NEWSLETTER GULF WAR AFFECTS OUR FAMILY for a Brief Time During

THE SER~CHARLAP FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Vol.2,No.2 Av 5751, Summer 1991 GULF WAR AFFECTS OUR FAMILY For a brief time during the Gulf War, Israel was the recipient of a great deal of justified praise from the Bush administration. The President and, for a change, the media expressed admiration and appreciation for Prime Minister Shamir's restraint in not retaliating against Saddam Hussein. The West, for a brief pause, seemed to remember what we all know; that Israel is surrounded by implacable enemies who will use any kind of force or subterfuge to undermine the well-being of the Jewish nation. Many American members of our family kept the transoceanic telephone lines busy by calling the mishpocha in Israel. We received much correspondence from those living under the Iraqi threat. These letters provided a profound understanding of the danger faced by our family, by Israel, and the Jewish people. The following was received from Malka Stalkowski(306,Pl.3ba) in early April: Dear Family, ****************************************** Thank you very much for the also heartbroken. He was a wonderful man. newsletters you have been sending us. In [ed:see obituaries] these unsettling times they give us a We are looking forward to the family connection to our large family and make us reunion and hope to meet many new feel part of a greater whole. About two relatives. Our new address is: months ago, on February 7th, Itzhak's (305) 19 Balfour Street father Moshe Stalkowski (280) passed away. Petach Tikvah 49350 Israel It was very sudden and occurred during the Shalom and our best wishes to all, Scud attacks on Israel. We had just moved Malka (306), Itzhak (305), to a new apartment and he had come to live Itay (307), & Moriah (308) with us. He was happy to be with his ------family, the first real pleasure he has had Other Israeli relatives from whom since his beloved Toba (277) had died two we've heard are: Harry Mankuta (1832, years earlier. The children were delighted Pl.17b), Sarah Brown (807,Pl.4d), Sonia to have their grandfather around to play Kiejsmacher (646, Pl. 5aa) , Michael (252) and with and listen to his stories. But then Leah (249, Pl. 3eb) Weiner, and Rachel Shacor the v1c1ous missile attacks came. The (2905,Pl.20fa). They have all come through terrible noise in the middle of the night, the attacks without ill effects. the rush to put on gas masks, running to American family members have also the shelter or the "safe" room, the been affected by the Gulf War. The Fort crashing sound of explosions over our heads McClellan Army newspaper (Feb. 15,1991) - all these took their toll and Moshe's featured an article under large headlines, heart gave out. And we and the children are (continued next page) 2 ••0ptc:xnetrist Ccxnes out of IN APPRECIATION OF Retir~nt Du.ring Crisis." MARTIN GLEMBOURTT The optometrist in question is none other than our ow~ Harry Atlas (2252,Pl.17ccb). A few years ago, Sid Family (198, In March of 1950 Harry received his Pl.3f), while in shul, happened upon Doctor's degree from the Southern College Lillian Cohen, one of our landsleit. She of Optometry. He entered the Army during mentioned a cousin living in Fresh Meadows, the Korean War and spent the next two years New York who was investigating the at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. Harry avers that genealogy of families from Lornza Gebernya, he loved Army life and would have remained Poland. At Sid's suggestion, we called on active duty but Barbara Meer (2380), his Martin Glembourtt. This has led to a warm wife to be, gave him an ultimatum, "It's friendship and cooperation in our common either the Army or me." They've been research. Knowledge of our family's roots married for 39 years. Harry did remain in has been immeasurably enhanced through the reserves and served at the 3345th U.S. Martin's many suggestions and his Army Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. He generosity in providing archival material. retired with the rank of Colonel in 1985. Martin's family name was originally While in the reserves, his unit was put on Golombowicz, which means "son of the dove". alert three times - for the Berlin airlift Amongst ancient records, we have discovered crisis in 1961, the Cuban missile crisis in that Golombs married into several of the 1962, and for the Vietnam War. At age 65, branches of our family. It is likely that Harry felt the old tug when his unit was Martin is somehow distantly related again called up at the start of the Gulf although we have not as yet made the exact War. He tried on his old uniform, which he connection. No matter, he is one of us and is pleased to report, still fit him, and we are thankful for that. Martin's family reported for duty. His ego was given a was centered in Czyzewo, Zareby Koscielnie boost when the Army eagerly accepted his (Zaromb), Lomza, Sniadowo, and other offer. "I love this country. Whatever I can shtetls in the area. Other branches of his do to benefit it I will. It upsets me when family include Pearlberg, Mullarscewicz, I see people not supporting our effort. and Kanet. The latter were prominent However that's all part of what we're tzitzis makers in and around Czyzewo. His about, protecting free speech. We should interest in genealogy was stimulated by his remember that no one stopped Hitler early mother's stories of the old country. His on and look at the damage he did to our later service with the U.S. Army in Europe people and the world. If Saddam were not solidified this interest. These experiences stopped, he could do the same - or.worse." are recounted in his book, lleaory Sketches Harry hopes that Barbara and their sons Of An Mlerican G.I. Martin served in the Alvin (2357) and Joel (2358) will European Theatre of Operations as a member understand his decision to help the U.S. of a tank destroyer unit that fought from troops do their job and perhaps get them St. Lo across the Rhine into Germany. He home a little sooner. was involved in the famous battle of "The ****************************************** Bridge at Remagen". His unit was the first THE SER-CBARLAP FAMILY :NEWSLE'M'ER is to enter a concentration camp in Germany published quarterly. We encourage submittal (Ohrduf). Appalled at what he saw there and of news items, essays, poems, and articles at other locations, he received special of interest to the family. Correspondence permission to set up a Communication Center should be directed to: for Holocaust Survivors near Frankfurt. He Arthur F. Menton, Editor is officially recognized as a Holocaust P.O. Box 108 Liberator by the Holocaust Center in New Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. 11724 York. Martin helped innumerable survivors Tel: (516)754-1742 locate relatives throughout the world. Copyright © 1991 Today, at more than eighty years of age, he Arthur F. Menton is still active on behalf of the Jewish All rights reserved (cont. page 4) 3 THE CHARLAPS OF MARIAMPOL Abraham Chaim Charlap (3712,Pl.A-3) was a noted writer in three languages: Yiddish, Hebrew, and English. He published under his given name as well as derivative pen names Abraham Chayyim, Abraham Hyman, and Hyman Charlap. Abraham Chaim Charlap was born in Mariampol, Lithuania in December 1859. His father was Yosef Ze'ev Charlap (3159,Pl.A) (1818- 1865) who in turn was the son of Yehuda Leib (3148). Yehuda Leib, born in 1782 was the second Rabbi of Mariampol, assuming the post in 1820 and holding it until his death in either 1840 or 1849. He was one of the seven known children of Abraham Charlap (2153) who stands at the head of our family tree. Yehuda Leib married the daughter of the revered Rabbi Chaim, known as the Shershaver Rebbe. We are fortunate to have a fragment of the History of Mariampol by A. Hyman Charlap. It contains some interesting information about these Mariampol Charlaps. Location: District of Suwalki; 19 viorsts from Kalvaria, 21 from Vilkovinski. Not very old. Formerly called Starifalia or Starfali. At first, the Jewish community was dependent in all religious matters, such as schochetim and judges, on Kalvaria. The first Rabbi was Reb Chaim who was later known as the Shershaver Rebbe. He was appointed in 1780 and served for forty years. The economic situation during that period was very poor and the community did not have the money to build their own synagogue. Rabbi Chaim was sent to other Jewish communities on a fund raising mission. He reached Wilna where he was deeply impressed by Rabbi Elijah, the famous Wilna Gaon. Anecdote: The author's father [that is, Yosef Ze'ev father of Abraham Chaim Charlap] told him that in 1812, Napoleon's armies were passing through Mariampol during the Russian Campaign. Jews hid from the invaders in cellars and barricaded rooms. Yehuda Leib, then a dependent son-in-law of Rabbi Chaim, hid in a wardrobe, but in his haste left his shoes outside. The French soldiers were searching every house seeking local guides and food. Upon arriving at this particular house they found no one at home. Searching carefully, they noticed the shoes and opened the wardrobe to discover the frightened and trembling Reb Yehuda Leib. They pulled him out, set him upon a horse, and ordered him to guide them to the nearby city of Fren. Meanwhile, the other Jews had come out of their hiding places and seeing the young Rabbi atop the horse realized his predicament. Motioning to the French soldiers, they offered that one of them be used as a guide in place of the young Rabbi-to-be. The French acquiesced to the request and set Yehuda Leib free. Around the year 1819 or 1820, disputes over communal matters erupted and during the controversy a prominent citizen was killed by poison in his food. Many inhabitants of Mariampol were arrested and taken to Kalvaria where they were imprisoned