Tracing the Steps of My Ancestors in Paderborn by Elizabeth Nordhaus Messeca y father Bob Nordhaus al- from Germany to the far reaches of the West. ways said that our ancestors At that time New Mexico was still a Territory, left Germany to avoid Prus- linked to the rest of the by cov- M sian conscription, which ered wagons and mule expeditions. was long and particularly harsh for Jews, and to escape A short genealogy is useful to understand the discrimination. As I discover more about family and geographic connections among his family and other early Jewish settlers in my ancestors. My father’s parents were Bertha America, I have become interested in not Staab of Santa Fe and Max Nordhaus of Las only what happened once they settled in New Vegas, New Mexico. Bertha was the daughter Mexico, but also in learning about why they of Abraham Staab who arrived in New Mexico left Germany. What was life like in the towns in 1854 at the age of 15 from Lugde inWest- they came from? phalia, Germany, and Julia Schuster from the nearby town of Paderborn. Abraham and After living in France and Luxembourg his brother Zadoc established an important for many years, I finally wanted to visit mercantile business on the Plaza in Santa Fe. Germany to get an idea of the status of the Abraham is also well known in the family for Nordhaus family, its economic position, and helping Archbishop Lamy finance the con- its religious involvement at a time when the struction of the Cathedral in Santa Fe. Julia Jewish Reform movement was taking hold Staab is reported to still haunt the beautiful in Germany. The trip could be a sort of family home, now part of La Posada Hotel pilgrimage to retrace family roots in honor Author’s great-grandfather Jacob Nordhaus in Santa Fe. of my father, who died in February 2007 at books, and historical research, among them the venerable age of 97. In early September my own. The most extensive exhibit about My grandfather Max Nordhaus’s parents were 2007, my husband Michel and I drove from the main branches of my family (Nordhaus, Jacob Nordhaus and Elise Benjamin. Jacob’s Paris to Paderborn, Germany, to trace my Staab, and Ilfeld) opened in Santa Fe at the first wife and sister of Elise, Mariana, was the German-Jewish ancestors. Palace of the Governors on October 14, mother of Adele Nordhaus Ilfeld and of her 2000. Additionally, the New Mexico Jewish sisters, Fanny and Emma. Max’s half sister, A number of Jewish pioneer families of New Historical Society conducted research and Adele, married Charles Ilfeld who established Mexico have been the subject of articles, interviews leading up to the publication of what was to become the premier mercantile thirteen booklets dedicated to these early house in New Mexico, the Charles Ilfeld Legacy is the quarterly newsletter of the New Mexican pioneers, including The Ilfeld Company. The story goes that Charles Ilfeld New Mexico Jewish Historical Society and Nordhaus Families. traveled to Germany in 1873 to look for a 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE (continued on p. 8) Albuquerque, NM 87109 What good fortune I had to grow up with Telephone: (505) 348-4471 many family stories and physical sites to visit INSIDE THIS ISSUE in New Mexico dating back to the late 1800s Fax: (505) 821-3351 My Ancestors in Paderborn...... 1 website: www.nmjewishhistory.org – places of business, homes and vacation President’s Message...... 2 email: [email protected] spots, synagogues, and graves. In addition to being the subject of professional historians, Sephardic Voices...... 2 Administrator: Bobbi Jackson notably William Parish and Henry Tobias, the Annual Fall Conference...... 3 Office Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Genealogy Corner...... 4 Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday Ilfelds, Nordhauses, and Staabs have also been written about by family members, in particu- Genealogy Workshop...... 5 Editor: Dorothy C. Amsden lar by my aunt Elizabeth Nordhaus Minces Cary Herz – In Memoriam...... 6 Contributing Editor: Naomi Sandweiss and my father, Robert Jacob Nordhaus. Some New Book by Henry Tobias...... 7 Layout: DT Publishing, Santa Fe of the stories have become legends, especially Loewenstern Family Booklet...... 10 Printing: Minuteman Press, Albuquerque the ones about the ancestors who emigrated Roundup...... 11 Mailing: Adelante, Albuquerque Upcoming Events...... 12 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 3, September 2008 Message from President Noel Pugach s you read this issue of Leg- collaboration with this organization in the decide between the workshop and the talk acy, I am sure you will be future. by Ron Spencer, which occur on the same struck by the broad scope afternoon, or else consider attending Mr. A and the exciting new ini- The Society considers the support for schol- Spencer’s talk in Albuquerque that morn- tiatives undertaken by the arship on Jewish history in the Southwest as ing. Details for all events mentioned appear New Mexico Jewish His- one of its highest priorities. This is reflected elsewhere in this issue. torical Society. This organization is devoted in the lead article by Betsy Messeca on her to expanding our horizons and embracing recent trip to Germany to track down infor- By the time you receive this issue we hope the various interests of our members. mation on her family, the Nordhauses, and that the Society’s administrator, Bobbi Jack- other German-Jewish relatives who settled son will be back at work after having knee The upcoming conference between the in New Mexico. replacement surgery this summer. We wish New Mexico Jewish Historical Society her a complete and speedy recovery. and the Texas Jewish Historical Society Other articles in this issue that you will demonstrates that commitment. We have find of interest include the publication of I am delighted to inform you that the Jewish planned a very interesting and informative the latest family study in our Video Archive Federation of New Mexico has renewed our weekend in a lovely setting, and I hope to Project, the Loewensterns, which you may grant and has given us a $300.00 increase see many of you in El Paso. With the help of purchase along with previous studies of New over last year for the coming fiscal year. We Dr. Stanley Hordes, we are also partnering Mexico Jewish families. Don’t miss Naomi consider ourselves fortunate and take it as a with the Museum of New Mexico on the Sandweiss’s two articles, one a review of Dr. sign of the Federation’s appreciation of our very exciting program, “Sephardic Voices.” Henry Tobias’s book on New Mexico Jewry work and confidence in our organization. I think you will find the performances en- since World War II, the other a most timely This year, the Federation was forced to re- tertaining and enlightening. Roundup column on Jews in politics. duce support for some agencies because of a lack of funds. We urge you to give gener- We have also established links to the Santa Genealogy Corner presents a revealing story ously when the 2009 campaign is launched Fe Jewish Arts and Culture Group, which on the Jewish Online Worldwide Burial next January. is in the process of being organized by Lee Registry, with specific information on how and Susan Berk and others. I encourage our to access the large data file. We welcome Finally, on behalf of the board of directors, members to attend the group’s first major similar articles in future issues of Legacy. I want to wish all of our Jewish members event, a talk by attorney Ron Spencer on Speaking of genealogy, a workshop will a very Healthy, Happy, Successful, and the controversial topic of Holocaust art be held in Santa Fe on Sunday afternoon, Rewarding New Year. A restitution. We hope to develop greater November 16. Genealogy buffs will have to Sephardic Voices n Sunday, October 19, nuevomexicanos, from Mora, Santa Fe, Admission is free, but donations of $15 from 1:00 to 3:30 pm, and Española, respectively. will be gratefully accepted. A reception at the Lensic Theater, the at the Palace of the Governors will follow O Palace of the Governors Crypto-Jews were those people who were the program. will present an afternoon forced to convert from Judaism to Ca- of music and dramatic tholicism in Spain and Portugal at the end The program is funded by a generous gift readings performed by descendants of of the 1400s, but retained their Sephardic from Helene Singer Merrin and Seymour crypto-Jews. Entitled, “Sephardic Voices,” (Iberian) Jewish identity and practiced Merrin and the Museum of New Mexico the program will feature vocal soloists Va- their ancestral faith in secret. In order Foundation, and is co-sponsored by the nessa Paloma and Consuelo Luz, both of to escape persecution by the Inquisition, New Mexico Jewish Historical Society whom express their voyage of discovery of many of these conversos fled to the far and the Society for Crypto-Judaic Stud- their Sephardic roots through song. reaches of the Spanish empire, including ies. New Mexico. Also participating will be poet Isabelle Me- For more information, contact Dr. dina Sandoval, novelist Mario Martínez, Most public programs on the topic have Stanley Hordes in Albuquerque at 505- and playwright/actor Carol López, each been conducted by scholars and perform- 255-6564, or [email protected] of whom will read passages from their ers not connected to Sephardic culture. The performance of “Sephardic Voices” work. While Paloma’s roots, on her great- This program is designed to give voice to is part of Archives Month, sponsored by grandfather’s side can be traced to crypto- the descendants, themselves, through a the New Mexico State Records Center Jewish roots in Colombia, and Luz’s to variety of forms of expression. and Archives, whose theme this year is Chile and Cuba, the other performers are “Archives and the Arts.”

