Preserving Jewish Heritage in Texas Texas Jewish Est. 1980 Historical Society July 2014 News Magazine Keeping Tabs on Temple’s Tablets by Ken Herman Reprinted with permission from Austin American Statesman, October 16, 2013 Congregation Agudas Achim I’ll do my best to translate the (of which I am a member) has had Yiddish. three buildings since its founding “I’d gone to that shul when I 99 years ago. The first was built lived in Lampasas when I was a in 1931 at San Jacinto Boulevard teenager. We used to come into and East 10th Street, where a fed- Austin for the High Holy days,” eral building now stands. Shapiro said of the downtown In 1963, the congregation synagogue. moved to a new building on Bull Fast forward to the early Creek Road, since replaced by the 1990s when its demolition was current Agudas Achim building on imminent. Shapiro recalled being the Dell Jewish Community Cam- at his desk in Austin Metal and pus in Northwest Austin. The old Iron, founded by his father-in-law downtown building was demol- Congregation Agudas Achim’s downtown building, in 1913, on East Fourth Street. ished, including the 2,300-pound which was demolished in the early 1960s. The Ten “I was sitting there think- Ten Commandments tablets that Commandments tablets that were atop the building ing about it and I was thinking, sat atop the building over the are now in the courtyard of the synagogue in North- ‘Is there anything out of that old entrance. west Austin. building that we want to save?’ Or at least that’s what everybody thought was the and I couldn’t think of anything”, he said. “Then it fate of the tablets. The truth was revealed last year at an dawned on me. I remembered when you went up to the event honoring the late Jim Novy, a major figure in Austin front entrance to the place there a real nice long flight of Jewish history. Among the attendees was Morris Shapiro, steps.…and you’d look up and here were these beautiful Novy’s son-in-law, and he had something to report when Ten Commandments (made) out of stone. And I thought, folks looked I wonder if anybody told them to save those”, he said. at photos of “So I got out and got to my car and drove there and, sure the long-gone enough, they were about ready to wreck the front part of downtown the building, and I told Pee Wee, I said, ‘Pee Wee, I want synagogue. those Ten Commandments there’. He said, ‘What are you Because he going to do with them?’ I said, ‘We’re going to have a is such a new synagogue somewhere and when we do, we’ll use good story- those.’” teller, let’s let Pee Wee (Pee Wee Franks, a demolition specialist and Shapiro, 88, Austin Metal and Iron customer) complied and Shapiro tell the story, became the keeper of the Ten Commandments. But after which he deciding the old tablets would not mesh with the modern did as we sat design of the new building on Bull Creek Road, he had in his home them taken to a warehouse at his business. And there they In October, 2013, the tablets were installed at near Westlake sat for a half-century. Congregation Agudas Achim on Hart Lane. High School. continued on page 11

