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SOCIETYACSUIRES SEVERAL ADDITIONAL ORAL HISTORIES FOR ITS TAPECOLLECTION Lrsr INcLUDESLEADERs As Werl As ATTRACTIVECOLOR BROCHURE NOl,l ORornanyPsoplr wrrH TALEsTo Trll AVAILABLETO EXPLAIN SOCIETY'S WORK Thc ranino nf lha historical recollec- An attractive color brochure explaining tions of key individuals in the locaL the work of the Chicago Jewish Historical Je\rish conmunity continues under Society Society has been produced and is available auspices. According to Sidney Sorkin, com- tor distribufion to potentiaL members and mittee co-chairman, the Society's oral his- friends oI the organi zat ion. tory col lectjon now contains reminiscences The brochure, \,,rhich f eatures rare his- of almost 100 different individuals in ad- torical photographs, details the various d - t ion co taped records oi CJHS meet ings activities of the Societv and exoLains its and various other hlstorical programs and membership Tho r structure. ^r^'1,,- ^f event s . a committee headed by CJHS Board mernber Jan The March, 1983, issue of Society News Hagerup, it was made possible by the donat- contained an up-to-date listing of a1L in- ed services of several members of the dividuals in the CJHS 0raL History Collec- graphic arts industry. Mrs. Hagerup was tion. Since then histories have been re- assisted by committee members Doris Minsky, corded by the tollowing persons. Tn each CJHS vice-president, and Elaine and Irwin case the person is identified and some of Suloway. the general topics included on the tape are Donated services included artwork and listed. layout by Vito DePinto of Depinto Craphics, Samuel Deilch. Businessrnan, Yiddish- typesetting by Jerry Rosenberg of Key- ist, and philanLhropist. Largely fami ly strokes of Lincolnwood, and printing by hisLory irom Eastern Europe to Palestine in Icontinued on paoe eiqhtl
Open Meet i ng Sunday, January 4, 1987 Free Admission Spertus CoIIege
Program rrCh i cago Jewish t'lomen" Dr. June Sochen
1 PM: Refr eshmen ts 2 PM: Program
See Page Three for Details 2
I President s lle s s age I'lno Clr'r TEr-r-US I'IOREABoUT SoneTHoUcHTS ABour Lnwnuale,s I'lor-nEnHllr- AT OLDBrrH EI? FonmenSyHaeoeuE BurLDrNGs A newspaper announcement that a renewaL projecl was being considered for Lawndale (at Kedzie Avenue and Roosevelt Road) caught my eye. I wondered if it might in- volve the demolition of some former synagogues or other Jewish institutions in the area. The least I could do was I to investigate to determine what might be lost before there was a chance to record it ti
This former building of Temple Beth El (right ) stands with Molner HalL barely visible on the left aL 2124-26 West Crystal Street. It later becane Dorshe Tov. In Fresiden! his History of the Jervs of Chicago, H. L. Sch!,rartz Meites says that Molner. HalL, apparently originally an apartment building, was o! collect docunents. I later determined named after a menber of the congregation. that, from the point of view of Chicago Can anyone telL us more about this building or Jewish history, that project does not en- the man it honored? danger an existing structure of any impor- tance. However, the area remains an "en- a rnemorial great dangered species. " Lo a man and recognition of The fact that so many building sti11 the hero of former inhabitants of LawndaLe, stand in Lawndale testifies as to how vib- The Jevish people have rnoved rant the Jewish cornmunity must have been in elsewhere and relocated their synagogues, this Chicago neighborhood. Both magni-fi- usual ly carrying the same name with them. But in rhe old area noL all syna- cent synagogues of architectural beauty and gogue names have been obliterated nor aI1 converted two-fLats or individual homes cornerstones removed nor aIl religious used as synagogues tell us of a reaL dedi- sym- " ^"e catron to the practice of Judaism. '" sriII some famil- iar names and dates on cornerstones in Nanres Indicate Diverse Or igi ns Hebrew or with rhe Jewish year indicated. The sheer number of houses of worship Tours Recal1 Lawndale Lif e and rhe diFferenr names indicarirg Lhe The tours of the Chicago Jewish place of origin of the members are evidence Historical Society show those partici- of the strength in diversity of the commun- who pate many oF the places ity. In these names are to be found WiLno, to which I refer and Leave a Lasting Lida, Pinsk, Shavil Ve-Yanove, Odessa, impression of what life must have been like in LawndaLe per- Kovne, Motele, and many more. They aLso in the iod 1910 to 1955. include references to the Bible such as Our Society is trying preserve "Tents of Jacob" and'tlishne ur Gemorah.'l to or t^^^r nq:^-^^ r^,,.