Page 2 New Mexico Jewish Historical Society Along the Royal Highway Annual Fall Conference in El Paso or the first time, the fall Congregation B’nai Zion, will discuss his the Camino Real Hotel, with $2 a night conference of the New work with contemporary crypto-Jews in for parking. To qualify for the special Mexico Jewish Historical southern New Mexico and west Texas, and rate, reservations should be made directly Society will be held jointly Dr. Stanley Hordes will speak about his with the hotel by September 24 by calling F with a sister society in an current research into crypto-Judaism in the 1-800-769-4300, or 915-534-3000. Be adjacent state. NMJHS is Caribbean. sure to request the conference rate for the partnering with the Texas Jewish Historical Texas Jewish Historical Society. Society for “Jews Along the Camino Real,” A continental breakfast on Sunday will be October 24 - 26, 2008, in El Paso. followed by separate board meetings of the El Paso International Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, which has a free cour- Most of the events will take place at the tesy shuttle. NMJHS members who are historic Camino Real Hotel in El Paso’s re- interested in carpooling – either as a driver vitalized downtown. Listed on the National or a rider – can contact the NMJHS office. Register of Historic Places, the 1912 hotel We will try to accommodate all requests.A still features its original, 25-foot wide Tif- fany’s cut-glass dome, but the facilities have been fully renovated and modernized. Jews Along the Camino Real The stimulating, informative weekend will begin on Friday evening with Shab- October 24 – 26, 2008 bat services at the Reform Temple Mount Conference Program Sinai, which is the largest Jewish congre- gation in El Paso. Dinner will follow at Friday, October 24 the hotel, the first of many opportunities 12:00 – 4:00: Registration at during the weekend to socialize with our Camino Real Hotel 6:00 – 7:15: Shabbat services at Texas neighbors who are also attending the Temple Mount Sinai conference. 7:30: Dinner at Camino Real Hotel 8:30: Introduction by society presi- On Saturday morning, two separate ses- dents followed by informal conver- sions of stimulating talks and interactive sations sessions will be presented. At the first, “Jew- ish Merchants along the Camino Real,” Dr. Camino Real Hotel in El Paso Saturday, October 25 Noel Pugach and Susan Novick will discuss Breakfast on your own Jewish businesses during the 20th century two societies and afterwards an optional tour 9:00 – 10:30: Jewish Merchants in New Mexico and Texas. “Jewish Women of two local Jewish cemeteries. The confer- Along the Camino Real in the Southwest,” the second session, will ence will officially adjourn at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Noel Pugach explore the various roles that women have Ms. Susan Novick Lunch on your own played in the region. Speakers will include The $80 conference registration fee includes 11:00 – 12:30: Jewish Women in Erin Doran, Kay Goldman, and Sharon two dinners, Sunday breakfast, and van serv- the Southwest Fried – all newer scholars. ice to conference locations. For those who Ms. Erin Doran do not want to attend the entire conference Ms. Kay Goldman In the afternoon, conference attendees will but want to attend one or both dinners, a Ms. Sharon Fried tour the El Paso History Museum and the separate fee of $30 is available for each of 2:00 – 3:00: El Paso History Mu- rebuilt El Paso Holocaust Museum and the dinners. seum 3:15 – 4:30: Study Center. Henry Kellen, who founded El Paso Holocaust the Holocaust Museum, and Leslie Novick, Conference registration must be com- Museum and Study Center 7:00: Havdalah and banquet at the current executive director, will be pleted by September 24 and mailed to the Temple Mount Sinai present to discuss the Museum and answer Texas Jewish Historical Society. Registra- 8:00: Crypto-Jews questions. This event will be followed by a tion forms and the conference program are Rabbi Stephen Leon reception and an opportunity to meet with being mailed to NMJHS members by the Dr. Stanley Hordes some Holocaust survivors who live in the end of August. Both are also available in El Paso area. the NMJHS office and on the Web site, Sunday, October 26 www.nmjewishhistory.org. 8:30 – 10:30: Continental breakfast The banquet on Saturday evening will and separate board meetings at be at Temple Mount Sinai. After dinner, A special room rate, $89 a night plus taxes, hotel speakers Rabbi Stephen Leon, of El Paso’s double or single occupancy, is available at Page 3 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 3, September 2008 GENEALOGY CORNER: Documenting Jewish Burials by Terry Lasky he Jewish Online World- but not by a specific cemetery. Once you States. I made contact with some people wide Burial Registry have found a particular record of interest over there who were willing to help me (JOWBR) is an interna- you can then see the associated data and do this project for the Jewish cemetery in T tional project whose goal gravestone photo. There is no way to just Moldova. I supplied them with a digital it is to document all of browse a cemetery or to browse gravestone camera, and they took 2800 gravestone the Jewish burials photos and photos of 150 pages of in the entire world. It may sound the cemetery book. Several of us like an overly ambitious goal but are in the process of translating the already there are over 1,000,000 Hebrew and Russian and putting entries in the database. The project together the spreadsheet for this is being run under the auspices of cemetery. All together there will JewishGen, the premier interna- be about 3500 entries for Orhei, tional Jewish genealogical organi- ranging from the early 1800s to zation. JewishGen and JOWBR current times. are both primarily volunteer or- ganizations. JewishGen then asked me if I would try to document cemeteries Because I live in Colorado, I de- in other neighboring states. I chose cided that I would take on the task Nebraska and Oklahoma. Many of documenting all of the Jewish people have volunteered to help burials in my state. This involved Orhei cemetery me, because I do not plan to travel getting lists of burials from each to those states. Currently they are cemetery or synagogue. Some were already photos. This was done to make sure that taking pictures of almost every cemetery in computerized form, others were printed people using this database were using it in their states. Hopefully that documenta- lists, and still others were collections of for genealogical purposes only. tion will be completed and submitted to card catalogues. The information from JOWBR before the end of the year. these sources was then entered into Mi- Once I finished documenting Colorado (continued on p. 9) crosoft Excel spreadsheets. The primary Jewish burials (about 22,000 burials in 17 data consisted of name, grave location, cemeteries) I decided to do the neighbor- and death date – more if more informa- ing states. I picked New Mexico first be- Jewish Cemeteries tion was available. cause I often travel through it on my way in New Mexico to see my daughters and grandchildren I then walked each cemetery and took in El Paso. New Mexico Jewish burials pictures of every gravestone. The data of number about 1700 in 13 cemeteries. Fairview Cemetery, Albuquerque (five Jewish sections) genealogical interest was subsequently Congregation Albert taken from each gravestone and entered Utah and Wyoming followed with six Bnai Israel into the spreadsheet. The primary data cemeteries and 2000 burials. Canadian Jewish War Veterans of interest was birth date, Hebrew name relatives of mine live in Winnipeg, Mani- Fellowship of the Desert and patronymic, and Hebrew date of toba, where the Jewish Heritage Center Unaffiliated Jewish Section death. This data and the photos were then had already collected the data for all Vista Verde Cemetery, Rio Rancho submitted to JOWBR and put online on of Manitoba Province (through 1996). (two Jewish sections) JewishGen servers. They allowed me to have the data, and I Rio Rancho Jewish Center reformatted it into JOWBR format and Jewish War Veterans JOWBR is fairly restrictive in how it can that added eight cemeteries and 15,000 Santa Fe Memorial Gardens, Santa Fe (two Jewish sections) be searched. You have to be a member burials. Bais Olam of JewishGen to use it – there is no cost, Shalom Garden you just have to register and get an ID. There seems to be no end to what you Masonic Cemetery, Las Cruces You can search by a surname (“partial” or can do if you are motivated. My ma- Temple Beth El “sounds like”) and/or by given name. You ternal family lived in Orhei (Orgeyev), Montefiore Cemetery, Las Vegas can limit the search by state or country Moldova before coming to the United Eretz Shalom, Taos

