Yetta Kohn’s Legacy by Sharon Fried his is the story of Yetta were old enough to be her parents (one had their first two children, Howard and (Goldsmith) Kohn, a pio- of them old enough to be her grandpar- George. neering German-Jewish ent), no record of any of them has been T woman in New Mexico found since. She traveled to America Returning to Kansas for four or five years, who lived by the enduring via Le Havre, France, arriving in New Samuel went into the wool and hide busi- values of hard work and York aboard the William Tell. The next ness with a partner, Jacob Weil, while Yet- helping others. Yetta had an acute busi- official record of Yetta’s whereabouts is ta had three more children. Born about ness sense, placed as high an importance two years apart, on cultural pursuits as she did on having the first two chil- a good time, and, from all reports, was dren died within a an exceptional mother and community few months. The organizer. third, Belle, ar- rived in Decem- Notably, Yetta had no formal education ber 1868. Soon and no apparent parental nurturing or afterward, the direction after the age of ten, but she met family set out on every challenge with faith and determi- their next venture, nation. Yet words such as these do little traveling 800 to capture the soul of this remarkable miles by stage- woman. What made Yetta stand out is coach or oxcart that she did not let life’s challenges, which Yetta Kohn and her family in Denver, 1899. Standing, left to right: Howard, Belle, via the Santa Fe included tragedy, keep her from forging George; seated: Charles, Yetta, Stanley (Belle’s son), Albert Calisch (Belle’s husband). Trail to Las Vegas, ahead and paving a road that outlived her New Mexico. and made a lasting mark on the landscape the 1860 federal census, which shows of east-central New Mexico. her living in the Kennedy household in In Las Vegas, Yetta worked as a seamstress Leavenworth, Kansas. She was seventeen while Samuel ran another wool and hide Yetta Louise Goldsmith was born in years old and may have been caring for store on the plaza. Notably, Yetta was the Bavaria on March 9, 1843. She came the two Kennedy children. only wife or widow who had a vocation to America at the age of ten. While she other than homemaker on the 1870 fed- traveled with three family members who Yetta married Samuel Kohn in Leaven- eral census, and was one of just a handful worth in about 1860, probably after the who did on the 1880 federal census (as Legacy is the quarterly newsletter of the census enumeration in June, traveling reported by Henry Tobias in The History New Mexico Jewish Historical Society soon afterward with him to Cherry Creek of the Jews in New Mexico). In 1871, she 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE (Denver). They made the 600-mile trip (continued on p. 8) Albuquerque, NM 87109 in a covered wagon at the time of the Telephone: (505) 348-4471 Colorado gold rush. While we don’t Fax: (505) 821-3351 know how the young couple made their INSIDE THIS ISSUE website: www.nmjewishhistory.org living in Denver, family oral history has email: [email protected] it that after a few years, Samuel declared, Yetta Kohn’s Legacy...... 1 “Cattle do not do well here; we’re going Administrator: Bobbi Jackson President’s Message...... 2 Office Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. back to Leavenworth.” It was probably Roundup...... 2 Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday after a flood wiped out Cherry Creek in Parted Waters...... 3 May 1864 that Samuel made his deci- Genealogy Corner...... 5 Editor: Dorothy C. Amsden sion. While in Denver, Yetta and Samuel Memorial Garden...... 6 Contributing Editor: Naomi Sandweiss Layout: DT Publishing, Santa Fe Memorable Conference...... 10 Printing: Minuteman Press, Albuquerque Have you renewed your Wolman Nostalgia Trip...... 11 Mailing: Adelante, Albuquerque membership for 2009? Upcoming Events...... 12 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 4, December 2008 Message from President Noel Pugach he New Mexico Jewish His- etery in Las Vegas last spring. The Labor Day If you have not already renewed your mem- torical Society just complet- Weekend book sale at Wild Oats in Santa Fe bership in the Society for 2009, please do ed a very good year. It was a was splendidly organized and run by Sheila so as soon as possible. Our work depends T year filled with productive Gershen and Shirley Jacobson. This annual on your support. We also want to hear from initiatives, successful activi- book sale is a very important fundraiser for you — your comments, ideas, and criti- ties, and exciting programs. I the Society, and this year proved cism. Please email them to credit the Society’s past presidents and board most successful. me at [email protected], members for putting our organization on a and I will consider them stable and firm foundation when I assumed We are extremely proud of carefully. the presidency in June. At the same time the past year’s four excellent there remain a few areas that we can improve issues of Legacy, thanks to our Consider asking your upon. hard-working editor Dorothy friends and family members Amsden. Legacy is a vital link to join the Society or give Major highlights of 2008 included the “Rock to our membership and general them a gift membership. I and Roll Nostalgia Trip,” a presentation by community that provides in- also invite you to work on legendary photographer Baron Wolman formation on Society activities our various committees. in Albuquerque on August 24. “Sephardic and future programs. It has also They range from program Voices” filled the Lensic Theater in Santa Fe become an important vehicle planning, films, and mem- on October 16 with crypto-Jewish songs, for reporting on the rich history NMJHS President Noel Pugach. bership to the newsletter poetry, and play readings. The next weekend of New Mexico Jewry. This year and public relations. We in El Paso, the Society held its first joint Legacy has published accounts of significant welcome your skills and talents. conference with the Texas Jewish Historical families written by their descendants as well Society October 24 - 26. as Helen Horwitz’s delightful reminiscences of The Jewish Federation of New Mexico will growing up Jewish in Albuquerque. hold its annual fundraising campaign in Last April, a capacity audience attended the January. I urge you to respond generously film showing and discussion of “The Jew and In this issue of Legacy, I would like to draw when you are contacted by a solicitor. Your the Lotus” at the Santa Fe Film Center. How- your attention to the lead story by Sharon financial support is essential to carry on the ever, our efforts to run a summer film series Fried about the prominent Kohn-Bidegain work of many worthy and vital community were less successful and we are evaluating the ranching family. Ms. Fried, a new contributor agencies, including our own New Mexico outcome. Your comments and observations to Legacy, reported on