^L r-.: -^^--,{ LL dtsu Jew s rsLury.^}^-., Lawndale is now all past for the Jewish ' You can help by retaining your community, but some of the buildings have membership, becoming a member, your been put to good use, Many of those re- or encourag i ng maining serve as churches. fr iends to become members. Theodore Herzl School srands, its name --Norman Schwar t z JANUARYI'IEETING AT SPERTUSFEATURIS TALK ON LOCALJEWISH I{OI'IEN DR.JUNE SOCHEN WILL DISCUSS THEIR MEMBERSHIPRENEWAL }IILL INSURE CONTRIBUTIONSTHROUGH THE YEARS CONTINUATIONOFBENEFITS Ever since the insistence of an early Readers are reminded that membership Jewish woman settLer resulted in the ar:riv- i"1 lhp Sociefv nppds r o be renewed at the al of Chicago's fi rst rabbi in I847, Jew- start of each year. Individual notices ish women have played an important part in will be in the maiL at the close of both the rel igious and secular I ife the hol iday season. of the area. Some of their many contribu- Thp m,dv hanptiic nf momhorchin in- tions will be the topic of Lhe nexl meering .lr.lp n.rri.ac nt reorrlrr maar ino< end re- of the Society, scheduled for L:00 PM, Sun- ceptions, a subscript ion fo Society dty, January 4, at Spertus Co11ege, 618 News, discounts on the Society's sunmer South Michigan Avenue. bus tours and pur.hases at Lhe Spertus Mu- "Chicago Jewish l,Jomen" is Lhe subjecf seum, admission to the annual cLosed of the talk to be given by Dr. June Sochen, hr.'nr-h att l-pa admission ro ^. -aduced professor of history at Northeastern I11i- other events of Jewish historical interest. nois University and a naLionalIy recognized President Norman Schwartz advises mem- author.ity on womenrs history. The address, bers that, in additio'r ro providing scheduled to begin at 2 PM in Bederman lhp hprefirs zhn\ra dues structure also 'hp Hal1, wiLL be preceded, as usual by a makes possible exhibits, the making of oral , social hour and refreshments at 1PM. history tapes, the col lection ot archive material and other activities which help Speaker a Specialist in Women's History 1^. , i LvPlgstlvgJcw'J|ll|'5Lu|)/. ^L 1 ., ,,^ J^ ,l I Fr- i .,: Fl- .,^-., "Because Dr. Sochenrs specialties in- ^^ ^^- - wr(rr d- v
REVIEWNE!{ SENTINEL HISTORY OF CHICAGOJEI.IRY, POPULATION STUDY REPORT to whatever year the group they discuss Boors Rgrlect ConrtnurNGINTEREST began. IN DEVELopMENT0F Locll Cor,t4uNrry Thro important parts of the community-- chavurot (non-synagogue minyans, which norv By Mark Mandle exist on a regular basis in many parts of Chicago) and Jewish cemeteries are not in- Two exciting books on Chicago Jewish cluded. The book's pictures are uneven. hisfory have appeared recently. They are Some are very good, while others are dated especially to be welcomed because of nr inrnnrnn. i.ar-o An index would have the paucity of current inforrnation about made the volume much more useful since the our area, a major world Jewish cornmunity. work constitutes an important fact book and They are The SentineL's History of Chicago reference tool. Jewry 1911-1986 and a specialized work, A Population Study of the Jewish Community of Sampling of Jewish HousehoLds Metropo1i taL Chjgggg. The writing of Anerican Jewish hisrory The Sentinelrs history has succeeded in has changed dramatically since World War I1 lhe purpose stated in its foreword by because of applications of dernography, its dedicated, long-time editor, Jack Fish- stat ist icaL sanpling, and sophisticated bein, "to give fuEure generarions of analyses to Jewish communities. Some of Chicago Jews some basic understanding of these changes are reflected in an excellent how this cityrs Jer,,rry rnet and f aced the short book (fifty pages) published by the chaLlenges of these seven and a half dec- Jewish Federat ionrs Research and Planning ades. " The collection features an excel- Department: A Population Study of the Jew- Ient overview by Dr. I rv ing CuL ler and some ish Community of Metropolitan Chicago. fascinating articLes by Dr. Leonard Mish- The purpose kin. book's is stated as Several other arcicLes are well-writ- r,. .r,,r., d DLuu) r!.