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 1 Message from the President by Debra Winegarten What a warm day morning, we that was the site of the original Zale’s welcome TJHS climbed aboard a Jewelry Store, which is undergoing a received from the trolley and visited renovation. We boarded the trolley to people at House of the Jewish sec- take the “Oil Barons Tour” to view the Jacob in Wichita tion of Rosemont magnificent mansions in the old part Falls when we were Cemetery, where of town. The Saturday night program there in June. I instituted a new was a personal view of the commu- Almost forty of tradition of saying nity, with remarks by House of Jacob us descended on Kaddish when we President, W.B. Marks, and long-time this small, dusty visit these sacred resident, Joan Schwartz. Gordon town. Sally Drayer sites. We dedi- Cizon also shared some of his memo- and Samylu Rubin cated the prayer in ries living in Wichita Falls and work- worked tirelessly memory of Mitzi ing with the Zale family. Vickie Vogel over the past several Chafetz’s mother, then enchanted us with a slide show of months to ensure since this was her the recent TJHS trip to Cuba. the meeting went smoothly and the Yahrtzeit. I want to thank the Board for its local arrangements were in place. I We then descended on the Museum cooperation as I presided over my entrusted Sally and she did an amaz- of North Texas, where the county archi- first Board meeting Sunday morning. ing job. Friday night, we joined in a vist gave a talk on some of the Jewish Vickie Vogel received a grant in the Kabbalat Shabbat service at the shul, citizens of Wichita Falls. After looking amount of $250 for the printing and followed by a kosher brisket dinner, around at the many collections the mu- distribution of a book for the cemetery prepared by the congregation. Satur- seum had, we walked to the building in Hallettsville, Texas. A grant of $25,000 was awarded to help with the moving and restoration of Brenham’s The Texas Jewish Historical Society B’nai Abraham synagogue building to July 2014 Austin. B’nai Abraham is the oldest Orthodox shul in Texas and will have a Quarterly News Magazine new life again. I am proud that we are The Texas Jewish Historical Society News Magazine is published a part of this worthwhile endeavor. four times annually. Stories about Texas Jewish history, oral histories, If you have not joined us for a and requests for assistance with research are welcome, as are photographs meeting, or even if you have, you and historical documents. Please provide color photocopies or scans at MUST do everything in your power to 300 dpi or greater in .gif, .tif, or .jpg format, and send electronically to As- come to Austin October 23-25. TJHS is co-hosting a meeting with the South- sistant Editor Davie Lou Solka at [email protected] or by mail to 3808 Woodbrook Circle, Austin, TX 78759, 512-527-3799. Be sure to include continued on page 11 your name and contact information. The News Magazine of the Publisher-Editor Alexa Kirk Texas Jewish Historical Society Assistant Editor Davie Lou Solka (USPS) is published four times Photographers Sally Drayer, Marvin Rich, Davie Lou Solka a year by the Texas Jewish His- Marc Wormser torical Society, P. O. Box 10193, Note: The Texas Jewish Historical Society is Austin, Texas 78766-0193, Travis unable to guarantee the safe receipt and/or return County. Periodical postage paid at of documents or photographs. It is strongly recom- Houston, Texas. Postmaster: send mended that you provide color photocopies of both address changes to the Texas Jew- color and black & white documents. We welcome ish Historical Society, P. O. Box your comments and suggestions. 10193, Austin, Texas 78766-0193. Visit us on the web at www.txjhs.org. www.txjhs.org.

Page 2 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Lyndon Johnson was Scheduled to Visit my Austin Shul the Day After Kennedy Died by Cathy Schechter Article is copyrighted by Cathy Schechter, 2013. First printed November 18, 2013, by Tablet Magazine. Reprinted with permission from the author. Some editing has been done.

On November 22, was almost too famil- 1963, the women of iar; Milton Simons, Congregation Agudas who was Agudas Achim Sisterhood in Achim’s president in Austin, Texas, were the autumn of 1963, working in their new recalled that some of kosher kitchen, mix- the congregants knew ing potato salad for the the vice president so several hundred people well they refused to pay expected to turn up at to hear him speak at the the dedication of their synagogue dedication. new synagogue the next The assassination day—a group that was changed that: When to include Vice President the dedication was re- Lyndon B. Johnson. scheduled, a gully wash The women didn’t have of people from all over enough mixing bowls, so Jim Novy introduces President Lyndon Johnson at the dedication of Con- the country wanted in, they wound up using the gregation Agudas Achim’s new building on December 28, 1963. Johnson offering what Simons synagogue’s brand-new and Lady Bird are seated to the left of the dais. From the dedication pro- described as “enough plastic trashcans to pre- gram. (Courtesy of Congregation Agudas Achim Archives.) money to pay the mort- pare the potato salad, a highly probable that no American gage,” just to come to detail their honored guest would never president has ever been as intimately Austin to hear the new President talk need to know. involved in the construction of a Shul to the Jews. In the end, it was Novy Of course, Johnson never made it as Johnson was in this one. In Octo- who kept the strangers out. As far as to Austin. Instead of holding a joyous ber 1963, as vice-president, he loaned he was concerned, Austin Jews were celebration, the congregants gathered his Lincoln Continental convertible to LBJ’s Jews, and even “the people to mourn the death of President John congregant Morris Shapiro, who drove too cheap to buy tickets,” in Simons’ F. Kennedy and pray for their old the Torah scrolls the three or four miles estimation, should be there to hear friend, Lyndon, who had just been from Congregation Agudas Achim’s the new president’s first non-official sworn in as President on Air Force downtown location to its new suburban public remarks as president. One, standing next to the blood-splat- home amid a parade of marching Jews. I first encountered the story of the tered and shocked former First Lady The connection between Johnson synagogue dedication in 1988, while Jacqueline Kennedy. No one expected and Agudas Achim was Jim Novy, a writing a book about Texas Jews. In that he would reschedule his visit— Polish-born immigrant who wound up 2000, when Agudas Achim moved to but, ever the consummate politician, in Texas under the Galveston Plan and its current location at the Dell Jewish Johnson decided to keep his promise, made a small fortune in scrap metal. Community Campus, I volunteered to and on December 28, the new Presi- One of Johnson’s earliest political al- produce a video to mark the occasion dent arrived at the new Agudas Achim lies in Austin, Novy, pillar of Austin’s and interviewed congregants who at- building. Orthodox congregation, was instru- tended the 1963 event, many of whom The synagogue owed its new mental in building the synagogue. For have since passed away. location on Bull Creek to Johnson’s many Austin Jews, their relationship Early one morning after the intercession in a real estate deal. It’s with Johnson had been so close that he continued on page 4