some of her findings Jewish Historical Society. will be valuable as we plan events for 2009. at the Joint Conference in El Paso. Another fascinating article is by playwright Robert Finally, I wish you a very healthy, happy, Another Society event that took place in Benjamin, a retired Los Alamos scientist, and rewarding New Year. With your par- November was a genealogy workshop in who discusses his new play “Parted Waters” ticipation, encouragement, and financial Santa Fe, organized by Dorothy Amsden. If about a present-day Hispanic family with support, we can look forward to another you missed that one, another is scheduled crypto-Jewish heritage. I am sure you will successful and productive year for the New in Taos next May. Other Society activities find much to garner your attention in all the Mexico Jewish Historical Society. A included the cleanup of the Montefiore Cem- articles in this issue. Roundup – Jewish Military Service by Naomi Sandweiss y grandfather, Ben Fein- as the Revolutionary War, Jews received Civil War Battle in the New Mexico Ter- stein, was one of thousands military honors and promotions. Salmon ritory. Jewish Corporals Jacob Levy and of Jewish soldiers to serve Bush (1753 - 1796), a Philadelphian, was Simon Rothschild died in the battle and are M in the U.S. military during wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, buried in Santa Fe’s National Cemetery. the First World War. As I captured by the British, and later returned read his letters home from the European to the Americans from whom he received According to some reports, about 5,000 front, I couldn’t help but wonder: What a commendation and promotion. Jewish American soldiers served with was it like to be a Jewish soldier in the Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders in the American military? Here in New Mexico, Jewish resident Spanish-American War, including Jews Captain Louis Felsenthal (1832 - 1909) from the New Mexico Territory. These Of course, Jews served as military personnel organized a company of Union volunteers Jewish volunteers worshiped freely, and in all U.S. wars and conflicts. As far back to fight in the Battle of Valverde, the first (continued on p. 7) Page 2 New Mexico Jewish Historical Society The Making of Parted Waters – A new stage-play about crypto-Judaism in New Mexico by Robert F. Benjamin arted Waters, a contempo- I began to fashion the script into a play and misinterprets his father’s motivation rary drama commissioned that will have its world premiere in despite Reynaldo’s protest, an intense by the Arizona Jewish The- March, 2009 in Phoenix. While crypto- quarrel breaks out that nearly kills one P atre Company, explores the Judaism is the main theme, this drama of them. conflict between personal also explores conflict surrounding assimi- and cultural identity expe- lation, anti-Semitism, and cross-cultural At one level, the play is about passing the rienced by the crypto-Jewish community romance. legacy from grandfather to grandson over of the Southwest. Clashes about Jewish the objection of the middle generation. identity, assimilation, and community “Crypto-Judaism” can At another level, the propel three generations of Hispanics as refer to different his- play explores differences they grapple with their ancestry. torical circumstances of in how people relate to hidden Jewish identity. their religious experi- The making of Parted Waters started with Parted Waters focuses ences. Reynaldo finds comforting the sick and having another on the descendants of solace and inspiration in script turned down. While visiting the conversos who left Spain Jewish beliefs, yet he at- Phoenix area regularly to attend to my and its territories after tends Catholic Church father during his long illness, I was pro- the expulsion of the and practices its rituals. moting another of my plays, Time Enough. Jews in 1492. They set- During spring 2007, Janet Arnold, pro- tled in Mexico, then, Javier is a devout Catho- ducing director of the Arizona Jewish when the Holy Office lic who cannot appreci- Theatre Company, read it and responded, of the Inquisition came ate the significance of “I like the writing and story, but it’s not to Mexico, they fled to crypto-Judaism to his right for my audience. However, I’m look- the northern frontier father. Javier strives to ing for a compelling drama about a subject of New Spain (now the assimilate into main- of growing popularity – the crypto-Jews American Southwest). stream America, much of the Southwest. Because you’re from These hidden Jews were Robert Benjamin, playwright. to the disappointment New Mexico, maybe you could . . . .” cut off from mainstream of his father. Although That’s music to a playwright’s ears – the Judaism for centuries, yet they passed initially ignorant of his Jewish ancestry, hopeful tintinnabulation of a commis- Jewish traditions from generation to Miguel is attracted to Jewish practices sioned play. generation while maintaining their se- and to Rachel. The conflict among these cret from their neighbors and sometimes perspectives of religion forms the basis of I submitted a plot sketch several weeks lat- themselves. this piquant drama set in New Mexico. er, and Parted Waters was conceived. Janet encouraged me to go for it. As I embarked In Parted Waters, three generations of The play also speaks to personal and on the research I told my wife about this Hispanics struggle with their crypto-Jew- ethnic identity in the context of modern new project. She laughed and said, “You ish ancestry. Reynaldo, the grandfather, American culture. Reynaldo has lived don’t know anything about crypto-Juda- embraces his ancestry. His son, Javier, in a fairly isolated farming community. ism.” That wasn’t entirely true. knows about his roots, but rejects them. Javier’s desire to assimilate has forced him His rejection includes blocking Reynaldo to make decisions that Reynaldo never My research began with To The Ends of from passing the tradition to Miguel, confronted. Miguel’s religious identity has the Earth by Stanley Hordes and conver- Javier’s son and Reynaldo’s grandson. been uncontested for thirty years, but the sations with him. His authoritative book revelation of his Jewish heritage sends him enabled me to weave the fictional story When Miguel runs for political office, into a precarious tailspin. into a believable fabric. Then I attended Reynaldo urges Javier to disclose the fam- the 2007 Conference of the Society for ily secret, but he refuses, leaving Miguel Play development occurs in stages: first Crypto-Judaic Studies. No shortage of ignorant of his converso heritage. Miguel’s there is a draft script, then script reviews, conflict and theatrical material there! At- campaign manager is Rachel, attrac- and then public readings by actors. De- tendees were generous with their stories tive and Jewish, who is well acquainted velopment of Parted Waters included five and suggestions. I realized that Janet’s with Miguel’s political opponent. When staged readings in 2008: February at the instinct was correct – recent articles and Miguel ignores Rachel’s advice and makes Jewish Community Center of Greater books about historical crypto-Judaism a blunder during a town hall debate, Albuquerque; June at “Friday Night have apparently created interest in how Javier is forced to reveal the family secret. Footlights” at the Scottsdale Center for modern-day descendants react to discover- Miguel is stunned and furious. As Miguel the Performing Arts; August at the Annual ing their hidden heritage. learns the significance of his ancestry (continued on p. 4)