and tortured. Yet, no one would confess. Rabbi Chaim, upset and unhappy over the issue, resigned his post and went to the city of Shershav in the district of Huradna. It was then that his son-in-law, Yehuda Leib Char lap succeeded him. Yehuda Leib was the uncle of famous rabbis: Ephraim Eliezer Zvi (3169) of Mezeritch, Moshe Aryeh (3170) of Trestina, and Abraham Gershon (3167) of Suchavalia. They were all sons of Ze'ev Charlap (3146,Pl.A-2). Yehuda Leib was also the brother of Zebulon Ser (2155) and was the progenitor of his own prominent clan. His daughter Chaya (3158) married her cousin Yitzhak (3157). Their son, Zebulon Chaim Charlap (3747,Pl.A-4) was brought to Eretz Yisroael as a young boy. He became a prominent rabbinic court judge. A list of Zebulon's descendants reads like a Who's Who of accomplished rabbis. Indeed, his great grandson is also Zebulon Charlap (3742,Pl.A-4a) who is Dean of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University in New York. Abraham ChaimCharlap's son was Joseph Charlap Hyman (3714,Pl.A-3). He was a well known attorney and writer who chaired the Joint Distribution Committee during the crucial 1940s. Abraham Chaim's niece, Ruth Sapinsky (4041,Pl.A-3a) was also a writer who married Henry Hurwitz (4049), founder of the Menorah Journal. [see Newsletter, Spring 1991]. Henry translated, from Hebrew and Yiddish, a moving piece by Israel Matz entitled "Memories of Kalvaria". He published it in the Menorah Journal, Autumn-Winter issue of 1960. 4

(cont. from page 2} · NEW 1\DDITIOtoiJS people. He lectures school children throughout the New York area about the This has been a prolific quarter for our Holocaust and has developed intriguing family. We are happy to report 15 new visual displays to accompany these talks. arrivals. Martin publishes his own family newsletter, which is filled with the wisdom accumulated Renana (6729) and Shir Brown (6728,Pl.4d) from his years of experience, dedication, made their debut in Israel earlier this perseverance, and intelligent research. His year. They are the children of Yishai Brown writing is embued with his intense humanity (866} and his wife, whose name we don't and his love and respect for his heritage. know. The twins are the second and third In addition to his military memoirs, Martin grandchildren of Ben Tzion (865) and Sarah has written two other books. One recounts Brown (807), having been preceded by their his experiences in the founding of the sister Adi (5263}. Sarah Brown is the Jewish Boy Scout movement in Brooklyn. In granddaughter of Hanoch Pasternak (556) of 1988-89 he published A Kaleidoscope Of Ny Ostrow Mazowieckie, and the great Jerish 'lforld, 1894-1932, his memories of granddaughter of Baruch (504} and Kayla Kur growing up in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Pasternak (503,Pl.4}. Hanoch's son, Ben Brownsville. This nostalgic look at the Tzion Pasternak (800) married Batja world of our immigrant parents is so warm Wishniak (804}, a Czyzewo girl. They made and penetrating, that when reading it, one aliyah to Israel in 1933. can savor Bubba's stuffed cabbage, hear the children playing kick-the-can and stickball Courtney Lynn (Chaya Rivka) Calo (6793, in the streets, and sense the solemn awe of Pl.23b) was born June 18th. Her parents are the High Holidays in the neighborhood Perry (5761) and Gail Sukenik Calo (5752} shuls. Martin Glembourtt is a treasure. It of Merrick,L.I. Gail's mother, Henia (5745) is an honor to know him as a teacher, was the daughter of Mordecai (4651} and friend, colleague, and potential relative. Chaya Lew Bekier (4646). These are the Lews Martin loves to hear from those with of Ciechanowiec who are also intertwined similar interests. He can be reached at: with the Kuropa twas. They arrived in the 69-15 198th Street U.S. after several years in Cuba. Courtney Fresh Meadows, N.Y. 11365 has an older sister, Jennifer Hope (5765}. (718} 454-7480 ****************************************** Shi11<>n Char lap (6723, Pl.A-4c} arrived on April 27th. He is the third son of Yaacov (3843) and Tsiporah Leah (3845) . Man is made man by history. It is history Grandparents are R.Ephraim (3835) and Sarah that causes the men of historic nations to (3839} Charlap who now have six be more civilized than the savage. The Jew grandchildren. Ephraim's father Was Yosef recognizes that he is made rthat he is by David who was born and died in Jerusalem. the history of his fathers, and feels he is He was Rosh Yeshiva Bais Zvul. His father losing his better self so tar as he loses was an earlier Yaacov Moshe (3730,Pl.A-4}} his hold on his past. who also lived his life in Yerushalayim - Joseph Jacobs (1854-1916) (1883-1952}. He was a revered rabbi and Jewish Folklorist and writer. He, in turn, was the son of Zebulon Essayist Chaim (3747), who is discussed in the ****************************************** article on page 3. Shimon has a According to its root distinguished ancestral line. The tree will grow; What and who a man is Two other Charlap children have increased Appears in his works. the entries on Plate A-4c.