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Preserving Jewish Heritage in Texas Jewish Est. 1980 Historical Society November 2017 News Magazine

Winter Board In This Issue: Meeting Message from the President...... 2 Frapart Family, Brownsville, Texas...... 3 in Gonzales, Texas by Jules Frapart Pictures and Notes from the...... 4-5 Board Meeting Florence Bates: Pioneer Jewish Lawyer and Golden Age Hollywood Actress...... 6 by Judith W, Rosenthal Attacks the in a Fury— August 27, 2017...... 7 Contributions...... 7

This is a replica of the Come And Take flag that flew over San Antonio’s Northside School District Gonzales during the first battle of the in 1835. It Dedicates Nathan Kallison currently hangs at the State Capitol in Austin. Elementary...... 8 Come to Gonzales January 12-14, 2018! All members by Kal Kallison are welcome. The Texas Jewish Historical Society will hold Committee Chairs...... 9 its Winter Board Meeting in Gonzales, Texas, home of the first skirmish of the Texas Revolution in 1835. The Denn Family of Bay , Part 1...... 10 Join us as we tour the Gonzales History Museum, the by Vickie Vogel unique Jail Museum, and a driving tour of homes of Jew- ish families and other Victorian and Greek Revival homes. TJHS Charter Members...... 14 TJHS members from Gonzales will participate in the Grant Application...... 15 program relating their experiences growing up and living in this interesting community. Meet Your Board...... 16 In addition, there will be a ghost tour with possible appearances by some of the inhabitants. Guess this Member...... 19 Luxurious historic B&B accommodations await you, Grants Awarded at the Marshall Board along with a Holiday Inn Express. Be aware that the rooms Meeting on October 22, 2017...... 20 in the B&Bs are all on the second floor, with no elevators by Hollace Weiner available. You can meet longtime friends and make new ones as we dine at local restaurants. All meals and museum In Memoriam...... 20 fees are included in the registration fee. TJHS Explores Jewish Panama...... 21 Please note the deadline for hotel reservations is De- by Vickie Vogel cember 12, so make yours now and send your registration to the address on the form included in this issue. See you in Gonzales!

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 1 Message from the President by Davie Lou Solka We had a good Board Meet- the last Jewish family who store, including an original sign and ing in Marshall October 20- lives in Marshall. One of shoe-type storage boxes for his papers. 22, 2017, with an interesting, the many highlights was vis- When we visited the Marshall Train full program planned by Sally iting the exhibit on the Depot, which is another wonderful Drayer. We began the week- of Marshall at the Harrison museum, we saw the plaque honoring end with a delicious Shabbat County Historical Museum. Louis and Audrey, who was mayor of dinner at Temple Emanu-El in TJHS awarded a grant to Marshall at the time, displayed in the Longview. Temple Emanu-El help with this exhibit, which waiting room. began as a congregation when included the Ark and other Other visits included the Hebrew my congregation in Kilgore, artifacts from Temple Moses Cemetery, the Michaelson Art Museum, Beth Sholom, closed. It was a home- Montefiore that had been in storage at and the site of Temple Moses Montefio- coming for me because my parents the museum since the Temple closed re, which now has the Municipal Court were members there, and I saw many in 1980. Audrey also had some papers Building on the property. At the site, items from my childhood in Kilgore. and artifacts from the Temple, so there Gail Beil, Marshall City Commission- Rusty Milstein has done a wonder- was quite a bit for this exhibit—with er, Place 2, wearing a beautiful lace- ful job of preserving artifacts from more to come! placed-on-the-back black mourning Congregation Beth Sholom, as well We saw Audrey and Louis’s hand dress, told us about the Jews of Mar- as from Temple Moses Montefiore in Marshall everywhere we visited. shall. Saturday night after dinner and in Marshall. Thanks to him, Temple One place was the Law Office of some shopping in the restaurant, we Emanu-El is a wonderful repository/ Michael Smith, which is located in heard from Janet Cook, Executive Di- museum for the Jews of . the building that housed The Hub, a rector of the Harrison County Historical Sally enlisted the help of Audrey shoe store owned by the Kariel family. Museum, and Gayle Weinberg, Director and Louis Kariel, TJHS members and Mr. Smith had many items from the of Development of the Michaelson Art Museum, speaking on the Kariel’s memories of Jewish Marshall. The Texas Jewish Historical Society In addition to many committee re- ports, at the Board Meeting, we award- November 2017 ed a $3,000 grant to Marlene Trestman Quarterly News Magazine from , who is researching descendants of the children who lived The Texas Jewish Historical Society News Magazine is published four in the Orphans’ Home in times annually. Stories about Texas Jewish history, oral histories, and re- in the early part of the twentieth centu- quests for assistance with research are welcome, as are photographs and his- ry. A grant of $4,000 was awarded to torical documents. Please provide color photocopies or scans at 300 dpi or Dr. Joshua Furman of , greater in gif, tif, or jpg format, and send electronically to Editor Jack Solka who along with volunteers, is retriev- at [email protected] or by mail to 3808 Woodbrook Circle, Austin, TX 78759, continued on page 14 512-527-3799. Be sure to include your name and contact information. The News Magazine of the Editor Jack Solka Texas Jewish Historical Society Layout/Design Editor Alexa Kirk (USPS) is published four times a year by the Texas Jewish Histor- Note: The Texas Jewish Historical Society is unable to ical Society, P. O. Box 10193, guarantee the safe receipt and/or return of documents Austin, Texas 78766-0193, Travis and photographs. It is strongly recommended that you County. Periodical postage paid provide color photocopies of both color and black & at , Texas. Postmaster, white documents. We welcome your comments and send address changes to the Texas suggestions. Jewish Historical Society, P. O. Visit us on the web at www.txjhs.org. Box 10193, Austin, Texas 78766- 0193. www.txjhs.org

Page 2 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Frapart Family, Brownsville, Texas by Jules Frapart

Growing up in Brownsville, I The store was called Ralph’s of Palm parents as part of my research of the did not know about our rich family . Eventually Ralph would take Frapart side of the family. I discov- history until I started asking questions on new partners in Henry and Mildred ered our connection to Texas history of my father, Ralph Frapart, and my Dorfman Fruhling, Sarah’s sister and was Lewis A. Levy, Johanna Kaiser’s great-grandmother, Johanna Kaiser. brother-in-law. great-grandfather, and his brother Dr. Moses Albert Levy, sometimes mentioned as Dr. Albert Moses Levy. They were born in Amsterdam, Neth- erlands, to Abraham and Rachel Levy. The family migrated to the via London in 1818, settling in Richmond, . Dr. Albert Moses Levy completed at the University of Pennsylvania in 1832, married and lived in Richmond, Virginia. After his wife died, he moved to New Orleans to join his older brother, Lewis A. Levy. According to the Online, Dr. Albert Moses Levy joined the New Orleans Greys, a mil- itary unit formed to aid in the Texas War of Independence, and within two Elizabeth Street in Brownsville, Texas, c. 1865. months he was appointed surgeon in chief of the volunteer army of Texas. My kids are 7th generation Texans. My grandparents, Herbert and He fought in the battle of the siege of Did any of my family take part in Francis Kaiser Frapart, moved to Bexar where he was wounded. Once Texas history since we have been here Brownsville in the mid-1950s to be he recovered, he joined the small for so long? closer to their son and daughter-in-law, Texas Navy and served briefly on the My father, Ralph Frapart, met Ralph and Sarah May, and their new schooner Brutus. David G. Burnet, and married Sarah May Dorfman grandson, Jules. In the same shopping president of the , from Brownsville. They moved to center, Herbert and Francis opened signed Levy’s papers appointing him a Brownsville with the encouragement stores called Tot-to-Teen and The Stag surgeon in the navy in March 1836. In of Sarah’s parents, Isadore and Doro- Shop. Later they turned over owner- 1837, Levy’s ship, the Independence, thy Oshman Dorfman. Isadore had a ship of those stores to their youngest was captured by two Mexican brigs- jewelry store in Browns- son and daughter-in-law, Lewis and of-war, and he was taken prisoner ville but on orders from his doctor Kay Shapiro Frapart, who had moved along with the other Texas sailors. closed it and opened an office where to Brownsville from Houston. After 3 months in a Mexican prison, he continued his passion in jewelry Sam Kaiser and Johanna Lewis he was able to escape, swim across and diamonds. Ralph and Sarah were Kaiser, my great-grandparents, lived in the Rio Grande River and walk to starting their new life on the inter- Houston where Sam was a successful Matagorda, Texas. national border between and architectural artist. After retiring, he Dr. Levy established a medi- the United States. Ralph had been and Johanna moved to Brownsville cal practice in Matagorda and was raised in the retail business working to live with Herbert and Frances on appointed to the Medical Board of for his father in Tyler, Texas. Isadore Robins Lane. I recall going fishing the Republic of Texas in 1838. He offered to help him open his own with my great-grandfather Sam and married and had 5 children. He died ladies ready-to-wear store in Isadore’s watching him do his sketches. in May of 1848. The state of Texas new Palm Village . I questioned my great-grand- continued on page 18

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 3 Board Meeting in Marshall

Marker located at waiting room of Train Depot, Mar- shall, Texas.

