THE SELMA S. LEWIS COLLECTION
Memphis and Shelby County Room
Memphis & Shelby County Public Library & Information Center
3030 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111
Collection Processed by Krystle Savage
University of Memphis
2002 1
SCOPE AND PROVENANCE
The Selma Lewis Collection was given to the Memphis and Shelby County
Public Library and Information Center by her daughter, Jane Lewis Ross in April of 2000. The collection includes a wide range of newspaper clippings and correspondence, with some photographs and publications. The greater portion of the collection is composed of local Jewish history and biographies. Also included are manuscript copies of The Angel of Beale Street: a Biography of Julia
Ann Hooks; A Biblical People in the Bible Belt: the Jewish Community of
Memphis, Tennessee, 1840s-1960s; and Lewis’ dissertation “Social Religion and the Sanitation Strike.” She also wrote “Diversification and Unity, MIFA, 1968-
1988,” a study of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association.
Also of importance are the transcripts of oral interviews with representative members of the African American community, which were conducted by Selma Lewis and Marjean Kremer in 1978 as part of the research for the Pink Palace Museum exhibit “Historic Black Memphians.” These transcripts were given to the Library by Mrs. Lewis during her lifetime. In summary, the collection provides significant information pertaining to the history and life of the Jewish and African American communities of Memphis.
2
SELMA SELIGMAN LEWIS
1922- 2000
Selma Seligman Lewis, a woman who enriched the lives of all she knew, grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt
University. She later earned a Master’s and PhD in American History at the
University of Memphis. In 1942, Selma and her husband Marshall Lewis moved to Memphis where they reared three children. After years of working to raise public awareness of social issues, Lewis became the first female president of
Jewish Family Services in 1962. She was a Vista volunteer for the Metropolitan
Inter- Faith Association (MIFA) and a coordinator of the Memphis Coalition for the Homeless in 1972. Mrs. Lewis also worked with Myra Dreifus and others in
Memphis to organize the Fund for Needy School Children, which she chaired from 1972-1974. This program helped to provide free or reduced cost lunches for many area school children.
Over the years, Mrs. Lewis served on numerous boards, including the
Memphis College of Art, the Memphis Literacy Council, the Mental Health
Society of Memphis and Shelby County, Theatre Memphis, and Facing History
3
and Ourselves. She was also president of the Jewish Historical Society of
Memphis and the Mid-South. In 1993, Mrs. Lewis was the recipient of the
Women of Achievement Steadfastness Award.
She wrote two books, as well as articles for scholarly publications. Her books include The Angel of Beale Street: a Biography of Julia Ann Hooks, co- authored with Marjean Kremer, and A Biblical People in the Bible Belt: The
Jewish Community of Memphis, Tennessee, 1840’s-1960’s.
Selma Lewis died March 2, 2002, the result of an automobile accident.
She was mourned by family and her many friends who described Selma as a courageous woman who made the city a better place. She is survived by two daughters, Susan Lewis and Jane Lewis Ross; a son, James Marshall Lewis Jr.; a sister, Sally Gilbert, a brother, Ewing Seligman, and three grandchildren. Her husband predeceased her in 1996.
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SELMA SELIGMAN LEWIS COLLECTION
Box I
Folder Items Subject
1 1 Evaluation of Historic Black Memphians Exhibit
5 /15/1980--An evaluation of the “Historic Black Memphians” exhibit. Prepared for the Tennessee Committee for the Humanities, Inc.
2 3 Jewish Biographies-General
1980—A Biography of the Campol Family
1989—“The Federal Tyrant at Memphis: General Stephen A. Hurlburt and the Union Occupation of West Tennessee, 1862-64.”
12/1/1991—The Links That Bind: A Family History
n.d.—personal biography related by Joseph Exellulad
3 20 Jewish Biography- Local (A-K)
Rabbi Arie Becker Philp Belz Nat Buring Josephine Burson Sam Cooper Eric Cornell Myra Dreifus Abe Fortas Elmer Gattan William Gerber Leo Goldberger Jacob Goldsmith Maximillian Goltman Rabbi Micah Greenstein Marcus Haase Birdie Higgins
5
Nina Katz Alan Kraut
4 21 Jewish Biography- Local (L-Z)
Rabbi Mark Levin Dr. Louis Levy William Lowenberg Elias Lowenstein Sam Margolin Nathan Menken Louis Morris Isaac Myers Judy Peiser Peres Family Abe Plough Rabbi Max Samfield Henry Sessel Leo Seligman Dr. and Mrs. Neuton Stern Rabbi James Wax Sam Weintraub Frederick Wolf
5 3 Jewish Biography–Halle Family
Notes on first, second, and third generations of the Halle family.
Family tree of the Halle family.
Brief history of Oak Hall (Halle family business).
6 Angel of Beale Street-Correspondence pertaining to relationship between Julia Hooks and Robert Church, Sr.
5/14/1984 – From Ernest Williams III, Attorney for the Church family. Discusses the fictionalized relationship between Hooks and Church that is offensive to both families.
