (may he live a good One of TewishWar Vets the group's (Riqht)Harry most famous Besser,comman- Reach100 Years accomplish- der,Chicago Jew- The Jel ish War Veteransof Amer- ments was ish WarVeterans ica is nos l0() \'earsold. The group having calnc togcthcr originallv to help Congress Photographsby Norman Schwerlz demonstratethat Je$'s have alrvays passa 1927 bccrr r cll-representedrn Anrerican law permrt- amredfbrces. ting Jervish Chicago boasts not just one- but soldiers to t\\ o postsof the organization.In addi- have their lion to a largeand actiremen's post. graves Chicagohas the onlr femalepost in the marked by couuln. Stars of (Left) Evelyn (Mrs. Bcr ond calling anentionto Jeryish David rather Ruffy) Silverstein, coulributionsto thc Arm). Na\y. than rvith member of the Varrncs.and Air Force.the posts -;orn crosses_ Chicago Jewish togetherilr a r arictl of charitableun- The or- War Veterans fe- dcrtakings ganlzallon male post N'lcmbcrsof thc group often visit rvill host an othcr \ctcraus in thc hospital.have official local plarcd a haudin sponsoringMemorial celebration Dar actiritics. har e helpedraise funds ofits centennialon Sunday,April 28. Grove, and stoppingat the American lbr llrc NatrorrrlMttscunr of American Therervill be an automobileparade of LegionHall. lcu islrMilitan Histoq in Washing- members-supporters. and government In addition.there rvill be a soecial ton-D.C.- and harc put togetherblood officials nrruringfrom West Rogers Shabbatservice at Northwest Subur- dn\es. Park throueh Skokie and Morton ban Conereeationon April 26. D

contributedto writing the script and a VideoHistory of the number appear on camera as well. Jewsof Chicagoto tellingabout rarious incidents from Chicago'sJewish history. beUnveiled May 18 The video mentionssome of the The vidco histon of thc Jews of morerecent e\,ents of Jeuish life in thc Chicago.produced br the Societl and cit] . but it locuseson the first centun- directed by Bererley Siegel will re- tracing the first Jervishsettlers up to ceive its first public shorvingat a spe- the massire -Romanceof a People-- cial oent on May l8 at the Chicago pageantat the 1933Jewish Da1, for thc HistoricalSocier;". ChicagoWorld's Fair. Siegeland membcrsof the Societv Arnongthe moststriking sequences hale beenat lork on the videohistory in the video is footageof the pageant for almostt$o years.and the project is that Siegeluas able to uncoverlronr (from left) Ruth Rubin and Louise nou in its final stages. historical archivesand that had gone Franks were among the many ac- Siegel has edited it into a final unviervedfor morethan 501,ears. tive and former members of Jew- r ersion-and all thatremarns rs to lav-in Heidi Goldfein- reporter for gathered on ish Big Sisters who the musicalscoring. perform the hnal Chicago'sWBEZ pubhcradio statrorr. October20, 1996for a reunionof editing. and reproducecopies of the providesnarration for the video. the chapter. Big Sistersorganiza- videofor distribution. The ChicagoHistorical Socictv- has tions operatedby matchingadult The videorlill nrn atjust underhalf agreedto co-sponsorthe initial screen- mentors with girls who might ben- an hour. making it suitablefor broad- ing elent andhas donated the useof its efit from attention from outside their families. Jewish Big Sisters caston television-and making it appro- auditorium. is the oldestsuch organizationin priate for classroom and Hebreli' Copiesof the videorvill be arail- the Chicagoarea. schoolscreenings. able for purchaseat the e\ent but I'hotographb\ \onnan Sch\vrnz Scrcralnrcnrbcrs of llre Sociclr priceshave not \et beenset. D

10 Board Member Gertel Speakson Solomon Goldman RabbiElliot Gertel.Society Board rucrrbcrrnd lcadcrof Congregalion RodlciZedek. spoke on DecemberI5 bclbrcan audience of about100 people on the li1'eol faned Chicago Rabbi SolomonGoldnan. Goldmansen'ed as Rabbi ofAnshe EnetCongregation from 1929to 1953- andhe established himselfduring those earsas one of Chicago'sleading Jew- ) (from left) Albert Zemel, son-inlaw of Solomon Goldman; Gayola Ep- ishlrgures as rlell asone of America's stein, daughter of Goldman; and Rabbi Elliot certel leadingZionist r oices. Pholos{Dh tr\ \orr rn S.h\xd/ He succeededRabbi StephenWise as the presidentof fte Zionist Organr- Two of Goldrnan'srelatives, hrs