^ t^.-t dL,ri^n M6Fy^_ ten and rnake interesting reading. The book ^! -a -1n,,1PePu' ^f politan Chicago in the FalI of l98I is a worthwhile contribution to the under- lo se rve as a basis for community pl a"tning stand-ing or C\icago Jewish history. The in the 1980's." The Federation prepared book's first printing has sold out and a its sample by interviewing I,247 Jewish new printing is being prepared. househoids. Thp five .hrntprc irnIirds maj or demographic trends, socioeconomic Overview Articles Tie History Together profiles, geographic profiles, hous eho I d A ferv shortcomings detract from the and farniLy profiles, and facts about Jewish history. The book suffers from a lack of identification and involvement. The report focus. Anita Libman Lebeson's earlier con- is poLished and does not read Like a stuffy tribution (here reprinted) and Dr. Irving academic study. There are some good charts Cutlerrs overview tie the history together, and tab les . but they cannot completely compensate for Heimovics Book Remains Valuab Le the lack of focus found in the more specific articles. Some articles start in I npnrinnpd nrprrin'rclv rhrr rha qa6- LvLr \rerrectrng Lne trtle or tne DooKr, tinel history does not cover chavurot or some in 1961 (starting where the last Sen- cemeteries. These areas and other topics cinel history left off), and sorne go back were covered in Rachel Baron Heimovics' The Chicago Jewish Sourcebook (1981). Heimovics (a president Books recording the history of Chicago forrner of rhe Chicago Jewish Historical Jewry are ferr in nuuber and slow in Society) adnirably succeeded in her goal providing appearing, but the past year has seen tso of a "broad objective survey valuable ones: one a 33o-page publication of the community's resources. " Heimovicsr of the Sentinel Publishiug Conpany, the book is dated, but it has aged other a product of the Jeyish Federation of wel1. It is a valuable study of our corununity remains Uetropolitan Chicago. Ihey are here re- and indispensable both for newcomers viewed by Mark Mandle, a library special- and for lifetime residents. The three books here provide ist, CJf,S Board nember and former officer mentioned a firm foundation for who is hinself an avid student of local the study and teach- Jesish history. ing of TL'enrieCh Century Chicago Jewi sh history. p p 0 rfl ril!I!u 'll tf
The fomer homeof KAMTemple at flrd Street and Indiana Avenue, built by DankmarAdler (left, as a young man) and his partner Louis Sullivan in 1890. It is now the piLgrim Baptist Church. --Photo bv Irvino Cut]er JEI.ISHELP CHURCH RESTORE or planned are the intricately decorated oak ceiling, a prominent Star of David, and DISTIN6UISHEDFORI.IER SYNAGOGUE or iginal stained glass windows. John Vinci, a local architecc specializing 0lo KAI'IBUTLDTNG l{AS DESTGNED in historic !estorations, is overseeing Bv Anctrrecrs ADLERAND SULLTvAN the pro ject. Designed Home for Sinai Congregation A distinguished and historic former The Adler and SuLlivan firm later went home of Chicago's first Jewish congregation on to design the old Stock Exchange Build- is in the process of restoration by the ing, whose trading room and entrance arch church which currently occupies it--rrith a have been re-ereclred at the Art Institute IittIe help from its Iriends, many of them of Chicago. Adler, the first JevJrsn. 1ocal Jew to attain prominence in architecture, was The building, at Thirty-third Streer also the designer of a former ternple for Chicago and Indiana Avenue, was built in 1890 by Sinai Congregation. After his KAM Synagogue and remained its home for early death, his partner, Louis Sullivan, becane more than thirty years before che congrega- even mole farnous and designed the landmark tion followed its members to the Hyde Park buiLding for Carson Pirie Scott area. Since then it has been occupied by and Com- pany . the Pilgrirn Baptist Church, which--assisted The old synagogue is but one of many by students of architecture and current forner centers of Jewish worship which have mernbers of KAM-Isaiah Israel--is restori.ng become churches as neighborhoods have the building to its original architectural changed. Less fortunate