Page 3 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 4, December 2008 The Making of Parted Waters (continued from p. 3) Conference of the Society for Crypto- Fifteen plays by Robert F. Benjamin have Robert grew up in the Washington, D.C., Judaic Studies in Phoenix; September been produced on stage and tour. En route metropolitan area, where he acquired his at an Elderhostel and then at the Vortex to becoming a playwright, Robert was a love of theater and science. He and his wife, Theater, both in Albuquerque. distinguished experimental physicist at Susan, met while undergraduates at Cornell Los Alamos National Laboratory for over University. After Robert’s graduate work at Audiences attending these readings were thirty years. He was also a science educator MIT, they moved to Los Alamos in 1973 consistently enthusiastic about the play. and senior author of Spills and Ripples, where they raised their two children. A During post-show discussions, audience the first-ever children’s book about fluid members often argued with each other instabilities. about the relationships among Reynaldo, Javier, and Miguel, and about which is the main character. They also questioned the Excerpt from Parted Waters budding romance of Miguel and Rachel, and they enjoyed the humor, especially The morning after a political debate, Reynaldo (Hispanic, age 70) talks with his Reynaldo as the Hispanic Tevye. Their en- son, Javier (50), and grandson, Miguel (30), who is running for public office. thusiasm suggests that Parted Waters will be- come popular, and their feedback has been REYNALDO. There’s more. enormously useful in helping me shape the MIGUEL looks puzzled. play that premieres next March. REYNALDO. It’s not just Phyllis Goldstein. When you insult one Jew, you offend all Jews and their ancestors. I’m often asked about why I’ve written MIGUEL. But there are only a handful in my district. this play. I view a commissioned play as JAVIER. I should have told you. I never thought it would be important. I an honor and wonderful opportunity. never imagined . . . . Although I am neither Sephardic nor crypto-Jewish, I am fascinated with the MIGUEL. What? plight of conversos who chose to leave REYNALDO. Phyllis Goldstein’s parents moved to the U.S. to escape the Spain over five hundred years ago. I’m also Nazis. Long ago, others came to escape the Inquisition. They were forced to intrigued about how people – including become Catholic. But some remained secretly Jewish. Judíos escondidos. Hidden family, friends, and myself – relate to Jews. Crypto-Jews. our Jewish heritage within the context My father told me that these hidden Jews would teach their children and of today’s culture. Writing about crypto- grandchildren about the commandments in the Old Testament. But it was unsafe Judaism has taught me how people relate to practice this tradition publicly. So they did rituals in secret with the hope that to being Jewish. In addition, I had been passing the legacy from one generation to the next might someday lead to chil- searching for a good script idea about dren who would return to the Jewish tradition. three generations, including a wise and JAVIER. They refused to let go of the past, even though their lives would be whimsical elder, when the Parted Waters far better without such secrets. commission came my way. MIGUEL. You believe there are many crypto-Jews in our community? The world premiere of Parted Waters JAVIER. (looking at REYNALDO) It’s hard to count people who hide their opens at the Arizona Jewish Theater identity. Company on Saturday, March 14, 2009. REYNALDO (pulls from his pocket an old mezuzah.) My grandfather gave this Performances are at the Center for the to me and he would want you to have it now. Performing Arts at the Paradise Valley MIGUEL accepts it, puzzled. Community College. The play runs REYNALDO. It’s a mezuzah. It contains a scripture that long ago would be for three weekends, closing on Sunday, hidden in the door jamb or in a crucifix attached to the door-post. The scripture March 29. For the benefit of audience inside is from Deuteronomy. It’s for the door-post of a Jewish home to protect members wishing to discuss the play, the . . . us. performances on March 14 and 15 will MIGUEL. To protect us? feature post-show talk-back discussions REYNALDO nods. with producer, director, cast, and play- wright. Details and ticket information MIGUEL. Us? (motioning all three of them) Us? Us? are available at www.azjewishtheatre.org REYNALDO. I wanted to – and by phoning 602-264-0402. JAVIER. – It’s not something – REYNALDO. (continuing) – tell you for a long – MIGUEL. (stunned) – No. No! No!! My own family! JAVIER. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I’ve been –

Page 4 New Mexico Jewish Historical Society GENEALOGY CORNER: Reclaiming Our Heritage by Stanley Hordes

e in the history business same language as zayde or abuelita, then Many thanks to Nancy Greenberg have an old saying, “You how can the traditions be passed down? for her gift of the Avotaynu can’t know where you’re The result is that thousands of years of W going unless you know family history and culture are lost with the Guide to Jewish Genealogy, a where you’ve been.” This proverbial snap of a finger. comprehensive work by lead- adage can be applied to ing professionals today, to the nations trying to steer a foreign-policy So, ready or not, those of us who are privi- Society. For the convenience course, but it also strongly relates to our leged to have parents or grandparents who personal and family histories, as well. were born in the Old Country, or perhaps of genealogists, this important Many of us are first, second, or third- in Mora or Abiquiú, may be the last gen- reference book has been added generation Americans, while others of us eration that has the ability to reclaim our to the NMJHS collection at the have roots that extend back over 400 years history. Those of us who remember our New Mexico State Records Cen- in New Mexico. But, given the numbing grandparents, their customs and stories, ter and Archives in Santa Fe. pace of change and cultural transitions represent the bridge between the old tra- over the course of the past century, very ditions and those of our grandchildren’s few of us, from either tradition, know generation. If we don’t reclaim that heritage much about our rich cultural heritage. now it will be gone forever.