6
5/16/1984 – From Phyllis Tickle, Senior Editor at St. Luke’s Press. Reassures Mr. Williams that subject of the fictionalized relationship will be handled before it is blown out of proportion.
5/21/1984--From Ernest Williams III, Attorney representing the Church family. Thanks Selma for her willingness to delete the fictionalized romance between Hooks and Church.
6/5/1984—From Phyllis Tickle, Senior Editor at St. Luke’s Press. Expresses her regards to the Hooks family about the re-writing of the Hooks and Church relationship in the autobiography. Reassures the family that the matter has been corrected.
6/5/1984--From Ernest Williams III, Attorney representing the Church family. Again, this letter thanks Selma Lewis for willingness to delete the offensive material.
6/5/1984—From Phyllis Tickle, Senior Editor at St. Luke’s Press. Explains to Mr. Williams that the authors have no intent to include capricious events in any book. Also explains that Lewis and Kremer are very skilled researchers who are accurate in their work. Wants Roberta Church to be reassured so the autobiography can be published.
6/25/1984-- From Ernest Williams III, Attorney representing the Church family. Outlines the entire problem and how the authors have decided to resolve the matter.
7 7 Jewish History-Bonds & Deeds
10/1/1866—Shows the amount of money that was taken up during offering at the Congregation Beth El Emeth.
12/3/1866—On this day, Mr. Frank was appointed administrator of the estate of Jacob Goetz.
7
2/4/1866—Congregation Beth El Emeth is due $100.00 for the burial of Jacob Goetz.
3/10/1867—States that Nathan Marcus paid $41.12 to the now deceased Jacob Goetz who was acting as an agent for Langsdorf and Rosenstein.
11/12/1867—A marble headstone was purchased by Mr. Frank for the deceased Jacob Goetz.
10/1/1868—Concerning the estate of Louis Levy, $400.00 was to be paid by the executors of the estate.
10/1/1868—Gives title of a barber shop located on Adams Avenue to L. Levy.
8 40 Jewish History-Correspondence
5/10/1933—From Charles Haase to Don McKellar. He requests the assistance of McKellar to assist an immigrant from Germany to come to the United States.
5/15/1933—From Don McKellar. Replies to Mr. Haase stating that he will look into the matter about assisting the immigrant.
12/13/1934—From Mr. Blumenfield to the American Consul in Germany. Explains that he is financially able to support Mr. Loeb if Loeb is given his visa.
4/6/1935—From Hardwig Peres to Don McKellar. Requests McKellar to send a copy of his letter to the American Cousul in Germany to facilitate Mr. Loeb’s departure.
4/29/1935—From Samuel Honaker, American Consul General. Explains to McKellar why Mr. Loeb was denied his visa.
8
5/20/1935—From Hardwig Peres. Thanks McKellar for his letter of the 15th.
5/22/1935—From Hardwig Peres. Explains to McKellar that the Blumenfields are capable of helping Mr. Loeb financially if he is allowed to come to the United States.
5/25/1935—From Don McKellar. Advises Peres to have sworn statements made by the Blumenfields stating that they are financially able to support and assist Mr. Loeb.
11/16/1935-- From Samuel Honaker, American Consul General. Advises McKellar that even though he is still trying to help Mr. Loeb, Loeb will not be granted a visa.
12/19/1935-- From Samuel Honaker, American Consul General. Writes McKellar that the denial of Mr. Loeb’s visa will not be reversed.
5/26/1936—From Don McKellar. Advises Mr. Peres that there is nothing that more that he can do in the matter concerning Mr. Loeb.
5/13/1940—From unknown writer to Bertrand Cohn. Affirms that he will do everything in his power to help Dr. Schirokauer to obtain a lucrative position.
7/12/1941—From Dr. Schirokauer. Expresses his gratitude to Dr. Charles Diehl for his kindness while Schirokauer was working on his apprenticeship at Southwestern College in Memphis.
7/24/1941—From Dr. Diehl. Expresses his pleasure in working with Dr. Schirokauer during his short time at Southwestern.
3/26/1965—From unknown to a Mr. Warren. Letter describes what happened in Montgomery, Alabama during a Civil Rights demonstration.
9
10/18/1987—From Nathan Kaganoff of the American Jewish Historical Society. Informs Mrs. Harriet Stern that they do have the records she is looking for and refers her to someone else who may be of help with her research.
12/16/1987—From Nathan Kaganoff of the American Jewish Historical Society. Informs Mrs. Lewis that a number of Jewish histories have been written and offers information about other communities in Tennessee. Includes titles of several histories that have appeared in the last few years.
2/1988-From Lynette Wrenn. Refers Selma to the Daily Appeal of 1885 for information on Julia Hooks.
4/21/1988—From Robert Pinstein, Chairman of the Education & Culture Budget Committee. Declines the request for funding made to the Directors of the Memphis Jewish Foundation by Harriet Stern for Jewish history project.