splendor. have been several others which became factories, warehouses, Architect's Father Was KAM Rabbi or even parking 10ts, the buildings having been demol ished. The building was designed by Dankrnar __I.J. S. AdIer, son of KAM's distinguished rabbi, Liebman Adler. Its interior decoration DnnznttSupERvrsES Socrery Fur,ros r.'as the work of Adlerrs parLner, Louis Sul- y livan. The firrn of Adler and Sullivan had Our September issue inadvertentl just completed the famous Auditorium build- omitEed lhe nane of our treasurer, Herman Draznin, ing, hotel and theater; and there are many who has been carefully supervising stylistic similarlities bet\4reen it and the our finances since last Spring. Ite regret synagogue building. Both have been subse- the omission. Mr. Draznin also serves as a quently declared nat ional landrnarks. member of our board. Included in the renovations cornDleted He succeeded Board Member Sol Brandzel. TEST YOURHISToRIcAL KN0WLEDGEt{ITH Eistory is more than a record of facts: it is also an accumulation of attitudes, THeCHtcneo Jewlsu Tnrvra Qurz behavior patterns, and emotions. Indeed, these are what ootivate the facts ve think Trivia Quiz Nunber 5 of as the basis of history. The Chicago Jesish Historical Society has frequently rEsL yuuL NLtuwrcu6 ^i^e of local Jewish alaborated upon the facts of Uaxrel l Street history by attempting to answer our reguLar Jesry, both from the platform and through urLrLd6u rcwrJ,, --r":- Quiz. The'.r check exhibits. Now, in the poem below, we can wirh your friends fo see how weJI they can focus as well upon the attitudes, behavior do. patterns, and emotioDs of that area and era 1. In February of 1861 when Abraham as spelled out by Sally Levin--herself a Lincoln IeEr Illinois to assume the presi- one-time resident there. 1.J.S- dency, a Chicago Jewish friend of his gave hirn a special American flag upon which was inscribed in Llebrew an apt bib)icaI quota- OoEto MAXwELLSTREET tlon. l^tro \tas this friend? 2. Many Chicago public schools have Max'lre11 St ree t is vanishing, been named after prominent loca1 Jews. Can the last frontiers one of you name at least five? Of the pioneers of the pushcarts, 3. 0n1y two Jews have become governors The heroes ol iwnigrant years. of the Stare of illinois. Can you name llere they cane, the greenhorns, then both? HuEble and God-fearing Je!.s 4, What was the earliest Zionist or- In search of a litrle Parnosoh, l- ar-;^-^^t itdLLrzdLruL' !r, uLlrLo6u. The disinherited with oothiog !o 10se. are on Page 9 Lithuanian, Ronanian, PoIish, GaLitzianer, Trivia answers Pushing, shoving, peddling every waie. This was the Golden Anerica, Rec a1l ing with vicarious pLeasure As they scrubbed the kitchen floor.
You got to be an alrightnik, Dispensary with, t'Mind your olrn business," "I don't care " At the Vexwell Street You were treated fai. and square. Not I ike by "Ponyeh Gonef" With restrict ions evelYwhere For ten cents you bought a ticket And got excellent medical care. Peddlels shouted, "Vibaleh a cholent," Babies were born in abundance, "A-Tzimmis," "A catpaleh for Gefilte Fish," What a sneet aroma fol Shabbos 0bstetrics by Doctor Del-ee. Prri.a ha r. rhp Almiohtv And the taste \tas so delish. For this blessed care that vras free. Halsted was for the big "Mactrers." Here the fancy stores wo'lld groat. on every block a synagogue, llere was tbe birth of an enpire, Replicas of o1d shuls they had known, The start of the Nickel Show. Built with the pennies of peddLers l,Iho did not live by bread a1cne. Admissions were two- for-a_nickel . How kids shivered with fear and delight is an era At William S. Hart in Cowboys and Indians Gone with the I'ind frust!aiions. And the mysteries of lovely Pearl khiie. 0f fel^' restrictions and l,lith twenty-five dollars you were in business rangu i:it ion s. The nilliners were Madernoiselles from SLobodka Without chain-store s t On \rhose best hats ostrich feathers would Perch. You were sure to Look like Lillian Russell We are thd inheritors men' As you strolled to synagogue or church. 