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 3 Lyndon Johnson, continued from page 3 sh’loshim for Kennedy were over, Jews. “I’ve always called on President be worthy of the leadership we claim, Novy received a call from President Johnson to give us a help,” Novy told and the rest of the world will follow us Johnson. “He told Daddy, ‘I said the crowd, “and there was never a time where we lead.” I would be there, and I’m going to that I asked that he wouldn’t take care When Novy died in 1971, John- be there,’” Novy’s daughter, Elaine of Jewish problems.” In fact, Novy’s son—by then out of the White House Shapiro, said. With only a week’s introduction that night gave rise to the and back in Texas—sat alone in the notice, the members of the congrega- persistent Internet rumors that Johnson back of the sanctuary, without Secret tion hustled once again to prepare. was a righteous gentile who saved Service or aides or hangers-on, wear- The shul’s decorations committee set hundreds of Jewish lives before and ing a kippah. Shortly after, Johnson the stage for the possibility that there during World War II, though exhaus- also died of heart disease. It would might be television cameras in atten- tive searches by Johnson Library ar- seem that the partnership forged by dance. The Sisterhood catering team chivist Claudia Anderson have turned the two men and the benefits yielded thawed out the barbecue and remade up no primary-source proof to substan- to Congregation Agudas Achim had the potato salad and Jell-O mold. tiate the rumors. come to an end. Shirley Rubinett remembered that After the community poured out But there is a postscript to this the Secret Service sent taste-testers, its affection, President Johnson rose to story: During the later years of the and the president was supposed to eat speak. In his remarks—captured on a Johnson presidency, Encyclopedia only what they approved. But, in the 33 1/3 LP for congregants to keep as a Judaica approached Jim Novy to see end, she told me, “He ate whatever he souvenir—he revealed the reciprocity if he could persuade the president wanted, he gobbled it down, he was of the trust and respect he felt, as well to help fund them. Through Novy’s hungry.” as the strength he drew from them. influence, they were able to obtain an Almost every person I spoke with He combined a tribute to his home interest-free two million dollar loan said that the most memorable im- community and the Jewish people with to conduct the research needed to age of the evening was entering the remarks that foreshadowed his War replace the old Jewish Encyclopedia synagogue vestibule and seeing a red on Poverty, which we Texans chose to with a version that reflected both the telephone on the table—a cultural icon hold in our memories in a more elevat- Holocaust and the birth of the State of preserved in the congregants’ collec- ed place than the missteps in Vietnam Israel. In return for the favor, Novy tive memory as the infamous “red that ultimately doomed his leadership. asked for 100 sets of the encyclopedia phone” connecting Washington and And he offered his personal tribute to to sell as a fundraiser. The proceeds Moscow, though it could not have Jim Novy: “If we have leaders like arrived after the deaths of both John- been. Ann and Saul Ginsburg’s son, this good man who spent so many of son and Novy, but Dr. Byron Smith, a David, played “Hail to the Chief” on his hours in the years past trying to former shul president, hid the money the spinet piano. The suave and artic- build temples like this, temples where from anyone who wanted to use it ulate Dr. Polsky emceed the evening, men can worship, temples where jus- for operating expenses, and used it and Jim Novy introduced the presi- tice reigns, temples where the free are to pay down the Bull Creek building dent with a litany of stories of all the welcome, temples where the dignity of mortgage, years in advance. LBJ was times Johnson had helped him and the man prevails, then American will truly always one of us.