5/3/1988—From Amy Baskin, Director of Special Events at MIFA. Announces events planned for the celebration of MIFA’s anniversary.
10/6/1988—From Abraham J. Peck, Administrative Director for the American Jewish Archives. Writes that he is pleased to know Mrs. Lewis will be doing work on the Memphis Jewish community and offers his assistance.
11/14/1988—From Rabbi Rafael Grossman to the Memphis-Plough Community Foundation. Endorses Selma Lewis’ work on the Jewish Community of Memphis and requests grant funds.
5/8/1989—From Pat Lane, Deputy Director for the Tennessee Humanities Council. Announces that the Council has approved a grant for the project “Jewish Immigration: Memphis, A Mirror of the Mid-South.”
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5/23/1989—From Selma Lewis. Thanks Dr. Alan Kraut for returning her phone calls. Expresses her hope that he will be keynote speaker at the conference “Jewish Immigration: Memphis, A Mirror of the Mid-South.”
5/26/1989—From Murray Reiter. Letter sent out to prospects that have been selected to serve on the committee for Temple Israel Cemetery.
6/11/1989—From Selma Lewis to Dr. Abraham Peck. American Jewish Archives. Lewis makes a request for more material related to the history of the Memphis Jewish community.
7/5/1989—From Alan Kraut, Professor of History at The American University. Accepts Mrs. Lewis’ invitation to be keynote speaker at the Memphis conference on October 29th.
7/10/1989—From Selma Lewis to Pat Lane. Provides Ms. Lane with a complete list of speakers for her approval.
11/22/1989—From Murray Reiter. Requests loan of photo album for Temple Israel. Also requests help with a speaking engagement he has committed to.
5/2/1990—From Norm Flayderman of N. Flayderman & Co., Inc. Requests help from Selma Lewis regarding his search for information on David C. Lowenstine. (2 pictures included)
8/14/1991—From Ronald Sklar. Offers information to Selma Lewis about Professor Schlesinger’s Kaddish cup.
11/4/1991—From Elizabeth Kesler, College Archivist at Rhodes College. Offers information about Dr. Arno Schirokauer. Also encloses a brief article about the Israel H. Peres Scholarship.
11
11/18/1991-- From Elizabeth Kesler, College Archivist at Rhodes College. Apologizes to Mrs. Lewis for not being able to send her copies of the information that she requested because document is so fragile it may be ruined if photocopied.
12/30/1991—From Gid H. Smith, President of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. Offers a correction regarding Mr. Abe Plough.
3/6/1993—From Harriet [Stern]. Offers to critique one of Selma Lewis’ manuscripts.
12/4/1996—From Carol Van West of the Tennessee Historical Society. Invites Selma Lewis to prepare entries for their new publishing project.
5/15/1998—From Andrew Manis, Editor at Mercer University Press. Suggests changes that Selma Lewis make to her work.
8/8/1998—From Paul Gaston. Tthanks Selma Lewis for her generosity during his visit to Memphis.
11/2/1998—From Rabbi Micah Greenstein. Requests Selma Lewis to update history of Temple Israel at the place where Norman Shapiro left off.
n.d.—From Jackie Trabish to Dr. Andrew Manis, Mercer University Press. Writes that her family should have been included in Lewis’ book.
9 2 Jewish History - General
Fact sheet about the American Jewish Historical Society located in Massachusetts.
“Women in the Bible” relates the history of Jewish women in the Bible and the role they played. Also compares and contrasts Jewish and non-Jewish women.
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10 10 Jewish History-Local
“Memphis Jews and Civil War Issues” by Lawrence Meyers. Educational Director, Temple Israel.
“A Miracle in Memphis” An account of the miraculous cure of Mary Hodges.
“Jewish Immigration” by Emily Baer.
1976 Census of the Jewish population in Memphis, Tennessee.
B’nai B’rith 50th Anniversary Medallion.
Story of the Pinch District by David Yawn.
“The History of the Jewish community in Memphis” by Julian Cohen.
News Release. Announcement regarding the history of the Memphis Jewish Community to be showcased at City Hall.
Untitled. Paper giving an account of the first Jews in Memphis.
Copy of a letter that was signed by the Jewish citizens of Memphis during the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1873.
11 1 Jewish History-Southern Jewry
“Southern Jewry: An Account of Jewish Progress and Achievement in the Southland.”
12 7` Jewish Organizations-Local
Memphis Section, National Council of Jewish Women.
History of local Jewish organization by unknown.
13
News Release: Donation of a large American flag to Baptist Hospital by the Corporal Harry Washer Jewish War Veterans Post #121.
Exhibit: Southern Jewish Historical Society, October 18-20, 1985, Peabody Hotel, Magnolia Room and Alonzo Locke Room.
Constitution of Association of Church Social Workers, December 20, 1945.
Jewish Men’s & Women’s Organization Presidents (listing of names, addresses, and telephone numbers).
History of the B’nai B’rith Home.
13 6 Jewish Organizations-Temple Israel
Brief history of Temple Israel.