at 2 p.m. Lol,ola zationolAnerica- becomingone ofthe at Unilcrsitr'sCroln daughterGayola Epstein and his son- CenterAuditorium. Lol,olaProl. Paula l'erl lron outsideNew York Citl' to inlaw Albert Zemel-rvere on handat Pfeffer u,ill on "A Home lor hold sLrchan offrce. speak TempleSholom for the talk asrvell. EveryBaby- A Babl'for Eren' Honrc: Gertel is at l'ork on a book-length The Socien sponsorsopen bi- JervishAdoption in Chicago." biographl of Goldman.and he shared monthly meetings. We invite As material liom thoryhout the rabbi's all always.there riill bc a social membersand their gueststo join us at hour beginning at I p.m. for casual career. the next suchmeeting on February9 conversationand refreslunents. D

Many persevered.horvever. As MinnesotaSociety Linda Schloff, director of the Jewish Spertus to Present Historical Society of the Midu'est- Exhibit on Humor PresentsExhibit on said."lt's a ston of lrorrerery immi- The SpertusMuser.m of of thc Spcr- grantculture faces change. We tell the PioneerWomen tus Instiluteof Jel ish Studiesrvijl opcn sto{ not as a lossof culture.but as a The MimesotaHistorical Societ-v rs - anexhibit on Jeuishhumor. Fcbman 2 transformationof culture.'- currentlr displavingan exhibit entitled The exhibits,ill celcbralcthc pccu- Amongthe artifactson displavare --Unpackingon the Prairie: Jewish liar - andpeculiarly furury - traditionof a Yiddish-Englishcookbook published Women ir the Upper Midwest." The Jervish comedians. $'riters. actors. by the Pillsbury Companl in Min- cxhibit is co-sponsoredby the Jewish comics,and clowns of all sorts. neapolis: stationery from a Jewish Historical Socien of tlie Upper Mid- Among the highlightsof the displa.,- 'n'omen'sorganization that provided \\'cst. rvill be multi-mediareprcscntalions of interest-free loans for householders The exhibit leaturesa number of manl' of the best-lor.edJcu ish pcrlbnn- trying Io get started:and a raric6 of artrfactsloaned b1 l'amiliesin the area. ers.including Barbra Strcisand- Jackic householdimplements that shou ho\\ Wbilc thc urbanJerr ish experience- Mason,and Dannl Kave. the immigrantsnegotiated the dernands including the experienceof Chicago The exhibit rvill featureimagcs frour ofprairie life andobsenant Judaism. Jervishmen and r.vomen.has generally suchwell-known setlings as Broadrra1- One detail the exhibit presentsrs recciled more attention,Jeus in the the BorschtBelt. and Hollllood. and it the unlikely fact that sixtv Jervish nrral Midrlestalso established a dis- rrrll proride opporlunlh for crchangrrrg \\'omen\\'erc grar:tcdhomcsteads irr tlnclculturc. theJervish jokes thatharc kcpt us laugh- their orlr names.\\ithout their neces- Jerr,ishuomen on the prairiesoften ing andkept us groaning. sarilyhaling husbands. faccd obstacleslery different from SpertusMuseum is locatedat 618 The exhibit is on displav at the Lhcrrurbarr cotrnlerpans Communities South MichiganAlenuc and is opcn MinnesolaHistorical Societl 's Histoa' \\crc spreadout orer rvideareas. and it Sundalthrough Fridal . Centerin St. Paul throughSeptember. The sill remain displal could oftenbe diffrcult to find support 1997. tr exlibit on lbr continuingJervish customs. runtilAugust 17. D

11 Goldman The farnill, cventuallv mored to r//art lrhosemanuscripts were publishcd Lar.r'ndaleand finalli' to West Rogers togetherin a singlelolume. (conrned li ont pase one) Park, follorving a broad movementof Eta Gross'sMemorie.s of theManor Jewsin the urbanarea. andMorris Springer'slhe ('havdar.tha rabbis. The later part of th€ memoirrecalls Ye,shiva.and I rverealso publishedto- At the sametime- he recallsfte life lhe overlappingrabbinic careers of both geth€r. andrvisdom of hisfather. Rabbi Yehuda the father and the son.-The exchanges. Lastyear's rvinner uas Bea Kraus- Goldman.besl-kloul ashaving been al shareddilemmas- and mutualaffections nou a boardmember of theSocieS. for onc time thc oldcstpracticing rabbi in of the trvo men illuminatenot just their her rrork Th,' ( antors Gi.fttd Vout' thcrorld. personalrelationship but also many of Remembered. The olderGoldman had a lifetimeof the broaderchallenges facing the Jervish This year's Minskl. compctrtron acconplislunents-horvever. and his son communit-over the lastseveral decades. broughla numberof inrpressl\eeutnes. recounlsthem loving\, and skillfull;. This book is hardly the only one the As CharlesBernstein. chair of the Min- As the I oungerGoldman s.rites rn youngerGoldman has written. His Gi slg committee.put it. " We are very his preface."This vvorkis not simply a nnt.