We Need Your Stories! We are currently looking for assistant editor. ture generations. stories with ties to Texas Jewish Everyone has a story to tell, So what are you waiting history! Any kind of story about long or short. Your history is of in- for? Send your article to our as- your family history or your Tem- terest to members across Texas and sistant editor, Davie Lou Solka, ple’s history can fill the pages the nation! And you will be able to at [email protected], mail it to of our quarterly news magazine. see your family’s history in print. 3808 Woodbrook Circle, Austin, Write your story, and if you have It is a wonderful keepsake and a TX 78759, or call her at questions or need help, call our valuable piece of genealogy for fu- 512-527-3799.

Page 4 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 An Invitation to All Members Dear Members of the Texas Jewish the history of our ancestors for future from the U.T. Shusterman Center for Historical Society, generations. Jewish Studies, and documentary As your new President, I am ex- And I want YOU to come to Austin filmmakers from Texas and Washing- tending a personal invitation to you to and be a part of this historic event. ton, D.C. You will be treated to lunch come to visit me in Austin in October. You will find in this News Magazine and a panel discussion in the atrium When I took the reins of this amazing a registration flyer for our October of the LBJ Library and a tour. At the organization in March, I promised that 23-26 meeting. This conference meet- Ransom Center, special Judaica items there would be changes. I vowed that ing will be a joint adventure with the will be on exhibit just for us. with the board’s help, I would stream- Southern Jewish Historical Society. Did I mention food? Kabbalat line our grant process, pull us into the The culmination of our meeting on Shabbat followed by a kosher barbe- 21st century, and start to put to good Sunday afternoon will be the dedica- cue brisket dinner; a Havdalah dinner use some of the generous funds our tion of the 121-year-old B’nai Abraham cruise on Lady Bird Lake, complete members have entrusted us with over synagogue on the campus of the Dell with viewing of the largest urban bat past years. Jewish Community Center. I request colony in the US; a bagel bar Sunday Little did I imagine when I spoke as many members of our organization morning to feed us between board those mighty words that at the first be present as possible, because it is meetings; and a book-and-author board meeting over which I presided, YOUR vision and YOUR money that panel—such treats. we would take bold, decisive action. In are helping make this dream a reality. If you only make one meeting the morning prayers, we pray Baruch We have an action-packed week- in 2014, come to Austin October sheh-amar v’haya ha’olam—“And end planned with the maximum amount 23-26. I want to meet you in person. HaShem created the world with God’s of intellectually stimulating fun events I want to hear your ideas. I want to word.” we could jam into a 72-hour period. celebrate these accomplishments with And so it is with our organization. Speakers are joining us from England, you. Don’t wait—register right now. At the board meeting in Wichita Falls, Germany, California, and Brandeis We’ve even made it possible for you we were given the opportunity to put University. You will hear from Don to register online. I’ll see you in Aus- some of our money into motion. The Carleton of the Dolph Briscoe Center tin in October. purpose of the Society is, in part, “to for American History, Robert Abzug Debra Winegarten collect, preserve…materials having reference to the settlement and history of Jews in Texas…” We were asked to Contributions contribute $25,000 to support mov- The following donations have been received by the Texas Jewish ing B’nai Abraham, the oldest Ortho- Historical Society: dox shul in Texas, from Brenham to In Honor of From Austin, where it will be renovated and Jan & Charles Hart and Davie Lou & the JCC of San Antonio become home once again to an active Jack Solka, for their presentation Orthodox community, and a highly to the San Antonio Jewish Genealogy visible landmark of Jewish continuity Society in Texas. Solomon Ellis Lieb, great-grandson of Bernadine Belkin There was a lively debate at the Bernadine & Sanford Belkin board meeting as to whether this was Gift Membership to From an appropriate use of TJHS funds. The Charles “Charlie” Gerson Phyllis Turkel overwhelming group consensus was that by this action, we made a loud In Memory of From statement that we are actively involved Roy Elsner Leslie & Larry Krasner in preserving Texas Jewish history. Mitzi & Rusty Milstein Why is this important? Susanna Friedman Mina Pashkoff & Perry Vann We are not just a bunch of arm- Adam Malinger Mina Pashkoff & Perry Vann chair historians, mining dusty attics Rose Solka Joyce & Marc Wormser for buried documents; we are actively Lucille Unell Alan Unell participating in making and preserving Harold Weinstein Mina Pashkoff & Perry Vann

