Preserving Jewish Heritage in Texas Texas Jewish Established 1980 Historical Society January 2000 Newsletter

1882 . . . Nacogdoches, Texas – Submitted by TJHS member Idarene Glick

This photograph shows my Grandpa’s chant in Nacogdoches. He was 86 years old (Joe Zeve’s) store on the square in and was called “Uncle Joe” by all his Nacogdoches, Texas. Actually, his first friends and customers who loved and store was in the Old Stone Fort with a dirt admired him. floor. It was located on what is the campus Joe and Ida Zeve’s children were: of Stephen F. Austin University today. Belle Zeve Kahn, Alus Zeve, Leo Zeve, My grandfather continued going to his and Elece Zeve Haas. business daily until he was unable to walk Their grandchildren were Robert W. the distance of one block. Kahn (deceased), Edel Zeve Gainsburgh, At the time of his death on Octo- Charlotte Zeve Davis (deceased), Betty ber 4, 1941, he was the oldest mer- Zeve Baccus and Idarene Haas Glick. From the TJHS President

Fall in History Instructor at problems. He was Corsicana provided Navarro College. Sandra gracious and candid a lovely setting for Palmer took us on a visual as he told us how a wonderful “tour” of the Temple as the Jewish commu- weekend of she does for many visitors nity of Corsicana activities that had who come to see it. She transformed him been planned by is a dedicated docent who from a shipping TJHS member has learned about the clerk at the K. Babbette Samuels. religious significance of Wolen’s depart- Although the the items in the Temple. ment store to an Jewish presence in Corsicana is no Then, we sat down with Ordained Rabbi! longer over 200 families, as it was in TJHS members Irvin He holds the past years, the warmth and hospitality Samuels, Natalie distinction of having of that community was fantastic. Our Rosenbloom and Natalie’s simultaneously visit to Navarro College was extremely daughter, Joyce Sussman, served the Conser- interesting. The Director of Special to talk about growing up vative AND Collections, Dr. Darryl Beauchamp, Jewish in Corsicana. Reform Congrega- shared information about their incred- Wonderful memories! Sandra Palmer - docent of tions for many ible Civil War and Native American And it is now on tape! Temple Beth-El in Corsicana. years. It is with Artifact and Art Saturday great sadness that collection and we saw evening, at I share with you the news that Rabbi the collection of hand a lovely dinner at the Ernest Joseph died on November 10. carved figures from Kinsloe House, we What a treasure we have in the tape the Hobbitt series that heard about the recording of his remarks to us. This were donated by Irvin Wolen’s family from brings special meaning to our mission and Babbette TJHS member, Dean of collecting and documenting the Samuels. They form Milkes. The highlight Jewish experience in Texas! a centerpiece of the of that evening was library in their hand- hearing from Continued on next page some glass case. We Rabbi Ernest are always amazed to Joseph about find so many fascinat- his extremely ing things in each and interesting every community we life. We felt visit. most fortu- During the nate that the afternoon session, Rabbi was held in the almost 100 well enough year old Temple Beth Dr. Tommy Stringer speaks to to be with us, El Community Center, TJHS at Temple Beth-El in as he had just we heard about the Corsicana. Note the beautiful come out of history of the Jewish Tiffany glass Magen David a long Community from Dr. and Ten Commandment hospital stay TJHS on the bimah of Temple Beth-El in windows. Tommy Stringer, for multiple Corsicana, October 16, 1999 Dean of Students and health

The Texas Jewish Historical Society Newsletter is a publication of the Texas Jewish Historical Society, P.O. Box 10193, Austin, Texas 78766-0193

Helen Wilk (Corpus Christi)...... President Jack Gerrick (Fort Worth)...... Managing Editor Walter Fein (San Antonio)...... Proofreader Geri Gregory (San Antonio)...... Layout, Typesetting and Distribution

Page 2 Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 From the TJHS President, cont’d application for the scholarship in this the registration form in the mail. We Newsletter and forward it to students have discontinued putting meeting Our Sunday Board meeting you think might be candidates. We registration in our Newsletters because was productive. have sent this to all the Hillel’s, and it they seem to take an extremely long We continue to is on our Web time to be delivered , often after the be involved with Site. deadline for the event has passed. We new projects that Allen & hope you will join us for this lovely Cynthia Mondell weekend beginning Friday, January help to get our th message out. showed us some 14 with a dutch treat dinner at the Rabbi Jimmy clips from their Holiday Inn, followed by Shabbat Kessler has been soon to be services at Temple B’nai Israel. gathering infor- completed film Guest Rabbi Sanford Shapero, visiting mation for the about Jewish from California, was the first student new book project Matchmaking Rabbi for this congregation 45 years we have under- From the ago. taken. The Babbette Samuels admires a carving Garden of Circle March 24,25,26, 2000 Institute of Texan which she and her husband, Irvin, Eden to for the Laredo Annual Gathering. Cultures has donated to Navarro Junior College. Matchmaker.com Doris Epstein and a great group of improved our and we are Laredoans are planning to provide a exhibit area with the addition of the eager to see this fascinating project in wonderful weekend of activities. Gallery of Texans photos that can be its final form. Another worthy project Their Sisterhood will serve us a viewed on the computer screens. we have helped to support. delicious, home cooked Shabbat dinner They have also added several Torah The at Agudah readings in Hebrew with English Austin JCC Achim syna- translations. Laurie Gudzikowski, has asked us gogue, fol- Director of Programs, has asked me to to participate lowed by request a replacement for the Bris in a program services on Gown that has been on loan to the ITC about Texas Friday evening. as that item has been returned to the Jewish History We will be family at their request. If you have a in their new staying at La ceremonial object that was used during Dell Center. Posada, once a bris and would like to loan or give it Please let me the public to the ITC please let me know. know if you Houston TJHS Board Meeting. school that Hollace Weiner’s book Jewish would like to was attended Stars in Texas is now in print and she work on this committee. We are by our Historian, Blanche Sheiness! has been appearing at a number of exploring ideas and are open to Blanche is working on the program Jewish Book Fairs around the state. suggestions. and will be able to share lots of We are very proud to have played a TJHS is proud of our Board information about her native city. part in supporting this interesting book member, Jimmy Alexander, who was You will receive more details about several of the pioneer rabbis of recently honored by the Dallas Jewish on the Registration form that will be Texas. Historical mailed to you in the near future. For the Society for his Our annual TJHS tour is being second year, our many contribu- planned to coordinate with the Gather- Board has tions to that ing. We will be traveling from Laredo approved offering organization. to Monterrey, Mexico in a Chartered scholarships to TJHS has also bus. Tentative dates are Monday Texas College been the recipi- March 20-Thursday March 23. The students to attend ent of his knowl- Jewish Community of Monterrey has our Annual edge and interest invited us to celebrate Purim with them Gathering in in Texas Jewish and learn about the history of their Laredo in March. History. Mazel community. Barbara Rosenberg is We were very Tov, Jimmy. working with Ana Portnoy Grumberg pleased to have Victoria will to take us on a fascinating journey initiated this TJHS toured the Library of Navarro be the site of our through Mexican-Jewish history. Junior College in Corsicana. during our last January Board Everyone will receive a registration Gathering in Fort Worth and we were meeting (Jan.14-16, 2000). Dave flyer in the mail with details of dates, delighted to have the winner, Greg Lack has been working on the pro- plans and costs. This will be another Meyer, attend the meeting and become gram, and he and his wife, Ruth, will fabulous TJHS trip. Come join us! a member of TJHS. You will note that be hosting us at a cocktail party prior he has contributed to this edition of our to our dinner Saturday night at the Newsletter. Please look for the Plaza Club. You should have received

Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Page 3 Letter From Gonzales Cemetery Refurbished the Editor by Jack Kronick Congregation area. The Can you believe this is the Beth Am Gonzales first newsletter of the millennium? starts the Chamber of Sounds like such a long time since year of 5760 Commerce very few of us were around when the with a was very last century started. The Jews of the mitzvah. The cooperative in Congregation U.S. and Texas have certainly made a locating the has raised major impact on the lives of many site. $2,200.00 to When Shelly people, especially in light of the fact erect a chain Evans and that there are so few of us compared link fence Jack Kronick to the general population. around a 160 found the 50 x Let’s hope that in the next year old 100 foot millennium our children, grandchildren, Jewish Cemetery in Gonzales, Texas. cemetery it was a total mess. The and perhaps great-grandchildren Due to a very generous donation from wrought iron fence had fallen down remember what we have done in the Alan Korsakov, a Congregation Beth and the cows and horses on the farm past hundred years and continue to Am member, we are able to put the had gone on to the cemetery and preserve our history through the Texas fence up. manure was all over the monuments. Jewish Historical Society. It is a cemetery near the train Also, some of the monuments had As many of you know, the tracks that has been abandoned and is fallen over due to ground settling. Society provided moral and financial located on the land of an Amish Jack Kronick took his son support to the publishing of Hollace Farmer. We do not know why the Mark Kronick and Mark’s wife Weiner’s book entitled Jewish Stars cemetery is located in such an isolated Barbara and their three children, in Texas. Hollace has been getting area. In 1888 a fire destroyed the Aaron, Rachael and Rebecca, to cut rave reviews over the entire state and County Courthouse, losing all records the grass and Mark Kronick took over has had numerous book signings. Be of land ownership, so no one knows repairing the monuments with the help sure and see the excerpt from her why the Cemetery in Gonzalez is in of Dennis Brown, David Krodman, book in this newsletter and if possible, such an isolated place. The cemetery and David’s daughters. Of the 12 purchase a copy. Hollace presented a was discovered in 1992 by Don Teter monuments on the Cemetery, seven review of her book in Richmond, of the Texas Jewish Historical Society were broken in pieces including two Virginia at the Southern Jewish in his research of Jewish Cemeteries six-foot monuments. Historical Society along with Sherry in Texas. With the aid of a mobile hoist Zander and Kay Goldman. Shelly Evans and Jack they were able to put the monuments On behalf of the TJHS, we Kronick found the cemetery again in back together. Mark Kronick also want to wish everyone a very Happy their travels with the Congregation pressure washed the monuments and Healthy Holiday! Here’s to the Beth Am Senior Travel Bus Trips. In making them look almost new. The next 100 years! their Gonzales trip the guide pointed chain link fence is needed to keep the out that many of the old homes in animals off the Cemetery. Gonzales were owned by Jewish Jack & Mark Kronick and merchants. Recognizing some of the Mark’s family drive the two hour ride Jewish names, they thought there to the Cemetery every third month to should be a Jewish cemetery in the cut the grass and keep the Cemetery clean. Mark was not able to weld and repair the fence so a new chain link fence was needed to protect the Seeking Early Issues Cemetery. After the fence was erected TJHS is looking for copies of our early newsletters – we planned to put up a wrought iron sign with the names of the donors and we would like to have a complete set of newsletters that then Rabbi Kohn, of Congregation could be bound. Please send information to Davie Lou Beth Am, has offered to rededicate Solka at 501 Bermuda, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411. the Cemetery at a ceremony, to be announced.

Page 4 Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Corsicana Rabbi Ernest Joseph dies at 69 Editor’s note: Rabbi Joseph was our keynote speaker at the Corsicana meeting. He died a few weeks after his speech to our Board. Rabbi Ernest Joseph, the rabbi ship provided by the Wolens family to at Congregation Agudas Achim in St. Louis Rabbinical College allowed Corsicana for 33 years, died in his him to fulfill his lifelong dream of sleep of congestive heart failure becoming a rabbi. November 10 at Navarro Regional He received his rabbinic Hospital in Corsicana. He was 69. ordination in 1966 and began serving Rabbi Joseph was a lay cantor full time as rabbi at Congregation and Torah reader for six years in Dallas Agudas Achim. He was also rabbi of before moving to Corsicana in 1957. Temple Beth El in Corsicana from He was born in Halle an der 1968 to 1980, and served both congre- Saale, Germany, on August 26, 1930. gations. In 1939, a local police officer tipped Rabbi Joseph earned a the family to the impending arrest of all bachelor’s degree in psychology from male Jews in the area and helped them people who could truly appreciate the University of Texas at Arlington in escape to Shanghai, China. Rabbi America had to be born abroad. He 1970; a master’s in psychology from Joseph, his parents, and an uncle fled was extremely grateful for everything East Texas State University, now with 40 German marks. this country provided and really A&M University at Commerce, in In Shanghai, Rabbi Joseph appreciated all of the blessings.” 1973; and a doctorate of divinity from attended the Mirrer Yeshiva, run by Rabbi Ernest Joseph was once Rabbinical Assembly College in New Lubavitcher Hasidic Jews. His family a lay cantor for Ohev Shalom in York in 1978. He taught psychology lived in a one-room apartment with six Dallas, which became Golden Acres and sociology at Navarro County other people. In 1947, Rabbi Joseph Home for the Jewish Aged. He was Junior College from 1983 to 1986. and his family came to the United also baal korei (Torah reader) for While visiting family in Dallas, States after the Chinese government Congregations Shearith Israel, Tiferet Rabbi Joseph enjoyed chanting Torah ordered Jews to leave Shanghai. They Israel and Agudat Achim, which at Congregation Shearith Israel. He settled in Dallas. closed in the mid-1950s. had an encyclopedic knowledge of “He wanted us to know how When Rabbi Joseph moved to Jewish liturgy, said Rabbi Frank wonderfully blessed we were,” said his Corsicana, he began working for K. Joseph, and he was a frequent guest son, Rabbi Frank Joseph of Irving Wolens Co., a local retailer. He was on KNON radio’s Jewish Music Havurah: The Community Synagogue also an assistant to the rabbi at Con- Hour from 1992 to 1994. of Greater Dallas. “He said the only gregation Agudas Achim. A scholar- – Dallas Morning News Texas Jewish Historical Society Donor Cards This card is available for anyone wishing to honor or memori- The Texas Jewish Historical Society alize an individual through our gratefully acknowledges your gift to our endowment fund. Upon receipt of your gift, the Society will respond Endowment Fund with this acknowledgement. To the of $______members who have sent in funds in the past, thank you on behalf of in ______of TJHS. To all those who will send funds in the future, please send your ______gift to: An acknowledgement has been sent to the party you specified. Texas Jewish Historical Society P.O. Box 10193 Your gift will further the efforts to record, preserve, and disseminate Austin, Texas 78766-0193 historic information about the Jewish culture in Texas.

Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Page 5 “Lone Stars of David” Shine at Virginia Meeting Southern Jewish Historical Society Annual Conference Editor’s note: Our society was asked to present research on Texas to the Southern Jewish Historical Society in Richmond, Virginia.

RICHMOND, VA. – “Lone Stars of synagogue resembles a rural Baptist Texas society,” Goldman said. “They David” shone at the annual meeting of chapel, it was constructed with both invested in endeavors which contrib- the Southern Jewish Historical Soci- mikvah and mehitzah – meaning ritual uted to community development...They ety. A scholarly gathering that often bath and separate sanctuary seating integrated themselves into the Texas curtails its research at the Louisiana for men and women. culture by joining fraternal organiza- line, the SJHS conference this year “This was an Orthodox tions and participating in political featured a convention panel on Texas congregation that assimilated its activities.” Jewry. building into the town’s landscape,” A number of Texas’ earliest Sherry Zander, a small-town Zander explained. Jewish immigrants had previously lived synagogue expert and TJHS board Brenham’s synagogue is today in Mississippi and Louisiana. They, member, impressed the therefore had key business scholarly conference with her contacts, as well as relatives research into the Jewish roots in the Deep South. High- of such cities as San Angelo, profile examples include Brenham, and Wharton. Kay Dutch-born rancher David Goldman, a Ph.D. candidate at Kokernot, whose family had Texas A&M University, lived in New Orleans. explored the Merchants and Adolphus Sterne, one of the Masons of 19th Century first Jews to settle in the Texas, expounding upon the Mexican-controlled Texas many Lone Star fraternal Territory, was a native of lodges founded by Jews. Cologne, Germany. He The Texas panel was worked in New Orleans moderated by TJHS member before settling in Hollace Weiner, who brought Nacogdoches. along a giant Lone Star flag “He brought Masonry that served as a backdrop for to the territory,” Goldman the colloquium, presented said. “He was a Past Master November 6 at the Richmond, of his Louisiana Lodge.” Virginia meeting. From left to right: Kay Goldman (presenter), Ima Joy In 1826, Sterne was Zander noted that San Gandler TJHS representative), Hollace Weiner (pre- tried for treason by Mexican Angelo was founded by senter), and Sherry Zander (presenter). Note the Texas authorities who condemned Marcus Koenigheim, a cattle flag in the background. him to death. “A brother baron who won a parcel of Mason intervened on his West Texas land as a settlement for a maintained by Leon Toubin, a descen- behalf,” Goldman recounted. “Thus, bad debt. Koenigheim (pronounced dant of the congregation’s earliest his Masonic affiliation saved his life.” Cohen-heim) subsequently laid out a members. The building is air condi- Noting the differences be- new town and lured settlers there. tioned and used for occasional services tween Texas and the Deep South, San Angelo’s Temple Beth El syna- and special events. Goldman emphasized our state’s gogue, built in 1928, sits on land Wharton was the third and strong German heritage in contrast to deeded over by a righteous Gentile final Jewish community profiled by the French influence pervasive in the convinced that the cohesive Jewish Zander. She stressed the sense of Mississippi Delta. One reason why congregation deserved a prominent community shared by the congregation Jews integrated so easily into 19th parcel for a building. alumni who, for many years, returned Century Texas was the fact that Later in her presentation, annually to Wharton’s Shearith Israel German literature and music, with Zander flashed a photo-slide of campus, not for High Holiday services, which they were familiar, was the Brenham’s 1890s Orthodox syna- but for a barbecue and reunion. culture of sophisticated Texans. gogue. The audience of 150 mur- Kay Goldman’s research has “Although some Jews gave up mured in delight upon seeing the unearthed the significant role Jews the practice of Judaism, most Jewish white-clapboard building, which played in founding “egalitarian” immigrants to Texas embraced Juda- Zander described as an example of Masonic lodges and Odd Fellows halls “little white-church architecture.” across Texas. “These Jewish men did Although Brenham’s B’nai Abraham not want to remain on the margins of Continued on page 7