(6725) and (6726} - Santob de Carrion are also great grandchildren of Yosef David XIV century Spanish Rabbi (3737). We have not as yet learned the new ****************************************** (cont. page 6} 5 HEBREW ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS The most central element in the life of the Jewish people is the Torah. It is not surprising that the Jew has created magnificent books and manuscripts which he has carried with him throughout his exile. A considerable number of these treasures have survived over many centuries. A carefully crafted version of the Five Books of Moses, dated to 604 C.E. is housed in the Leningrad State Library. Until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls it was the oldest known biblical manuscript. Major collections of early Jewish manuscripts are housed in Bodleian Library of Oxford University, the British Museum, and the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. The earliest manifestations of Hebrew manuscript illumination occurred in the Middle East and the practice spread throughout the Islamic conquests and eventually into Spain and Portugal. During the Middle Ages in Europe, this became the most prominent art form among Jews. The scribes and artists who worked on these holy books were accorded great honor by the Jewish communities. As early as 126'2, Abraham Ibn Hayyim wrote a book in Portuguese and Hebrew concerning the illuminated manuscript. David Goldstein of the British Library observes that "particular love and care were lavished on the copying of manuscripts of the Bible, the most sacred possession of the Jewish people." The five megillot {Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Kohelet, and Esther) were often intricately decorated with art forms. The machzor, or festival prayer book, was another frequently illuminated manuscript. Most Jewish festivals are associated with historic events which lend themselves to creative expression. Perhaps the Passover Haggadah is "the most extensively and richly decorated" of all the Jewish prayer books. Many unique examples survive and have been reproduced in facsimile editions. Marriage contracts, ketubim, were a favorite of medieval Jewish artists and scribes. The illuminated ketubah has continued to be valued throughout the Jewish world and its popularity among many newly married couples has stimulated a renaissance of this form. Illumination was also employed by Jewish artists in embellishing works of science, philosophy, medicine and Jewish law. An excellent example of the latter is the Jllishna Torah written by Maimonides in Egypt in 1182. Recently, we discovered this magnificent volume while doing research in the British Library. Goldstein points out that "the introduction and each of the 14 books in which the work is arranged are elaborately decorated with foliage and flowers and delicate filigree work." The volume we saw was copied from the original Rambam work in Portugal from September 1471-August 1472 (5232). To our amazement we noted that the artist was Solomon Ibn Alzuk who completed the manuscript for Joseph hen David Ibn Yahya! Joseph is none other than Yosef Ibn Yahya {82,Pl. AAA,page 2), our ancestor who lived from 1425-1498. He must have been expelled from the Iberian peninsula as a result of the infamous edicts issued by Ferdinand and Isabella and mimicked by the Portuguese king. His father David was known as Gaon; he was an especially prominent rabbi. Six generations after Yosef, his descendant Eliezer (88,Pl.AAA) entered Poland as the first modern Charlap. The discovery of our ancestral Jllishna Torah stirred up some ambivalent thoughts. How did this volume get from the Ibn Yahyas to the British Library? Was it seized by the Spanish or Portuguese oppressors and later captured by the British? Or did it take some more tortuous path to its present berth? A few years ago, there was a traveling exhibition of sacred Hebrew manuscripts held by the Vatican which after a year-long tour of the United States was shown at the New York Public Library on 42nd Street. We were among the thousands who viewed these wonderful works. A few insightful people organized a Committee for the Recovery of Jewish Manuscripts. They placed advertisements in many national papers which raised some cogent points. Excerpts follow:

It is well known that the Church, tor centuries, as part of her deliberate plan to eradicate Judaism, engaged in a systematic campaign to seize Hebrew books and destroy Jewish libraries. This was done tor many reasons. Firstly, to create and maintain the absurd notion that Judaism, after the death of Jesus, was a sterile and unproductive religion. Secondly, (continued on page 7) 6