Most Jews in New Mexico, as well as those Genealogy is a wonderful vehicle for re- with Jewish roots, have at least a vague idea claiming our heritage. Talk to your elderly of the general history of the world, the parents, aunts, uncles, cousins – whoever United States, and the Southwest. How- might have retained, either orally or in ever, very few of us maintain an awareness writing, some version of the family his- of how we, as individuals and as families, tory. Find out if they know the places fit into this larger context. Whether we are and dates of your grandparents’ birth, or Ashkenazi or Sephardi, “Anglo,” or His- possibly the demographic profile of their pano, we all face a similar challenge, which parents. See if they may have inherited is overcoming the disruption of the chain of family Bibles, naturalization papers, mili- knowledge of our own family heritage. tary records, or land-grant records from the family’s distant past. This breakdown in New Mexico occurs for two major historical reasons. For Ashkenazi On the basis of this information you and openly practicing Sephardi Jews it can begin to enter the wide, wonderful happened because of the migration of Jews world of genealogical research, using from Europe and the Ottoman Empire to census records, ship manifests, military the United States and their consequent and judicial records, synagogue/church cultural assimilation into mainstream An- records, and many other sources to trace P.O. Box 9333 glo-American society. For Hispanos with your family history back generations – or Santa Fe, NM 87504-9333 E-Mail: [email protected] crypto-Jewish roots it happened with the possibly centuries! invasion of New Mexico in 1846 and the Mobile: (505) 577-7395 • Fax: (505) 982-6211 Anglicization of Hispano society over the A few years ago the New Mexico Jewish course of the succeeding century and a half. Historical Society initiated a series of valu- In both cases, the result was the loss of lan- able and exciting genealogy workshops guage – Yiddish and Spanish, respectively, designed to assist all of us – Ashkenazi Open followed by the loss of many elements of and Sephardi – in tracing our own family 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. traditional culture. histories. I urge you to take advantage of Mon - Sat these sessions and find out more about 505-474-4424 In so many cases, culture is passed down your heritage. Genealogy is your own Fresh home-style cooking since 1996. from grandparent to grandchild. If little personal connection to history. You are Susie, Mary, and Billy (or perhaps Tiffany, the bridge between the past and the 730 St. Michael’s Dr. Santa Fe Brittany, and Chip) cannot even speak the future. A Page 5 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 4, December 2008

Memorial Garden Honors Bibo, Bloch, and Seligman Families by the Sandoval Signpost Staff Reprinted with permission from June 2008 issue of The Sandoval Signpost. n April 27, the Sandoval order and worked for old friends from Prus- County Historical Society sia, the Spiegelbergs, who had a large trad- held a dedication ceremo- ing operation in Santa Fe. In 1870, Willi O ny of the Seligman, Bibo, Spiegelberg sent Nathan to manage his Bloch Memorial Garden. Fort Wingate store, where he soon became Martha Liebert, archive a sub-agent for the Navajo tribe. director/program coordinator for the His- torical Society said that the desert garden By 1871, Nathan had come to Bernalillo, honors “the lives and labors of the pioneer bought land, and planted a vineyard. In mercantile families who made such histori- 1873, he opened the Bibo Mercantile, and cal contributions to our local communities the next year got the job of postmaster, built commercially, politically, and socially.” stables, and ran the stage mail line. He had great hopes for the future development of Stefanie Beninato The garden was designed and installed at Bernalillo, when in 1875, the ATSF came A Well-Born Guide / Have Ph.D. Will Travel the DeLavy House in Bernalillo by grounds looking to buy land for a transcontinental chairman Tom Wilson. It includes a plaque center. José Leandro Perea, the local land Original Tour near the center, naming the three families owner and sheep king, jacked the price to Jewish Legacy in New Mexico and two benches built by current Historical $425 an acre for land that was valued from www.swguides.com [email protected] Society president, Gary Williams. $2 to $3, so the Santa Fe went south to P.O. Box 1601 Santa Fe, NM 87504 Albuquerque and it consequently boomed, 505.988.8022 The ninety-four-year-old patriarch of the while Bernalillo remained small and quiet. Seligman family, Dr. Randolph Seligman, In 1880, the railroad came through with a attended the dedication, along with approx- line anyway and brought a boom and gold imately thirty family members. Seligman rush in the San Pedros and the Sandias. opened his solo practice in Bernalillo in CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING 1950. He delivered 7,500 to ten thousand Nathan joined the gold rush, but in 1884, WHERE QUALITY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE babies throughout his career, including he left the mercantile with his brother Allegro Center 2008 St. Michael’s Dr. Ste. D 505-473-1901 Martha and Joe Liebert’s three sons. Joseph and sister Lina and went to Califor- P.O. Box 5215 FAX 473-7806 nia, where he married Flora Abrahams and Santa Fe, NM 87502 800-537-2934 Here is the text of Martha Liebert’s dedica- set up a mercantile. However, the timing tion speech: was bad and he was wiped out in the San GOT YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE Francisco quake of 1906. He returned to RATE INCREASE YET? We gather today to honor the lives and Bernalillo to live and sold insurance there. You Will!!! H S As H R As labors of your families—the Bibos, Blochs, We represent 33 companies and most likely can and Seligmans, who have made such historic Bernalillo had been a crossroads for trade save you money. contributions to our communities—com- because of its location on the Jémez and Please Call Ned A. Miller, CLU, CSA, mercially, politically, and socially. Rio Grande, which was an east-west/north- 505-881-8004/1-800-321-8004, email: millerned@ south junction of trading trails dating to aol.com 3500 Comanche Rd. NE., Albuquerque, NM 87107 It all started with Lucas Rosenstein, who prehistoric times, so Nathan was following came to America in 1812 from Westphalia, in a long-established tradition of trading. Prussia, to avoid the Napoleonic draft. It This new group of traders, however, had was his tales of the wonderful new land to cross an ocean and learn new languages that prompted the mass exodus; one after (English, Spanish, Keres, and Navajo). the other, as they came of age, they followed They were literate in a basically illiterate his lead to the New World. community, open-minded culturally in a prejudiced society. They acted as bankers, First came Nathan Bibo, the harbinger of scribes, and legal