Page 4 New Mexico Jewish Historical Society The Joys of Genealogy November Workshop in Santa Fe ttention aspiring and Nancy Ward Greenberg, currently presi- by a Fulbright dissertation fellowship. Dr. practicing genealogists: dent of the Albuquerque Genealogical Hordes’s book, To the End of the Earth: A NMJHS is planning a joy- Society, has done a great deal of teaching History of the Crypto-Jews of New Mexico, A ous genealogy workshop in genealogy during the past few years. was published by Columbia University in Santa Fe on Sunday An Albuquerque native, she married her Press in 2005. afternoon, November 16, high school sweetheart Paul Greenberg, 2008, with historian Stanley Hordes and with whom she has two grown boys Dr. Hordes’s study on the secret Jews of genealogist Nancy Greenberg. and five grandchildren. Judaism became Mexico revealed a considerable amount an important part of Mrs. Greenberg’s of information about the religious cus- The workshop has become an annual life when she became involved with the toms and career patterns of the descend- event of the Society, alternating between Greenberg family of Albuquerque, and ants of those Spanish Jews who were Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and occasion- she converted to Judaism after her mar- forced to convert to Catholicism in the ally in Taos. riage to Paul. fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Many of these conversos continued to practice A graduate of the University of New their old ancestral faith in secrecy, and Genealogy Workshop Mexico in nursing and a Master’s in edu- moved to the Spanish colonies in the cation, Mrs. Greenberg spent most of her New World in order to avoid detection Sunday, November 16, 2008 professional career in school nursing and by the Inquisition. Century Bank Customer Service Center retired as the Director of Nursing for the 2108 Warner Avenue Albuquerque Public Schools. During her When Dr. Hordes assumed the posi- (off St Francis Drive) last few years of working, she served on tion of New Mexico State Historian in Santa Fe, New Mexico several national nursing boards and did 1981, he began to encounter Catholic consulting work. and Protestant Hispanic New Mexicans 1:00 p.m. registration 1:30 to 4:00 workshop whose families observed customs sug- No advance registration. After retirement Mrs. Greenberg has been gestive of a Jewish background, such as Pay at door. involved in several family history projects maintaining dietary laws, celebrating the NMJHS members $5 that encompass many ethnic groups. She Sabbath on Saturday instead of Sunday, Non-members $10 nearly always makes the annual trip to and performing ritual male circumcision. More information: the LDS library in with Interviews with several dozen inform- 505-348-4471 or the Avotaynu group to research her family ants revealed that while many of these [email protected] and attends the annual conference spon- people engage in these practices without sored by the International Association of knowing why, others, indeed, express an This year’s workshop will start with a Jewish Genealogical Societies, which was awareness of a Jewish heritage, and regard combined session for all, after which at- held this August in Chicago. themselves as secret Jews. Preliminary tendees will break out into two groups. documentary evidence, conducted in the The Sephardi group will be lead by Dr. Dr. Stanley Hordes is a noted historian archives of New Mexico, Mexico, Spain Hordes and the Ashkenazi group by Mrs. of crypto-Judaism in New Mexico who and Portugal, indicate that some of these Greenberg. In the Ashkenazi session, has researched the archives in Mexico individuals descend from secret Jews who Mrs. Greenberg is going to present a and Spain to trace roots of several New had been persecuted by the Inquisition couple of case studies to show how one Mexico Hispanic families back to their in Mexico and Spain.A goes about researching one’s ancestors. Jewish roots. He is an Adjunct Research There will be examples of documents, Professor at the Latin American and Visit Jewish as well as handouts and discussion about Iberian Institute of the University of Portugal & Spain available resources and research methods. New Mexico. Hordes received his Ph.D. In the Sephardic session Dr. Hordes from Tulane University in 1980. His This 12-day escorted tour, sponsored by the Texas Jewish Historical Society, plans to outline sources and methods for doctoral dissertation, “The Crypto-Jew- departs March 6, 2009. Deadline for conducting genealogical research into the ish Community of New Spain, 1620 reservations is September 30. For more history of those families who trace their - 1649: A Collective Biography,” was information check with Vickie Vogel in origins to the forced conversions of the based on research conducted in the ar- La Grange, Texas, at 979-247-4504 or 15th century in Spain and Portugal. chives of Mexico and Spain, supported [email protected].