Testimonial Service led by Rabbi James A. Wax honoring Past Presidents of Temple Israel congregation.
History of Rabbis who have served at Temple Israel.
A History of the Temple Israel Cemetery.
Temple Israel Cemetery, Proposed Rules and Regulations.
“Our Rabbis and Their Times,” by Norman Shapiro.
14 5 Jewish Research
“Exodus to America.” Keynote lecture at conference on “Jewish Immigration: Memphis a Mirror of the Mid- South.”
2/3/85 “The Past Still Present.”
14
“I & K: The Second Dialogue,” by Irvin Kremen.
Journal of American Ethnic History , Vol. 6, No 1. “Jewish Community Histories.” (1986).
“Jewish Religious Life in the South and in the North during the War Between the States, as Reflected in the Following Congregational Minutes, 1861-1865,” by Howard Greenstein.
15 4 Jewish Research Project Proposals
The Jews of the Mississippi Delta: An Oral History.
Proposal to the Memphis Historical Society. Addresses the issue that it is urgent to begin to gather information about the history of the Jews in Memphis.
Plan for writing a history of the Memphis Jewish Community.
Report to the Memphis Jewish Federation: Plan for writing a history of the Memphis Jewish Community (detailed & dated).
16 12 Julia Hooks Family History
Short outline of The Angel of Beale Street. A Biography of Julia Britton Hooks.
Julia B. Hooks, a short biography.
Julia Britton Hooks and Benjamin Lawson Hooks.
Julia Anne Amanda Morehead Britton Werle Hooks, The Angel of Beale Street (biographical facts).
“Duty of the Hour,” by Mrs. Julia A. Hooks.
Origins of the Marshall & Keith family with family tree included.
15
“Brief overview of the involvement of the Robert R. Church family, W.C. Handy, T. H. Hayes, T.O. Fuller and Julia Hooks in the life of Memphis.”
Slavery Times in Kentucky, by J. Winston Jr. Chapel Hill: U of NC Press, 1940.
John Marshall: A Life in Law, by Leonard Baker.
Notes written by Selma Lewis regarding Julia Hooks.
n.d.--Letter sent to Selma Lewis from her editor at St. Luke’s Press requesting some manuscript changes regarding the race of Julia Hooks father. Lewis is advised to balance the manuscript.
1/13/1984—Agreement from St. Luke’s Press concerning the publication of “Angel of Beale Street.”
17 1 Memphis Women of Achievement
Women of Achievement, 1987 Heritage Award, Honoring Ida B. Wells and Myra Dreifus.
18 13 Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association
‘’Diversification and Unity” MIFA: 1968--988.
“Hands–On and Hands-Up,” MIFA:1968--998.
3/21/1987-From Selma Lewis to Connie. Explains the history and significance of MIFA. Informs Connie that she is preparing to write the history of MIFA.
MIFA’s Board of Directors 1988-1998.
“Dramatic Moments,” MIFA’s Founding.
MIFA’S Program Expenditures—“The MIFA Story.”
16
Reelfoot Center--Rev. Dale Mills, Director.
Listing of the members of the Downtown Church Tour Committee.
4/11/1998--Agenda from Downtown Church Tour Committee Meeting.
Program Summary of MIFA.
Information from the MIFA newsletter on a monthly basis from May 1980-May 1983.
Selma Lewis, hand-written notes on MIFA newsletter.
MIFA’s mission statement along with their goals.
19 10 Mirror of the South
Press release announcing the conference to be held October 29, 1989 at Memphis State University.
Undated. Thank you letter from Selma Lewis to those who have agreed to be on the committee to draft a grant for submission to the Tennessee Humanities Council.
9/27/1989—Memorandum from Jeanne Dreifus to the Bornbllum Judaic Studies Committee, announcing the conference.
Grant application for conferences and workshops.
Project Personnel Form—Includes a list of the facilitators and their backgrounds.
Final report on the conference prepared for the Tennessee Humanities Council.
Study guide for workshop leaders.
Focus questions for workshop participants.
17
An evaluation of “Jewish Immigration: Memphis A Mirror of the South” prepared for the Tennessee Humanities Council.
Report to the Memphis Plough Foundation.
20 3 Miscellaneous History
The Hebrew Cemetery.
The Memphis Academy of Arts, 1936-1949.
Letter to Abraham Lincoln.
21 3 Southville Survey and Results
Southville Jewish Attitudes Survey.
Report of Highlights from the Southville Survey of Jewish Attitudes.
Southville Survey of Jewish Attitudes: A summary report of findings.
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS
22 5 Civil Rights Movement – Jewish Participation
“The Birmingham Resolution,” from the Rabbinical Assembly Proceedings,1963.
“United Synagogue Review,” summer 1963.
“To Birmingham, and Back,” Conservative Judaism Magazine, Vol. 18, (1963).
“Journey to Understanding, Conservative Judaism Magazine, Vol. 19, (1965).
“Witness for Freedom,” by Joel Yor.
18
23 3 Angel of Beale Street
Spring, 1980- Cross Reference, “Historic Black Memphians.”