\ o/ I'erth. a book of brref biogra- gratified by the qualil_'"of the entries. biographv.lt is thejoining of a son's phiesof manl of America'sleading rab- There was much nel materialthat had biographrruith his father's:bonding and bis, has gonethrough a numberof edi- not beenpreviously published." traleling the road of lif'e together.with tions andwas republishedunder the title He added."Minsk-v material is a rval respect.caldor. and patemaland filial TheGreat Rabbi.s Hqll of Fane to unearthhitherto unpublished nraterral lore It is a memoir:a journe)in mem- that will remain a permanenlcontribu- on andremrniscence. The Doris Minsls' Memorial Fund tion to ChicagoJewish histor)." "Mlrrr of nrr erperiencesinternlinc rvasestablished in memoryofone ofthe The deadlinefor entriesfor the next rvith mv father's life: he was alu,ays Sociery-'sfounders and long-timemsm- Minsky competitionis October 3l - interested.alrvays counseled. alrvays bers. t997. guidcd- alrral's helped. always re- Eachyear. the Societv solicits previ- Manuscriptsshould concem them- sponded.Modestll- I sa.vthat my expe- ousl1,unpublished manuscripts of partic- selveswith someaspect of ChicagoJeu. ricncesenhanced his and my mother's ular interestto the ChicagoJewish com- ish history,and shouldbe addressedto- lir cs. as-in tum. theyboth deepened the munitr. The winningauthor receives an ward the general reader. In general. signifrcanceof mine." honorariumof $1000-and his or her manuscriptsshould be no longer than ll lhc courseof recountinghis la- manuscriptis publishedand distributed 15.000words. ther's andhis orvnlife- Goldmanrecalls to all membersof the ChicagoJervish For a completelist of theregulations ruranlfeatures of JervishChicago. HistoricalSociery. goveming the competition-contact the On arrilingfrom Poland in 1921.the Copies of the publishedrvork rvill SocietyoIfice at (312)663-5634. fhnill movedto a SouthSide neighbor- also be available for sale to non- My Father,Mysef shouldbe avail- hoodthat hadonll a smallJervish popu- membersat bookstoresthroughout the able for distributionby Fall. 1997. So- laUoll Chicagoarea. cietl memberswill receivea copl of it Much of the earll memoirtraces the Previouswinners of the arvard in- throughthe mail. I'amih'scflbrts to copewith a nervcoun- cludeBeatrice Michaels Shapiro for 7he In lhe meantime,we exlendour con- tn - J lc\\ rrar of lrrrng.and new rvrin- .Jeu,,sof Lav,ndala and Carolyn East- gratulationsto RabbiAlex Goldmanfor klcsto theirliving their lives as Jews. wood tor Chicago'.rJawish Slreel Ped- his impressiveachieYemenl. tr

havesome bearing on Chicago'sJervish found yourself often prompt other SocietyNewsletter history. people'smemories to flow ass,ell. Examplesof the sort of memoirswe Keep in mind thrl mrnuscripts SeeksMemoirs of publish includeone man'smemories of should be no longer than six double- JewishChicago growing up as the grandsonof a West spacedpages. Be certain to include a Side butcher and one woman's return addressand phonenumber uith lf the Minskl competrtionsounds recollectionsof helping lo entenain your submission. dauntingbut you still have a storylo tell. Jewishsoldiers during World War II. We rvill try to respond to an) considersubnritting tt to ('hicagoJewish Indrvidual memoirs give us the inquiries, but cannol guarantec Histor))-rhe nerr,sletlerof the Chicago opportunity to presenl history in its publication. Jovish HistoricalSociety nanowestcontours. The storiesthat you Submissionsmar- be sent to Joe We occasionalllpublish persolal mightrecall from l'our childhoodor from Kraus at l4l(r W. Catalpa.Apl. 2. accountsof spccific neighborhoods. someunusual situation in rvhichyou Chicago.IL.60640. D c\cnts. practices.or individualsthat