Page 5 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 3, September 2008 Cary Herz – In Memoriam ary Herz, born in New the United States, Israel, Switzerland, and York City to parents who Mexico, and had appeared in exhibitions managed to get out before in the United States and Mexico. C the Holocaust, spent the last 24 years of her life as a To take the pictures, she traveled with professional photographer in New Mexico. former New Her productive life cut short by ovarian Mexico State cancer, she passed away on September 1, Historian Dr. 2008. Stanley Hordes to the Portu- Cary started out recording the women’s guese/Spanish movement in the early 1970s for Ms. Maga- border as he zine and other publications and covering and a colleague the “new” phenomenon of women’s sports. r e s e a r c h e d Cary Herz Later, her arresting photographs appeared families from in the most prestigious newspapers, news New Mexico in the border towns’ archives. organizations and magazines in the country, She also traveled with a New York Times including The New York Times, Chicago reporter to Portugal to meet with the de- Tribune, Associated Press, TIME, PC World, scendants of crypto-Jews. Stefanie Beninato and People. Her photos have been pub- A Well-Born Guide / Have Ph.D. Will Travel lished in nearly a dozen books, and some Cary first heard about these “other people” Original Tour have been exhibited at the Smithsonian in 1985, when she was photographing the Jewish Legacy in New Mexico Institution. Jewish cemetery in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Response to her book has been phenom- www.swguides.com [email protected] She ran her own business, Cary Herz Pho- enal; the book sold more than 800 copies in P.O. Box 1601 Santa Fe, NM 87504 505.988.8022 tography, in Albuquerque since 1987. She its first six weeks at local signings. For her also served as a photo correspondent for work, New Mexico Press Women honored The New York Times since 1985. Cary with its “2008 Communicator of New Look for Legacy Achievement Award.” In late 2007, her book, New Mexico’s Crypto- in 2008 Jews: Image and Memory, was published by Cary is also recognized in New Mexico as the University of New Mexico Press to wide being the part of a group involved in the Two outstanding designers contribut- acclaim and excellent reviews. The book rehabilitation of the Jewish sections of the ed their time and talent to create a new pulls together photographs from her many Las Vegas, New Mexico, cemetery. Her banner and logo for our newsletter. years chronicling the Crypto-Jews, Jewish haunting photographs of these sections, immigrants who fled Spain and Mexico to some of which had been vandalized or left Shelah Wilgus of Ventura, Cali- escape persecution and hid their heritage in disrepair, led to restorative efforts, and fornia, redesigned the banner. in the New World. The photographs in the she herself took part in cleaning up many book previously had been published along- of these grave sites.A Andi Kron of Los Alamos, New side newspaper and magazine articles in Mexico, created a new logo.