Audrey and Louis Kariel—the last Jewish family living in Marshall, Texas. Historical Desig- nation Plaque at the Marshall Hebrew Cemetery.

Dedication Wall at Cemetery incorporating the Cornerstone and Star of David from Temple Entrance Gate at Marshall Moses Montefiore, Marshall, Texas. Hebrew Cemetery.

Janet Cook, Director of Harrison County His- torical Mu- seum, spoke to the group Saturday night. Monica Braverman, Cantorial Student, and Rusty Milstein. Ben Rosenberg participating in the Havdalah Services. Davie Lou Solka with artifacts from her congregation, Beth Sholom, Kilgore, Texas, that are displayed in Temple Emamu-El, Longview, Texas. Sonny Gerber and Doug and Willie Braudaway.

Page 4 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 October 20-22, 2017 Notes from the Board Meeting At the October Board Meeting in Marshall, the following occurred: • The Speaker’s Bureau has had requests for two speakers. Barbara Rosenberg spoke to Congregation for Reform in Houston, and Sally Drayer will be speaking at Temple Shalom in in the spring. We have many speakers available on a variety of topics. Sharon Gerber and Ruth Nathan. Contact Jan Hart at jshauthor@ Gail Beil in sbcglobal.net or Gayle Cannon at a “mourn- [email protected] ing” dress • The Traveling Exhibit has had part discussing the history of one exhibit concerning marriag- of Jewish es shown in Fort Worth, and there families in are requests for three more places. Marshall, These are wonderful exhibits show- Texas. ing the Jews of Texas and the United States and are very easy to dis- play—either hanging on a wall or on easel-type on tables. Contact Deidra Cizon at [email protected] • A grant of $3,000 was awarded to Monica Braverman, Cantorial Marlene Trestman from Baltimore, Student, leading Kaddish at the , to travel to Texas to in- cemetery. terview descendants of the children Four smiles in Marshall—Phyllis who lived in the Orphans’ Home in Berman, Joan Katz, Jan Hart and New Orleans. If you have informa- Joyce Wormser. tion for her, please contact her at [email protected] • A grant of $4,000 was awarded to Dr. Joshua Furman of Rice Univer- sity to salvage and preserve archival photos and documents damaged during Hurricane Harvey at Congre- gation Beth Yeshurun and the United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston. The grant money will be used for supplies and to hire and train under- graduate students to assist with the Lecture by Gail Beil, Marshall City Commissioner Place 2, at Marshall Hebrew preservation. Cemetery.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 5 Florence Bates: Pioneer Jewish San Antonio Lawyer and Golden Age Hollywood Actress by Judith W. Rosenthal

During the 1940s siblings. Her father and early 1950s, Flor- was the owner of an ence Bates appeared antique and store in approximately sixty in San Antonio. Hollywood films. Extraordinarily She worked with the well educated for a likes of woman of her genera- and tion, Florence not only (Rebecca, 1940), Errol graduated from high Flynn (San Antonio, school (1903) but also 1945), Ava Gardner and from the University of George Raft (Whistle Texas (1906) with a Stop, 1946), Danny degree in math. When Kaye (The Secret Life a hand injury put an of Walter Mitty, 1947), end to her childhood Kirk Douglas (My Dear dream of being a Secretary, 1948), and pianist, she instead Doris Day (Lullaby of became a teacher and Broadway, 1951). Florence Bates starred with Grady Sutton in the 1948 filmMy Dear social worker. Just a few years Secretary. In 1909, she mar- younger than the silent ried Joseph Ramer and screen star Theda Bara (Theodosia, Florence Bates’ journey to Hollywood stopped working to raise their daugh- Burr Goodman) and a decade older was most unusual. In fact, she began ter, Mariam. The marriage, however, than Yiddish theatre’s Molly Picon, her career as a stage actress relatively ended in divorce, and while looking late in life when she was more than for a new career, Florence decided to fifty years old. Following her im- become a lawyer. She did not attend mensely successful Hollywood career, law school but instead studied law she made the transition to television on her own. She was admitted to the and was a cast member of one of tele- practice of law in the state of Texas in vision’s earliest sitcoms (“The Hank 1914 at the age of twenty-six. Flor- McCune Show,” 1951). She also made ence was among the earliest women guest appearances on “,” admitted to the Bar in Texas, and quite “My Little Margie,” and “Our Miss possibly the first who was Jewish. Brooks.” In spite of her extraordinary Nonetheless, after four or so years of career, and unlike Bara and Picon, practicing law, Florence grew bored, Florence Bates is somehow overlooked leaving her legal career behind to in the “lists” of successful female Jew- begin assisting her sister who managed ish actresses and entertainers. their father’s store. Florence Bates, of course, was her Florence’s second marriage was stage name. She was really Florence to William F. Jacoby, a Texas oil man, Rabe who was born in Texas in April and for a while the couple lived in of 1888. She was the daughter of Mexico. Florence apparently knew German Jewish immigrants, Rosa Spanish, and at one time was a bilin- and Sigmund Rabe, and one of three continued on page 9

Page 6 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Hurricane Harvey Attacks the Texas Coastal Bend in a Fury—August 27, 2017

Texas coast- Jewish synagogues by Jewish Community attended the camp, al communities Rice’s Jewish Stud- which was paid for by the URJ Disas- from Rockport to ies scholars—Joshua ter Relief Fund and private donations. Beaumont received Furman and Melissa In spite of the damages caused, High the full force of Kean. Holiday Services were held by Beth Hurricane Harvey, Assistance for the Yeshurun Congregation at Lakewood creating havoc and victims came from Church, ’s . anguish among first responders, the Recovery from the damage caused millions of Texans. Texas National Guard, by the floods will take months, and in Jewish institu- tions and residents received the same punishment as all Flood damage at United others. Because Orthodox Synagogues of of Houston’s size, Houston. Photo by Robert Levy the city and the via Facebook. Jewish community amounted to the greatest numerical losses. The exten- local residents, sive rain, exceeding 50" in some areas, persons from flooded many neighborhoods where the entire State Jewish institutions are located. More of Texas, from than 70% of Houston’s 60,000-plus communities Jews live in the area hardest hit by the throughout The clean-up efforts at United Orthodox Synagogues of flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, the USA and Houston were not complete in time for the High Holy Days. according to the Houston Jewish Fed- from overseas. Photo by Yi-Chin Lee. eration. ’s spe- Some of the institutions damaged cial rescue units were dispatched to some cases years, to return to normal. by rising water included the Evelyn Houston. Jewish organizations from However, it is likely that some fami- Rubenstein JCC, United Orthodox Texas and other states collected relief lies, especially some elderly residents, Synagogues of Houston, Beth Ye- supplies and funds. Multiple eighteen will choose to move to other parts of shurun Synagogue, Congregation Beth wheeler trucks filled with supplies the city since these areas in Houston Israel, Seven Acres Jewish Senior arrived at Houston’s JCC and were have seen flooding occur twice before Care Services and the Medallion. distributed to all residents of Houston in recent years. This movement of res- Relatively minor hurricane damage and surrounding communities. Harvey idents will affect the demographics of occurred at Temple Emanu El. Efforts rescue efforts are the essence of tikkun the neighborhoods. are underway to salvage flood-dam- olam. Trucks with relief supplies were Information for this article was aged historical documents and records also sent to Beaumont and Rockport. gathered from various Jewish newspa- at two of the city’s most prominent In order to reduce the stress on per sources. small children whose fam- ilies were evacuated or Houston Members needed to allocate all of their The deadline for Addresses for TJHS members living in time to repairing their homes, the February 2018 the Houston area will remain the same in URJ Greene Family Camp TJHS News the new upcoming membership directory, set up a mini-day camp in Magazine is Friday, unless TJHS is notified of a change. If nec- Houston. Over two hundred January 5, 2018. essary, a supplement will be issued in 2019. children from the Houston