12 Oral HistoryExcerpt: from Illinois Medical School. Another brother of mine wasbom in 1924in Danville. Rabbi Leonard Mishkin Pfefferman: What was your brother's occupation? Mishkin: He wasa shochet. Recallsthe Early Days of Pfefferman: What schoolsdid you attendon comingto Hebrew TheologicalCollege the city of Chicago? Mishkin: Besidesthe Hebrew TheologicalCollege, I attended the Progressive Preparatory School - The is an excerpt of an oral history given following elementary, although even before that when I was in by Rabbi Leonard Mishkin to Harold Pfeferman and Danville, I went to regular public school. When I came Edward Mazur on March 4, 1978. Mishkin, who passed in, I didn't know a word of English,and they put me in awayon December29, 1996,was Educational Director the 4th grade and I protestedvery much. I wanted to go of the Associated Talmud Torahs and a leading into the first grade, but the principal refused. He sard I histoian o;fAmerican Jewry. was too big. Anyhow, when I came to Chicago, I completedin lessthan a year'stime, from September9, Pfefferman: Rabbi Mishkin, your family came Harold 1922,the first six grades. to Chicagofrom EastemEurope. Did your family come For hish schoolI went to the Lewis lnstitute of directlyto Chicago?And Chicago, and I also why did theychoose this completedsome of my city? It was the only yeshiva that cateredto collegework at theLewrs Leonard Mishkin: My modernAmerican young people, allowing lnstitute, which is now family did not come part of IIT drrectlyto Chicago.Part them to go to college in the morning, and [Illinois lnstitute of Technologyl. of my family - my father [studyJin the afternoonat theyeshiva. Edward Mazur: Rabbi to be exact - was in the Mishkin, you said you U.S.since 1913, and he were 15 when you cameto Chicago. Did your parents lived in the East- New York. We cameto the U.S. in send money to you for your support, or were you 1922 and joined our father that year. We went to working when you went to school? Danville, Illinois. My family remained in Danville, Mishkin: When I was going to school,I did not work. Illinois for another10 years. I, on the other hand,left My fathersupported me. He paidfor theboard and room Danville in September,1922, aad came to Chicagoto and then the Hebrew Theological College gave us studyin theHebrew Theological College. scholarships. From the year 1923 on, I used to receive Pfefferman: ln what sectionof Chicagodid your family $40 a month as scholarship,with which I paid my high then eventuallysettle when the entire family camehere? schoolturtion and latermy collegetuition. Mishkin: Well, the yearthat I lived by myself,I boarded Mazur: What are someof your earliestrecollections of wrth somepeople. I lived at first wrth an armtof mrne Jewishlife in this city? andcousins on Troy and l3th Street.Then I lived on 13th Mishkin: My earliestrecollection was at first a little Place and Central Park with anothercousin of mine. disappornting. When I first entered a synagogue- Then I lived by myself with some classmatesof the usually Friday eveningor Saturdaymoming because Yeshiva on Clifton Park and Douglas, and eventually before the Hebrew Theological College opened on when my parentscame to Chrcago,they lived on Homan DouglasBoulevard and St. Louis, I usedto go to regular Avenue between l6th Street and Ogden, and then synagogues,and I was the only youngster of my age in Trumbullbetween 15th and l6th Streets. the synagogue.Most of the peoplewere older people- Pfefferman: How old were you when you came to no teenagers- but later I usedto attendservices at the Chicago? Hebrew TheologicalCollege and there were all young Mishkin: I was l5 years old. people. Pfefferman: Did you haveany brothers or sisters? However. when I becamemore familiarized with the Mishkin: I have a brother who came with me from community, I found out that it was a very thriving and He remainedin Dannlle, graduatedtugh school Europe. exuberanttype of community;there were lots of activities there,and then he went to the Uruversityof Illinois in going on all around. Among them were Hebrew Champaign,and then he eventuallygraduated as a doctor