NEW ADDITIONS Sydney Leab Sahr (6722,Pl.3a) was born May (cont. from page 4) 9th to Seth (27) and Christina (892). The first grandchild for Donald (24) and Naomi Sabras' names, but we do know that (6725) Sahr (23) of Bayside, N. Y. The baby is is a boy. Grandfather Naphtali Zvi Yehuda named for her great grandfather (18), whose is a brother to Ephraim. His son, another name was also spelled Sydney. The first Yaacov Moshe (4146) and wife Karen (4148) Sydney started a pharmacy in Woodside, N.Y. are the parents of (6725), and (6726) which was subsequently taken over by belongs to Yair (4147) and Billa (4149). Donald. Great great grandfather was Yankel Lazer (Yaacov Eliezer) Sahr (3,Pl.3), who Yochevet Charlap (6724) is still another was born in Ciechanowiec and emigrated to new 1991 baby on Plate A-4c. Yochevet is the USA circa 1890, spending much of his the granddaughter of Ephraim and Sarah and life in Schenectady, N.Y. shares the same yichus as her cousins introduced above. Chaya Sarah Schneider (6716,Pl.A-4a),· born on April 29th to Shoshana Charlap (3849) Hillel Yehuda Tuvia Ducbin (6705,Pl.A-2cb) Schneider. Proud father and husband is was born on March 1st. He is the second for Michael (5121). Equally proud of their Neal (3550) and Chaya (3547), who live in seventh grandchild are Rabbi Zebulon (3742) Oak Park, Michigan. Hillel is a Charlap and Rebbitzin Judith. Zebulon is Dean of through his maternal grandmother Chana RIETS at Yeshiva University (see page 3). Hurewitz (3531), who is. the daughter of His father was Yechiel Mikhael (3736) of Yerocham Fischel Charlap (3521). The latter Jerusalem. As mentioned several times in was born in Suwalki in 1890 and emigrated this issue, The Charlaps of Plate A-4 have to the USA in 1924. Hillel has an older a distinguished history. May Chaya Sarah be sister Rachel (4451) and is the fifth blessed to continue this heritage. grandchild for Chana. Gerard {Gershon) Shifrin (6794,Pl.7a), born Willia• Jacob Ferris (6445,Pl.18c) also April 24th, the son of Brad (719) and Lisa arrived in March. He is the first for John (735), and brother to Jillian Lee (733) . (1947) and Jan (1936) and the first The new boy is named for his grandfather grandchild for Dan (1895) and Marcia Gikner Gerald (Gershon) Shifrin (712). Grandma (1893). Marcia's parents were Velvel Simon Gail (700) lives in Florham Park, N.J. and (1872), for whom the baby is named, and great grandparents Max (686) and Ann Kuhr Sarah Mankuta (1864). Velvel's mother was (691) live in Danbury, Ct. and winter in Maite Tama (1854, Pl.18) . Sarah's parents Florida. Max's parents were Beryl (673) and were Yankel Mankuta (1855) and Rachel Leah Miriam Luba Kuhr (679). His grandparents Tama (1852). So the baby's great were Mattis Leml Kuhr (672) and Shayna grandparents were first cousins. Both the Parczewski (671,Pl.7). Kuhr and Parczewski Tama and Mankuta lines are members of our lines are both members of our family. family. Heather (Henia) Turetsky (6444,Pl.23b) Michael Saauel lrantz-Perlaan (6795,Pl.20e) arrived on March 10th, the daughter of Mark was born April 15th, in Chicago, to Myron (5762) and Denise Sukenik Turetsky (5753). Perlman (4336) and Ann Krantz (2705). He is She is named for her grandmother Henia and their second, joining his brother Isaac has the same yichus as cousin Courtney Joseph (4746). Proud grandparents are Harry Calo, who was born three months later. (see (2699) and Miriam Krantz (2702) of Overland above). Thus Heather is a Lew. We are Park, Kansas. Harry's grandmother was Golda investigating how the Sukeniks may be Smolarczyk (2620) . Michael is the fifth related. They married into the Pakciar and great grandchild for Sarah Mirel Krantz Smolarczyk lines, in addition to Lew. (2698) who is 94 years old and lives at Shalom Geriatric Center, Kansas City, Mo. (New Additions continue next page) (cont. next column) 7

NEW ADDITIOl.\fS HEBREW MANUSCRIPrS (cont. from previous page) (cont. from page 5)

Akiba Avrahaa Mordecai Zelcer (6727, to deprive Jews of their means of education Pl.17ccb), the fifth child of Harry (2361) and thereby to throttle the unusually high and Vivian Atlas Zelcer (2353), was born on level of Jewish scholarship. Thirdly, to May 8th. He joins his siblings Adam (2368), search in Jewish writings for some glib Raizel (2369), Joshua (2370}, and Uriel arguments which could be turned against (2371} . Akiba is the 13th grandchild of Judaism and force conversions to Rabbi Seymour (2253} and Beverly Atlas Christianity. They were used to fabricate {2265). We were told that he is their "Bar ammunition against Judaism in rigged Mi tzvah Grandchild". Seymour is the disputations which rabbis were forced to grandson of Yetta Pakciar Atlas {2127). The attend. Lastly, while most of the Hebrew Atlas family includes many rabbis. It is manuscripts thus wrested by force from the believed that the name derives from the persecuted Jewish communities were burned, Atlas Mountains in Morocco and that the or hidden in churches or monasteries, some family, like the Char