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 7 San Antonio’s Northside School District Dedicates Nathan Kallison Elementary by Kal Kallison On August 28, 2017, the doors of Having a profound desire for Nathan Kallison Elementary opened learning, Nathan Kallison succeed- for the first time to welcome over ed in realizing his vision by work- 600 eager students in the Northside ing with agricultural extension Independent School District in San agents and with agronomists from Antonio, and on November 1, the Texas A&M, and then showcased district held the official dedication of the new and highly recommended the school to members and friends scientific practices for the benefit of the Kallison family and to school of others. As one of the earliest and city dignitaries. Dedicating ranchers to embrace these new new schools is commonplace to concepts of scientific farming and Northside, as it is the fourth largest ranching, Nathan would hold “mini district in the state with nearly 80 seminars” at his ranch to demon- elementary schools alone. However, strate new methods or products. Nathan Kallison Elementary is likely Dr. Mary Volcansek, Executive to be special to the Jewish commu- Director of The Center for Texas nity, as the school’s namesake was Studies at TCU and a professor at a Jewish immigrant from czarist TCU, wrote that “Nathan Kallison who came to San Antonio via is among the many individuals in 1899 and became a very … who have helped to form the successful merchant and pathbreak- culture of honor, entrepreneurship, ing farmer and rancher. courage, and resilience that charac- With a $300 investment and the terize the state of Texas.” aid of his wife, Anna, Nathan opened Nathan Kallison When Nathan Kallison came a saddlery and harness shop which west. Kallison’s Store in downtown to Texas, he soon demonstrated grew into a unique and legendary farm San Antonio became a crossroads the spirit and strength of the westerner and ranch store, becoming the largest for literally thousands of farmers and as a rugged individualist, unafraid of supplier of related goods in the South- ranchers in the area. charting his own course, looking only Beginning in 1910, Kalli- for the opportunity to better oneself son bought and developed and contribute to the larger communi- the Kallison Ranch, which ty. He was also sympathetic to those included the property where going through rough times, as he Nathan Kallison Elementary would readily defer customer payment is built. The ranch served as at Kallison’s Store to when times were a living laboratory for exper- better. During the Great Depression, iments in soil conservation, he and Anna made their ranch a haven seed improvement, new crops for as many as 20 displaced families (like flax) for the area, better who had lost their land, as the Kalli- animal breeds (like the Polled sons erected tents for them on the Hereford), and improved farm ranch as a temporary refuge. Nathan implements and equipment. To described his basic philosophy to a express his vision for the ranch, San Antonio Express reporter in 1933 Nathan placed a sign above the saying, “Some people want to get ranch gate that read, “Estab- rich in too much of a hurry. They just lished in 1910 for the Devel- won’t take the time to be friendly and Dedication of Nathan Kallison Elementary opment of Better Farming and kind, to give good service and a little School Ranching.” continued on page 9

Page 8 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Kallison, continued from page 8 Committee Chairs more in old-fashioned friendship.” religious services and social activities. Nathan Kallison was a young and Their children and grandchildren were Award Committee poor man when he made his way to educated at the Temple, and those Barbara Rosenberg ([email protected]), San Antonio. He ended up playing a remaining in San Antonio became Rusty Milstein very significant role in the advance- members as adults. ([email protected]) ment of the farm and ranch community Nathan Kallison died at the age of and in the rise of . How- 71 in 1944. Throughout the years after Cemetery Historical Designation ever, Nathan never forgot his humble his death, Nathan’s family carried on Committee roots nor lost his moral compass. and advanced his vision of cultivating For example, despite the success of and promoting a collective farm and Lynna Kay Shuffield Kallison’s Store, Nathan never repaint- ranch community through the down- ([email protected]) ed the ceiling over the small space store and northside ranch and Cemetery Photographs Committee occupied by his original harness shop, now, Nathan’s memory and legacy will saying the patch of peeling plaster live on, in part, from the naming of the Gordon Cizon ([email protected]) reminded him of his modest begin- Nathan Kallison Elementary School Finance Committee nings. Nathan also never forgot his and from the biography, The Harness Jewish heritage, which was so import- Maker’s Dream: Nathan Kallison and Louis Katz ([email protected]) ant to him, particularly because of the the Rise of South Texas. This book Grant Committee oppressive and brutal regime of Czar was written by Pulitzer Prize winning Alexander III. Anna and Nathan joined author Nick Kotz, who is Nathan’s Hollace Weiner Temple Beth El soon after their San grandson. Much of the material from ([email protected]) Antonio arrival and became active in this article comes from Nick’s book. Legal Committee Florence Bates, continued from page 6 Lonnie Schooler ([email protected]) gual radio broadcaster. When the stock most famous actors and actresses. Of- market crashed in 1929, Jacoby lost ten she was cast in supporting comic Meetings Committee his fortune. The couple moved to Los and dramatic parts such as that “of Charles Hart, Angeles, bought a bakery, and made plump, matronly characters, wealthy it a success. That was when Florence women, a gypsy, maids, a murderer, a ([email protected]) first tried out at the Pasadena Commu- humorously obnoxious mother-in-law, Membership Committee nity Playhouse and was cast as “Miss and as a landlady.” Bates” in a play based on Emma by Predeceased by her daughter and Marc Wormser Jane Austen. During the 1930s, she husband, Florence Bates passed away ([email protected]) honed her acting skills at the Play- in Burbank, , in 1954. She Publications Committee house and took the stage name of was sixty-five years old. She may not Florence Bates (her new last name tak- have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Jack Solka ([email protected]) en from the “Miss Bates” character). Fame, nor did she win an Oscar, and Publicity Committee In 1939, she auditioned for probably few Americans remember her and won the role today. Nonetheless, she was a remark- Bob Lewis ([email protected]) of Mrs. Van Hopper in the 1940 film, able Jewish woman, a college grad- Speakers Bureau Rebecca. In a New York Times review uate, an attorney, a movie star, wife, of Hitchcock’s film, Florence Bates is mother, and grandmother. Neither tall Jan Hart ([email protected]) described as, “a magnificent specimen nor glamorous, Bates was thoroughly Gayle Cannon of the ill-bred, moneyed, resort-infest- modern, and made a life that remains ([email protected]) ing, servant-abusing dowager.” remarkable even by today’s standards. By now, Florence Bates was Judith W. Rosenthal lives Travel Committee fifty-two years old and on her way to in Edison, NJ. She is currently Vickie Vogel ([email protected]) becoming a very successful character writing a book about the ear- actress. For more than a decade she liest Jewish American women Traveling Exhibit Committee appeared on the big screen in film after lawyers. She can be reached at Deidre Cizon ([email protected]) film alongside some of Hollywood’s [email protected].