0f these grave, courageous Strong in lheir faith and spirit. Sha1l we see their Like again? clickman's Yidd ish Theatre Street, Was on Halsted and Fourteenth Gone ale the sights and sounds of "Old Jew Tovn." where 1one1y souls of the Ghetto The new entrepreneurs are black and brown' Found a glorious musical tleat' Free stil1 to choose fo work and scheme' New pioneers of the Anelican dream. The lromen thrilled to Botis Thomashefsky And remembered him for evermore, --SalIY Levin NE}lBIOGRAPHY EXAI'IINES THE LIFE OF AN UNFAMILIARROSENWALD DAUGHTER CHICAGO-RAISEDCHILD OF GREATJEwISTI Of the uany early loca1 Jewish fani- PHrllntHnoprsrLATER Lrvro rr rHE SourHlies, the name of Rosenwald is perhaps the most widely knosn and respected A Passion For Sharing--The Life of Edith throughout the nation. Both in business philanthropy Rosenwald Stern by Gerda Weissrnann ffein. and Julius Rosenwald's a- chievenents Published in cooperation with the Greater are legendary. Those of his children are less rrell knorm. A recent New 0rleans Section, National Council of Jewish Women. Chappaqua, New york: biography of his daughter Edith, presented Rossel Books to CJES by the Robert S. Adler foundation, is here reviewed by Doris Minsky, a A Review Doris Minsky by founder of the Society and its longtime Edith Rosenr,rald Stern was the middle vice-president. It shoss that Edith Rosen- child of Julius and Augusta Rosenwald. By wald Stern was an important personality itr r.^- IIs^ i^ :-^^-- rarE rLurJ/^ts^-., rr rrrryu! her orrn right whose rernoval to Nerr Orleans tant Eo Chicago Jewish history for ic can was a real loss for Chicago Jewry. reveal important insights into the Life- sLyle of Jewish society in the early parr tsLj^ u^- |:t^ i^ Marriages and Early Womanhood ^a LrLrLuly r re rLvr^r^-,, j/ rr rffi"^;^-;f- r r icant in that her father, Julius Rosenwald, The author traces the growth of Edith was the force behind the gro\rth of Sears as a young woman, emphasizing her educa- Roebuck, and he became one of Chicago's tion, her early corrunitment to Judaism and, wealthiest Je\ds and one of its greatest parricularly, her following her father's PurrdLrLrrruPrrLs.-L.1 ^-+L-^-: ^F^ fooL steps in practicing "tzedakah"--jus- tice through sharing. Her short, unhappy Her older brother, Lessing, wi Il prob- f .irst rarr'iage is detailed, FoIlowed by ably be remerbered Ior his Iong opposicion her 1921 marriage to Ne\r OrLeans philan- to the creation of Israel. Her younger thropist Edgar Stern, which lasted until brother, Wi11iam, inspired rheir father to his death in August, [959. Their "rail road create the Chicago Museum of Science and carrr marriage in fndiana by Rabbi Emil Industry after he had visited the Deutsches G. Hirsch forms a fascinating anecdote on Museum in Munich. Edith and her two sis- the life and mores of Chicaeo Jewish soci- ters, Adele and Marion, the Latter married ety in the Twenties. to liberal magazine editor Max Ascoli, be- came important, rneaningful participants in For sixty years, Edith Stern was a various soi:ia1 causes after having been social leader of New Orleans. This incLud- raised in an environment of wealth coupled ed Ieadership in Jewish charities, both with close farniLy t ies. national and loca1 , the New Orleans Symphony, srlpport for the development and Life-Long Friend Provides lnfornat ion growth of the National Council of Jewish 0f particular interest is Edith's Ialomen, support of liberal political causes I'T,i:n-i^ I' I ifa-lnno alnca friondchin r,;Fh l/^--*:^.,r--I.. uu!r..-:-^ r,16 the campaigns of born Julia Friedman, who grew up with Edith Adlai Stevenson) and philanthropic work as close as "twins," Twinnie, who married extending from New 0rleans throughout the Frederick Greenebaurn, a member of the pion- United States. aLi^-^^ r^,,: f r.. uL,fLd6u ^L- rdxrrr),-*.: A Talent for Philanthropy to provide the author with significant per- rs sonal details of Edith rearing as Her soaring social imagination com- part of the Rosenwald family. bined with a business sense made her an effective administrator and organizer of Lessing, Adele and Edith we!e born social benefits. She was referred to as when the farnily was sfilL modest in an 'rAuntie Mame" with a social conscience. wealth. This is in distincr contrast to the She had inheriled her fatherrs great taLent life-style and luxurious social comfort for adrninistrative detail. and she was enjoyed by the two younge! children, who able to apply that in her charirable were born after the family had achieved pageJ sreat weal th. Icontinued on next 8