Page 6 Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Continued from page 6 “Mom” Claghorn’s home ism and did not turn their backs on A specific note on Jewish Texan Philanthropy their religion,” Goldman concluded. “It would have been easy to shed their By Greg Meyer, recipient of the 1999 TJHS Annual Gathering Scholarship Judaism...after all, Texas had a sizable German community...These immi- grants professed their Jewishness not In 1957 the work of many 50% for Claghorn’s house. At the by keeping kosher or abstaining from people in the Texas Jewish community same time, Foreman was also heading business on the Sabbath, but by provided a Christian lady a home of up the Texas A&M Hillel Foundation acknowledging their Jewishness in a her own. What provided the momen- Building Committee with the help of society that would have allowed them tum for such an unlikely event? It all Billy Goldberg. The synergy of to shed it.” The “Lone Star of David” rested in the legacy of Irene Claghorn. Foreman’s two projects manifested panel ushered in the second day of the Her legacy induced many Texas A&M the old rabbinic saying “mitzvah Southern Jewish Historical Society’s students to return the love and com- goreret mitzvah – a mitzvah begets a three-day meeting held November 5-7. passion shown to them during “Mom” mitzvah.” The contract for “Mom” The Texas panel was delivered at 9:00 Claghorn’s 39 year tenure as the Claghorn’s house stated that the house A.M., but the Texas flag remained Texas A&M hospital’s head of staff. was for Mrs. Claghorn’s retirement aloft as a convention backdrop for the “Mom” arrived at TAMC in use. Upon her leaving, the house entire day. Other TJHS members attending the Richmond meeting were 1918 as a Captain in the Army nursing reverted to the Hillel Building Fund. Waco’s Ima Joy Gandler and corps and as a recent WWI widow. The Hillel Foundation of A&M paid Dallasites Ruth and Dave Andres. During her career, “Mom” Claghorn the taxes and upkeep on the building – Hollace Weiner never had a house. Her work became for Mrs. Claghorn. her life, symbolized by the fact she The end result of the Jewish lived in an apartment at the hospital. Texans’ effort was the purchase of a Because she never remarried, the 5 room red brick house in the College Future TJHS students of Texas A&M became her Hills area of College Station for their children. mentor, Mrs. Claghorn. The Brazos Meetings In 1956 tragedy struck. County and Houston A&M clubs then “Mom” suffered severe injuries in an furnished the house. Other various auto accident near Dallas. She spent B’nai B’rith District 7 lodges were Take Note! three months in the hospital due to the also involved in the Claghorn house accident. The hospitalization cost her fund drive. The only people for whom all her life-savings. specific mention can be found are Board Meeting But the story doesn’t end Bernard Klein of Beaumont and Irving here. Many of “Mom’s” students Forgotson of Gonzales. Victoria, Texas never forgot her. For example in 1939 The sources for this article January 14, 15 & 16 she provided Dr. Jack Blankfield a were found in the scrapbooks of start in the medical field during his Esther Taubenhaus, A&M Hillel sophomore year by giving him work in founder and director from 1920-1957. Annual Gathering the clinic that allowed him to stay in The scrapbooks are now part of the school. TAMU Cushing Library archives. Laredo, Texas When Jack, now a dentist in References: Houston Pasadena, learned of her desperate Chronicle, 26 Feb 1957 (D-12); March 24, 25 & 26 straits in 1956, he and his brother Houston Post, 1 Mar 1957; Houston Harry, both Texas A&M alumni, Press, 21 Feb 1957; Beaumont You should have already sought to repay Mrs. Claghorn’s good Journal, 5 Mar 1957 (unknown section received information on the deeds by pledging 50% for a house of and page); The Battalion (TAMC), 5 Board Meeting in Victoria. You her choice in Aggieland. Feb 1957; The Gonzales Inquirer, 26 will receive information and the Another former Aggie, Jack Feb 1957; Houston Aggie Dingbat registration form for the Annual Forman (’42) of Houston, then took it (Volume X, #2 and #10); TAMC upon himself to raise the remaining Hillel Foundation Press Release, 1957. Gathering very soon.

Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Page 7 Scholarship Program The Texas Jewish Historical selves. annual gathering to be held March 24- Society (TJHS) is a multi-generational Scholarships were offered for 26, 2000, in Laredo, Texas. society dedicated to the preservation the first time at the last Annual Gath- Any interested student should of Texas Jewish history. The Texas ering to full-time students of a Texas submit the registration form below no Jewish Historical Society Annual college or university wishing to attend later than February 1, 2000, to The Gathering is a meeting of the general and participate in the Annual Gather- Texas Jewish Historical Society, membership. Activities during the ing. Scholarships will again be offered Attention: Charles B. Hart, 2509 weekend meeting include Shabbat to college students interested in Texas Redwing Dr. Temple, Texas 76502. celebrations, workshops and lectures, Jewish History and will cover all Students accepted will be notified of tours of Jewish sites and other points registration fees, housing costs and a their scholarship by the review com- of interest. The members of the stipend for travel expenses for the mittee. Society are a history lesson in them- "

2000 TJHS Annual Gathering Scholarship Application

Name: ______Address: ______City:______State:______Zip:______Phone: ______College or University: ______City: ______State: ______o Freshman o Sophomore o Junior o Senior o Post Grad Level Major course of study:______Why are you interested in Texas Jewish History? (250 words or less) ______

Page 8 Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Mrs. “Tauby” and the A&M Hillel Club