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 5 TJHS Summer Meeting

This is part of the group on the trolley. First row, Nancy Hoffman and Dolly Golden; second row, Libby Ann and Fred Greene; third row, Amy Milstein and Debbie Winegarten; fourth row, Rusty and Mitzi Milstein; fifth row, Louis and Joan Katz.

TJHS members in front of the trolley. Gordon Cizon stood behind an original coun- ter in Zale’s Jewelry Store.

Sally Drayer was the Meeting Weekend Chair. Left to right are Gary Goldberg, Jeri Hutchinson, Rabbi Danny Kislin, Miriam Kislin, Joan Schwartz, W.B. Marx, Noel Marx, Cheryl Sigel, and Jay Sigel.

Page 6 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Wichita Falls, June 20-22, 2014

The Reform Temple Israel, which is now a Meals on Wheels building. Rusty Milstein, Barbara Rosenberg, Louis Katz in front of a wedding exhibit at the Museum of North Texas.

Jeri Hutchinson and Rabbi Danny Kislin led Havdalah.

Rabbi Murray Berger explained the writing on headstones. Nancy Hoffman is on the right.

Ship exhibit at Museum of North Texas History. Jewish section of Rosemont Cemetery in Wichita Falls.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 7 Cuba: A Retro Isle with Vintage Cars & a Spark of Jewish Revival by Hollace Weiner