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 9 From Our Archives

This column is based on information in the TJHS Collection, housed at the Center for American History at the University of Texas campus in Austin. It has been supplemented with online research. If you have corrections or additions, please submit them in writing to the TJHS editor at [email protected]. We want our archives to be as complete as possible. The Denn Family of Bay City, Part 1 by Vickie Vogel The Denn family story Simon Denn and married goes back to Certizne, a Abraham Josefovics. village outside Medzi- That makes Joe and Bli- laborce, Slovakia, in the ma half first cousins.2 foothills of the Carpath- In 1920, Joe and ian Mountains. This was Bertha emigrated from home for the maternal line Slovakia, sailing from from the 1790s until the Bremen, with dreams of last family member was a better life. They had murdered by the Nazis.1 turned the wagon back The paternal line traces to once, because her parents Korczyna, Galicia (pres- were so upset. When they ent-day Poland) where Joe got back to the house, Denn (Josef Juda Denn) she could see every- was born on May 4, 1894. one was asleep, so they His father was Chaim would be okay. They Denn (1852-1910) and his retraced their steps and grandparents were Israel continued their journey. Simon Denn and Beile Joe’s brother Da- Neumann (1830-1899). vid, and two of Bertha’s Chaim was in the grain sisters (Dora and Rose) business and died of con- had settled in New York sumption (tuberculosis). years earlier. Bertha’s Joe’s mother was Zecil brother, Joe Schwartz, Kalb (1847-1922), daugh- and her sisters Hannah ter of David Tanchum and and Esther, were all in Leah Kalb, all of Galicia. Wharton, Texas. Joe Joe was in the Aus- arrived in New York in trian army in World War Chassidic garb, complete I. Keeping kosher in the with long beard and side army was . A rabbi curls. A brother-in-law told him it was okay to eat told Joe he couldn’t walk the soup with meat, but around America looking not the meat on the bone, Joe and Bertha Denn with sons Manuel, Herman and Sidney, and like that. He took him to or he might have starved. baby Ethel. Photo courtesy of Meyer Denn. the barber shop and told Joe was a guard at a POW the barber in English to camp. complicated here, because her grand- cut off his beard and side curls, as Joe In 1918, Joe married Bertha mother was Beile Neumann, and so didn’t speak English. Returning to the (Blima) Schwartz, born in Certizne was Joe’s. The grandfathers were house, the brother-in-law told Bertha in 1895. The family tree gets a little different, as Beile divorced Israel continued on page 11

Page 10 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Denn Family, continued from page 10 he had found a landsman and to see if last street fight in Bay City, caused by joined the army. Years later, he came she recognized him. At first she was racial prejudice. They tell stories of back to Bay City and told Herman he shocked to see her beardless husband, Joe and his store. had come to buy Joe a pair of shoes but soon gave up her sheitel (wig). Joe bought pecans from the area. and told them what had happened. Joe and Bertha settled in Wharton One day a man brought in some sacks Joe wouldn’t drive on Shabbos, that same year and worked in the fruit of pecans and Joe could tell they but he worked at the store, staying business. They bought the M. Kasman didn’t weigh as much as the scales open late, sometimes as late as mid- Grocery in Bay City in 1921 and showed. He looked down and the man night on Saturday nights. Herman changed the name to Joe Denn Gro- had his foot on the scale. Joe picked loved baseball, and once when he was cery. Joe became a citizen in 1927 and up an ax handle and brought it down on his way to work at the store, he Bertha in 1942. hard on the man’s foot. “If I’m gonna stopped to play third base, until Joe Their sons were born in 1921 pay for your foot, I’m gonna buy your came to get him and take him home. (Abraham Herman), 1924 (Sidney) foot,” Joe exclaimed. Joe told him he violated a cardinal and 1926 (Manuel).3 rule and had to be Herman4 and Manuel punished. Joe took were born in Wharton, the belt to him. “For and Sidney in Bay City. a small man, he was a A daughter, Ethel Lee, very powerful man,” followed in 1929 in Herman recalled. Bay City. Herman was Every Saturday born in Aunt Hannah’s night, when they house on . closed the store, Joe, Joe was so nervous the Bertha, Esther and doctor told him to go the boys would drive get a watermelon just halfway to Wharton to get rid of him, and and meet Bertha and he went running out of Esther’s sister, Dora, the house. Sydney was and her husband, born at Esther’s store Benny Wadler. On (E. Goldman Grocery), Sundays, they would because that’s as far as go to Wharton to visit Bertha (Blima) Denn in front of Joe Denn Grocery. Photo courtesy of Bertha got as she headed family. It was a great Meyer Denn. towards the hospital. day when Joe brought Manuel was born in Wharton on Rosh Joe was a feisty little man who had home a Victrola. They listened to Hashanah, also at Aunt Hannah’s many funny expressions. He was no- Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, and Yossele house. Ethel was born in the front torious for following kids around the Rosenblatt. bedroom at home. The boys wanted store and as soon as they would pick The Denns kept kosher at home. to see what was happening and kept something up, he would say, “You got At lunchtime, the boys would run trying to get in. The doctor told them money? DEN PUT IT DOOOOWW- to Aunt Esther, and she would cook he brought the baby in a suitcase, but WWN!”5 If a kid would say he was something for them in the back of her he couldn’t bring her out while they “just looking,” Joe would tell him to store, and they would return to school. were watching. come back tomorrow. “Today’s for When it was time to come inside for On a series of YouTube videos buying, tomorrow’s for looking!”6 dinner, Joe would go to the front porch filmed by Sidney’s son Meyer, the Joe remembered once seeing a and yell, “Kiddush!” Even their maid three brothers tell stories of growing hanging at the courthouse, and it made called them in the same way. Every up and the trouble they got into. One him ill. In 1939, a young man who had Thursday night, Bertha and Esther day, a neighbor came to the store to run away from home was walking in would bake eight challahs so they get everyone and took them to see the front of Joe’s grocery store. Joe ques- would have bread for a week. first gusher in Matagorda County. The tioned him and got him something to Esther had come to America with circus came to town, and school was eat. He bought him a pair of shoes and a sister when she was 11 years old let out. The clowns scared Sidney. told him to go back home to Palacios. in 1903. The few dollars that were There’s also a hair-raising story of the The young man went to Houston and continued on page 12

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 11 Denn Family, continued from page 11 sent with her were stolen on the boat. to his gambling buddies, asking Joe ried Rosie Ray Wirzberg, daughter of Esther married Julius Goldman, but to pay this one $5 and that one $10 Chaim and Mirl Wirzberg of Hous- they divorced in 19277 and he moved that he owed them. Joe asked if all the ton. They settled briefly in Houston, to Corpus Christi. “The sun rose and boys’ fathers gave them money to pay then moved to Bay City. Herman ran set on Aunt Esther, as far as I was their debts. Herman said, “No, Pop, unsuccessfully for city council around concerned,” recalled Herman. One but when you have a good cow, you 1958.9 time he jumped off the roof and landed milk it.” Pop said, “Hoiman, your cow Joe and Bertha’s middle son, on a nail in back of the store. He ran just went dry.”8 Sidney, attended to Aunt Esther, fearing he’d get in Herman was sent to Payne Field, School and Bay City High School. In trouble with his mother. She left the Washington, after basic training. He 1942, he headed off to war store and carried him on her back to became an instrument specialist on with the Army Air Corps from the old the doctor’s office. On another occa- a P-39. One day he was paged and Missouri Pacific Depot. BCHS classes sion, he stepped on were dismissed so a some glass and cut big sendoff, led by the his foot all the way to Black Cat Band, could the bone. Aunt Esther be given to their class- wrapped it in a towel mates, Denn and Francis and, once again, car- Denbow. A teacher ried him on her back recalled fifty years later to the doctor, who put that this event stood the foot in coal oil out like no other in her (kerosene) to stop the teaching career, the bleeding. If the boys single most patriotic had the flu, she would experience of her life. put an asafetida bag This event brought the around their necks. war to Bay City. They Joe davened sent the boys off “with alone at home (be- their hope, their love, fore being joined their prayers, and their by other Bay City admiration.”10 Jews) before the Beth Sidney was sent to David Center (Jewish Fort in Joe and Rose Denn, and Esther Goldman. Photo courtesy of Meyer Denn. community hall) was San Antonio. After sev- built. The family packed up and went told to go to the gate. To his shock, eral transfers, he landed at Hickham to Wharton for the High Holy Days. there stood Joe and Bertha. They had Field, Hawaii, with the 1521st Air They often stayed with Bertha’s sister, travelled three days on the train to see Transport Command, but the war in Hannah, and Izzie Kreitstein. their son, who took them to a kosher Japan ended, and he returned home to Herman was Joe and Bertha’s deli so they could finally eat. Herman Bay City to work at Joe Denn Grocery. oldest son. Herman wanted to go to a went to England, France, Belgium On September 1, 1946, he married Boy Scout camp, and Joe said, “No.” and Germany, serving with the 394th Gertrude “Gertie” Estelle Rosenzweig A priest came to see Joe and told him Fighter Squadron in the Army Air of Houston at Hotel.11 Her he knew what Herman had to do every Force. A sergeant, he received the family traced back to Lublin, Po- morning, and he would wake him up EAME Campaign Medal with six land. Gertie had graduated from San to daven if Joe would let him go to bronze stars, a distinguished unit Jacinto High School in Houston in camp, and that’s what they did. Sidney badge and other medals of distinction. 1940. Sidney and Gertrude moved to had a similar experience where a min- He lost his stripes once for insubor- New Orleans, where he worked for ister came to his aid for a trip to New dination—telling a lieutenant to go to his brother-in-law, Leon Rosenzweig, Mexico. hell. When the war in Europe ended, but they returned to Bay City in 1947 When Herman first enlisted in the he went to Marseilles prepared to ship to go into business with his brothers army in 1941, Joe went to see him out to Egypt and on to the Asia The- Herman and Manuel.12 in San Antonio. Herman took him ater, but the war ended there too. Joe and Bertha’s youngest son, through the base and introduced him Returning to Bay City, he mar- continued on page 13