13 speakingclubs and circles,Yiddish speakingclubs - all Hebrewand Yiddish. WhenI cameto Chicagoin 1922, kindsof organizatrons. there was a daily Hebrew p aper; the Hadoar startedas a A Kehilla [an Orthodox goveming body] was being Hebrewdarly paper. Now, I couldn'tsubscribe to it, but organizedin Chicagoto encompassall the synagogues, every once in a while I would go up to a standon Halsted and at one time over 100 synagoguesbelonged to the and Roosevelt and buy a copy. When I'd come to Kehilla. Theyused to haveannual meetings. There was Halsted and Roosevelt,I would find on the stand many Merkos Harabonim at that time which had their times othernewspapers from New York, from Europe, meetings,and I used to attendthose etc.,and I usedto emptymy pocketsof meetings as a youngster becauseI One day I got caught all the changeto buy the papers. One wanled to leam what goes on. Fifty day I got caught without money,and I rabbis used to come together at a without money,and I had to walk back from Rooseveltand meeting average andI on an day, used had to walk backfrom Halsted to Central Park and Roosevelt to watchthe proceedings. becauseI had spent all my money There were two daily Yiddish Roosveltand Halsted buying papersat the stand. papers published in Chicago: the to Central Park and The centerofJewrsh business life was Jewish Couier md the Jewish Daily Rooseveltbecause I at that time on Halsted and Roosevelt Forward. Now we didn't read the betweenCanal Street and Blue Island. Forward very much becauseit was a had spent all my The only Jewish bookstorewas on leftistkind of paper. The Courier was moneybuying papers Roosevelt near Blue Island. The the mouthprece,the voice of the Yiddish Theater was on Blue Island Orthodox community. It used to have at the stand. near Roosevelt. The Couier wu on goodeditorial writers, especially Dr. S. Halstedand 13thStreet. The Fon+ard Lamed who used to come out every was on Blue Island next to the Yiddish Theater. moming with a column. [Generalnewspapers did not Lawndale was growing in Jewrsh population; it was have editorialcolumns in their newspapersyet.] The becoming the largest Jewsh community in Chicago in nameof the columnwas "A GutenTog" [A GoodDay], population. But, from the point of institutional life, up to and every moming he would attack or roast somebody. 1925 Halstedand Rooseveltwas strll the center. The He fought many leaders of the Orthodox community JewishCharities ofChicago were on a side streetnorth of becausehe thought they were doing wrong. He was, for Rooseveltbetween Halsted and Blue Island. example, against the organization of the Hebrew On the comer of Canal Street and Roosevelt was a TheologicalCollege. He thought the Isaac Elchanan huge building; it was used formerly as a day school for Yeshiva in New York was sufficient, but finally he was general studies and all Jewish studies for Jewish prevailed upon to become a friend of the Hebrew children.Then it was abolishedin 1923,and dre building TheologicalCollege. was convertedto a Jewish shelterhome; old and indigent The Couier had another interesting ilem: every day peoplewho lived or passedthrough Chicago found food theyhad an Englishpage, the lastpage. The paperitself and shelter in that building. The HIAS [Hebrew would have eight pages,12 pages,or 16 pagesdarly. Immigrant Aid Societyl had offices there. And there The last page was always an English page, and the were very prominent people who were actively involved studentswhen I was in high schoolwould make attempts wlth it. to write articles and news for the Courier. My first As I becameacclimatized to Chicago,I beganto like writing tookplace when I mailed,on a dare,a shortstory it very much. Once the Hebrew TheologicalCollege to the Courier that I had written for my high schoolclass, openedat the end of 1922 on Douglasand St. Louis nd the Courier pinted it. there, it began a change. It became the center of And then I continuedto publish, as did many other Orthodox Jewishlife in Chicago.The rabbis usedto meet students.Some of them evendared write somearticles there, the Kehilla, any public meetingsof the Orthodox on Philo-Judaistsfor theEnglish page. Among Orthodox peoplewere held in the HebrewTheological College. people,it was a novelly for Jewishyoung people to write We had about 350 students in the Hebrew on Jewishsubjects. TheologicalCollege: in two departments.The lower There were many Jewishpapers we usedto receive departmentmet on the first floor of the building, and then on the standsin Chicago. 1922-23-24all the way up to there was the Bet Medrash LaTorah on the upper floor, 1930America had a very thriving kind of movementin for those studying for the rabbinate.