By Greg Meyer

Historians report that the meeting the religious and everyday Texas A&M club’s incorporation into B’nai B’rith National Hillel movement needs of the Jewish students. They the National Hillel network many new was begun in 1923 on the University of began the Hillel Club in 1920 at their opportunities for students arose. Illinois campus. It is a little known fact home with the officiation of Rabbi Esther crowned her career as that at Texas A&M three years before David Lefkowitz of Dallas who served the TAMC Hillel Director with a the National Hillel movement began, a as their first rabbinic advisor. Once building fund drive that sought to group with the same objectives and a the idea for the Texas A&M Hillel create a permanent home for the similar name, The Hillel Club, was club began to sprout, the Taubenhaus’ seeds the Taubenhaus’ had so care- formed. What caused the birth of were also aided by Rabbi Henry fully sewn so many years before. such a group so far from the traditional Cohen of Galveston. These famous Those seeds had grown deep roots centers of, not only American Jewish Rabbis provided guidance and spiritual throughout the state of Texas and their culture, but, also Texas Jewish cul- nourishment for the Hillel Club. growth bore fruit in 1958 with comple- ture? The aim of the A&M Hillel tion of the Ike and Fannie Sablosky The Hillel Club was an Club was to provide a support network Building. The A&M Hillel Foundation outgrowth of the Menorah Club begun and religious guidance for Jewish continues today as a strong and at Texas A&M in 1916. It’s founders, students. Friday night services and growing institution, nourished by the Jacob and Esther Taubenhaus, were Sunday morning coffees were held at strong and thick roots provided by the some of the earliest known Jewish the Taubenhaus’ home for the three Taubenhaus family that extend over 80 faculty and staff members. They years following 1920. years into the past. Many students are were pioneers in many ways. They The growth of the club from across America and many transplanted their deep Zionist roots paralleled that of Texas A&M. Due nations. Some have made aliyah to and love of Judaism into the fertile to this growth, Friday night services Israel, returning the seeds of Judaism ground of Texas’ first agricultural were moved in 1923 to the college full circle. In this way the college. library. High Holiday services were Taubenhaus’ work of so many years Jacob and Esther were held in conjunction with the Bryan has completed a spiritual cycle unfore- children of Rabbis. Their upbringing congregation at Temple Freda. Ironi- seen in scope when it began. lay in pre-Zionist immigration to Eretz cally, the Temple Freda torah was The sources for this article Israel. Jacob was born in Safed in restored and now lives at the Texas were found in the scrapbooks of 1884 and Esther (nee Hirschenson) A&M Hillel Foundation. Esther Taubenhaus, now located in the was born in Jerusalem in 1885. Jacob The B’nai B’rith National TAMU Cushing Library Archives. came to America with the Hillel Foundation became aware of the Hirschenson family as a teenager to Texas A&M Hillel Club in 1925 and References: Article by Rabbi obtain a scientific education. They vigorously lobbied for the A&M club Robert I. Kahn, Feb. 1954(probably accomplished their educational objec- to relinquish its name. These efforts the Jewish Herald of Houston); B’nai tives. She earned an M.S. in Philoso- were abandoned in 1927 and the B’rith Voice editorial, late 1957 or phy from Columbia University, and National Hillel office and B’nai B’rith early 1958; NYT obituary, 15 Dec Jacob completed a Ph.D. in Plant District 7 officers began a long period 1937; The National Jewish Monthly, Pathology at the University of Penn- of wooing the TAMC Hillel Club into Oct. 1940; The Jewish Herald Voice sylvania. 1910 was a banner year for the B’nai B’rith fold. By 1940, Esther 1958 (no specific date indicated). them as they married and became had seen her labor produce a Hillel American citizens. Club of 130 students. Since Jacob’s The Taubenhaus’ came to death in 1937 required her to find Please Note: A&M in 1916 where Jacob joined the additional employment, Esther had Agricultural Extension faculty. With been managing to continue her Hillel The Texas Jewish Histori- their discovery that they were the only work from her office as the TAMC cal Society and the editorial staff Jewish faculty family on campus the Herbarium curator. The offer in 1940 of this newsletter cannot guarantee Taubenhaus’ organized a student of a Hillel Directorship by B’nai B’rith the accuracy or authenticity of any Menorah Club in 1916 to foster Jewish allowed her to do what she wanted article. This is the responsibility of intellectual development. In 1920, they most, continue the nourishment of each contributor, so please direct your questions, comments and/or realized that the Menorah club was not Judaism on the A&M campus. With corrections to each author directly.

Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Page 9 Temple Beth-El in San Antonio Celebrates 125-Year History San Antonio has been fortunate 1850s and was reorganized in 1866, while 1875: Rabbi Gutheim, of New Orleans, for 125 years that Temple Beth-El has Edar Lodge of B’nai B’rith was and Rabbi Alexander Rosenspitz. In been a source of permanence, a link to the inaugurated just a few months after the addition, a committee had been appointed wisdom of the Jewish faith, and, indeed, charter meeting of Temple Beth-El. Many to engage an organist to perform and to a home for its congregants. of the founders of the Temple also were instruct the choir for the occasion. Both Temple officers in these daily newspapers in the city, the San Beth-El, the oldest organizations. Reli- Antonio Herald and the San Antonio Jewish congrega- gious services had Express reported the ceremony. The tion in San Anto- already begun in Freie Presse für San Antonio noted that nio, was founded San Antonio a few the building’s interior was decorated with in 1874. On May years prior to the greenery and flowers, while the Herald 31 of that year, 44 charter meeting, in- proclaimed: Subscribers offi- cluding modest ser- At the appointed hour, the cially met at the vices in private beautiful edifice was filled by the most Odd Fellows Hall homes and subse- cultivated audience of ladies and (now the Crockett quently in Ruell- gentlemen we have ever seen in San Hotel) to approve mann Hall from Antonio. There seemed to be present by-laws, elect of- The first building of Temple Beth-El 1871. In the same representatives of every nationality and ficers and establish a building committee. year, the Hebrew Benevolent Society religious belief. The audience paid close These 44 gentlemen were promi- purchased the future site of the first attention to the services, and appeared to nent members of the city’s Jewish Temple Beth-El, on the corner of Travis appreciate fully the nature of the population, and most of them had already and Jefferson Streets, from Mrs. Maury occasion. been residents for some time. They were Maverick, with an Two days after largely part of a wave of immigration from eye toward estab- the inauguration, Germany dating from the early 1850s and lishing a Jewish 37 out of the 60 60s, some arriving directly and others congregation. On pews were auc- having first settled in other American June 5, 1875, the tioned to Temple cities. first officers of members and In 1870, German-Americans Temple Beth-El yearly dues were were the majority group in San Antonio – were elected, and fixed at $50 per more than 3,000 of a total population of the first Board of family and $25 8,000. The Temple’s 44 founders made Trustees, as well. per individual. up an integral part of that group, joining It would Action was also such social organizations as the Beethoven take more than a taken to engage Maennerchor, the Turnverein, the volun- year for the Temple a permanent teer fire brigades and the Casino Club. to be built. In the The second building, on the site of the first. Rabbi, but, Indeed, it was the German-Americans process, there was though numer- who brought culture to what had largely great effort to solicit donations, not only ous applications were received, none was been a frontier town, isolated from the rest from the local community, but from other hired. Consequently, Friday night of the country because of its lack of American cities. Funds were used to services were discontinued in February, railroads and its engage an archi- 1876, and lay members officiated at High orientation toward tect, G. Trueleben, Holy Day observances that year. trade with Mexico and a builder, A. On March 6, 1892, a vote was rather than the Earhart, to erect taken as to whether “this congregation United States. the Temple on the [should] continue its organization.” Several site purchased by Galvanized by the threat of the dissolution Jewish organiza- the Benevolent So- of the congregation, members of the tions actually pre- ciety. Early on in Board voted unanimously to carry on and ceded the founding the process (Sep- elected J. Hyman Elkin, of Hartford, of the Temple: a tember 27, 1874), Connecticut, as the new Rabbi. Jewish cemetery it was decided to The big turnaround came with had been estab- join the Union of the appointment of Rabbi Samuel Marks, lished as early as American Hebrew of Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1897. It was 1855 and continued The third and current building. congregations. a position he would occupy for 23 years, to be expanded Two temporary making him the congregation’s longest through the century. The Hebrew Rabbis were engaged for the opening serving Rabbi to that point. By the turn of Benevolent Society was started in the ceremonies on Friday, September 10, the 20th century, Temple Beth-El had

Page 10 Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Rabbis Currently Serving Temple Beth-El, San Antonio