Page 12 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Denn Family, continued from page 12 Manuel, graduated Bay City High was riding in a car being demonstrated tube.com/watch?v=eNUmLI03um0 School in 1944. As a boy, he worked by a salesman when she was killed 5 “My Memories of Denn Broth- after school and on weekends in the instantly in an automobile accident in ers Sporting Goods in Bay City, family grocery store. He joined the Houston. She was only 28 years old.14 Texas” contains 504 members. Army in 1945 and trained at Camp The salesman received 182 days in jail https://www.facebook.com/ Wolters in Mineral Wells. He remem- for negligent homicide, his testimony groups/143082235761520/ bered his first Pesach in the service, that Ethel was driving having been 6 email Meyer Denn, October 2, 2017. because he only had a kosher salami to contradicted by several witnesses.15 7 http://www.isjl.org/texas-bay-city-en- eat. After Fort Sam Houston in 1944 Joe retired in 1948, sold the store cyclopedia.html 8 or 1945, he went to where in 1949,16 and spent his retirement email Meyer Denn, October 3, 2017. 9 Sidney was posted at the time, but the years working at his sons’ store. https://www.facebook.com/ train was late and they missed each Bertha died in 1954, and in 1955, Joe groups/143082235761520/ 10 other at the station. Manuel caught a married Rose Friedman Wald of New Jonnie Montalbo, “Schools Honor ride to Sidney’s base and located him. York. She was born in 1897 in Hunga- Veterans,” Bay City Tribune, Novem- Manuel served in the Marshall ry. Rose died in 1976, and Joe in 1981 ber 12, 2014 and print-ed at http:// www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tx- Islands and Leyte, Philippines, and at Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care in matago/family_denn_sidney.htm with the 77th Division on Cebu Island Houston, at the age of 87. 11 They celebrated their 50th wedding where he learned of the Hiroshima TO BE CONTINUED in the next anniversary in 1996. bomb. When the war ended, he was issue. 12 https://www.findagrave.com/ sent to Japan with the army of occu- cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&G- pation as a corporal and spent several Endnotes 1 Sln=Denn&GSiman=1&GS- months in Tokyo. On the boat com- https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=kDMD87PhJYE&t=1152s cid=712505&GRid=75866767& ing back to the States, he won about 13 2 “Car Salesman Gets 182 Days in $20,000 at cards but lost it all. Manuel http://www.rootsweb.ancestry. com/~txmatago/family_denn_joe.htm Traffic Death of ‘Prospect,’” The married Helen Maleh in 1950. 3 Unless otherwise stated, all infor- , December 6, 1957, in After the war, the Denns learned mation is from Box3A164, File Meyer Denn’s files. that Bertha’s father, Joe’s brother 14 5, of the Texas Jewish Historical http://www.rootsweb.ancestry. Israel Isaac with his wife, children and Society Collection, Dolph Briscoe com/~txmatago/family_denn_joe.htm grandchildren, had all been killed by 15 Center for American History, Uni- “Salesman Is Sentenced in Auto the Nazis. His sister Rachel lost all but versity of Texas at Austin. Bertha Death,” , December 6, two children to the Nazis, along with Denn https://www.findagrave. 1957. In Meyer Denn files. 16 her grandchildren. com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&G- “Connie Anderson Buys Denn’s Gro- The three brothers had a sister, Sln=Denn&GSiman=1&GS- cery Next to Kirk’s Shop,” Bay City Ethel Lee (1929-1957), who married cid=712505&GRid=75866881& News, June 16, 1949, found in Meyer Ike Hoffman, who owned Hoffman 4 Born Abraham Herman, he switched Denn’s “Bay City & Wharton, Texas 13 Diamond Cutting Co. in Houston. his names because he didn’t want to Jewish Communities” file. They had two sons. Tragically, Ethel be called Abraham. https://www.you- Your Help Needed The American Jewish Archives the sanctuary in your old confirmation The Cemetery Committee thanks is looking for photos that show the photos, anniversary or wedding pho- all who have helped with the record- American flag on the bimah. They tos, Fourth of July photos, etc. ing of Jewish burials/cremations in would like to acquire a collection You may submit a hard copy or a Texas. But we still need the help from of late 19th and early 20th century high-quality scan of the photo to Mr. the many of you who live outside (before 1920) photos. Some of these Kevin Proffitt, Senior Archivist for the major . If you learn of a photos may actually go back to the Research and Collection at the Jacob 1870s. Rader Marcus Center for the American Jewish death in Texas in your locale, Please check to see if you have Jewish Archives. For more informa- please send that information to Rusty photos showing the American flag on tion, please contact him at kproffitt@ Milstein, [email protected]. the bimah or the flag bunting inside huc.edu. Your help is appreciated.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 13 President’s Message, continued from page 2 TJHS Charter Members ing papers and photos from Congrega- We are trying to compile a list Rabbi David Jacobson, San Antonio tion Beth Yeshurun and United Ortho- of the charter members of Texas Director dox Synagogue in Houston, that were Jewish Historical Society. If you Sanford Kantor, San Antonio damaged in the waters from Hurricane know someone or if you are one and Public Relations, Editorial Board Harvey. They will use the grant to are not listed here, please contact preserve these papers and photos, as Davie Lou Solka at davielou@ Frances Kallison, San Antonio well as train and hire undergraduate solka.net. If someone has been 1st Vice President students to assist in this work. See listed and is not a charter member, Rabbi , Galveston the articles elsewhere in this issue for please correct that, also. A source President addresses if you have information to has said that all charter members aid them in their research. received a certificate stating that Stuart Klein, McAllen I hope you will be able to join they are charter members. Cities Recording Secretary us in Gonzales January 12-14, 2018, listed are where the members were Ed Lax, Dallas for another great weekend. Barbara living in 1980. Treasurer Rosenberg has planned some won- Adrian Levy, Sr., Galveston derful places to visit and has enlisted Donna Berliner, Dallas Director TJHS members from Gonzales to help Editorial Board out. A Registration Form is included Norman Black, Houston Helen Levy, Galveston in this issue with a close deadline for Legal Jane Manaster, Austin registering. Please do it now while Mona Colver, Seabrook you are thinking about it! Leah Kay Miron Editorial Board We are beginning another calen- Proofer dar year, and dues for 2018 are now Susanne Friedman, Houston Barbara Schachtel, Houston to be paid. We are very pleased that Director Director we have fourteen new members since Ima Joy Gandler, Waco Lonnie Schooler, Houston the beginning of this term and hope to Kay Goldman Corresponding Secretary add many more—but we want YOU to come join us at meetings. This is Herbert Given, El Paso David Schwartz, Houston an added bonus to your membership— 2nd Vice-President Director renewing long-time friendships and Doris Glasser, Houston Lynn Schwartz, Houston making new ones. Our Board Meet- Associate Archivist, Publications Membership, Editorial Board ings are open to all members of the Helen Smith, Austin Society, and we welcome you to each Barry Green, Tyler Editorial Board and every one. Editorial Board Thank you for your support and Larry Gretsky, Austin Milton Smith, Austin the many notes I have received from Archivist, Editorial Board Finance, Editorial Board, Director you --- I hope to see you soon and Ginger Jacobs, Dallas Seth Wolitz, San Antonio especially in Gonzales! Director Editorial Board, Director Davie Lou Solka

Does TJHS Have Your Current Email Address? Is your email address current? Has and printing delays, we are going to be it changed since the 2015 directory was electronically sending as much mail as printed? Have you changed email pro- possible, so don’t be left out or behind— viders? If so, please send Marc Worm- send your current information today! ser an email at [email protected] so Please put “email change” in the sub- that he can update your information in ject line and with your name in the text of the database. To reduce postage cost your message, send it today! Thank you.