When the The last two United States decades have launched a brought change. trade embargo The collapse of against Cuba the Soviet Union, in 1961, there Cuba’s communist were 150,000 ally, in December American cars 1991 led to the re- on the road. versal of religious All 150,000 restrictions. After of them are Pope John Paul still on the II visited Cuba in island, many 1998, Christmas in mint condi- celebrations began tion. Cuba’s to proliferate. Fidel Jewish popu- Castro, wearing a lation has not yarmulke, attended been as stable. a Hanukkah party Before after being advised the Cuban it commemorated revolution, an ancient revolu- the Caribbean tion of oppressed island’s Jew- TJHS travelers at the United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in Havana. people. ish community Gradually, the numbered 15,000. Havana was home Castro seized businesses and private number of affiliated Jews in Cuba has to five synagogues, at least six Jewish property, more than 95 per cent of the grown from 600 to 1,200—including island’s Jews fled, 80 non-Jewish spouses who converted mainly to Florida. last year. Children learn Hebrew By 1990, the prayers. There are five or six bar and number of affili- bat mitzvahs a year. Young adults lead ated Jews in Cuba services, although more than a dozen a had dropped to year make aliyah to Israel. “We have 600. very few newborns. If three or five, we “Sixty years try to bring a mohel from Argentina,” without a rabbi,” Dworin said. “Sometimes it is not after observed Adela eight days; it’s after ten years.” Dworin, president The capital city, with its once- of Havana’s Jew- elegant Spanish colonial buildings, is ish Community. today home to three Jewish institu- “If you wanted tions—a Sephardic Jewish Center with to be a member a synagogue, gym, and senior daycare of the Commu- program; an Orthodox synagogue, TJHS travelers interact with domino players at the Sephardic nist Party” and Adath Israel de Cuba Comunidad Center community room. advance up the Hebrea; and a Conservative synagogue parochial schools, several rabbis, a rungs of government and society, “you known as El Patronato. mohel and a kosher butcher. As Fidel could not be part of any religion.” continued on page 9 Page 8 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Cuba, continued from page 8 “We have good rela- maintained cars from tions with the govern- the ’50s. Somewhat ment,” Dworin said, disconcerting, how- echoing sentiments ever, were the tropical voiced by Mayra Levy, a trees with dead limbs, physician and president evidence of the island’s of the Sephardic Center, crumbling public works and by Yacob Berezniak, sector. Elsewhere, the bearded, yarmulke- fountains in public wearing leader of Adath parks were dry, be- Israel de Cuba. cause the pumps were These three Jewish broken, we were told. leaders greet more than At the Palacio de Bel- 50 mission groups a year las Artes Museum, the from American Jew- air conditioning was ish communities. The broken. The curator Mitzi and Rusty Milstein selected a kippah from among those TJHS, with approval worried aloud that the made at the Sephardic Center. from the U.S. Treasury humidity was damag- Department, organized ing oil paintings dating just such a trip to Cuba from the 17th century. April 28 through May 5. “Don’t try to Forty travelers embarked understand Cuba,” on this Caribbean jour- the museum curator ney, bringing medicines, advised us. It is some- hygiene products, cloth- times “surreal” and “il- ing, small batteries, and logical,” yet endlessly other items that residents fascinating. We stayed do not have easy access at the Hotel Nacio- to. nal de Cuba, a faded, Travelers on the 1930 landmark with an Texas Jewish Histori- impressive cigar shop. cal Society mission trip, A World Heritage Site, coordinated by Vickie the hotel was the loca- Vogel who heads the tion of a 1946 Mafia Society’s Travel Com- summit meeting dra- The back of Hotel Nacional de Cuba, which overlooked the Gulf of mittee, met at Miami’s matized in the movie Mexico. International Airport, “The Godfather Part boarded an American II.” On arrival, we were Airlines charter plane, greeted with refreshing and 45 minutes later mojitos and a view of landed at Havana’s Jose the Caribbean. Marti Airport. The airport parking Yacob Berezniak, lot was decidedly retro, the island’s Orthodox filled with colorful, well- leader, recalled that before the revolution, Rabbi Jimmy Kessler pres- his congregation, Adath ents a gift from TJHS at Israel, thrived with Adat Israel, the Orthodox 2,000 members. It had Synagogue in Havana. continued on page 10

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 9 Cuba, continued from page 9 just completed a new building in 1959, free meals on Shabbat, possesses eight Despite such obstacles, Berez- the year Fidel Castro came to power. torahs and has an excess of prayer niak is optimistic about the future of books—which the congre- Judaism in Cuba. “Before 1959,” he gation received from “the recalled, “the Sephardi and the Ashke- synagogues that disap- nazi were separate. Not anymore. We peared.” pray together... It’s a miracle.” Although Havana has public transportation, Adath Mayra Levy is president of Cuba’s Israel provides rides to the Sephardic Center, which follows the shul for seniors. “The bus Conservative ritual and welcomes both in Cuba is a problem,” he Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jews. The explained. “You wait for center operates a senior daycare pro- hours to take the bus... It’s gram, a fitting way to repay the elderly like mission impossible.” who kept Judaism alive during the Berezniak says that his decades when religious practice lan- congregation has a good re- guished. During those lean years, she Adela Dworin, President of El Patronato, lationship with the govern- joked, a “Cuban minyan” consisted of and Dolly Golden. ment, adding, “It is said that “men, Torahs, and God.” “Between 1960 and 1990, there was the mother of Castro was descended Levy, a physician, is higher a big assimilation process,” related from Marano Jews from Spain.” The paid than most Cubans, earning the Berezniak, who studied at a yeshiva Castro regime has always allowed equivalent of $30 a month. Although in Israel. Participation dwindled. He one kosher butcher to operate. How- education and healthcare are free, is pleased to report that his shul today ever, “The people cannot afford the she concedes that many “things here has 450 congregants, with morning meat.” The average monthly salary in are upside down.” For example, “our and afternoon minyans that draw 50 Cuba is the equivalent of $20. Ration medicines are not the most up to date to 70 worshipers. The congregation, cards allow two pounds of meat per . . . . In the hospital, the bed has no which has a spring-fed mikveh, serves person per month. The Cuban diet is sheet. The family has to bring the mostly chicken, beans, and sheet, the pillow, the food. Infrastruc- rice. Though fish abound in ture is absent.” the waters surrounding the Levy understands why young island, there is no off-shore people want to leave the island, but fishing industry because of she has never doubted her decision to concerns that fishing vessels remain. It was to “keep our heritage,” might head for Miami. she said, and to help humankind by When there is a death in becoming a physician. “Life is not the Jewish community, Adath white and black,” she said. “You have Israel guarantees a minyan at all the degrees of gray in the middle.” the grave. Part of the cer- She grew up in an era of travel emony involves an ancient restrictions, when individuals who tradition of sprinkling parts fled were cut off from their families. of the body with dirt from “If you leave, you close the gate. For Israel. Why? “So when they years, you will never see your mom or wake up they can see the land your family.” of Israel,” he explained. Im- Her husband, for example, was porting Israeli soil involves fourteen years old when his mother a circuitous route, because in left the island. “Eighteen years later, 1970, Fidel broke diplomatic he saw her. He didn’t recognize her. relations with Israel. “It goes She didn’t recognize him. You have from Israel to Panama and to think very hard if you are going to The front of Casa de la Communidad Hebrea de from Panama to Cuba,” Ber- abandon your wife, your mother. You Cuba (El Patronato). ezniak explained. continued on page 11