Rabbi Samuel M. Stahl Rabbi David Jacobson, Emeritus Rabbi Barry H. Block Rabbi B. Allison Bergman become a mature and stable center for On August 15, 1947, on congregation has grown from 900 to over Jewish community and worship in San recommendation of the Religious School 1,260 families, and has become one of the Antonio. Committee, the Board appointed Mr. most prestigious congregations in the During the early years of this Milton Bendiner as Educational Director United States. Rabbi Stahl has been century, the Temple was replaced by a and Principal of Religious School, thus tireless in his efforts in the San Antonio larger building on the same site. introducing new vitality to the Religious community and within the Reform By May, 1919, Temple member- School. movement. ship numbered 223. Income more than The Temple’s 75th anniversary Rabbi Barry H. Block was covered expenditures, and the total in 1949 was a time of hope and pride. engaged by the the congregation in 1992, indebtedness was greatly reduced. The Temple Beth-El had a recently renovated first as Assistant Rabbi, then as Associate congregation had sufficiently grown, so synagogue; an energetic and beloved Rabbi, and now as Associate Rabbi- money was allotted for the selection of the Rabbi; and a respected and highly Successor. Temple’s first Associate Rabbi, Sidney competent Religious School Director. In 1999, this 125th anniversary Tedesche of Springfield, Ohio, who was Rabbi David Jacobson has year, Temple Beth-El has two new firsts in elected the following month. served Temple Beth-El, and continues to its history: the engagement of a third full- On December 29, 1924, the serve the congregation, since 1938. time Rabbi, B. Allison Bergman, who is Menger Hotel was the scene of the Golden When Rabbi Jacobson came to Temple also the first ordained female Rabbi to Jubilee Dinner, organized by Beth-El’s Beth-El, B’nai Mitzvah were rare. The serve the congregation. Sisterhood. For that occasion, Rabbi study of Hebrew was insignificant. The Rabbis Stahl, Block and Bergman David Lefkowitz and Rabbi Henry Cohen congregation lacked a youth program. form a seamless team to minister to the (the father-in law of then Rabbi, Ephraim The Brotherhood was moribund. Adult many needs of an ever-growing and ever- Frisch) were the guest speakers. This education was sparse. Weddings were changing congregation. 50th anniversary not only celebrated a rarely, if ever, held at the Temple. To celebrate 125 years, the historic landmark, but gave impetus to the With his customary enthusiasm, congregation has enjoyed many special drive for a new building, which was David Jacobson invigorated the study of programs throughout 1999, including completed in 1927. Hebrew and made Bar Mitzvah and Bat guest speakers, musical concerts, an In March, 1938, Rabbi Frisch Mitzvah common occurrences at Temple interfaith Sabbath, an art exhibition, and a was granted a leave of absence because of Beth-El. He crusaded for marriages to be grand gala dinner dance. illness. In the interim, the Board examined performed at the Temple, a common The Rededication Sabbath, held the possibility of once again obtaining an occurrence today. Rabbi Jacobson December 10, was the completion of the Associate Rabbi. On May 25, Dr. David helped to re-establish and reinvigorate the 125th anniversary celebration for the Jacobson, of Indianapolis, was elected by Brotherhood. He was one of the leaders in congregation. That evening, its members the Board as an Associate Rabbi, as of founding SAFTY, the San Antonio rededicated themselves to the next 125 August 1, 1938. Dr. Jacobson remained Federation of Temple Youth, and helped years of congregational life with special, as an associate until June 1, 1942, when at to sponsor a number of youth activities at creative worship and an original play a special meeting he was elected Rabbi of the congregation, including a Sunday performed by the Beth-El Players. The Temple Beth-El, and Rabbi Frisch was afternoon social hour, the Teen Canteen, highlight of the evening was the dedication elected Rabbi Emeritus. the Temple School for Little Children and in the sanctuary of a four-foot tall Thirty-four members of the BEST (Beth-El Super Teens), which he congregational Hanukkiah (Menorah). Temple served in the armed forces in founded. World War II, including Rabbi Jacobson. In 1976, Rabbi Jacobson became – Geri Gregory, Graphic Designer and During his period of service, William Rabbi Emeritus and Rabbi Samuel M. Computer Specialist of Temple Beth-El. Thanks to Temple Beth-El’s 125th Anniversary Book Sajowitz, a senior at the Hebrew Union Stahl was hired as spiritual leader of Committee, Steven Gross, Chair. Also, a very College, was appointed to officiate in his Temple Beth-El and still serves to this day. special thanks to Frances Kallison, whose place. During Rabbi Stahl’s tenure, the historical research proved invaluable.

Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Page 11 A Rabbi For Cowtown The following is an excerpt from Jewish Stars in Texas: Rabbis and Their Work by Hollace Ava Weiner, a former Fort Worth Star-Telegram staff writer. This article appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on November 28, 1999.

The red-headed rabbi’s pulse wrote. Although the ambivalent rabbi shot up – again. Try as he might to was chairman of the Fort Worth distance his flock from Hell’s Half Charity Commission and an organizer Acre, in the autumn of 1913, Rabbi G. of a state welfare conference, he George Fox overheard ranchers found it more prudent to remove than downtown muttering remarks about to try and reform the women. Truth “Jew whores.” What’s more, the be told, “Jew whore” remarks stirred Sisterhood at his synagogue of seventy anti-Semitism among the public and families was scandalized at the gossip. insecurity among Jews who prided The women – chief among them his themselves on being law-abiding wife Hortense, a third-generation Americans with a family-centered American – wanted those tramps religion. Fox and his generation of gone. upwardly mobile Jews wanted to retain The Jewish prostitutes were their religious identity. Yet they were Eastern European women who had eager to be seen as part of the Ameri- ventured to Fort Worth’s red-light can mainstream, not a remnant of the district by way of Galveston, a port of Old World like their unwashed cousins entry for 8,000 fellow Jews since pouring in from the shtetls of Eastern 1907. Fox’s colleague, the saintly Europe. Rabbi Henry Cohen of Galveston, was Prostitution among Jews – being lauded from Texas to New York documented in muckraking magazines for greeting each refugee at the dock. religionist,” Fox recalled. “One asked and a federal immigration investigation But as far as Fox was concerned, the me whether my rich, fat Jews would – had prompted Jewish communities refuse was riding the rails from the take her into their homes and give her nationwide to police their own. B’nai Gulf Cost to North Texas, bringing a job...A third challenged us, in Yid- B’rith, the Jewish fraternal organiza- social disease and dishonor to Jews in dish, to give her a job in some store. tion, had helped the Justice Depart- Fort Worth. “As rabbi, I could not and Of course we were stymied ... Two of ment apprehend Jewish prostitutes would not escape the responsibility the lot married the men who were their who crossed state lines. Chicago that was mine in this shameful busi- pimps and went into legitimate busi- rabbis had worked with the district ness,” the rabbi declared in his mem- ness ... The rest left town.” attorney and vigilantes to round up oirs. “It was a drab affair.” When Christian clergymen Jewish madams in the Windy City. With the police commissioner asked the rabbi why his outrage Prostitution was such a blot on Jewish and the mayor, Fox arranged a raid on extended only to Jewish prostitutes, he morality that little attention was given brothels within “the Acre,” a seedy advised his brothers in the Tarrant to its causes, its social solutions, or the neighborhood of saloons, dance halls, County General Pastors Association to men involved in the business. When cathouses, and gambling dens in the round up the gentile prostitutes them- whispers of Jewish prostitution sur- blocks north of the Texas & Pacific selves. Fox, however, had more legal faced in Fort Worth’s downtown depot. Madams were advised to ammunition at his disposal, mainly the cafes, Rabbi Fox had precedents to surrender their Jewish girls on charges White Slave Traffic Acts. The run-of- follow. Fox was not as bold, or of disorderly conduct, or face a the-mill harlots were American-born. grandstanding, as his ministerial shutdown. At the jail, Fox confronted If arrested, they could be bailed out by colleague, the Rev. J. Frank Norris, twenty women. Through a Yiddish pimps and madams, or fined and preacher at Fort Worth’s First Baptist interpreter, the American rabbi returned to the streets. The Jewish Church. The year before, Norris had warned them to turn to legitimate suspects, many masking their immi- announced from the pulpit the names pursuits – or else. In response, some grant origins with American aliases, of leading citizens who owned broth- tugged at the rabbi’s heartstrings with were subject to deportation as “alien els. This led not to arrests but retalia- sagas of children in foster homes. prostitutes.” And so they were. tion, as arsonists set fire to the Others blamed hunger, violence, and Eighteen young Jewish women were minister’s church and parsonage. In deception for driving them into the deported to Europe, months before the contrast, Rabbi Fox’s action in ridding “sordid” business. “One showed me a outbreak of World War I. the community of Jewish prostitutes lavaliere bearing a picture of her “The job made me unhappy, was met with sighs of relief. He had father, an old, bearded, Eastern co- though I could see no other way,” Fox distanced Fort Worth’s Jewish resi-