14 Therewere four classroomson the secondfloor used Attendancewas takenin the studyhall outsideof the by the Collegefor the rabbinicaldepartment. There were classfor studypurposes. Ifyou had a classat 6 o'clock, six classroomsdownstairs used for the lower level you were requiredto study from 5 to 6 before your Yeshivas M'tscharm. There were a whole chain of classes.The rabbisstayed in the studyhall togetherwith teachers;none of them are today activein the teaching the students.They all had a position.and all the students field.... hadtheir particularplaces. The two highestclasses were Mazur: Rabbi Mishkin, what would you say were the assigneda shlender,not a tableseat, but a shtenderby ob;ectivesof thenewly organized yeshiva ca.lled HTC? the wall and eachone hadhis shtender,his position,and Mishkin: The HebrewTheological College has a three- nobodycould usurp that place. fold purpose:Yeshivas M'tschaim, preparatoryschool RabbiGreenberg, the dean(May he rest in peace),he and the Rabbinicdepartment; prepar[ing] young people was reallydedicated. He couldwalk throughthe halls, for smicha [ordination];and then there was a teachers' watch the studentsstudy - walk over and talk to them, departmentcomposed primarily of girls who met in the and sometimesvisit the classes(not too often). bur he samebuilding downstairs in the eveninghours from 7 to was alwaysin the studyhall. Whenhe felt that someone 10. The same was not studyrng teacherswho taught right or was talking us Hebrew, history, Myfirst writing tookplace when I mailed, too much, he would and Bible in the on a dare, a short story to the Courier not say anything at Rabbinicdepartment that moment. But. taught the young that I had writtenfor my high school class, after class,he would ladiesin the teachers and the Courierprinted it. come up and say."l .l-no'fmanf would like to talk to downstarrs. We had a wonderful staff of teachers. Dr. A. enough. Schactertaught ChochmosYisrael, and then cameDr. Mazur: How would you contrastthe HTC thenwith the Murray Workman who taught every field of Jewish yeshivatoday? knowledge: Bible, Hebrew literature, philosophy, et Mishkin: Well, thevery fact thatthe whole program was cetera. And then therewas a man namedDr. Menasha changedaround - thatclasses are meeting in the moming Levinefrom Israelwho spenta year anda half herewho does not give the studentsa real charce to become alsotaught Bible, Jewish history, and also taught modem integratedinto the Americar environment.to go ro a Hebrewliterature to thegirls in the teachersdepartment. unlversityor a collegeand be a part ofthe regularstudent Therewere other people who camein, a man by the bodythere. name of Salador who taught Hebrew literature and Years ago, the mere fact that the classesin Tahnud publisheda Hebrewrnagazine right herein Chicago.We were at the end of the eveningand not at the begiruring alsopublished a magazineat HTC. We gaveit different and other subjectswere at the beginning,it didn't give names.We havea completefile of themin the libraryat priority to any one subject. The emphasiswas on all the HTC. Studentsparticipated in writing articlesin subjectsalike. Today,the emphasisis mostlyTalmudic Englishand Hebrew studies,and the othersare peripheraland they arenot so Mazur: In what way wasthis yeshivaunique? well attendedas rn my time. Mishkin: It wasunique in maliyways. First of all, it was Remember,when I graduatedin 1929,before me the onlyyeshiva that cateredto modemAmerican young there were two oiher graduationsThe first one was in peopleand allowed them to go to collegein the moming, 1925.the second1927. and ours was the third in 1929. andin the aftemoonthey used to cometo theyeshiva at 2 Now, everyonewho graduatedin thesefirst threeclasses, o'clockor atthe latest at 3 o'clock. From3 to 4 o'clock, I know who they were. I studiedtogether wrth Rabbi we used to study by ourselvesin the large hall in the Kramer.Rabbi Louis Lehrfield.and others. If we had a centerof the building. At 4 we beganthe variousclasses lecturewith RabbiSchechter, we all wenttogether in one Bible, history,Hebrew literature, and other subjects on class. The same thing wrth Rabbi Waxman. These Jewishliturgy, various lectures - andonly at 6:30p.m. people,Rabbi Kramer and Rabbi Waxman,who were theyused to beginthe classesin Gemarah. togetherwith me and otherswho later went away fron.r At 6130to 8 o'clock every classin Talmud met the rabbinate,came from the universitystraight to the simultareously.All therabbis in theTalmud department yeshiva and it was an exhilaratingchange from the taughtTalmud at the sametime. unrversityto theyeshiva. X

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