laps, has sephardic were torn apart to be sold as book binding roots. material. ******************************************* Pope Urban II unleashed blood-thirsty MARRIAGES mobs for the First Crusade in 1096 who promptly slaughtered thousands of Shelley Levine (429,Pl.Jg} was wed to David outstanding Jewish scholars in communities Shereck (5978} on June 9th at Temple along the Rhine River and destroyed their Hillel, North Woodmere, N.Y. The bride is libraries. In 1244, under Innocent IV, the daughter of Albert {413} and Sylvia twenty-tour cart loads of Hebrew (415) Levine. Her grandparents were manuscripts, mainly copies of the Talmud, Jeanette {Yentl) {407) and Jack Levine were burned in public in Paris. Pope Paul {411). Yentl's parents were Shmuel Danowitz IV , before he died in 1559, destroyed {193) and Rivka Ser (192). Jack's parents every Hebrew book owned by the Jews of were Avraham Tuvia Lew (5859, Pl. 28) and Rome. His successor, Pius V, punished any Sarah Danowitz (5863). The Lew, Levine, Jew caught still owning a single book. This Ser, and Danowitz lines are all on our on-going cultural genocide was so thorough tree. Shelley is an accounting graduate of that only one hand written copy of the SUNY Binghamton. David manufactures T Talmud survived the Popes' crusade against shirts. The Sherecks first home is in Jewish writings - the famous Munich Talmud Plantation, Florida. manuscript. Can anyone imagine that Jews, thus constantly fighting to preserve their The former Susan Segal (1238, Pl. 7c) was sacred books, would sell or donate them ..• married to David Kupper (6702) on June to the Vatican, as the promoters of the 14th. Susan is a psychiatric nurse and exhibition would have us believe? NO! Every David is a physician. The health manuscript in the Va ti can has its blood professions are a tradition among the drenched roots in pogroms and massacres of Segals; Susan's father, Jack (858) is a Jewish communities throughout the cardiologist. Her mother Lila (856) is a centuries. Kuhr, her grandfather being Hyman Cohen In view of the tragic trail of (Kuhr) (675}, the son of Mattis Leml Kur suffering and persecution which these (672,Pl.7) and Shayna Parczewski (671, precious books represent in Jewish history, Pl.17). The Kuppers live in Rockville,Md. it must be considered highly inappropriate to use them as a kind of traveling circus May all the new children grow to maturity for the financial gain of the Vatican. The in heal th and may they be a credit to whole enterprise betrays gross themselves, to their families and to all insensi ti vi ty to Jewish suffering and Israel. And Hazel Tov to the newlyweds! pride. ****************************************** (cont. next page} 8

HEBREW MANUSCR.IPI'S E.Paul Charlap (3781,Pl.A-6a) died on March (cont. from previous page) 19th. Paul was the son of Harold ( 377 7, Pl. A-6) and the gr and son of Morris The exquisite manuscripts, Isaac Charlap (3774). The latter's brother, painstakingly penned by skilled Jewish Yehoshua (5215) started a dynasty which scribes and artists, were produced included the late Menachem Savidor (5224), generation after generation to be used tor Speaker of the Israeli Knesset. A dynamic religious devotion and Jewish scholarship. and influential businessman, Paul had been The mint condition of most of them proves the subject of feature articles in The New that they were snatched from their owners York Times, Wall Street Journal, Business before their purpose could be tultilled tor Week, Time, etc. Most recently he had been any length of time. Chairman of the Hem Pharmaceuticals Corp., Viewing these works and recognizing a research firm based in Philadelphia, the dedication of those who produced them, which had developed a new drug called conjured up similar thoughts to those Ampligen, used to augment the immune expressed by the Committee For the Recovery system. In 1960 he founded Savin Corp. As of Jewish Manuscripts. Upon seeing the Chief Executive Officer, he guided its Maimonides Mishna Torah in the British growth to a prominent position in the Library, crafted for our relative Yosef Ibn business machine field. Paul left Savin in Yahya, these sentiments were rekindled. It 1986. He was also a Director of Nu-kote is time for Christian institutions to atone International, Uniroyal-Goodrich Tire Co., for their murderous actions against our and Mariner's Hospital in Tavarnier, people. A small beginning would be the Florida. Paul was married three times. His return of sacred Hebrew manuscripts to wives survive him, as do his children from their rightful owners. It might be too much his first marriage, Peter (4326) and Susan for our family to lay claim to the Ibn Levitt (4327), and from his third marriage, Yahya volume, but this and especially the Rebecca (4695) and Amanda (4696). Peter, of treasures sequestered in the Vatican should Stanfordville,N.Y. and Susan, of be "housed in the National Library in