NEwAoottlons to Socrrry's0naL Hlstony CoLLecrron(Conr'o) lcontinued from page one] als Clarence Darrow. the T\{enties, to Chicago; grocery business. , Bernard Epton. Lawyer, former state Tapes Have Unique Value representative and candidate for mayor of "These tapes consti!ute a unique record Chicago. Local politics, the Repull ican of events in the Jewish community as pa!ty, fanily including brother, Judge Saul exper- Epton. ienced first-hand by individuals,"said Sor- kin. Friedland. "They are different from and in a _ Fric Rabbi Emeritus, Tem_ p1e way superior to bare facts because they are Sholon, founder of Beth Arn Congrega_ tion. spiced with euotions and attitudes, We are Reform Judaism and the rabbinate in Chicago, fortunale to have been able to preserve the reports of senior participants in history. Samuel Friedman. Union official, Amal_ Some of them, unfortunately, are no longer gamated Clothing Workers, Union activi- among us. We were lucky to be able to pre- t ies , 54 years at Hart , Schaffner and Marx. serve their reminiscences before lhev left us," Arthur Goldberg. Statesman, U.S. Su- Most of the above oral histories were preme Court Justice, and Labor lawver. made by Mr, Sorkin, Sol Brandzel, or Growing up poor in Chicago, labor iaw, Norman Schwartz. They pol it ics. involved preparing the individual, asking hin questions, draw- Sarnuel Goldsmith. For 38 years the ing hirn out, and guiding the direction of executive director of the Jer^rish Federation the conversation as well as the operation of Chicago. The unification of Orthodox, of the recording equiprnent, Reform, and Conservative charities in Chi- cago, expansion of professional charitable Become Avai l ab1e to Students work. After recording, the tape rnust Morris Morowitz. yiddishist, survivor be duplicated, the text transcribed into of Holocaust. Coming to Chicago after typescript, and the typescript submitted to World War 1I, an a1l-Jewish loca1 of the the inlerviewee. Students and others in- carpenter's union, I,Jorkmen's CircLe acti- terested in hearing vities. a particular tape should Jacob and Rose Nathanson. Business apply to the Oral History Conmittee through people and Landsmanshaft officials. His- the Society office. Dr. Adele Hast tory of the Pavolatchers in Chicago, farnily is also co-chairrnan of the Oral Historv Courmittee. history, the laundry and dry cleaning business. Manny Passman. Landsmanshaft official . RosEttwlLD'sDluenten (conr,o) History and current activities of the Mari- [continued from previous pageJ ampole Aid Society and walking tour thlough work. She developed a tremendous ability Ohave Shalom Cemetery, founded by Mariarn- to obtain "in kind" contributions from polers. people who rarely had given to charity. Walter Roth. Lar,rye!, American Jewish Edith Rosenwald Stern developed a passion Congress official . Growing up in Chicago for sharing her good fortune and ability as a refugee from Nazi Germany, activities with others. of the Chicago branch of the Arnerican Jew- Lastly, she developed her estate, ish Congress. Longue Vue House and Gardens, into a spac- Jerome Sachs. Northeastern I1l inois rous and serene spot of beauty that University presiden! emeritus, mathemat i- stil1 remains open for public view, a cian. Growing up on Chicagors South Side, life-long monument to her creativity. As Jews in higher education and in its admini- a remembrance to Edith Rosenwald Stern, the strat ron. New Orleans Chapter of the National Council Max Schraye r. Insurance execut ive , of Jewish Women commissioned this bio- philanthropist. Recent history of KAM and graphy. It is a r^'orthy contribution to the Beth Am Congregations, Jewish community history of those American Jews who, not- activities. withstanding a life of great wealth, have Lila and Alex I,Ieinberg. Author, edit- been able to share that wealth and their or, activists. The Northwest Side Jewish capabilities with society to be used for neighborhood, Jewish and non-Jewish liber- the \^'elfare and "good" of all. JEl'lISHPUBLICATIONS l,tASTOPIC OFSEPTEI'IBER I'IEETING AT EMANUEL Local Jewish publications were tlie focus of a wide-ranging presentation at the Society's September meeting by Rabbi Leon- ard Mishkin. The meeting, held at Temple EmanueI, featured a display of copies of rare Chicago publications which appeared in Engl i sh and Yidctish duri ng the late Nine- teenth and early TweDtieth Centuries. Rabbi Mishkin also mentioned several interesting highlights of loca1 Jewish his- tory which he has personalLy witnessed dur- ing the past sixty years. An early gradu- ate of the Hebrelr Theological CoLlege, the speaker served tor forty-Lwo years as head of the Associated TaLmud Torahs. He was introduced by Pr:ogram Chairman Burt Robin. Refreshments and a social hour preceded the program. SOCIETYCO-SPONSORS PROGRAM ON 125 YEARSOF REFORM JUDAISII IN AREA