4/18/1986—Commercial Appeal, “New Book is Tribute a Beautiful Woman.”
4/20/1986—Commercial Appeal, “Heroine’s Life, City Bigotry Reconstructed”
24 31 Jewish Biography (A-M)
Tillie Alperin Rabbi Arie Becker Bertha & Laverne Cohen Leonard Cohen Sam Cooper Dave Dermon Myra Dreifus Abe Fortas Leo Goldberger Max Goltman Charles Haase Naomi Haimsohn Phil A. Halle Ethel Joyner Morris Lewis Rabbi Mark Levin Louis Levy Henry Loeb William Lowenberg Benedict Lowenstein Nathan Menken Isaac Myers Max Myers
25 17 Jewish Biography (N-Z)
Hardwig Peres Jacob Peres
19
Ike Samelson Leo Seligman Abe Scharff Sam Shankman Abe Simon Samuel Steinberg Sarah Tenebaum Abe Waldauer Albert Weiler Flora Witt Abe Wurzburg Seymour Wurzburg Otto Zahn
26 3 Jewish Biography-Abe Plough
9/15/84--Commercial Appeal, “City Mourns Abe Plough’s Death.”
n.d.--Commercial Appeal, “Donations by Heirs to Abe Plough’s Work Run Silent, Run Deep.”
n.d.--Commercial Appeal, “Plough Linked Gifts To A Challenge.”
27 5 Jewish Biography-Rabbi James A. Wax
3/30/1989—Commercial Appeal, “Wax Collection Traces Civic, Religious Roles.”
10/19/1989—Commercial Appeal, “Friends Recall Legacy of Wax.”
n.d.—Commercial Appeal, “Tributes Praise Service Of Rabbi.”
n.d.—Commercial Appeal, “Good Citizen, Rabbi Leaves Example of Rich Life.”
West Tennessee Historical Society Papers. “The Jews of Memphis 1860-1865,” by Rabbi James Wax.
20
28 11 Jewish Biography-Sigmund Schlesinger
4/17/1906—Letter to the President and Board of Trustees about the death of Schlesinger.
n.d. “Professor Schlesinger.”
n.d. “Death of Professor Sigmund Schlesinger.”
“Sigmund Schlesinger Kiddush Cup.”
“Sigmund and Jacob Schlesinger and Joseph Bloch: Civil War Composers and Musicians,” by William Tuckman.
“From Mobile’s Past, Sketches of Memorable People and Events,” by Erwin Craig.
“The Modern Renaissance of Jewish Music,” by Albert Weisser.
“Jewish Music in its Historical Development,” by A. Z. Idelsohn.
“Jews in Music,” by Artur Holde.
Self-portrait of Sigmund Schlesinger.
“Impressive Ceremonies In Memory of the Late Professor Schlesinger.”
29 11 Jewish Businesses
1/6/1938—Jewish Charity Helps Prepare Exiles from Foreign Tyranny.
11/6/1958—Hebrew Watchman, “45 Years of Growth Mark Tri-State Press Story.”
5/17/1982—Commercial Appeal, “As Area Ebbs, Flows Abraham’s Deli Just Modifies the Menu.”
21
9/21/1989—Commercial Appeal, “Retirement to Close Goodman Era.”
Spring 1990—The Belz Report.
1/3/1991—Commercial Appeal, “School Was Memorial to Principal.”
1/13/1991—Commercial Appeal, “Family is Future For Mednikow Jewelers at 100.”
“Daily News Record Comes to Oak Hall.”
Brochure on Belz Enterprises.
Pamphlet on Wurzburg Bros., Inc.
Brochure on Wurzburg Bros., Inc.
30 10 Jewish History-General
5/7/1914—Commercial Appeal, “Jews Cheer Pleas for Rockefeller.”
2/12/1991—Commercial Appeal, “Success Divides Jewish World.”
The Jewish People: A Pictorial History.
My South—and Yours, by Paul Gaston.
Your True Marcus: the Civil War Letters of A Jewish Colonel, by Franke L. Byrne and Jean Powers Soman
“Young Abe Fortas,” by Berkley Kalin.
“The Braided Identity of Southern Jewry,” by Stephen J. Winfield.
Jewish Encyclopedia: “Memphis”
“The Humor of Hate,” by Ruth Mason.
22
“Jewish Presence during the Civil War.”
The New York Review, “What Future for American Jews?”
31 40 Jewish History-Local
5/2/1915--Commercial Appeal, “Contestants Who Will Represent Central High School In The Three-State Declamation Contests Next Friday.”
11/12/1986----New York Times, “Jews In The South Are Taking Action To Rescue Their Past.”
4/7/88--Commercial Appeal, “Jews Came to Memphis in the 1840’s.’
12/6/1990--Commercial Appeal, “Immigrants Established Miracle.”
7/25/1991--Commercial Appeal, “Women Took Command of River Boats.”
11/28/1991--Commercial Appeal, “Jews Seek Survival in the South.”