advisors; wrote letters; and the commercial revolution in New Mexico. did legal papers, etc. His nine siblings followed him in good (continued on p. 7) Page 6 New Mexico Jewish Historical Society Memorial Garden (continued from p. 6) To these men whose lives and talents had Their wives were socially active. Blanche start- been restricted and rejected in the Old ed the Women’s Club in Bernalillo and many We mourn the passing of World, it must have been little short of were active in hospital foundations. The men Ned Miller, who died suddenly heaven to find that in the New World they were members of the County Commission and on December 5, 2008. Ned was were limited only by their imagination and the school board. Always civic-minded, they intelligence. The sky was the limit, and here played a major role in the growth of the area. a devoted and active member of they could live long and prosper—and they the NMJHS Board of Directors did. They created a dynasty, and you are the A visit to the Bern Merc was as exciting as a for many years. His presence living results. Families and faith were their three-ring circus to rural children who were and contributions will be greatly strength and keystone. isolated on ranches, far from town. As a special missed. treat, a child would get to come with Dad in During their lives, we went from a barter the buckboard to get the month’s supply of system to a monetary one. Trails became food and seed, get their grain ground, and roads and rails. At the height of the mer- see the sights. The wide-eyed child might get Please patronize our cantile period, they had ten stores. a peppermint stick from Siegfried if he was advertisers and let them know lucky. you saw their ad in the NMJHS Newsletter. Since Nathan left, Joe and Lina Bibo were running the Bern Mercantile. In 1899, The mercantile sold everything from coffee Siegfried Seligman came to work for the to coffins, Studebaker wagons to shawls and Bibos, followed soon by his brothers Julius, overalls. They even imported exotic birds and All back issues of the NMJHS Carl, and Ernest. Carl soon went to Grants bells and shells for the Native Americans and newsletter are available online at and bought out Simon Bibo’s mercantile. ran a pawn operation. www.nmjewishhistory.org. Ernest went to Santo Domingo with Julius, and after becoming a partner, Siegfried ran A word about the garden we dedicate today: All the Bern Merc in 1903. are new plantings and will grow and fill in and serve as an oasis after we are long gone. One Change of address? Siegfried was an innovator; he had the first plant in particular, a yucca, by special request Please tell NMJHS so you don’t electricity and gas heat in his home. He of Randy, because the Santo Domingo pueblo miss our newsletters and fliers, bought a surrey with fringe on top with gave each of his family Indian names of part which we send out bulk rate. coupons of Arbuckle’s coffee and he had of the plant. His father Julius was tsyo-tyume; The post office does not forward the first automobile in Bernalillo—a 1912 Randy was acho wa (seed pod); and Jack was such mail. Buick. ah-sonah (stalk).” A

Roundup (continued from p. 2) a majority of them attended Yom Kippur gious needs of Jewish soldiers and sailors. but did not reveal his religion to his cap- services. During Roosevelt’s subsequent In 1914, a Passover Seder was organized tors. Finding other Jews among his fellow presidential campaign, his staff made signs and attended by over 450 Jewish military prisoners, Caplan was able to participate in in Yiddish. According to the American men. It was during the same period that Sabbath services held in the prison camp’s Jewish Historical Society, these signs were Jewish military chaplains officially served washroom. meant to remind Jews that, “under Roo- as military staff and the Jewish Welfare sevelt’s command there were many Jewish Board was established. Soldiers had access Since World War II, Jewish members of the Rough Riders. Roosevelt was like a brother to Jewish services and social organizations military served in Korea, Vietnam and, of to them. He recommended them to the sponsored by the Board in Europe. course, in the Persian Gulf. Surprisingly, President for promotions, and sang their Jewish religious freedom may be more at praises to the world.” The stories shared by veterans themselves risk in this generation than previous ones. are most fascinating. The Library of Con- According to Albuquerque resident Mikey During the First and Second World Wars, gress through its Veteran’s History Project Weinstein, founder of the Military Reli- Jews were over-represented in the armed has collected interviews with veterans. gious Freedom Foundation, today’s Jewish forces. They comprised 3.3 % of the popu- Much of the testimony and artifacts can be military personnel are subject to proselyt- lation and 5.7% of military personnel in found online, including accounts by indi- izing and unwelcome religious pressure. World War I and 3.3% of the population viduals such as Aben Caplan, a Chicagoan and 4.2% of U.S. armed forces during who served as a Technical Sergeant for the As veterans of the war in Iraq and Af- World War II. On the eve of World War U.S. Army during World War II. Caplan ghanistan return from duty, they will share I, efforts were made to attend to the reli- was taken as a German prisoner of war, (continued on p. 11) Page 7 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 4, December 2008 Yetta Kohn’s Legacy (continued from p. 1) gave birth to the couple’s fourth surviving ing iron for it in her home in Tucumcari, Charles moved to Las Vegas, where Yetta child, Charles, in Las Vegas. New Mexico. The business was known as and George were, in about 1900, where Y. Kohn & Co. the brothers and Yetta started up a general Yetta and Samuel lived and worked in merchandise store on Bridge Street. But Las Vegas for about nine years, raising a While in La Cinta, Yetta was instrumen- things must have taken an unexpected family and building community in the tal in starting up the Red River Social turn, because about two years later, growing town; but things changed in Club and served as its treasurer. The club Howard moved there, also, and from 1878, when Samuel died at forty-one was organized to provide activities such as Las Vegas, Yetta and her sons arranged years old. He left Yetta with four children reading, singing, dancing, and fine din- to buy a mercantile business from Henry who were seven, nine, fifteen, and seven- ing. Yetta took charge of the transporta- K. Rountree. teen — and a successful business. tion to and from at least one event, as the editor of the Red River Chronicle, Louis On May 2, 1902, the family made the With the help of her oldest son, Howard, Hommel, reported that she ran a flatboat deal that put Montoya on the map and Yetta rose to the occasion and kept the for the occasion across the Canadian opened the door for Yetta’s greatest business going for the next four years. As River, notably with great skill. legacy, today’s