Page 14 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Texas Jewish Historical Society Grant Application The mission of the Texas Jewish Historical Society is to expand and enhance the knowledge and understanding of the Jewish presence in Texas and the history of Jews from their first arrival in the State to the present. We solicit applications for research projects that are in this spirit. Deadlines for submission are March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. Application Form

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

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

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

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

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 15 Meet Your Board

Ruthe Berman is from Katy, Texas, was born and raised in Houston. interesting careers and lives. He is an and attended the University of Texas. Charles graduated from the Univer- actor, student, soldier, teacher, colum- She worked sity of Houston with a BS degree, nist, and radio producer. He and his at Dow and American University with a MS wife, TJHS 2nd Vice President Susan Chemical as degree. He served in the U.S. Army Lewis, have two children and four a paralegal 1958-60 and 1961-62. He retired grandchildren. Bob is Publicity Chair for from the U.S. Department of Agri- for TJHS. seventeen cultural after thirty-four years of civil Joe L. McClellan is from Longview, years, service and taught horseback riding Texas. He and upon at Jewish summer camps for over and wife, retiring, twenty-five years. He is married to Barbara, grew began Jan Siegel Hart, and they have three up in Tyler, volunteering in various organizations. children and six grandchildren. He Texas, where She and her husband, Morton and Jan have been TJHS members Joe had a “Marty,” have two children and two for over thirty years. Charles is strong inter- grandchildren. She likes to travel, Chair of the Meeting Committee. est in sports cook, play Mah Jongg, and read. Joan Katz is from Houston, Texas, and music. Anita Feigenbaum grew up in and is a He began Bastrop, past pres- boxing when he was nine and boxed in Texas and ident of a Golden Gloves with good success as a graduated branch of middleweight. He has a Bachelor’s and from Bas- National Master’s degree from the University of trop High Women’s and retired after directing School, League vocal music for thirty-two years. He is the Uni- and the a member of the Longview Rotary Club versity of Lions and is very interested in World War Texas, and Club. She has been an AZA advisor, II and its history. This versatile TJHS received held many offices in Beth Yeshurun board members did oil explorations in a Master’s degree from Texas A&M. Sisterhood and Hadassah. She is Indonesia and Singapore from 1971-74. She and her husband, Leslie, have a life-time member of the Hous- Mitzi Milstein is from Longview, been married since 1983 and live in ton Livestock Show and Fort Bend Texas, and College Station, Texas. They have County Fair. Joan enjoys cooking, grew up in two children, Sarah and Ryan. Ani- and she and husband, Louis, are Dallas. She ta is currently treasurer of the Bra- co-chairs of the TJHS Gathering in is a graduate zos County Aggie Moms’ Club and Houston in April, 2019 of Hillcrest involved in her local homeowner’s Bob Lewis, aka Tumbleweed Smith, High School association. She is the daughter of is from and attended Betty and Dr. Neil Gurwitz, and a loy- Big the Uni- al TJHS board member. Spring, versity of Charles Texas. Texas, where Hart, He hosts she was a member of Sigma Delta TJHS a daily Tau sorority. She is a member of the past radio Longview Junior League, a past presi- pres- show, dent of Longview Community Theatre ident, Sound and a past president of Temple Ema- is from of Texas, nu-El. She and husband, TJHS Past Tem- where President Rusty Milstein, have three ple, but he interviews Texans about their continued on page 17

Page 16 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Your Board, continued from page 16 children, including Amy, who is Cor- Chair Vickie Vogel, travel to as many Optimist Club. He and his wife, Joyce responding Secretary of TJHS. places as they can during the year. (TJHS Recording Secretary), travel They spend most of their summers at Jack Solka, TJHS News Magazine whenever they can. He maintains the their home in Colorado. editor, was database for membership and dues and born in Mex- Helen Wilk is a naturalized Texan manages the website for TJHS. ico City and having Correction for Cynthia Wolf from immigrat- lived in Beaumont, who was highlighted in the ed to Tex- Texas for last issue. She is Memorial Resolu- as in 1945. fifty-four tion Chair of Rotary Club of Beau- He grew up years. She mont, not on the Board, and she is on in Corpus is from the Outstanding Teacher Recognition Christi, Texas, Michigan Committee of Beaumont A&M Club, and received but now not on the Board. his Bachelors in Architecture from lives in Texas A&M, and a Masters in Archi- Corpus tecture from Columbia University in Christi. . He practiced archi- She is interested in local history and Save the Date tecture for over fifty years and had his has conducted oral histories for many own firm in Corpus Christi for over Texans for TJHS archives. Helen is a forty years, where he also participat- Past President of TJHS and with her January 12-14, 2018 ed in real estate development. He is husband, Larry (now deceased), have Board Meeting in married to TJHS President Davie Lou four children and eight grandchildren. Solka, and they have three sons and Gonzales, Texas Debra Winegarten is a past president daughters-in-law and six grandchil- of TJHS dren. He and Davie Lou relocated to and lives April 13-15, 2018 Austin, Texas, in 2007. In addition to in Austin. his TJHS work, he volunteers his time Annual Gathering and Board She is an in construction management projects award-win- Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas in the Austin area and his Rotary Club. ning author He was very involved in the moving of and pub- the Brenham Historic B’nai Abraham May 3 -10, 2018 lisher with Synagogue to Austin from Brenham. nine books TJHS Panama Trip (See L. David Vogel is a native Housto- to her information on page 21.) nian, a credit and two more on the way. She retired teaches sociology at a small college in real es- north Austin. June, 2018 tate bro- Marc Wormser, TJHS past president, Workshop Board Meeting in ker, and a lives in Rockdale, Texas past pres- Pearland ident of and is an Temple “Aggie Israel in at heart.” Schulen- He has Please Note: burg. He maintains an organic gar- been a If you are sending a check den at the farm near La Grange and travel- to the Texas Jewish Histor- currently serves as a board member ing sales and vice-president of Pines and Prai- ical Society, please indicate rep for ries Land Trust. He is a volunteer Bat the purpose of the check— Levis, C.R. Gibson, gifts, and medi- Host at Orient Land Trust. He and dues, gift, contribution, etc. cal sales. He owned a recruiting firm wife, TJHS Past President and Travel and was active in scouting and the

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 17 Honor or Memorialize a Friend or a Loved One With a Donation to the TJHS Endowment Fund

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

Frapart Family, continued from page 3 honored him with a historical marker lished a letter to attract European We need Your in Matagorda, and the city of Hous- immigrants to Texas. He also pub- ton declared April 30, 1986, Albert lished an article on the history of an- Stories! Moses Levy Memorial Day, in honor ti-Semitism in the first major Jewish of Jews who participated in the fight weekly in the United States, the New for Texas independence. York Asmonean. He is credited with We are earnestly looking His brother, Lewis A. Levy, organizing the Hebrew Cemetery for stories with ties to Texas and his wife, Mary Alice, moved in Houston in 1854 and served as to Houston, Texas, where they had chairman of the Hebrew Benevolent Jewish history! Any kind of 20 children. Lewis was appointed Association. Lewis A. Levy died in story about your family history one of 3 trustees in the bankruptcy 1861 and was buried in the cemetery of , a Jewish land he helped to establish. or your Temple’s history can fill developer who brought many people Note: Buried in the Hebrew the pages of our News Maga- to settle in Texas but had financial Cemetery in Brownsville are the reverses. Lewis purchased land from following relatives of Jules Frapart: zine. Everyone has a story to Sam Houston and built a home close Ralph and Sarah May Frapart, Isa- tell, long or short. To submit to the courthouse with an additional dore and Dorothy Dorfman, Elaine 15 acres. Mary purchased land in her and Jean Wiedermann, Susan Wei- your story, or if you need help name from Jacob de Cordova at a dermann and Mildred and Henry writing your story, contact Jack time when women were not usually Fruhling. Herbert and Frances allowed to purchase land without Frapart along with the Kaisers and Solka at [email protected] or their husband’s permission. Lewis Lewises are buried in the Beth Israel 512-527-3799. was a Houston merchant and pub- Cemetery of Houston, Texas.