NMJHS extends its heartfelt thanks to these talented volunteers. Mission Statement The mission of the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society is to promote greater understanding and knowledge of New Mexico’s Jewish history. The Society’s pro- NMJHS offers its condolences grams examine the state’s Jewish heritage in all its diversity and strive to present to the family of this heritage within a broad cultural context. The Society is a secular organization Harold Gardenswartz and solicits the membership and participation of all interested people, regardless on his recent death. of religious affiliation.

Page 6 New Mexico Jewish Historical Society New Book by Henry Tobias by Naomi Sandweiss ighteen years after the common purpose . . . despite any local publication of his seminal social differences.” work, A History of the Jews CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING E in New Mexico (UNM From Chabad to kabbalah and from WHERE QUALITY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE Press, 1990), Henry To- Carlsbad to Los Alamos, Tobias chroni- Allegro Center bias’s latest book, Jews in New Mexico cles the growth of New Mexico Jewish 2008 St. Michael’s Dr. Ste. D 505-473-1901 P.O. Box 5215 FAX 473-7806 Since World War II, has been released by congregational and communal organiza- Santa Fe, NM 87502 800-537-2934 UNM Press. A History of the Jews in New tions and the increasing variety of Jewish Mexico covered the region’s Jewish history religious expression in the post-war era. In through 1980, with a particular focus on addition, Tobias introduces many of the the pioneer period that corresponded with personalities of Jewish post-war-era New the arrival of the railroads in Mexico such as Rabbi David the 1880s. Shor, artist Judy Chicago, and author Henry Roth. In his latest volume, Dr. Tobias, professor of history One of the changes of the emeritus from the University post-World War II era was of Oklahoma, focuses on the increased interfaith involve- post World War II era within ment. Organizations such the state, acknowledging that as the Temple Albert Men’s “The rapid expansion of Club (now the Brotherhood) organized Jewish communal opened their membership activity in New Mexico after to Jews and non-Jews alike. World War II produced a Events such as the Jewish - plethora of new (historic) sources. . . . Catholic Dialogue and interfaith Thanks- [S]uch matters make the postwar era in giving services were established and New Mexico far more complex than its institutionalized, often under Jewish prewar history.” leadership. In the same period, contacts between American Indians and Jews in- Tobias documents New Mexico’s con- creased, and awareness of crypto Jewry in P.O. Box 9333 Santa Fe, NM 87504-9333 siderable population increase between both Jewish and Hispanic communities E-Mail: [email protected] 1940 and 2000 — an increase of 350% expanded. — and the corresponding rise in Jewish Mobile: (505) 577-7395 • Fax: (505) 982-6211 population. Not only did the post-war Tobias concludes that “it has been a re- population increase, according to Tobias, markable half-century” of New Mexico but professional opportunities made pos- Jewish history. One only hopes that Open sible by federal initiatives (National Labs, the next half-century will be as vital and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. GI bill) changed the face of New Mexico’s productive. Mon - Sat Jewish citizenry. Despite differences be- tween the pioneer families, who primarily Tobias is a resident of Albuquerque and 505-474-4424 made their livings as merchants, and the long-time member of the New Mexico Fresh home-style cooking since 1996. newcomers, who worked as scientists, Jewish Historical Society. His publica- 730 St. Michael’s Dr. Santa Fe engineers, and in other professions, Jew- tions include Santa Fe: A Modern History ish citizens worked together to create a 1880 - 1990; The Jewish Bund in Russia GOT YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE variety of institutions. In Tobias’ words, from Its Origins in 1905; and The Jews in RATE INCREASE YET? whether “pioneer “ or “newcomer,” Jewish Oklahoma. A You Will!!! H S As H R As New Mexicans shared a sense of “strong We represent 33 companies and most likely can save you money. The New Mexico Jewish Historical Society is a beneficiary Please Call Ned A. Miller, CLU, CSA, 505-881-8004/1-800-321-8004, email: millerned@ agency of the Jewish Federation of New Mexico. aol.com 3500 Comanche Rd. NE., Albuquerque, NM 87107