The Chicago Je\,rish Historical Society joined with Spertus College and the 0ld Jewish publications on display at September Midwest Region of the Union of American He- :ee:rng. --Photo by Moselle Schwartz brew Congregations to mark the 125th anni- versary of Reform Judaism in Chicago. Answrnsro OuRJEwIsH TRtvll Qutz The Sunday, Decernber 14 celebration at Spertus i nc iuded a panel of speakers, a Trivia questions are on Page 6 concert of Iirurgical nusic, an exhibit, and a charnpagne-hors d'oeuvres buffet. 1. Abrahan Kohn, then the City CLerk There was a ten-dol Lar fee . and the of Chicago and a founder of the city's program began at 4 PM. first congregation, KAM. Members of the panel inctuded Rabbi 2. Any five of the following. consti- Howard Berman of Chicago Sinai Congrega- tute a correct answer: Lorenz Brentano, SoL tion, speaking on the emergence of Reform Crown, Herman Felsenthal , Edwin Foreman, in Chicago; Rabbi Herrnan Schaalman of Eman- Nathan coldblatt, Jul ius Hess, Emil G. uel Congregation, on the various reformed Hirsch, Henry Horner, Alfred Kohn, Charles congregations; and Rabbi Peter Noble of Kozminski, Bernhard Moos, A. N. Pritzker, Beth Emet, Evanston, on Reform rabbinical JuLius Rosenwald, Hannah Greenebaurn Solo- leadership in lhe area. Rabbi ALan Breg- mon, and Louis Wirth. man, director of the regional UAHC office, 3. Henry Horner, t\rice elected; and served as panel rnoderator. A questi on per- SarnueL Shapiro, eLected lieutenant governor iod followed the panel presentation. but succeeded 0tto Kerner, who resigned. After a 5:30 buffet and a reception, 4. The Knights of Zion, founded in there was a concert of Liturgical music 1897, which became the first national Zion- (or ,.,-i ii-n rhrn,,ah rhd Rpform i-r i^- T,^ rJt urtsdrr^-^^-:--i l^^.1 lLroPLLrJrh.nrare t.tarawLrL prayer services, with hymn singing by the known as gates, Lhe Chicago chapter be.i ng audience. Featured at the concert was the Gate /f 1 --Norrnan Schwar Sinai choir. under the direction of Hans t z Wurman. The fornat ion of a society to s tudy Reform house of worship Today there are Reform Judaism a fe\,r years earLier bore 3I Reform congregat i ons in the Chicago fruit 1oca11y in 1861 when Chicago Sinai area, 29 of which are af f il iated with Congregation was formed as the city's first UAHC. GlrnvrewCoNGREGATToN's ScHooL DonnresFUNDS To AIo CJHSErroRrs
The Society gratefully acknowledges a .^nryih,r inr hw rha .h.l.lrpn nF Conoreo:- tion B'naj Jehoshua Beth EIohim, who re- rsLLLrj/ '^-^te one of the-ir religious school's weekly tzedakah collec- tions to our organization. The Clenview congregation permits students at its school to choose various institutions to benefit from their contributions. "We are pleased that young people ap- preciate the need for the preservation of local Jewish history and recognize that our Ruth Brandzel and f4ark Mandle were among the many luho eIforfs, although satisfying for the adul cs irt,^lr,6,l i- r l n.rt- t^r rhair . i,'L-d rhe CJrS e Members might be interested to learn HaxwerrSTRErr EXHISTT ON DISPLAY thal SpertJS Col lege wi l I be of f er.Lng . Ar B'NAI ZtoruTunoueH DEcEttBER course ir American Jewish hlsrory a\is win- ter which will include study of the fhF Society s poptrlar phoro exhibit on developrnent of the Chicago Jewish communi- Max\rel1 Street when it was Jewish has moved ty. The rer-week course wi J1 reec llonday again--thi. time ro Ceng!egdLion B ra- morn.ngs Irom l0 to l2:J0 sLdrL-ng Jd udry Zion. 67:9 Norrh Greenview .\ve'lue, where iL 5. u.-l be or dispLay through December. 