T4 Cattle Co. Grand- wool and hides were the main daughter Yetta Bidegain products in the area at that tells us: “There had been a time, this was a wise decision. rather bad drought, which In 1882, she took her gains encouraged Mr. Rountree and moved the family to La to sell. The deal was made Cinta, a now-vanished tiny on the morning of May 2, village near the present day and that afternoon, the town Conchas Dam where Yetta received a wonderful several- had homesteaded in 1878. days-long rain, which ended the drought.” Yetta and her We don’t know what prompt- family were showered with ed Yetta to make the move. good fortune right away. Las Vegas was a very difficult place to live from the start, In Montoya, Yetta and her and with the arrival of the three sons developed four railroad in July 1879, the businesses: a mercantile, a Kohn Bros. mercantile store in Montoya circa 1908. problems worsened. But then, land company, a ranch, and the La Cinta area of the Pablo a bank. Belle, her husband Montoya Grant was wild, too. Perhaps Yetta’s two younger children, Belle and Albert Calisch, and their son Stanley Yetta made the change to escape a quality Charles, left La Cinta by 1885 to attend joined the rest of the family in Montoya, of life that required vigilance, not know- school in Kansas and New Jersey, respec- where they started their own ranching ing that La Cinta would also prove chal- tively. By January 1887, Yetta, Howard, business in 1904. lenging. Regardless, the dauntless Yetta and George started to leave La Cinta was not stopped. one by one, selling the family’s livestock With Yetta Kohn at the helm of her clan, to Wilson Waddingham in 1888, whose the family prospered. Howard managed In La Cinta, she promptly opened a gro- holdings would became known as the the cattle operation and served as vice- cery and became the postmistress — and Bell Ranch Co. the next year. president of the bank; George managed started buying land right away and grazing the overall business and the store, and cattle. By 1887, she was running close to Over the next fourteen years, Yetta and was the town’s postmaster; and Charles 4,000 head on the open range known as her children lived and worked in various was an agent for the family’s land com- Arroyo de Las Alamosas in San Miguel combinations in four or more cities, in pany and also became a politician. The County. The cattle were held in partner- four states. Yetta bought and sold land in overall business was called Kohn Bros., ship with two investors, Louis Sulzbacher Las Vegas and Kansas, and had addresses while the ranching component was called and H.L. Waldo, and her three grown in Wichita, New York, and Las Vegas. Yetta Kohn & Co. Success came quickly, children, Howard, George, and Belle. During this time, she and her brood it seems, as by 1907 or perhaps earlier, honed their relationships with each other Yetta was advertising for domestic help Yetta had a few brands; the most widely and their individual business skills, join- in the Tucumcari News and Tucumcari used was the 4V. She also had the elaborate ing for what would be the start of their Times. but unwieldy YK. Her granddaughter and grand finale in 1902 in Rountree, New (continued on p. 9) namesake, Yetta Bidegain, has the brand- Mexico, soon to be renamed Montoya. Page 8 New Mexico Jewish Historical Society Yetta Kohn’s Legacy (continued from p. 8) The town of Montoya grew consider- Yetta and her three sons are buried in a lovely way of life and has allowed her to ably, and Yetta and her family prospered the Kohn family plot at Tucumcari Me- do what she loves — raise a family, care for greatly during the next fourteen years. morial Park, then known as Sunnyside animals, and make art quilts. However, in January 1916, thirty-eight Cemetery. Belle, Albert, and their son years after Samuel died, tragedy struck. Stanley moved to El Paso in 1929. They The State of New Mexico plans to place a Yetta’s son Charles died four days after are buried there in the Temple Mt. Sinai historic marker on a Quay County road in his marriage to Hannah Bonem while the Cemetery. recognition of Yetta Kohn, an extraordinary couple was in Kansas City, Missouri, on pioneer German-Jewish immigrant matri- the first stop of their honeymoon. The Yetta left a remarkable legacy. Her cattle arch and businesswoman, who left this part cause was septicemia resulting from an business, known since 1946 as the T4 of the state with a remarkable legacy. abscessed tooth. Then, while anxiously Cattle Co., continues to flourish in Mon- awaiting the return of his beloved broth- toya today, though little evidence of the Author’s note: In an article titled “Family er’s body in Tucumcari — along with once-vibrant town remains. Together with Fortitude” in the September 2008 issue of two hundred other family members and her dynamic children, Yetta Kohn started Western Horseman, Ross Hecox talks about friends — George died of heart failure. Montoya from the ground up. Because of the operation of the T4 Cattle Co. today The brothers were buried a day later in their good business decisions, determina- and speaks about the role that Yetta Kohn a double funeral. tion, faith in the land and animals, and played. See http://westernhorseman.com. good fortune, their business eventually Many reports were made of the family’s outgrew the town and continued to grow Editor’s note: If the story and photo of Yetta extraordinary harmonious relations and even after the town declined. Kohn sound vaguely familiar, you may re- their many contributions to the area. The call the article in the December 2007 issue February 4, 1916, issue of the Montoya The headquarters of the T4 ranch encom- of Legacy about the NMJHS collection at Republican, which came out the day after passes the town today. Two buildings from the New Mexico State Records Center and the brothers were buried, said: the early 1900s are still functional. One Archives, which includes the family papers was home to Yetta and her sons during of Yetta Kohn. About twelve years ago, the brothers the years that Montoya thrived. Howard’s settled in the Montoya Valley, and in daughter Yetta Bidegain remembers liv- Sharon Fried came to New Mexico in 1992 that short space of time have amassed a ing there, too, when she was a child. The with a wide-ranging academic background fortune of half million dollars by their second building was home to Yetta Kohn’s in art history, education, cognitive psychology, keen business insight and harmonious daughter Belle and her family while they urban design, drama therapy, and neuro- team work. Each was assigned their lived in Montoya. linguistic programming. In 2005, she began several departments of the business and mastering the skills of book production in each excelled in that line. There never The Kohn Bros. store had a warehouse order to craft life-story and family history once arose a ripple of discord to mar the on its north end, which was moved to the books. Today this Ohio-raised New York na- extraordinary