Page 7 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 3, September 2008 My Ancestors in Paderborn (continued from p. 1) bride, where he became re-acquainted with We learned that Jacob was tested and found synagogue. Amazingly, the Paderborn firemen the lovely Adele Nordhaus; the two became qualified to teach elementary school and give attempted to put it out, and indeed Margit engaged and then were married a year later in religious (Jewish) instruction by the State showed us pictures of the burning structure, New York or Baltimore. Rabbi of Hildesheim. In 1857, he assumed the taken by a fireman who probably had a camera office of cantor and teacher in the community hidden under his coat. Max Nordhaus went to Las Vegas, New of Paderborn where he taught some 60 Jewish Mexico, from Paderborn just before his children who previously had attended Catholic Continuing on our visit, accompanied by eighteenth birthday in 1883, to work for his schools. His reputation was such that after Shmuel, we toured the present-day synagogue, brother-in-law, Charles Ilfeld, and lived with he joined the synagogue, “peace reigned,” in where we found several remnants of the former Charles and Adele. Max was so successful Margit’s words. synagogue: a cushion with embroidered He- that he later became manager, then partner, brew writing and part of the original Sefer To- and finally president of the Charles Ilfeld I also learned that Elise Benjamin Nordhaus, rah. On the wall I noticed an original framed Company. End of genealogy lesson. who was Jacob’s second wife and mother of document dated March 15, 1881, which com- my grandfather Max, trained as a secondary memorates the cornerstone dedication of the Jacob Nordhaus of Paderborn, my great- school teacher and wanted to start a Jewish old Paderborn synagogue. After prayers and grandfather, was always known in our family girls’ boarding school. When candidates were declarations, the document cites the names as “Rabbi Jacob.” An undated painting of him, of the officials present salvaged from the Charles Ilfeld warehouse in at the ceremony, includ- Albuquerque, hangs in my brother Dick’s liv- ing “des Kultusbeamten ing room. Could I find more traces of Jacob und Lehrers Herrn Jacob and other family ancestors in Paderborn? Nordhaus” [the religious functionary, or synagogue Through help from friends in Albuquerque, employee, and teacher Mr. some persistence on my part, and certainly a Jacob Nordhaus]. degree of luck, I made contact with Shmuel and Tanja Rubens who live in Paderborn and What an incredible “find” who are active in the newly built synagogue, that document was. Our which replaced the one burned down in 1938. “Rabbi Jacob” was prob- They introduced me to Margit Naarmann, a ably not an official rabbi, non-Jewish German, who has been studying but was in fact a teacher the Jewish community of Paderborn and its Paderborn synagogue and home of Jacob and Elise Nordhaus and cantor. After all, the surrounding region for over 30 years. term “rabbi” also means lacking, she nonetheless taught as a substitute teacher. In addition, that could explain why As a young girl on a trip to Scotland, Margit in the Jewish school and privately tutored my grandfather Max became a proficient mu- was shocked to learn the truth of World War II students in French and English. sician who insisted that my father and aunts and of the horrible fate of her country’s Jewish practice and play their musical instruments, population. By a twist of circumstances, she With Margit as our guide, we walked to the even when summering in the mountains above was contacted by my distant cousin, Wolfgang site of the former synagogue, school, and Las Vegas, New Mexico. Mueller, in search of his Paderborn relatives house of Jacob and Elise, all built in 1881. This and, consequently, had done research on the site now stands empty except for a memorial After visiting the town center and cathedral, Nordhaus-Ilfeld-Staab families for many years. to the Jews, a sober monument listing all the Margit drove us out of town to the Jewish To my utter surprise, Margit greeted me excit- names of those from Paderborn who perished Warburg Street Cemetery where we found the edly: “Are you really the granddaughter of Max, during the Hitler era. The home where Jacob, gravestones of Jacob and Elise, a very moving great-granddaughter of Jacob Nordhaus?” Elise, and their son Max lived was burned experience. The cemetery is beautifully main- down on the day after “Kristallnacht” in 1938, tained, and the gravestones are impressive. It was thus with great pleasure and interest along with the synagogue. My husband Michel said Kaddish (the Jewish that Michel and I were able to visit ancestral prayer of mourning) for my great-grandfather sites, some still standing and others not. We learned from Margit that the Chief of the and great-grandmother. We put pebbles on Paderborn is an attractive town of 144,000 Paderborn Fire Department had apparently, their graves. inhabitants, 60 miles southwest of Hanover, and courageously, countered Hitler’s order to which is mostly rebuilt after the World War destroy the synagogue on the infamous day of As I think back on our three days in Pader- II bombings by the Allies. In the center of the November 9. Yet the next day residents in a born, some questions have been answered. town, we traced the lives of Jacob and Elise hospital across the street saw a fire start in the The Nordhaus family was certainly well Nordhaus. (continued on p. 9)

Page 8 New Mexico Jewish Historical Society My Ancestors in Paderborn (continued from p. 8) educated and respected. It appears that My family’s story, while unique in its own tangible about my family origins. With the the family did not suffer from the dis- way, confirms some findings about other help of Margit, Schmuel, and Tanja, my trip crimination or persecution that other Jews German-Jewish families who came to New was rich in history as well as in real places experienced in Eastern Europe or Russia Mexico in the second half of the nineteenth and objects from the 1880s. I thank all who in the latter part of the 1800s. Jacob Nor- century. From my readings, I have learned that helped and encouraged me. dhaus’s reputation appears to have been most of the original immigrants were teenage that of the diplomat and bringer of peace boys, who left Germany to avoid conscription. Ultimately, no trip through history can solve to the Jewish community he served. This is Once established, many returned to Germany all the mysteries of previous eras but can cer- quite another side to the very stern image to marry, as Charles Ilfeld did. Related fami- tainly give us a truer sense of the past and con- projected in the family portrait that we lies lived in neighboring villages and towns nect us to those who went before us. For me, have of him. He and Elise were important where the nexus was strong and very tight, and I hope for those who read this account, leaders and teachers in the Paderborn Jew- both in the social and business realms. the history of my German-Jewish ancestors is ish community. now more than dates and far-away cities. It The trip to Paderborn was rewarding in many is made up of real places and real people who But one question remained. Why did my ways. I was most fortunate to meet Shmuel are connected to my life through music and ancestors leave Germany? I surmise it was and Tanja Rubens, and especially Margit memories, education and family, people who a combination of two factors: avoiding Naarman. In addition to Margit’s studies in will hopefully remain a presence in my life the harsh German conscription and the history, philosophy, and theology, she has – our lives – for many years to come. lure of a better life in America. Just as published books and articles on the history there was political turmoil in Germany of the Jewish community in the region of Betsy Nordhaus Messeca was born and raised during those times, and especially after Paderborn. She has helped survivors and in Albuquerque. After schooling in the United the failed revolution of 1848, there was their families from all over the world trace States and work in New York City, she spent also real economic hardship in Germany their German heritage and family history. 30 years with her husband and children in in the 1800s, attested to by the massive She provided me excerpts from her book Von France and Luxembourg. In 2000, she and German immigration, not just of Jews, Paderborn nach New Mexico: Eine Generation Michel moved back to New Mexico to enjoy to the United States. While our family wandert aus – Die Geschwister Nordhaus [From the sunny southwest and be closer to her family. and other Jewish families had established Paderborn to New Mexico: A generation She remains active in Albuquerque community businesses and professions in Germany, emigrates – the Nordhaus siblings], written affairs, especially with the Jewish Community there were clearly more opportunities in in German, which I had translated. Center, and has participated in many events of America, where brothers and cousins who the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society. Those had emigrated encouraged younger mem- When I started this project with help from interested in more information, pictures, and the bers of the family to join them. friends, especially Noel Pugach of the list of names on the Paderborn Memorial may NMJHS, I realized I might not find anything contact Betsy at [email protected]