Page 12 Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 dents from the taint of immorality. He gogue with a name that means love of downtown streets no longer dirt, but had gingerly worked with the authori- peace. A decade later, forty-three red-brick. The city was home to 60,000 ties, without upsetting the status quo. well-assimilated Jews, many of them whites, 13,000 African Americans, 500 He had correctly gauged how far to born in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Jews, fifty-nine Chinese, and fourteen stretch his moral authority in a town and Tennessee, organized Congrega- Native Americans. closer to the frontier than the Bible tion Beth-El, a Reform synagogue with As far as Texans were con- Belt. English services. Ties between the cerned, Fort Worth was a big city– the two congregations were cordial, with state’s fourth largest., To Rabbi Fox, Cattle Country some Jews belonging to both. How- however, it seemed small. When the ever, in a town that identified with the rabbi first traveled to Fort Worth by rail Fort Worth was where the frontier, each congregation had a hard from Chicago in February, 1910, he West began. Named for a general time attracting and keeping a rabbi. had left behind a metropolis of 1.5 who never made it to North Texas, As Fort Worth grew, cattle million - including 111,000 Jews - for a Fort Worth traced its origins to an remained the cornerstone of the dusty town one-twentieth its size. En 1849 army outpost built to protect economy and “Cowtown” became its route, he was disheartened by the color towns farther east from marauding line crossed when the train pulled Comanches. As the American out of Cairo, Illinois, and across the West grew to symbolize the cow- Mississippi. African-American boy, Fort Worth was part of that “...the rabbi’s phone passengers filed out of the front culture, a watering stop for long- cars and seated themselves in the horns and horseback riders travel- back of the train. In the North, Fox ing the Chisholm Trail. Here, rang with people had attended the University of cowboys spent their wages on a Chicago, a racially integrated bath, a haircut, whiskey, women, urging him not to laud campus. By the time Fox’s train and gambling. Trail bosses stocked pulled into Fort Worth, the twenty- up on flour at Jacob Samuel’s dry Lincoln from the five-year-old rabbi had decided goods store and sampled tobacco at that his inaugural sermon would be Eichenbaum’s Cigars, establish- a Lincoln’s birthday address. ments owned by Jewish entrepre- pulpit.” Within days, the young rabbi sent neurs. his photo to the local papers with Despite Jewish names on a an announcement of his sermon score of Main Street storefronts, nickname. The Chisholm Trail faded topic. organized Judaism was slow to gain a into history, supplanted by stockyards He was stunned at the reaction. toehold in Fort Worth, much slower and slaughterhouses. Swift’s and All week, the rabbi’s phone rang with than elsewhere. In a cow town where Armour’s multistory packing houses people urging him not to laud Lincoln drunken gamblers unloaded six- employed several thousand workers, from the pulpit. “Lincoln was all right up shooters into the air, law and order including immigrants from, Poland, North, but this was Texas,” he wrote in was more a priority than prayer. Greece, and Mexico. A dozen rail lines his memoir. Temple president Sam Among Fort Worth’s Jewish pioneers, linked Fort Worth to the small towns Levy, a wealthy cigar and liquor dealer, the suggestion of a minyan – the ten- and vast ranches across West Texas. warned the rabbi, “I will not be respon- man quorum required for a worship Families from Abilene and Wichita sible for what happens to you.” service – was met with ridicule. “Fort Falls rode those rails to Cowtown to February was Secessionist Worth Jews were beyond redemp- shop, finding high-topped shoes for the Month in Texas, anniversary of the tion,” wrote the daughter of an early children, broad-brimmed bonnets for debate in the legislature preceding the Jewish settler. The religious-minded the ladies, and detachable collars for Lone Star State’s 1861 withdrawal moved forty miles east to Dallas, a the gents. The leading restaurant was from-the Union. Confederate veterans, commercial crossroads and more of a Joseph’s Cafe, where Russian immi- a number of Jews among them, bristled magnet for Jews. By the time Fort grant Sam Joseph and his German- at the newcomer’s audacity. But to the Worth’s “Israelites” dedicated their born wife, Minnie, feted vaudeville rabbi, a former Illinois schoolboy who first landmark – a cemetery on land stars and politicians. Fort Worth’s quoted from the Gettysburg Address, donated by a non-Jew in 1879 – Dallas signature haberdasher was another Abraham Lincoln was more than the boasted a handsome synagogue with a Jewish merchant, Memphis-born Leon Civil War president, more than the choir, a Sabbath School, and a secular Gross, a temple founder and the Great Emancipator, more than a school. Fort Worth remained without proprietor of Washer Brothers Cloth- martyred leader. Lincoln was a Bible- a Jewish congregation until 1892 when ier. Greenwall’s Opera, managed by quoting lawyer, a non- churchgoing twenty men, mostly Eastern European Leo Greenwall featured Sarah immigrants, spearheaded formation of Bernhardt on its marquee. Fort Worth Continued on page 14 Ahavath Sholom, a traditional syna- was feeling cosmopolitan by 1910, its

Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Page 13 Continued from page 13 History of the Christian who practiced a personal brand of religion that conveyed a Texas Jewish Historical Society touch of the cowboy. The rabbi drew religious inspiration from Honest Abe: Editor’s note: Due to the large number of new members in the Society, we “[Lincoln] turned to the Bible as his thought the history of the TJHS would be of some interest 20 years later. companion and guiding light. He knew the Bible well.” So did George Fox. In 1980 Rabbi Jimmy Kessler throughout the state. It has also Against the wishes of his congregation, of Galveston published a letter in The supported films and videos such as on his first Sabbath in Fort Worth, the Jewish Herald Voice of Houston and West of Hester Street about the young rabbi preached a sermon titled in The Texas Jewish Post of Dallas/ Galveston Jewish immigration move- “Lincoln’s Contribution to the Na- Fort Worth calling for the creation of a ment, This Is Our Home, It Is Not tion.” historical society to preserve the For Sale about Houston’s Riverside “Nothing happened,” the rabbi history of the Texas Jewish Experi- neighborhood, and At Home On The reported, except that he had asserted ence. The first Gathering took place in Range, Jewish Life in Texas, a video his independence and articulated his San Antonio in March of 1980. The broadcast on PBS television. passion for American history and Texas Jewish Historical Society was Virtual Restoration of Small ideals. The next year I did the same,” organized with Rabbi Kessler as its Town Synagogues in Texas can be the rabbi remarked. “A northern first president. viewed on the Internet, at: http:// Presbyterian minister joined me.” Over the last 20 years, the www.Neosoft.com/~tjhs/vrsyn.html. This colorful rabbi, a Lincoln Texas Jewish Historical Society has This unique project provides an Republican in the land of Southern grown to over 750 family members opportunity to retrace the experience Democrats, seemed determined to and has sponsored and encouraged of Jewish people in a number of small proceed with candor, break some research as well as provided a forum communities that no longer have a taboos, and raise the profile of the for scholars and students of Texas Jewish presence. local Jewish community. Already, Jewish History. The Society Board The Society participates in the during his first week in Texas, he had meets quarterly in cities across the Texas State Historical Commission persuaded the local ministers’ alliance state to study the Jewish history of that contest by sponsering prizes for essays to open its membership to rabbis. area and conduct its business meet- on Jewish history. Although there was another rabbi in ings. The Annual Gathering provides In partnership with the Univer- town - Charles Blumenthal, the an opportunity to hear scholarly sity of Texas Institute of Texan Lithuanian-trained religious teacher at presentations, learn research skills and Cultures Museum in San Antonio, Ahavath Sholom - Fox quickly became hear stories about growing up Jewish TJHS provided research materials and the high-profile rabbi, particularly in Texas. The quarterly Newsletter is funding for a completely refurbished among the non-Jewish community. distributed to all of our members and to exhibit, SHALOM Y’ALL - THE Debonair, with a rusty mane many University libraries, museums JEWISH EXPERIENCE IN TEXAS. of hair, Fox cut a fashionable figure and archives worldwide. A permanent This museum is visited by thousands of with his dark, tailored suits, starched TJHS archive of source materials, school children and adults who gain a shirts, and a gemstone tie tack that documents, family, community and greater understanding of our culture, complemented the sparkle in his eyes. organizational histories has been history and the challenges we have The young rabbi wore rimless spec- established at The University of Texas faced and overcome. tacles, a thin mustache, and projected American History Center in Austin as This Society is not just for this a strong jaw that relaxed into a win- part of the Barker Texas History generation but for many generations to some smile. He was also a paradox: a Collection. Several members of TJHS come who deserve to know of their Jew who looked like an Irishman, a contributed articles to the recently Texas Jewish heritage. Writing a minister without a clerical collar, and a revised, six volume, HANDBOOK of history is one of those acts that add to Northerner comfortable backslapping TEXAS. the Jewish collective memory. The with Texans. Each year the TJHS sponsors Talmud records the folktale of Honi Excerpted from Jewish Stars a tour that focuses on locations that the circle drawer, who learned an in Texas: Rabbis and Their Work by are part of our Jewish history. important lesson from watching an Hollace Ava Weiner, copyright 1999. The TJHS has been instru- elderly man plant a carob tree. “You’ll Published by Texas A&M University mental in erecting several historical not benefit from you efforts, old man, it Press. Used with permission. Jewish markers and has published the book, will be long after your death when the Stars in Texas is available in hard- Deep in the Heart: Lives and Leg- tree gives its fruit.” The elderly man cover ($24.95). To order, call (800) ends of Texas Jews. The Society also answered, “Of course, but I do this 826-8911. published a valuable book for genealo- work for my children and my students gists documenting Jewish burials and their posterity, not for myself.”

Page 14 Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Share the Pleasure of Historical Texas Synagogues with Someone Special!