11/12/92--Commercial Appeal, “German Settlers Made Impact on Memphis.”
Commercial Appeal, “Special Bond as Jews Look South.”
“A History of Zionism in Memphis,” by S. Shankman.
Commercial Appeal, “Study of Jews’ Coming To Memphis Will Be Topic.”
Commercial Appeal, “Bygone Days.”
“The Recent Past.”
“Echoes of …,” by Steve Stern.
23
“Pinch,” August 1977.
“Pinch,” September 1977.
“Pinch,” October 1977.
“Lead Champion Girl Scout Troop.”
“Jews in Early Mississippi,” by Rabbi Leo Turitz and Evelyn Turitz.
Lox & Grits: An Ethnic Heritage Survey of the Mid- South.
“Our First Century.”
“The Jews.”
Memphis Jewish History.
Memphis Jewish History-cont’d.
Commercial Appeal, “Supporting the Arts: An Article of Faith.”
Commercial Appeal, “Young Jews Rediscover Religion of Ancestors, Become Orthodox.”
Commercial Appeal, “Jewish History Is Integral Part West’s Advance.”
Commercial Appeal “Judaism on Decline In Towns.”
Memphis Jewish History
Memphis Jewish History-cont’d
“Small Town South Clings to Jewish History.” n.d. Commercial Appeal, “St. Joseph Took Social Steps With Pioneering Care.”
24
n.d. Commercial Appeal, “It’s Day Of Sorrow, Thanks.”
n.d. Commercial Appeal, “Early Pinch.”
n.d. Commercial Appeal, City Shows True Colors.”
“Rescuing Southern Jews Past.”
West Tennessee Historical Society Papers, “The Jews of Memphis:1860-1865,” by Rabbi James Wax.
32 13 Jewish History-Seminars & Programs
“Jewish Immigration: Memphis A Mirror of the South.”
“The Jewish Experience in the South.”
“Conference on Southern Jewish History.”
“The Feast Of Constance And Her Companions: The Martyrs Of Memphis 1878” (Episcopal Church--the program recognized Jewish service in the 1878 yellow fever epidemic.)
“Performers To Enhance Sisterhood Luncheon”
“Lox and Grits: A Jewish Sense of Place In The South.”
“9th Annual Conference on the Southern Jewish Experience.”
“Danzig 1939: Treasures of A Destroyed Community.”
“Women’s Plea for Soviet Jews.”
“Hadassah Messenger.”
Memphis Jewish Home—“65 Years of Serving the Elderly and Onward Into the 21st Century.”
25
33 36 Jewish Organizations
Solomon Schecter Day School of Memphis.
Jewish Student Union Building.
Temple Israel Cemetery.
5/2/1915—Commercial Appeal, “Jewish Public of Memphis to Dedicate Baron Hirsch Temple.”
1/29/1927—Press-Scimitar, “Progress of Congregation Children of Israel Told In Pictures.”
11/17/1934—Press Scimitar, “Children of Market Square Go In For Reading.”
10/12/41—Commercial Appeal, “Half A Century of Service.”
4/16/1944—Commercial Appeal, “50th Anniversary Celebration by Temple Israel Congregation Will Commemorate Early Faith.”
11/6/1945—Commercial Appeal, “Bearman Is Chosen Temple Israel Head.”
9/6/48—Commercial Appeal, “Salon Circle to Continue Aid, Expand Its Cultural Program.”
“Woman’s Work in Tennessee.”
3/19/1950—Commercial Appeal, “Brown Dresses or Not, They’re All Good Scouts.”
10/5/1951—Commercial Appeal, “Temple Dedicates Vestry and School To Glory Of God.”
10/12/1951—Commercial Appeal, “Temple to Dedicate Its School Building.”
11/10/1952—Commercial Appeal, “Temple Israel Reaches 100: Congregation Names Officers.”
26
3/6/1967—Commercial Appeal, “Synagogue Dedication Unfolds Ageless Splendor.”
8/27/1988—Commercial Appeal, “New Synagogue To Be Dedicated By Orthodox Jews.”
2/3/1989—Commercial Appeal, “Pupils From Different Backgrounds to Get Together.”
4/20/1989—Commercial Appeal, “Sandy Lewis’ Efforts for Historic Jewish Neighborhood House To Transform Facility into Beautiful Modern Day Care Center.”
1/27/1990—Commercial Appeal, “Council Honors 3 Humanitarians.”
5/9/1991--Hebrew Watchman, “Salon Circle Celebrates Its 100th Birthday.”
9/29/1991—New York Times, “Southern Towns Losing Jews but Keeping History.”
10/31/1991—Hebrew Watchman, “Anshei Sphard- Beth El Emmeth to Honor Rabbi Nathan Greenblatt at Banquet.”
3/24/1998—Commercial Appeal, “Jewish School To Provide New Option.” n.d. Commercial Appeal, “Art Heritage Of City Built By Local Gifts.”
“Accomplishments of Regina Lodge.”
“Sam Schloss Lodge to Honor Dud Kapell At Buffet Dinner.”