Genealogy Corner (continued from p. 4) At present, the one million plus records hope to document Jewish cemeteries in in JOWBR (more are being added this other Moldovan cities; that money will go month) are broken down by country: toward helping those Jewish communities USA 400,000; Canada 126,000; Austria restore their cemeteries and synagogues. 150,000; Israel 103,000; South Africa 44,000; England 30,000; Poland 27,000; Terry Lasky lives in Centennial, Colorado, Romania 26,000; Ukraine 21,000; Others in the Denver metropolitan area. A database 80,000. As you can see, this is truly an architect for Lockheed-Martin Aerospace international effort! You can register on Corporation for 30 years, Terry retired six JewishGen at www.jewishgen.org, and years ago to pursue his genealogy hobby. then you can access JOWBR at www. Besides the JOWBR cemetery project, Terry jewishgen.org/databases/cemetery. Orhei cemetery Holocaust memorial has worked on several translations and is very old, and the cemetery is deteriorat- currently building a database of all obituar- There have been no expenditures of ing. So we raised funds through Jewish- ies in the Intermountain Jewish News from money so far on what I have done except Gen to pay members of the community 1918 to the present. For more information for the cemetery in Orhei, Moldova. The to take pictures. They will also use the and photos concerning Orhei, go to www. Jewish community in Orhei is dwindling; money for a cemetery restoration project. shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/Orhei.A fewer than 100 people remain, most are With other money that we have raised we

Page 9 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 3, September 2008 Loewenstern Family Booklet Just Published new booklet in the series quickly learned the business and was engaged of New Mexico Jewish pio- in many aspects of it. Along with partners, New Mexico Jewish neer families has just been Hugo developed major residential subdivi- Pioneer Families A published about the Loew- sions, built apartment houses, and construct- NMJHS series in print ensterns of Nara Visa, New ed warehouses and commercial space. He es- Mexico, and Amarillo, Texas. Written by tablished a bank and other enterprises. Dr. Noel Pugach, it joins 13 existing studies Danoff Freudenthal / Solomon / Lesinsky sponsored by the New Mexico Jewish His- Hugo became a recognized expert on real Goldsmith torical Society. estate, especially tax law. Later Gusdorf his sons Morris and Hugo Jr. Herzstein Hugo Loewenstern Sr. was only joined the firm, and together Ilfeld / Nordhaus 14 years old when he came to they shaped real estate develop- Loewenstern the United States from Ger- ment in Amarillo for over five Moise many in 1904. Shortly after his decades. They became respected Ravel arrival he was brought to the members of the community and Seligman / Floersheim / Bibo New Mexico territory by his were active in civic life. Spiegelberg uncle, Morris Herzstein, the Taichert Wertheim in Carlsbad most prominent merchant in The story of the Loewensterns Wertheim in Fort Sumner Clayton. After a brief appren- mirrors in many ways the ex- ticeship in the Clayton store, periences of other New Mexico Booklets for New Mexico Jewish pio- Morris Herzstein sent him to Jewish families NMJHS has neer families are available for $10.00 manage his store in Nara Visa, Hugo Loewenstern, Sr. studied. Each one of these fami- each from the New Mexico Jewish then a sizable, rowdy cow town lies was unique and special, but Historical Society. located a few miles west of the Texas border. the Loewensterns certainly had their own fas- cinating qualities and tales. For orders, please contact NMJHS Hugo was hard-working, intelligent, a quick at 505-349-4471, send an e-mail to learner, and a risk-taker. He would prove to For this booklet, Professor Pugach conducted [email protected], or write to NMJHS at 5520 Wyoming be a brilliant and resourceful businessman. video interviews of descendants of Hugo and Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Within a few years Hugo was made a partner Mildred Loewenstern. He identified other in the store and later bought it from Morris. people who knew the Loewesterns and in- Over a period of 20 years, Hugo made it a terviewed them on audio tape, by telephone, Welcome to new members very successful enterprise. He also went into and by mail. He did additional research in ranching and became famous for his prized family records and newspapers. Pam Ashley Registered Herefords, which he sold to In- Dr. Robert Rubenstein dian tribes throughout the Southwest and Avista Video Histories, under the direction of Baron Wolman Florida. Lisa Witt, ably provided the professional vid- Mr. & Mrs. Henry Watkins eography, technical assistance, and supervi- Hugo married Mildred Henderson, a gentile sion of the booklet’s publication. This project woman from Iowa. They were wed in a Jew- was made possible by a generous grant from NMJHS welcomes new board ish ceremony conducted by Rabbi Leopold the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable member Carla Freeman. Freudenthal of Temple Aaron in Trinidad, Foundation. A Colorado, in the home of Simon Herzstein. Mildred agreed to raise their three children as Jews: Morris, Julia, and Hugo Jr. Two other Untouched by Nazi Hands, but Still . . . . children died in childbirth. In 1929, Hugo sold his store in Nara Visa back to the Her- Noted art attorney Ron Spencer will This event is being co-sponsored by the zstein family and moved to Amarillo, largely speak on Holocaust art restitution Jewish Community Center of Greater out of concern for the education of his chil- twice on Sunday, November 16, first in Albuquerque and the Santa Fe Jewish Albuquerque at 11 a.m. in the Jewish dren. Arts and Culture Group. For more infor- Community Center and then in Santa mation contact Lee Berk at 505-988- Fe at 4 p.m. at the St. Francis Audito- 1326 or [email protected]. When he moved to Amarillo, Hugo aban- rium. Admission is $10 paid at the door. doned merchandising for real estate. He Page 10 New Mexico Jewish Historical Society Roundup – Jews in Politics by Naomi Sandweiss s the current political sea- 1933, when he died in office. Fewer people son sizzles, let’s take a brief know that Jewish governors have served look back at Jews in Ameri- Georgia (1801), Idaho (1915 - 1919), and A can political life. Since Territorial Alaska (1939-58). pre-Revolutionary times, Jews have taken an active role in American Utah’s only non-Mormon Governor policy and politics. Paving the way were (1916 - 1919) was Simon Bamberger, a early settlers such as Francis Salvador (1747 Jewish mine owner and railroad investor - 1776) who served in the South Carolina who helped establish a Jewish agricultural colonial government and was the first Jew colony in Clarion, Utah. A supporter of to be killed in the Revolutionary War. prohibition, Bamberger saw most of his initiatives voted into law. For more infor- The path to political office wasn’t an easy mation on the “Yentile” Governor of Utah, one for Jews. In 1797, Solomon Etting and visit the American Jewish Historical Society Bernard Gratz petitioned the Maryland online at http://www.ajhs.org/publications/ General Assembly to modify the Maryland chapters/chapter.cfm?documentID=292. constitution’s Christian oath requirement for public office, initiating a struggle for currently has two Jewish women Jewish civic equality in Maryland that Senators. The first Jewish woman to serve didn’t end until 1826, when Mr. Etting and in the U.S. Congress was also a Californian. Jacob Cohen were elected to the Baltimore Representative Florence Prag Kahn (Cali- City Council. fornia, 1925), assumed her husband’s seat after his death in 1925 and was elected to By the time of the Civil War, Jews served in five subsequent terms in office. Ms. Kahn’s both the Union and Confederate govern- papers are housed at The Western Jewish ments. Judah P. Benjamin was Confederate History Center in Berkeley, California. Secretary of State and Secretary of War. http://www.magnes.org/ . An upcoming exhibit, Jewish Life in Mr. Lincoln’s City, will tell stories of Jewish By the mid-twentieth century, Jewish Civil War life in the nation’s capital and Americans had served at state, local and across the river in Confederate Virginia. national levels, in Presidential Cabinets, The exhibit, developed by the Jewish and on the Supreme Court. The Solomon Historical Society of Greater Washington Project, http://thesolomonproject.org/ (D.C.), opens in February 2009. index.php, a companion website to the book Jews in American Politics, maintains Most NMJHS Members are aware that a comprehensive index of Jews who have New Mexico elected a Jewish Governor, served in American politics. A Arthur Seligman, who served from 1931 - Deborah S. Seligman Attorney At Law