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Package A contains: Temple Beth-El, Corsicana Temple Mizpah, Abilene Temple Freda, Bryan Temple Beth Israel, San Angelo Schwarz Family Synagogue, Hempstead

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Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Page 15 Jewish Corsicana Editor’s note: This article was written by Irvin Samuels after our Fall Board Meeting in Corsicana, Texas. It offers some insight into the lives of the people of Corsicana. We feel quite flattered that wasn’t that an experience and wasn’t landed in NY. The Jewish Benevolent you have chosen Corsicana for your she brave! Several years ago we Society aided him as they did other Fall Board Meeting. How wonderful it visited Ellis Island after its renovation. Jewish immigrants and found him a job was to see such a responsive crowd at One of the exhibits was a huge picture in a New Jersey hat factory. He spent the schul last night - just like it was not of immigrants just entering the states his spare time reading western stories too many years ago! For right now, and what caught my eye was a mother which he truly loved and decided the close your eyes and picture Corsicana with several youngsters hanging on to west was his true destiny. He saved as it was not too long ago with 200- her skirt with such fear, yet hope in his money and when he thought that he plus families as a vibrant Jewish their young eyes. Instantly, I related to had enough for transportation, food community. Then we open our eyes my Grandma with her chicks hanging and shelter, he went to the RR depot, and face reality that not only small on to her. From New York, they laid his allotted money down and said, towns, but even larger cities like Tyler, traveled by rail to Waco, Texas. “How far west will this take me?” Port Arthur and even Waco’s Jewish Grandpa at this time was working for The agent took out his time table and communities are all moving to the an uncle there, but it didn’t work out. said, “You will have to change trains larger cities as our youth seek what So he packed up his family and moved several times, but you will end up in the larger city offers and that our to Corsicana, where he opened a Corsicana, Texas.” smaller communities can not compete second-hand shoe shop. From what I Now can you read the writing with. Who knows, some day the trend could figure out, Grandpa never was on the wall? Well, when little five- may do a complete turn-around and much of a merchant. His love was foot-three Pop set foot on Corsicana’s Judaism may return to communities sitting in schul and studying the terra firma, there was Grandma Sarah like ours. I can dream can’t I? Talmud and Torah. So, Grandma with Goodman waiting at the station with Every Jew living in this four youngsters to feed, opened a just one room unoccupied in her wonderful country has a past that boarding house on east Third Ave. She boarding house. Sarah Goodman, began mostly somewhere in Europe at made it a point to meet almost every having three daughters who were the time of the great exodus from the train and bring boarders back to her growing up fast, and in her mind, Tzar, army drafts or pogroms – the boarding house. Being a good Jewish becoming old maids at the age of 15, great migration. I truthfully regret that cook, needless to say, she supported Philip Samuels, now Americanized, I did not pay more attention to Grandpa in a style that he liked very didn’t stand a chance. I truly have no Mamma’s or Pop’s stories of the past, well. Now Grandpa was the original idea what Pop did when he first came but how many children did,back then? wandering Jew and from time to time to Corsicana, but eventually he met However, I would like to relate some he would ride the rails to St. Louis Max Cohen and they opened a men’s of their past that I can recall. where he had lots of relatives. store together. Also, Grandma was a My grandfather was David Now, remember, here is happy woman when Philip married Goodman and was married to Sara Grandma with three daughters begin- Esther Goodman in 1899. In 1900, my Mendel and they lived in London. ning to bloom, so she was keeping her oldest brother Aaron, one of the most Their family consisted of 3 very young eyes wide open. So let’s retrogress to wonderful gentlemen in the world, was daughters and one son, all born in the gettos of Warsaw, Poland where born. I would like to mention, the England. Later another son was born Phishal Zemmel, later know as Philip wandering Jew, Grandpa Goodman, in Corsicana in the latter 1800s. They Samuels, lived. Phishal was very came home for awhile as Grandma lived on Thread Needle Street, which young when his father died. His Sarah had Louis, in 1898. So here was must have been the Jewish district in mother eventually remarried, and like Louis, an uncle, at the age of one. the 1800s. Grimm’s Fairy Tales, he and his step- In 1910, Philip Samuels bought Mama, the oldest, loved to tell father did not get along, and also, he out Max Cohen and changed the name this story. One day Grandpa was knew eventually that he would have to of the business to P. Samuels. After missing and Grandma had no word go into the Tzar’s army. Having a Pop’s death in 1943, we three boys from him for six months. I asked good kopf, he decided it was time to operated the firm. In 1977, my Mama if they were worried or did they leave Poland for the Promised Land, youngest son Douglas and I continued notify the police? She said Grandpa America. He had thought about this a in business until 1990. Douglas and I always did things like that. long time. He knew where he wanted realized that the Mom and Pop stores Sure enough, one day out of to go and even had started teaching were something of the past and it was the clear blue, a letter appeared with himself the English language. time for Douglas to find a new career. tickets to America and money for He left Poland and worked his My story is one of the many expenses. I remember Mama telling way to Liverpool where he earned stories of the past where Judaism about Grandma traveling over the enough money for passage to the US. Atlantic with four small children. My, He sailed on the USS Arizona and Continued on page 17

Page 16 Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Continued from page 16 Traveling Address flourished in Corsicana. I wish I had the time to tell what I remember of Jewish Texas Changes those who lived and moved on from here - The Passing Parade. Today I If you take Interstate 45 on Has your address changed? do want to emphasize that at one time your way to or from one of our What about your Area Code or there were so many young Jewish meetings, you might stop to take a look phone number? Has your name children that both congregations got around Ennis. The Ennis Historic together and hired a man by the name Landmark Commission has published a changed? Do you want your name to of Dr. Klinger to come to Corsicana to brochure welcoming visitors to this appear differently on the TJHS prepare the children for Confirmation “city of cultural diversity.” Founded in mailing label? Please let us know. and Bar Mitzvah. Also, we had our 1872, the settlement gained a “wild own Boy Scout Troop, and we even We’d really appreciate your help. west” reputation with 13 saloons and Please send new information to Geri had a baseball team that played other six beer halls. Immigrants from Jewish teams from Waco and Tyler. Czechoslovakia started arriving in Gregory, 327 West Lullwood Av- The games were played on Sundays enue, San Antonio, TX 78212. Thank with a picnic in the morning, a ball 1873, and the city retains a strong game in the afternoon, and a dance at Czech influence including hosting the you! night. The ball team was “The Yiddish National Polka Festival each May. City Nine.” Corsicana was a hub of There must have been some NEW Texas Jewish Jewish social activity. You won’t civilizing influences with the coming of believe this, but Corsicana had a the railroad and the growth of the Historical Society YMHA. I ran across some old dance cotton industry, because many beauti- Website programs. I have asked around to find ful turn-of-the-century homes remain, out more about it, and the only one left and are pictured in the brochure of Texas Jewish Historical Society was Louis Schwarts, who was 102 at historic homes and buildings. At least P.O Box 10193 Austin, TX 78766 the time. I just knew he would re- two of them are of Jewish interest, the Telephone - (281)276-9693 member it, but alas, to my regret, he 1910 Raphael House at 500 W. Ennis E-Mail address - [email protected] did not. Avenue and the 1915 Novy House at Helen Wilk asked me what it 401 N. Clay. The Raphael House is a Web Site address: was like growing up in Corsicana. It classical Revival style home built by http://www.geocities.com/txsynvr/ wasn’t bad at all. Once in a great Edmond Raphael. President of the tjhs.html while, someone would take a dig at me Ennis National Bank, a Jewish com- about being Jewish, but that was rare. munity leader who built this home for The Texas Jewish Historical My folks could not join the Country his family. The Novy house is an Society draws its membership from Club, but who said they wanted to? impressive structure and is considered across the State of Texas, bordering That is really the only restriction that I an outstanding example of Prairie states and across our great nation. can recall. We took part in everything School influence on north Texas we desired. Of course, as a child, I TJHS supports a wide-ranging architecture. It was built by Joe Novy, never thought that I was different from agenda. Quarterly Board Meetings anyone else, and really, I wasn’t! I a grocer in Ennis. Perhaps some of are held at points of particular played on the 1932 State Champion- our readers could add information interest, an extensive newsletter is ship Team - I was just another player - about these community leaders, or published regularly, and a speakers not a Jewish player. There was other information about Ennis. bureau is maintained. A variety of prejudice, but I never remember any research projects are facilitated violence. Everyone liked everyone through the Jewish Archives in the else, and enjoyed their company. This & That. . . Barker Library, or supported directly There was no television and very little such as “Virtual Restoration of radio. People sat on their front We wish TJHS Historian, Small-Town Synagogues in Texas.” porches and visited. Automobiles Blanche Sheiness, a rapid and were just coming into being and if We are very proud of our complete recovery from her heart organization and ask you to look us anyone had a blowout, we wouldn’t attack and angioplasty, which think what church he attended, we up and celebrate the joys of Texas would get out the jack and fix the tire. occurred the first week of Decem- history. If it happened in front of our house, we ber. would always be willing to help, and Good wishes to Merilee Mamma would make the lemonade to cool us off. Being Jewish was being Weiner for her recent Cataract part of our town of Corsicana. surgery.

Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Page 17 Glenda Alter, TJHS Board Member This is the second article in a continuing series highlighting the life stories of TJHS Board Members and Officers

When I was born in 1929 in the midst of the depression. In 1936 Hearne, Texas, our family was one of he opened a military uniform business four Jewish families – all related. in conjuntion with a cleaning and However, I was always the only pressing business in College Station, Jewish child in school through all my although we first lived in Bryan. school days. Since Bar or Bat Mitzvah My parents were Bobette were not possible in Bryan because Hart Lauterstein and Julian Byron there was no rabbi, my parents took Lauterstein. My maternal great- me to Waco to meet with Rabbi Wolfe grandmother, Bobette Young, was Macht. Later, I was confirmed “by born in Montgomery, Alabama. My correspondence.” He had also grandmother, Leah Cohen, was born married my parents in Hearne. The near Hearne in a town that does not only young Jewish people I remember exist today, Ingleside or Inglewood. from Bryan were Morris Gelber and My great-grandparents are buried in Alfred and Bill Schulman, whose Calvert, Texas. mother owned the movie theaters My maternal grandparents there. I only had a few months of were Gerson and Leah (Cohen) Hart. Sunday School. Although we were My grandfather came to Texas from members of Temple Freda in Bryan, either Natchez or Osyka, Mississippi. M.M. Harris, whose late husband was we did not celebrate Jewish holidays, He owned a grocery store in Hearne the editor of the San Antonio Express except my father closed on Rosh when my mother, Bobette, was born in for many years. Two of her children Hashanah and Yom Kippur, even if it 1902. She was an only child. were Mrs. Oscar Berman and Mrs. was the first day of school at A&M. I My paternal great-grandpar- Zadek, who lived in San Antonio for remember attending a Seder at the ents were Simon and Goldie Rose many years. Hillel and occasional Friday night Lauterstein from Tilsit, East Prussia. My grandfather and his services. They once lived in a small village brother and Oscar Berman all peddled I attended elementary school called Stirpeiken. in Texas. They were well-received by through the fourth grade in Bryan. We My paternal grandparents the farmers who bought their mer- built a new home in College Station, so were Moses (Max) and Lizzie chandise. They were invited to eat I transferred to school there. My (Rosenstein) Lauterstein. My grand- with them and to spend the nights in activities in high school included mother was from Vistinich, Poland, I their homes. Grandpa’s other brother serving on the Annual staff, the believe. My grandmother lived first in lived in Texas, but my father became newspaper, the student council, New York with her sister, Fanny tired of his escapades and gave him National Honor Society, and introduc- Schlesinger, and then she and the other $500.00 and told him to leave Texas. ing speakers who came to the school. five children and their mother came to He moved to New York and later I graduated from Bryan High School in Columbus, Texas to be with their became the president of a bank in 1946. father. New York City. When I was a freshman at the My grandfather was born in My grandfather and grand- University of Texas, I went to Rosh 1856 in Tilsit, East Prussia, and came mother married in Columbus, Texas Hashanah dinner at my aunt’s home, to America at the age of 17 and went and moved to Llano, Texas two years where Sylvan Alter and his brother to Peoria, Illinois to live with some after the last battle with the Indians. were living. It was September 16, relatives, the Finkelsteins. Mr. They raised several children and lived 1946 in Austin, Texas. Sylvan and I Finkelstein was traveling with an there for 40 years. Grandpa opened a got pinned in Dallas at the Columbian elderly man in a covered wagon when store in Llano, and they lived in the Club on New Year’s Eve, 1947, and he was killed. The widow, Mrs. back of the store. Their oldest son we married on December 19, 1948 at Finkelstein, was left with several small was born there and people came for the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio. My children. Her last child, William miles around to see the little Jewish matron of honor was my big sister in Finkelstein, was born after his father baby – the first ever born in Llano. my sorority, Harriet Kirsner Melitz. was killed. His name was Lewis Lauterstein. My My bridesmaids were my future sister- Some of you may remember father, Julian, was born in Llano in in-law, Shirley Jacobs, my roommate, William Finkelstein, as he lived in San 1895. In 1920, they and their four Antonio for many years. Another children moved to San Antonio. Later, child of Mrs. Finkelstein’s was Mrs. my father had a dry goods store in Continued on page 19 Josey. She was the mother of Mrs. Hearne which was destroyed by fire in

Page 18 Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Continued from page 18 A Letter From a Member Frances Perl, and my sorority sister, My uncle Sam Farb is now 93 years old. He still works several Hope Silber. My dear friends and hours a day in his drug store on Broadway in Galveston, now run by his sorority sisters, Shirley Evans played son Stuart. Sam still drives and reads constantly, and keeps his wonderful the piano and Beverly Mell sang. sense of humor. He was just invited by Galveston’s local Historical Society Sylvan’s best man was his brother, to say a few words about growing up in Galveston in the first part of this Nelson Alter, and groomsmen were century. He wrote the following article and presented it to the Historical Sonny Nedler, Stanley Mindes, and his Society’s last meeting. There was great interest and many questions asked cousin, Jack Alter. of him by the non-Jewish and Jewish audience. My husband Harold and I I have been active in Temple read each of your Newsletters and always enjoy each article. Thank you Beth-El in San Antonio, Jewish Family for all your efforts to keep your membership informed on our state’s past Service, Brandeis, Jewish Community Jewish history. Center, Golden Manor Home for the Aged, Temple Beth-El Sisterhood, National Council of Jewish Women, Sonia Farb Raizes Cancer Center Council Secretary and Vice President, Library Foundation In 1888, my dad was 24 when synagogue became the focus of their Board, Texas Library Association, he came to this country, settling in attention. Here, my father attended Insitutional Review Board at the Galveston. He and my mother had services daily. Going to the synagogue University of Texas Medical School, and the San Antonio Bar Auxiliary. I already met; they were engaged gave them the opportunity of mixing was a children’s librarian for 21 years before he left. When he was finan- with friends they had known in their and am now retired. cially able, he would bring my mother village, but also with new friends I always valued the fact that over. whom they met here. although we lived in a small town with He sent for my mother in 1889 My dad and mother had 6 little Jewish life, my parents always and immediately upon her arrival they children, 3 of whom are still living. My maintained our Jewish identity. My were married, he being 24 and my folks being Jewish were not allowed to father always closed for the high holidays at great financial loss, but with mother 17. Neither of them could attend school in their country, but my the gain of much respect and dignity. speak English, which made things dad picked up a fair knowledge of difficult. They were happy in their –Edited by Jan Siegel Hart new land and surroundings. The Continued on page 20

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Texas Jewish Historical Society – January 2000 Page 19 Continued from page 19 Talmud, and other books of learning. I number of students. I remember being was made to go to Hebrew school called ugly names. I decided to ignore English in his work, and was able to every afternoon. Classes began soon them and hoped they would stop. speak and understand it fairly well. after public school let out. I disliked it, As kids of ten and over, our We secured the services of an old but was made to go until I became a past time consisted of playing baseball retired school teacher to teach my Bar Mitzvah at age 13. on the corner. There were no play- mother to read and write. After age 13, I had to say grounds in those years around 1916. The village they came from morning prayers, and then there were We used the edge of each corner as a was under the rule of 3 countries since prayers to be said in the late after- base. Baseball was enjoyed through- 1888. After WWI, Austria lost the noon. This always interfered with a out the summer. I can remember my territory to Poland, with whom it baseball game which went on all the mother calling me for supper – calling remained until WWII, when it was lost time in our neighborhood. perhaps 10 times, but I never got home to Russia. I believe it remains Russian Sunday lunch was a regular until it became too dark to play. property today. attraction for all the family. The kids There was a drug store on our Life was difficult for them in were allowed to bring friends when- corner, and I became their youngest the beginning; they were in a foreign ever they chose, and Sunday lunch employee at age 14, working after land and it was not practical for them was always a delightful and enjoyable school, doing odd jobs and waiting on to attend school because my dad had affair. people. The pay was $6.00 a week, to begin making a living, and my My mother started to do which, at that time, was pretty good mother was fully occupied in the charity work early on; selling tickets wages. house. My dad began peddling fruits and collecting money for some charity My brothers and I eventually and vegetables to earn a living, which was a constant thing. Many times I ran four of our own drug stores, Farb’s was what most of his friends were helped her with her ticket sales and Drugs in Galveston and Texas City. doing. other charitable endeavors. Mother After large-chain stores entered the We children never realized walked from place to place to do her competition in Galveston, we were that we were poor because there was charity work because she had no car. forced to look into other fields. always a sufficiency of food and we Collecting for charities became one of My family always impressed always wore hand-me-down clothing her prime interests, so much so, the upon us the virtue of a good name; that from the older kids. We became a noted Rabbi Henry Cohen jokingly we should never do anything to stain it; very close-knit family. remarked that she was a competitor. that honesty was absolutely necessary Our family had many visitors There were some acts of anti- to have a good and rewarding life. who would discuss the Bible, the semitism in High School by a small This was their legacy.

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