Page 18 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Guess This Member We finally have a winner! Debra Winegarten, Past TJHS President, guessed that this handsome accordion player is none other than David Vogel. Congratulations, Debra—your dues are now paid for 2018! Now, see who can guess our next person? This cute little guy is now a very handsome and active member of TJHS. He has carried on a family tradition, and I know they are smiling at him with all his accomplish- ments. Email your guess to Jack Solka at editor@txjhs. org or [email protected] any time beginning December 5, 2017. Entries received before that date will not be con- sidered. Previous winners and family members are not eligible to participate. Good luck!

Announcements • If your family came from restoration efforts have been org) whose mission is to the Czech Republic, and if due to the efforts of Lenka build strong connections you would like some help in Matusikove, former archi- between the Jewish commu- obtaining information, the vist at the Czech National nities of the Czech Republic following might help you. Archives, and many dona- and those elsewhere in the Contact Alexander Woodle tions from members of the world. They support the of Groton, Massachusettes Austria-Czech Special In- restoration and preservation ([email protected]) for terest Group. The museum of Jewish and further information. also has a Facebook page. synagogues in the Czech Republic. A contact person • The Tachov Archive and • Another organization C.H.A.I. (www.chaiworks. for this organization is Lisa Museum Society (TAMUS) Feder. (http://tamus. tachov.org/) • Dr. Vaclav Fred Chvatal of was recently the office of Jewish Cem- created to try eteries (http://zh.tachov. and increase the org) has been document- awareness of ing, photographing and the restoration restoring Jewish cemeteries efforts of Jewish in Bohemia. Dr. Chvatal cemeteries has published a number of in the Czech books on his restoration

work that are sold through us on the web at www.txjhs.org. Visit Republic (or www.txjhs.org Czechia). These the TAMUS Museum.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 19 Grants Awarded at the Marshall Board Meeting on October 22, 2017 Report by Hollace Weiner

Rice University: Awarded a protective masks, gloves, and boots will be used to purchase supplies to TJHS Grant of $4,000 to salvage to retrieve wet, moldy boxes and process, treat, preserve, and re-bind and preserve archival photos and binders filled with confirmation-class documents retrieved from the flood. documents damaged during Hurri- photos, synagogue bulletins, and The materials include acid-free cane Harvey at Congregation Beth board meeting minutes dating back boxes and folders, Mylar envelopes, Yeshurun and the United Orthodox many . They rescued audio gloves, masks, absorbent sheets, Synagogues of Houston. recordings of sermons and services. fans, and dehumidifiers. The grant The devastation that Hurricane These materials will become the money will also be used to hire and Harvey brought to Houston result- basis of a permanent archive at Rice train undergraduates to assist with ed in serious flood damage to the University for the study of Jewish basic preservation and cataloging archives at both institutions. In the history in Houston and surrounding tasks. days following the flooding, archi- areas. Dr. Joshua Furman, the histori- vists from Rice University donned The $4,000 that Rice requested an who applied for the TJHS grant, h a d p r e v i o u s l y p l a n n e d to develop a Houston Jewish archival collection at the In Memoriam at Lloyd Marvin Bernard Solomon Stolbun, TJHS Rice’s . The Parkans, TJHS member, died storm gave urgency to those member, died on September 18, plans and presented Rice September 19, 2017, with a dramatic reason to 2017, in Houston. in Houston. He embark on that effort with- He is survived by is survived by out delay. his children, Alan his children, Dr. Furman is also Parkans and Nancy Norma (Jonathan) focused on adding materials Parkans Ehrenkranz, sisters-in-law, Hyman, Sam to the collection. He asks brother-in-law, and a host of nieces and (Alana Spiwak) Stolbun, and Marlene that members of the TJHS nephews. (Tom) Moscoe; eight grandchildren; donate their photos, docu- and thirteen great-grandchildren. ments, minutes, and mem- Barbara Cowen Schmidt, TJHS orabilia that relate to the member, died on Marie “Mongie” Eisen Swartz, Jewry. August 2, 2017, TJHS member, Dr. Furman may be reached in Austin. She is died on August at [email protected]. survived by her 10, 2017, in children, Robert Beaumont. She Marlene Trestman: Schmidt, Edythe is survived by Awarded a TJHS grant of Michel, Rona Baizer, her husband, $3,000 to conduct interviews and Susan Disman. Leonard; children, in Texas for a collective Gary (Gail) biography about the New Morris Shapiro, TJHS member, died and Bruce; two Orleans Jewish Orphans’ on August 4, 2017, in Austin. He is grandchildren, and five great- Home, which during its survived by his wife, Elaine Novy grandchildren. 90-year history helped raise Shapiro; his children Bobby (Phyllis), more than 400 Texas chil- Ira (Diane), Mike (Kay), and Jay dren. May their memories Ms. Trestman, an author, (Shannon); fifteen grandchildren, and be a blessing. nineteen great-grandchldren. researcher, and attorney continued on page 21

Page 20 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Grants, continued from page 20 who lives in Baltimore, asked Join TJHS As We Explore the Society to underwrite a seven-day trip to Texas and to Jewish Panama pay for transcriptions of the oral histories she records. She May 3-10, 2018 became interested in this project because she was orphaned as From our base in Pana- a child and benefited from the ma City at the Radisson services of the Jewish Chil- Decapolis Hotel, we will dren’s Regional Service, the explore the country and successor to the New Orleans connect with the Jewish Orphans’ Home. community of Panama. The New Orleans Orphans’ Home provides a vista to Texas The canal! Jewish history from antebellum Aerial tram ride! times through World War II. Professionally guided Texas was second only to Lou- tours! isiana as the children’s home Explore living Indian state of origin. Beginning in cultures! 1860, when two children from Flora and Fauna! Gonzales entered the New Or- leans Home, nearly 400 Texas • Meet Rabbi Gustavo Kraselnik children from 33 different Texas • Participate in Shabbat services at Kol Shearith Israel cities and were reared • Enjoy Shabbat dinner at a local family home there. Many returned to Texas, • Visit Beth El Synagogue to meet community leaders received post-graduate degrees, • Visit Albert Einstein Jewish School and excelled in a wide range of • Our tour leader is Ariel Goldstein, who studied Latin American History in civic and professional endeav- Montevideo and tourism at Hebrew University. Ariel has led tours around ors. Best known among them the world and speaks four languages. was Edgar Goldberg, founder of the Texas Jewish Herald, who Tour organized through World Passage LTD, lived in the home from 1882 the same company that took us to Cuba three times. to 1891. The author has inter- viewed his grandson, Ed Stone Price: $2,929 per person, double occupancy of Dallas. $3,449 per person, single occupancy If you know of anyone Price includes 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners whose parents, grandparents, or Price does not include airfare to Panama great-grandparents had ties to the Orphans’ Home, please con- tact Marlene Trestman by mail Deposit Deadline $500: December 9, 2017 at [email protected]. The working title of Mar- For detailed itinerary and information on deposit and deadlines, lene Trestman’s book is The contact Vickie Vogel, TJHS Travel Chair, Most Fortunate Unfortunates: at [email protected] or 979-966-2493 The History of the Jewish Orphans’ Home of New Orle- Save Postage ans, 1856-1946—a Collective Please notify TJHS when returned to us at a post- Biography. The oral histories your address has changed age due rate of $1.52 (at conducted for this research will or if you may be temporar- printing date) per maga- be made available to the TJHS ily away from home when zine. These amounts add Collection at the Dolph Briscoe the News Magazine is to be up—it’s your money we Center for American History. delivered. These issues are are trying to save!