harmonious and loving northeast side of headquarters some time tive researches, writes, designs, and produces relations. ago. Today, it is filled with hay grown by personal memoirs in art-book format. This Yetta died fifteen and a half months later, Yetta Kohn’s great-great-grandson Donnie article is about one of the principal members at seventy-four. Family oral history has it on a farm on the east side of the ranch. Hay in the seven-family history that Sharon is that her death was hurried along by the totally covers the postal scale from the store, preparing for the Bidegain family of Tucum- circumstances of her two younger sons’ which is also in storage there. cari. A deaths. These words were spoken at the funeral of the woman known as Mother Yetta Bidegain and her husband Phillip Kohn: managed the T4 for about forty years, and Mission Statement then turned it over to their son Phil H. and The mission of the New Mexico Jewish She had a special faculty for comfort- his wife Laurie (Burns) Bidegain. Yetta and Historical Society is to promote greater ing the unsuccessful without injuring Phillip rarely leave the area since they find understanding and knowledge of New their pride, and hundreds of needy will heart in the soil there. Phil H. says that he Mexico’s Jewish history. The Society’s pro- miss her ever-ready response to their got to do exactly what he wanted: “cowboy” grams examine the state’s Jewish heritage appeals. The home life was her greatest and manage the ranch. “I would rather be in all its diversity and strive to present this pleasure and ideal, and legions have been outside than anything,” he says. “I am lucky heritage within a broad cultural context. made happy through a hospitality that I got to do what I wanted to do, which is The Society is a secular organization and has become proverbial. A real type of work on the ranch.” Julee, the senior Bide- solicits the membership and participation womanhood has departed, but her good gains’ daughter, is grateful to be part of the of all interested people, regardless of reli- influence will live with us always. family’s successful business, as ranching is gious affiliation.

Page 9 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 4, December 2008 A Memorable Conference on the Camino Real by Noel Pugach elightful!”“Satisfying!” The pace of the conference changed after “Stimulating!” “Well worth lunch with a visit to the El Paso Museum of it!” These remarks from at- History and the Holocaust Museum. Each D tendees describe the first museum offered excellent guided tours that joint conference between the enhanced our experience. New Mexico and Texas Jewish Historical So- cieties held in El Paso on October 24 - 26. Saturday evening, following Havdalah Ser- They confirmed my own impression that the vice at Temple Mount Sinai, conference conference was a resounding success. attendees, many in evening dress, enjoyed

The ambience of the Camino Real Hotel and downtown El Paso com- bined with the lovely Shabbat eve- ning service at Temple Mount Si- nai created a delightful atmosphere for the rest of the conference. But it was the genuine warmth, con- viviality, and welcoming feeling among the guests as well as the high quality and fascinating content of the formal presentations that made the weekend a memorable experi- Conference attendees from Texas and New Mexico listen to ence. That feeling was evident the Barbara Angus, curator of the El Paso Museum of History, first night of the conference when, talk about the difficulties of stagecoach travel to El Paso. following the Shabbat evening din- ner at the hotel, attendees had a lively, loosely a catered dinner at the temple. Afterwards, Deborah S. Seligman structured conversation about the history, na- Rabbi Stephen Leon gave a fascinating talk ture, styles, programs, and challenges of the Attorney At Law about his work with crypto-Jews in south- two societies. ern New Mexico and northern Mexico. 320 Gold Ave. SW, Suite 1221 Then Dr. Stanley Hordes spoke about his Albuquerque, NM 87102 Papers presented at the two sessions on Satur- new research project studying crypto-Jews PO Box 7806 day morning were substantive, professional, in the Caribbean. Following the talks, the Albuquerque, NM 87194 and informative. At the first session, Susan audience deluged the speakers with ques- Phone (505) 247-3030 • Fax (505) 247-3165 Novick discussed the important role played tions. by Jewish merchants in creating commercial centers in downtown El Paso. Sunday morning the two societies said good- Bring Your Story to Life bye to one another over a simple breakfast I’d love to either coach you Noel Pugach picked up the same theme for and then went into separate board meetings. or do it for you. merchants on the Santa Fe Plaza in the clos- Members of the two societies agreed that the ing years of 19th century and the first half meeting was so enjoyable and beneficial that Call Sharon Fried, M.A. of the 20th century. Similarities between the they should hold another joint conference 505.310.1489 mercantile situations in the two cities made in the next few years. for an enthusiastic question and answer pe- riod. NMJHS is grateful to our Texas hosts, espe- Welcome to new members cially President Sally Drayer and the local El Gila Yaniv In the second session Saturday morning, Erin Paso committee headed by Shari Schwartz Richard & Betsy Ilfeld Doren, Kay Goldman, and Sharon Fried and Susan Novick, for all their hard work Jeffrey Brown showed the importance of Jewish women in and attention to details in planning the con- Brian McCuller the Southwest in many different aspects of ference. They have our deepest appreciation A Raya Koreh, Bat Mitzvah life. Unfortunately, no time remained follow- for a job well done. ing these talks for audience discussion. Page 10 New Mexico Jewish Historical Society Roundup (continued from p. 7) Recap of Wolman Nostalgia Trip more about their experiences as Jews in the by Lance Bell military. They will find support, as many n August 24, in Albu- Rags, he learned to fly and started shoot- others have, from long-standing organiza- querque at the JCC, ing aerial landscapes from the window of tions such as the Jewish War Veterans of the NMJHS hosted an his small Cessna. From this experience the United States. Established in 1886, the O eager audience that was he had the basis for a successful coffee organization offers programs and resources ready to take a trip back for vets, including those in New Mexico, in Rock ‘n’ Roll history where there are long-established posts. with Rolling Stone Magazine’s first pho- tographer Baron Wolman. Wolman, a For more information on Jews in the resident of Santa Fe, prepared a totally military, visit the National Museum of cool slide presentation with his photos American Jewish Military History. In addi- of the many music legends whose chords tion to their exhibits in Washington, D.C., and vocals have touched so many music- the Museum offers online resources about loving souls. Jewish military service.