'lhe Tr will be taughr by Dr. Miriam Haron. exhibit. which consists primarily nf r ha Sn, ,, i,- t ...'r, rdruL() -^; " -a-har of enl arged photographs of the Maxwel l L"c ":uL,lLdt;r -^) Jewisn Arch ives. Street area when it was a center both for Tuit ion i s S27O i f taken for three quarrer Jewish residence and business, originally hours of credit or $180 if audited on a appeared at the Chicago Historical Society Registration ls are lnno-iorm 1^rn non-credit basis. detai Prd(eu available from the College at 922-9012. to CJHS. Informative captions describe the photographs. NewMembers S ince be ing p laced in CJHS's care, fhe SocietyWelcomes exhihir hes hpen sel Dn rl rhe Rooerc Prrk Library and at North Shore Congregat ion The Chicago Jewish Historical Society lsraeI as well as at B'nai Zion. L/elcomes the following new members. "We are especially pleased to have the Thaiy inraracr in nrocprw;no thp hi --Marian Cutler Membership Chairnan NOVEI,IBERI1EETING FEATURED TALK ONLOCAL JEWISH PHILANTHROPY JAttEsRtcr's REcoLLEcrIousIncluor SevenltCHANGES ann Acnreverenrs HighLights of a career in Jewish phil- anthropic endeavor that began in Chicago in 1938 and later involved two decades of achievement here were the subject of the CJHS meeting on Novernber 9. The speaker of the afternoon was James Rice, who in 1966 became executive vice-president of the Jew- ish Federation of Chicago. Mr. Rice told the gaEhering at (left), Temple Sholom of his early chicago years as JamesR.ice speaker at the CJHSNovember meet- a social worker in the Thirties. when the ing !,/.ithPresident NormanSchwartz __pholo 1ocal cornmuni!y was aiding German Jews by l'.1ose1IeSchwartz both here and abroad and went on briefl.y to discuss the years after World War II when SOCIETYMEI'IBERS CAN ASSIST JEWISH he served overseas with the Joint Distribu- I'IONUI,IENT tion Committee and as executive director of SURVEYGROUP IN ITS }|ORK Ehe Hebrew lnnigrant Aid Society (HlAs), A visual and verbal record of Jewish monuments throughout the wor 1d-- perhap s Major Ernphasis upon Local Achievements relics is as good a word--is being prepared But the buLk of his address dealt with by an international survey group headquar- recent achievements of the Jervish Federa- tered at the University of Illinois in tion of Chicago. Among those mentioned were Champaign. Members of the Society, especi- the consolidation of fundraising efforts a1ly those who travel, are in a position to into the United Jewish Appeal , the provis- assist the qroup in its work. ion of financial aid to Jer^'ish education Monuments as defined by the survey in- at all levels, the dispersal of Jewish com- clude structures, plots of land, and mernor- munity centers to ne\r local areas of Jewish ials in the form of statues or plaques residence, the shifEs trom highly central- which are or have been directly associated ized institutional care for orphans and the v/ith the Jewish people. Because of the aged, and nen programs for Jewish poor. transient nature of Jewish settlenent Equally important have been the throughout the world and the centuries, expanding programs of support for Israel many of them are in danger of being lost and political action in such matters as completely if they are not already gone, or the projected Nazi rnarch in Skokie, a local recorded only dimly in individual memories professor's denial that the Holocaust hap- or old documents. pened , and American financ ial aid to The International Survey of Jewish Mon- Israel. unents seeks to establish a photographic and verbal record of former synagogue Importance of Cont inued Efforts buildings, oId cemeceries, and orher srruc- Mr. Rice retired rn I979 but sti1l tures and has prepared a Leaflet explaini.ng assists the Federation and the community as how the 1ay person \^'ich an ordinary camera a volunteer. His presentation served both can record such monuments and have them in- to instiLl pride in past achievernent and to cLuded in the record. emphasize the continuing role which Society mernbers willing to photograPh phiLanthropy must play if loca1 Jewish life any such monuments they come across is to flourish. while traveling can receive "Guidelines for The speaker nas introduced by Program Photographing Monuments" by wricing to the Chairman Burt Robin. Refreshments at the International Survey of Jewish Monuments, preceding social hour were under lhe direc- Departmen! of Art and Design, 143 Fine and rion of Hospitality Chairman shirley Applied Arts BuiIding, Champaign, Illinois Sorkin. 61820.