Greenwich,Ct. are active in the family Jerusalem, again the center of Jewish association. Between them they provided scholarship, in the midst of the Jewish Paul with five grandchildren. capital, again a thriving center of Jewish religious devotion and practice." Davids. Cooper (Kopito) (5607,Pl.27a) died ****************************************** on Nov. 24, 1990. He had operated several businesses in the Kansas City area, where he was a life-long resident. From 1943-1975 In the last issue of the Newsletter, we he owned the Advance Music Co. and after proclaimed Laura Atlas (2248,Pl.17ccb) the that, Dave's Custom Framing. Dave was reigning elder in our family. With heavy active in Jewish affairs being a member of heart we must report that she passed away Beth Shalom Congregation, Shalom Geriatric on April 1st. Born Laura (Leah) Morrell on Center, and the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. Jan. 12,1893, she joined our clan by For 50 years he was a member of Bnai Brith. marrying Rabbi Elias Atlas (2244) on Sept. Dave is survived by his wife, Charline 14,1919. They had five children: Judith (5613); a son Roger (4268) of greater KC, Feldman (2254), Rabbi Seymour (2253), who married family member Eunice Kur Raphael (2251), Harry (2252), and Louise (4278); and three daughters, Myrna Wacknov Davis (2255). All the children survive (5619) of Foster City,Ca.; Harriet Goitein Laura, along with eleven grandchildren, (5618) of Tel Aviv; and Maxine Brand (5620) eighteen great grandchildren, and two of Westlake Village, Ca. Dave also leaves great-great grandchildren. Laura was ten grandchildren and a great grandson. greatly loved and rightly so. Her name Roger and Eunice write that "Dad was an appeared in our Newsletter of ten; she was a extremely warm and creative man. He was loyal member of the family and her people. always "inventing" something. His quiet (cont. next column) (cont. next page) 9

OBI'IUAR.IES (cont.) Podkowa (2) Ser. Sender was the grandson of Zebulon (2155,Pl.A-1), the first to assume strength and zest for life will be missed the name Ser. Zebulon's father was Abraham by all who knew him." Charlap (2153), our progenitor. In Argentina, Yehoshua married Taibel We were also informed that William Hammer Bercovich (133). Mauricio was one of their (4860,Pl.25) had died late in 1990. Bill nine children. His sister Raquel Vinick was the husband of Jean Pasternak Hammer (134) teaches Spanish at Union College in (4853). Jean's father was Benny (Bertche) Schenectady, N.Y. She and husband Ted (135) (4840) and her grandfather was Pinchas are among the prime movers of the family Pasternak (4826). Her great grandfather, association. Mauricio leaves his wife, Szajka (3022,Pl.E-1) was born circa 1800 in Josefa (153) and three children: Martha Nur, Poland. Bertche was a baker who Snaider, Susana Faivelis (161), and Daniel emigrated from Nur to the US and settled in Scher (162), all of Buenos Aires. Mauricio the Kansas City area. The Pasternaks was also the proud grandfather of nine. continued as bakers in the new world. In addition to Jean, Bill leaves two sons, As reported on Page 1, Moshe Stalkowski Robert (4870) and Steven (4871), a daughter (280,Pl.3ba) died during the scud raids on Marilyn (4872), and six grandchildren. Israel. Moshe joined the family by marrying Toba Silverburg (277), the great Barry Levine (5642,Pl.26b) died on May 6th. granddaughter of Sender Ser (1,Pl.1). Her He had just recently celebrated his 90th grandparents were Shlomo (6) and Sarah Ser birthday. Harry was one of eleven children (5,Pl.3) Silverburg. Toba was the daughter of Kalman (5007) and Chaya Faiga Lewin of Moshe (29) and Dvora Globnia (272) (5012). He was born in Ciechanowiec. Siverburg. Recent information indicates Unfortunately, many of his siblings stayed that the Globnia family is related to us in Poland and became victims of the through the Mankutas. Moshe and Toba Holocaust. Chaya Faiga and Kalman were somehow survived the Holocaust and after cousins; she came from the Lew family. For World War II were involved in heroic years, Harry ran a kosher butcher on efforts to rescue displaced Jewish Burnside Avenue in the Bronx. His two sons, children. They made aliyah to Israel in the Arthur (5657) and Jack (5658), both of New late 1940s. A little girl, Doba (451), born York City, survive him. In addition there to them in 1941 died as an infant in are four grandchildren and two great Europe. Later, their son Itzhak(305) was grandchildren. The latter are Avital (5703) born in Israel. He is now married to Malka and Liana (5704) Mimran who live in Qiryat (306) and they have a son Itay (307) and a Gat, Israel where Arthur's daughter, Marcia daughter Moriah (308). The family lives in (5697) runs a bookstore. Harry was active Petah Tikvah, Israel. with the Ciechanowiec landsleit until the very end. We met him this past October at a Hay the survivors find comfort in the warm banquet meeting of