From the Grateful Dead, Santana, The Resources Beatles, Frank Zappa, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and many, many Raffle winner Peter Burman displays the Janis Joplin GI Jews: How World War II Changed a Gen- others, Wolman was there with his cam- print that he got to take home. eration, Deborah Dash Moore, Harvard era to capture moments in time for us all University Press, 2004. to enjoy. Baron shared anecdotal stories table book called The Holy Land: Israel on each performer and what happened From the Air (1987). Wolman shared Louis Felsenthal, Citizen-Soldier of Territo- the day or even the second the photo quite a few pictures from this book at rial New Mexico, Jacqueline Meketa, UNM was taken. “Jews and Rock ‘n’ Roll” was the event. Press, 1982. A highlight of the day was the raffle and The Fighting Rabbis: Jewish Military Chap- auction of two Wolman classic prints. lains and American History, Slomovitz. Dr. Henry Watkins, who always wanted to own something special in memory of Reflections on Jewish-American Heritage, Rock icon Jimi Hendrix, found out he Booklet, City of Albuquerque Human was the lucky bidder in the silent auction Rights Office. for the Hendrix photo. Santa Fe native, lawyer Peter Burman won the Janis Joplin American Jewish Historical Society, www. ajhs.org. It is not too late to own your own nostalgic piece of rock ‘n’ roll history. Baron Wolman (left) holds the portrait of Jimi Jewish Heroes and Heroines of America, from Hendrix that Dr. Henry Watkins (right) won in a NMJHS still has available for pur- Colonial Times to 1900, Florida Atlantic silent auction. chase a print of Jim Morrison of the University Libraries: http://www.fau.edu/ Doors. This B&W 11x14 silver gela- library/brodytoc.htm a unique format that allowed Wolman tin print is matted and framed with to present the stories behind his photos. a retail value of $800.00. NMJHS is Jewish War Veterans of the United States, Some rockers you may not have known taking offers starting at $350.00. If http://www.jwv.org. were Jewish are: Kiss front men Gene you are interested, contact adminis- Simmons and Paul Stanley, Billy Joel, trator Bobbi Jackson at 505-348-4471 Library of Congress Veteran’s History Simon and Garfunkel, and Steely Dan. or [email protected]. Project, http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/ Other Jewish rock legends include Bob ex-war-jewishveterans.html. Dylan, Paul Simon, Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, Robbie Robertson of The print in the raffle. He was very pleased Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Band, and David Lee Roth of Van because he always loved the one-of-a- www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org. Halen. kind sound and incomparable energy that Joplin put forth in her vocals. A National Museum of American Jewish Mili- After Wolman’s career at Rolling Stone tary History, http://www.nmajmh.org. A and a fashion magazine he created called

Page 11 Legacy, Volume 22, Number 4, December 2008 Calendar of NMJHS Upcoming Events 2009 Membership Dues Membership expires on December 31 Check online calendar of Upcoming Events for more details at www.nmjewishhistory.org. Membership fees are as follows: Sunday, February 22, 2 p.m., New Mexico Film Museum, 418 Montezuma, Santa Fe. Bettina O’Neil Lyons will talk about her book Zeckendorfs and Steinfelds: Merchant Renewal New Princes of the American Southwest, published by the Arizona Historical Society. Book Individual $35 signing will follow her talk. Family $50 Senior (55+) $30 Sunday, March 29, 2 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Albu- querque. Henry Tobias will talk about his latest book, Jews in New Mexico Since World Senior Couple $40 War II, published by UNM Press. Book signing will follow his talk. Fulltime Student $20 Business $100 Sunday in April or May. Montefiore Cemetery cleanup in Las Vegas. Friend $100 or more Life Membership $1000 Sunday, May 3, Taos Jewish Center, 1335 Gusdorf Road, Suite R, Taos [time to be announced]. Name(s)______Fall conference in planning stage. Address______City______State___ Zip_____ NMJHS Board of Directors and Officers Email address______Officers Norman Budow – Santa Fe Phone ______Noel Pugach, Ph.D., President – Albuquerque Carla Freeman – Santa Fe Dorothy Corner Amsden, Vice President – Los Alamos Sheila Gershen – Santa Fe Please make your check payable to: Stephen Part, Recording Secretary – Albuquerque Gerald Gonzalez – Santa Fe New Mexico Jewish Historical Society Anthony A. Amsden, Corresponding Secretary – Claire Grossman – Nashua, New Hampshire Los Alamos Stanley M. Hordes, Ph.D. – Albuquerque Robert N. Gale, Treasurer – Placitas Nancy Terr – Albuquerque and mail it with this form to: Marjorie Weinberg-Berman – Kings Point, New Mexico Jewish Historical Society New York Directors 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE Barbara Baker – Santa Fe

Immediate Past President Albuquerque, NM 87109

Lance Bell – Santa Fe Harold Melnick – Santa Fe

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