Booksale Kudos 320 Gold Ave. SW, Suite 1221 HUGE BOOKSALE proclaimed the sign at the busiest intersection in Santa Fe, steer- Albuquerque, NM 87102 ing drivers to the Wild Oats Community Room during the Labor Day weekend. This PO Box 7806 annual event is a major fundraiser for NMJHS, and this year was another stellar success, Albuquerque, NM 87194 thanks to the Herculean efforts of Shirley Jacobson and Sheila Gershen. Phone (505) 247-3030 • Fax (505) 247-3165

Thanks also to the many people who donated books and other items, who picked up the books from where they were stored during the year, who organized them by category Please patronize our on display tables, who helped with the sale, and who boxed up whatever remained. To advertisers and let them know all of you, we say many thanks for volunteering. But most of all, for doing a major ser- you saw their ad in the vice to the Society year after year, we thank our two leading lights, Shirley and Sheila. NMJHS Newsletter.

Page 11 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 3, September 2008 Calendar of NMJHS Upcoming Events 2008 Membership Dues Membership expires on December 31 Check online calendar of Upcoming Events for more details at www.nmjewishhistory.org. Membership fees are as follows: Sunday, October 19, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., “Sephardic Voices,” at the Lensic Theater Renewal New in Santa Fe, $15 donation appreciated. Reception following performance at Palace Individual $35 of the Governors. Family $50 Senior (55+) $30 October 24 – 26, “Jews Along the Camino Real,” annual NMJHS conference held Senior Couple $40 jointly with the Texas Jewish Historical Society, Camino Real Hotel, El Paso, $80 con- Fulltime Student $20 ference registration fee. Register and make hotel reservation before September 24. Business $100 Friend $100 or more Life Membership $1000 Sunday, November 16, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., workshop “The Joys of Genealogy,” Cen- tury Bank Customer Service Center, 2108 Warner Avenue, Santa Fe, $5 NMJHS Name(s)______members, $10 non-members. Address______City______State___ Zip_____ NMJHS Board of Directors and Officers Email address______Officers Norman Budow – Santa Fe Phone ______Noel Pugach, Ph.D., President – Albuquerque Carla Freeman – Santa Fe Dorothy Corner Amsden, Vice President – Los Alamos Sheila Gershen – Santa Fe Please make your check payable to: Stephen Part, Recording Secretary – Albuquerque Gerald Gonzalez – Santa Fe New Mexico Jewish Historical Society Anthony A. Amsden, Corresponding Secretary – Claire Grossman – Nashua, New Hampshire Los Alamos Stanley M. Hordes, Ph.D. – Albuquerque Robert N. Gale, Treasurer – Placitas Nancy Terr – Albuquerque and mail it with this form to: Marjorie Weinberg-Berman – Kings Point, New Mexico Jewish Historical Society New York Directors 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE Barbara Baker – Santa Fe

Immediate Past President Albuquerque, NM 87109

Lance Bell – Santa Fe Harold Melnick – Santa Fe

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