“MSU Gift Will Establish Judaic Studies Program.”
“Salon Circle.”
“Baron Hirsch Congregation.”
27
“Portraits of the Pinch” by Steve Stern.
“Lichterman Nature Center 1980-Present.”
“The Arbeiter Farband.”
“One Hundred Years of B’nai B’rith.”
Temple Israel Cemetery.
Temple Israel Cemetery—“Our First Century 1854- 1954.”
1989—Memphis Jewish Community Center.
34 36 Jewish Photographs
Ferdinand and Johanna Lowenberg
“Building the Center in 1950.”
Elias Lowenstein
Unidentified Male
Leo Goldberger
Nina Katz
Rabbi Maximillian Samfield
Jacob Peres
Israel Peres
Hardwig Peres
Collection of Unidentified Photos
Tombstone of Samuel Andrews
Congregation B’nai Israel
28
Temple Israel
Marker for the Pinch District
Window of Anshei Sphard-- Beth El Emeth
Baron Hirsch Synagogue
Joseph Newburger Home (now the Memphis Theological Seminary)
Lowenstein Section of Cemetery Congregation B’nai Israel
Peres Plot at the Cemetery of Congregation B’nai Israel
Lowenstein House
Abraham Chapel at Baron Hirsch Cemetery
Boy Scout Troop on Baron Hirsch Temple steps, 1917
Abe Plough
Rabbi James A. Wax
Officers and Members of the board, Baron Hirsch Congregation, 1941
Back room of the Bass family tailoring shop
Unidentified Photographs (7)
Photocopy of a request for someone to attend a meeting at the Congregation Children of Israel.
Baron Hirsch Talmud Torah, circa 1916
35 33 Jewish Publications-Magazines & Newsletters
The B’nai B’rith International Jewish Monthly, June-July 1990.
29
The Peabody Treasurer—September 1990.
Jewish Historical Society of Memphis & the Mid-South September 1987-October 1989.
Southern Jewish Heritage January 1990 – Spring 1999.
Southern Jewish Historical Society Newsletter July 1986.
Temple Israel Voice, October 1988, December 1988, October 1989.
“In Plain View: the Collages of Irwin Kremen.”
BOX II Oral Interviews-Transcripts
Folder Items Subject
1 1 Idonia Anderson - Female Minister at Boyd Street AME Zion. -Spoke of Amanda Ballard as the only other female minister she knew of in this area.
2 1 Amanda Ballard -Attended Wright’s School Of Religion. -Minister.
3 1 Harriet Braithwaite -Worked with William Foote. -Taught at Klondike and Vance. -Husband was a dentist. -Youngest child died at Fisk University. -Member of Hiawatha Club. -Bob Church founded the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Congregation (colored).
4 1 Mary Riley Brooks -Graduated from Booker T. Washington High- School and LeMoyne-Owen College.
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-Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. -Member of Tabernacle Baptist. -Took music lessons from Julia Hooks.
5 1 Geneva Cooper -Speaks of Vance Library burning down. -Vance Library was the only library at the time that had a copy of “The Baptists of Tennessee” by Dr. T. O. Fuller. -Oates Funeral Home. -Named several people who should be included in the exhibit.
6 1 Claiborne Davis -Father was the first black licensed contractor in Memphis. -Grandfather owned the only black market in Corinth, Miss. -Ed Sadler organized Black Union. -TVA on Poplar wanted his father to be Superintendent but he was rejected because he was black. -Samuel F, Scott famous black architect built Thomas Hayes and Harry T. Cash’s funeral home. Also built Union Protective Life Insurance building and First Baptist Church on Lauderdale.
7 1 Dorothy Dean -Took piano lessons from Julia Hooks.
8 1 Charles Dinkins -President of LeMoyne Owen College. -Involved in the Merger of Owen College and LeMoyne College.
9 1 Minnie Echols -Retired school teacher from Melrose High. -Talks about bussing in Memphis. -Attended Rust College. -In the1940’s married teachers were not hired.
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10 1 Daisy Finney and Earline Green -Father purchased 8 lots for all his children to have their own homes. -Grandfather owned a shoe shop in Orange Mound.
11 1 N.J. Ford -Grandfather founded what is today Geeter Middle School. -Discusses how his family came into the funeral business. -Both whites and blacks patronize his business. -All of his children except for one attended Tennessee State University. -Fords Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church was named after his grandfather Newton Ford. -Discusses the tricks and trades of the funeral business. -White funeral homes versus black funeral homes.
12 1 Sabel Hardaway -Once a teacher at Ellendale Elementary, when married women were not allowed to teach. -Mother was one of the founders of the Eastern Star in Memphis. -Member of the Eastern Star—elected Worthy Matron in 1924.
13 1 Mary Harris -All her siblings, including Mary, attended Booker T. Washington High School. -Attended Twilight Beauty School in Memphis to earn a degree in cosmetology. -Speaks of Robert Wright who was an important man in the black community. -Member of the Alpha Church for 26 years.