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 21 Morton L. & LuAnn (Stella) Katz Welcome 5400 Maple St. Mazel Tov Bellaire, TX 77401 to the following TJHS New 713-202-0559 Members Members! [email protected] Shalom Austin, Dell Commu- Leone (Meyers) Lain nity Campus, has received a Donald & Claudia (Gernsbacher) 8105 Raintree Pl. Coveted Stewardship Award from Bankler Austin, TX 78759 Preservation Austin. Preserva- 207 Briarcliff Dr. 214-773-5168 San Antonio, TX 78213 [email protected] tion Austin has been Austin’s 210-834-7923 leading voice for the preserva- [email protected] Amnon & Elaine (Steiger) Orent tion of historic buildings and places since 1953. The Jury’s Laurin & Cheryl (Klotzman) Baum 7211 Lakewood Dr., #122 Austin, TX 78750-8524 comments were, “The love and 3037 Tanglewood Parkway East commitment of Shalom Austin, Fort Worth, TX 76109 512-372-9690 [email protected] along with Brenham’s Leon and Home: 817-924-6221 Mimi Toubin, to preserving B’nai Cell: 817-366-4609 Abraham as a synagogue is phe- [email protected] Robert & Sally Rosen 3802 Shenandoah nomenal. Moving the building Jack & Annette (Adler) Corman Dallas, TX 75205 involved difficult decisions fol- 8002 Glen Albens Cir. 214-522-9425 lowed by years of hard work and Dallas, TX 75225 [email protected] fundraising, but with wonderful 214-369-6378 results.” The Texas Jewish His- [email protected] torical Society played a key role in the early fundraising effort by Keren (Ami) Johnson Directory granting $25,000 to the project. 3605 Steck Ave., #1061 Changes Austin, TX 78759 Lynn Lipsitz, Houston, who was 415-505-8190 Dr. Louis Green awarded a membership in the [email protected] c/o Brookdale Galleria United Daughters of the Con- 2929 Post Oak, #514 Harriett Denise (Abramson) Joseph federacy on the service of her Houston, TX 77056 1145 Camwood Place great-great-grandfather, Moise Brownsville, TX 78520 Sheldon Lippman & John Levy, who served in Frois’ Com- 956-882-8878 Campbell pany, 3rd Regiment European [email protected] 110 San Antonio St., #919 Brigade, , CSA. Austin, TX 78701 Robert & Janice Jucker Sheldon: 202-549-0122 10406 Memorial Dr. John: 202-460-0542 Houston, TX 77024 TJHS on 713-299-2139 If you have any changes in your [email protected] information, please contact Facebook Contributions Marc Wormser Did you know that 1601 S. Riviera TJHS has a Face- The following donations have been received by the Ct., book page? Like Texas Jewish Historical Society: Pearland, TX 77581, us at https://www. In Memory of From 832-288-3494 facebook.com/pages/ Morris Shapiro Bette Jean Cohen c2aggie@ Texas-Jewish-Historical-Society/ gmail.com In Honor of From 187629054741368. Gaylon & Marving Heckler Mark & Pixie Cohn

Page 22 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 TJHS Board of Directors

Officers Board of Trustees Board of Trustees President 2016-2018 2017-2019 Davie Lou Solka (Austin) Ruthe Berman (Katy) Elaine Albin (Rockport) 1st Vice President Judy Cassorla (Austin) Douglas Braudaway (Del Rio) Nelson Chafetz (Austin) Gordon Cizon (Dallas) Willie Braudaway (Del Rio) 2nd Vice President Anita Feigenbaum (College Station) Gayle Cannon (Austin) Susan Lewis (Big Spring) Sonny Gerber (Houston) Diedra Cizon (Dallas) Brad Greenblum (Austin) 3rd Vice President Dr. Neil Gurwitz (Bastrop) Jan Hart (Temple) Jane Manaster (Dallas) Marilyn Jorrie (Boulder, CO) Joan Katz (Houston) Morton Herman (Fort Worth) Dan Krause (Richardson) Recording Secretary Louis Katz (Houston) Joyce Wormser (Pearland) Harold “Pacey” Laves (Austin) Kay Krause (Richardson) Marilyn Lippman (Dallas) Corresponding Secretary Bob Lewis (Big Spring) Guy Manaster (Dallas) Amy Milstein (Frisco) Joe McClellan (Longview) Abbi Michelson (Lockhart) Mitzi Milstein (Longview) Treasurer Allen Mondell (Dallas) Ben Rosenberg (Sugar Land) Ruth Nathan (Houston) Cynthia Mondell (Dallas) Jack Solka (Austin) Samylu Rubin (Dallas) Historian/Archivist David Vogel (La Grange) Lynna Kay Shuffield (Houston) Sally Drayer (Dallas) Hollace Weiner (Fort Worth) Phyllis Turkel (Houston) Parliamentarian Sherry Zander (Dallas) Gary Whitfield (Fort Worth) Vickie Vogel (La Grange) Rotating Member Cynthia Wolf (Beaumont)

Past Presidents (Living Past Presidents are TJHS Traveling Exhibit members of the Board of Trustees, The Texas freight via UPS in per our By-Laws.) Jewish Historical waterproof boxes to Society has com- your location. There David Beer (Dallas) piled two museum will be the expense Sally Drayer (Dallas) quality photo ex- of prepaid freight Jack Gerrick (Fort Worth) hibits, with expla- back to the shipper nations depicting via UPS ground. Charles B. Hart (Temple) early Jewish life The exhibits Rabbi Jimmy Kessler (Galveston) and contributions. have been displayed Howard “Rusty” Milstein (Longview) Both exhibits highlight the lives of in various locations in Texas and Marvin Rich (Houston) Jews in Texas since the early part of other parts of the United States, Barbara Rosenberg (Sugar Land) the century. including Rhode Island and Califor- Each exhibit is comprised of nia. They are an excellent program Lionel Schooler (Houston) approximately thirty-six photographs for schools, congregations, and Vickie Vogel (La Grange) that can either be self-standing with other organizations. To schedule Helen Wilk (Corpus Christi) an easel back or hung on a wall. the exhibits, please contact Deidra Marc Wormser (Pearland) There is no charge for the exhibits Cizon at [email protected] or and they will be shipped prepaid 214-361-7179. Debbie Winegarten (Austin)

Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017 Page 23 NONPROFIT ORG. Texas Jewish U.S. POSTAGE PAID Historical Society HOUSTON, TX P. O. Box 10193 PERMIT NO. 1662 Austin, Texas 78766-0196

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Texas Jewish Historical Society New Membership and Information Update Form Join the Texas Jewish Historical Society today! Or use this form to update your contact information. Mail this form with your check made payable to the Texas Jewish Historical Society, P. O. Box 10193, Austin, TX 78766-0193. Please PRINT. m YES! Count me in! My dues are enclosed. m Please update my information. Check the Appropriate Box(es) m New Member Who suggested TJHS to you? m Renewing Member Name:______m Special interests, professional background, talents______Membership Category m $18 Student Member m $35 Annual Member m $100 Sponsor m $500 Benefactor m $50 Supporting Member m $250 Sustaining Member m $1,000 Patron Name(s):______Maiden Name:______Address:______City:______State:______Zip:______Phone: ______Fax:______Cell: ______Email:______Website:______Contributions to the Texas Jewish Historical Society are tax deductible within the limits of the law. Page 24 Texas Jewish Historical Society - November 2017