Chevra Bnai Moshe Anshei memories and good deeds of the deceased, Chechanoff zer. His sons, continuing this and may the souls of our departed be bound dedication to family and tradition, are with the immortal souls of our Patriarchs active members of our association. and Matriarchs and all the other righteous men and women of our family and people who Mauricio Scher (146, Pl. 3ec) died on May have preceded them. 25th. He was a resident of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his father Yehoshua Ser 'lfhen the righteous man dies, it is the (Jose Scher) (128) had emigrated shortly earth that loses. The lost jewel will after the turn of the century. Yehoshua was always be a jewel, but the possessor who the son of Liebe Ser (124) who married a has lost it - well may he weep. cousin Avraham Ser (125) of Kowno, - The Talmud Lithuania. Liebe was the oldest of ten children of Sender (1,Pl.3) and Chaya ****************************************** 10

ISRAEL TRIP CANCEi iED FRCI'f THE MAIIiBOX Several factors influenced previously The family should be alerted to the committed family members to postpone fact that New York State Funds for bank traveling to Israel this summer. accounts, stock dividends, etc., which Originally, some 100 people had voiced rightful owners have not claimed, has a interest in joining a family mission to number of CHARLOP names on their list. I meet with our Israeli relatives. Many of saw 16 such names. Perhaps there are others the latter had been alerted about with different spellings. Or there may be convention dates and we were planning listings of family members with other advertisements in Israeli mass media to surnames. It may be a service to our clan uncover other family members who had not if members were advised of the available heard of the Ser-Char lap Family list to see if there are relatives who can Association. Cochava Prystowsky claim ownership. The New York State agency (2130,Pl.17c), our travel consultant to call is at 1-800-221-9311. They will specializing in Israel, had done a provide the necessary information. It may marvelous job in helping plan the trip. We be hard to get through to that number. If owe a great debt to her and to Harry so, you can write to Mankuta (1832,Pl.17b), who volunteered to "Unclaimed Funds" handle planning in Israel. The deadline for Alfred E. Smith Building registering was originally January 31,1991. Albany, N.Y. 12236 This was at the height of the Gulf War and My Best, no one wanted to make any commitments. As Win Charlop (4193,Pl.A-2ab) the uncertainty continued, several made Ed.Note:We have a partial list of these other summer vacation plans. Perhaps even names. Please call if you are interested. more influential in the postponement of our plans, is the sad state of the American Thank you for your letter . . • My economy. Many have told us that they simply late parents died in 1988. My mother, Raya cannot afford to spend so much on vacation Kerukes (5230,Pl.A-6) was born in Tel Aviv when their jobs are in jeopardy. Some are on June 8,1929. She was buried in Tel Aviv already unemployed. There were a few who and after my father died, we moved her to canceled plans because of poor health, but Jerusalem. They are together on Mount Herzl the two factors mentioned were the main in a special yard for leaders of the State reason for the regretful decision to of Israel. Golda Meir, Levi Eshkol, and cancel. However, we are not expecting to be other Speakers of the Knesset are buried in this unfortunate situation forever. If there. My father, Menachem (5224) was, as the family so wishes, we will arrange you probably know, the Speaker of the 10th another trip to Israel next year. But we Knesset from 1981 to 1984. He was born in cannot expend time, resources, and money on Bachmoot, Russia on Aug. 20,1918 and died illusory dreams. We must know your in Tel Aviv on Nov. 2, 1988. He served in feelings. Please fill out and send in the the British army during World War II, and questionnaire which accompanies this in the Israeli army until 1952 as a newsletter. This will enable us to plan our colonel. He was General Manager of the family conventions with confidence in your Israeli railways from 1954-1964 and also support. Thank you for your help and managed a few other companies. Father was understanding. President of the Maccabi organization until ****************************************** 1977, Member of the Knesset 1977-1984, and I...EML TAMA (2092,Pl.18), probably headed many national funds and born in Nur, lived to the age of 108. His organizations. I wish the family the very descendants have spread throughout the best and success with your mission. world and have surnames:Ser, Mankuta, Dov Savidor (5232,Pl.A-6) Blumberg, Simon, Kwiatek, Kahn (Kuropatwa), Ed.Note:The Savidors are Charlaps. and ,of course, Tama. We are seeking more Menachem's zaide was Yehoshua information about Leml. Can you help? Charlap(5215).