14 1 Thomas H. Hayes -Father attended Howe Institute under Rev. T. O. Fuller.
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-Attended Atlanta University when George Washington Carver was there as a professor. -Booker T. Washington was a friend of his father. -Purchased the Birmingham Black Barons.
15 1 Sam Helm -Unable to attend Meharry Medical School because blacks had to have a recommendation from a doctor in the 1920’s. -Speaks of Dr. Willie Herenton running for School Superintendent. -Says that Lucie Campbell was a great humanitarian and musician.
16 1 Louis Hobson -Attended Howe Institute under Dr. Fuller. -Became principal at Lester Elementary in 1949. -Whites began to be bussed to Lester in 1971. -Bishop Durick integrated all Catholic schools in the mid to late sixties. -Hobson was one of the first blacks to serve on the Memphis Committee on Community Relations. -Blair Hunt, Hollis Price, Maceo Walker, and A.C. Williams along with Hobson were the first blacks to serve on the board of the Memphis Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews in the 1960’s.
17 1 Jewel Hulbert -Ex-employee of the Memphis World which went out of business because it was under improper management. -The Tri-State Defender grew out of the Memphis World. -States that Benjamin Hooks was big supporter of the Memphis World because he did not like the Tri-State Defender because the business was not fair to people.
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18 1 Fred Hutchins -Attended LeMoyne School. -Letter Carrier Association was founded by John Love. -Primrose club for boys was organized in 1906. -Speaks about the lynching on the curve. -Shows pictures as he speaks of the history of Memphis.
BOX III Oral Interviews-Transcripts
Folder Items Subject
1 1 Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Jackson -Members of St. Stephens Baptist Church for 57 years. -State that Rev. Campbell is the best minister in Memphis. -Speak of Bob Church and the Republicans.
2 1 Erma Laws -Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. -States that organizations like the Links and Girlfriends were more socially involved than the Greek organizations. -Prefers that only those who are deceased be in the exhibit at the Pink Palace Museum. -Son was one of the founders of the Top Hat and Tails Club. -Speaks about blacks prospering and moving into white neighborhoods.
3 1 Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Lee -Mr. Lee’s great grandfather was the famous Robert E. Lee. -Black man was lynched in Haywood County for organizing a chapter of the NAACP. -Advocates for equal opportunity. -Son was one of the students who integrated East High School.
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4 1 Fannie Maxwell -States that there used to be a slave plantation located on Holmes Rd. and Stateline Rd. -Dislikes the way the NAACP treated her when she was working for them. -Speaks of Maxine Smith calling Mr. Freeman, Superintendent of Schools, a “honkey” at a school board meeting.
5 1 Mildred Moore -Father was a dentist and a mail carrier for 32 years.
6 1 Dr. Hollis Price -President of LeMoyne Owen College. -Worked the election in 1948 against Crump. -Integrated every board in the city of Memphis -Hosted concerts at Lemoyne Owen College students of all races. -Stated that the NAACP was the voice of the community, while the Urban League helped the disadvantaged
7 1 Robert Ratcliffe - In the first graduating class at LeMoyne Owen College. -The Memphis World was organized in the late twenties or early thirties as a weekly paper. -First black stringer for the Commercial Appeal. -Member of the Top Hats and Tails. -Speaks about Jim Lawson opening up his church for civil rights meetings. -Speaks about Dr. Willie Herenton running for Superintendent of Schools. -Speaks about the Memphis Red Sox, a black baseball team in the old Negro League.
8 1 Mattie Shaw -Mostly overview of personal family history. -Stage Rd. used to be one of the routes for stagecoach traveling.
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9 1 Milas Watkins -Founded the Unavocal Club in 1939. -Husband was in the Navy and he felt no discrimination.
10 1 William Weathers -Member of the Three C’s Social Club. -Organized the Memphians in 1953. (Social outlet organization) -Owner of Weather’s Grocery located on Mosby and Dunlap -President of an organization for black grocery store owners in Memphis. -Member of the Bluff City and Shelby County Council of Civic Clubs. This organization was the first to boycott the Commercial Appeal.
11 1 Rebecca Woods and Eugenia Danner -Mrs. Danner’s husband helped charter the Memphis Bridge Club. -Mrs. Danner is a charter member of the Cotillion Bridge Club. -Robert Henry built a club called the Pink Palace. - Sutton Griggs served second oldest black Baptist Church in Memphis. -Beale Street Baptist the mother of all churches in Memphis.
12 1 Elizabeth Woods (4 photos) -House servant for the Binswanger family -Organized the Field Agents for Christ
*Every interview contains information about the person’s origin, education, and personal involvement in the social and cultural life of Memphis.
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BOX IV
Folder Items Subject
1 1 The Angel Of Beale Street -Uncorrected page proof.
2 1 The Angel Of Beale Street -Rough draft manuscript.
3 1 A Biblical People In The Bible Belt -Uncorrected manuscript.
4 1 “Social Religion And The Memphis Sanitation Strike” -Dissertation.
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