Page 10 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Temple’s Tablets, continued from page 1 “I said, ‘Put them somewhere alone the tablets.” blank backside of the tablets. There where they’re going to be safe,’ and Shapiro said his revelation is something spiritual about watching I forgot about them, to tell the truth, sparked “a whole process.” “You’d a man carve the Ten Commandments Shapiro recalled of how the Ten Com- have thought they were moving the into stone (see my video at mystates- mandments wound up out of sight and Washington Monument. They had a man.com). out of mind in the warehouse. They delegation and a committee—every- “The letters (on the front) were popped back into his mind last year at thing’s a committee—to come look at hand-carved so I’ve kind of copied the the event, where he saw the old photos it and to make arrangements,” he said. guy’s style on the other side. He has of the old synagogue. Plans were made and the tablets a nice flow to his letters,” said Beall. “I’ve got something that y’all were moved from the warehouse. The tablets will be installed in a court- would probably like to have,” he told “They made a big geschichta out of yard at Agudas Achim, which will host others at the event. “They thought nothing. They could’ve gotten a quilt “Bringing the Tablets Home” events. I was meshugge,” Shapiro told me. and little low trailer and everything, “There they sat for decades, Meshugge means crazy. “The congre- but…” Shapiro said of moving day. largely forgotten,” the synagogue said gation was dumbfounded,” wrote Mar- (A geschicta is a saga or big-to-do. in a statement about the tablets, “much shall Sack, a co-chair of the synagogue Disclaimer: The Austin American- like the Ark of the Covenant in the project planning Agudas Achim’s Statesman cannot be responsible for vast government storeroom in ‘Raiders centennial events. “There are only a injuries incurred in attempting to of the Lost Ark.’” few members of the synagogue who pronounce geschichta.) So that’s the story of how Morris even remember the old synagogue, let Shapiro, no longer an Agudas brought the Ten Commandments to Achim member (someday I’ll tell you the people of one Austin congrega- about synagogue politics), said he had tion. I asked him what he charged for Cuba, continued from page 10 debated whether to give the tablets all those years. “Bupkis,” he said with have to be very hard of your to the synagogue but quickly decided a warm laugh of a man who knew he heart and your mind to leave.” it was the right thing to do. “Zei had done the right thing. Levy recalled that her par- gezunt,” he said. (That one means “be (Editor’s note: The tablets were ents had the opportunity to flee. well” or “farewell” and can be used installed at the “Bringing the Tablets “I remember people knocking when one decides to move on from a Home” weekend, which was held on my door and saying, ‘Levy, dilemma.) October 18-20, 2013. They now let’s go. We’re making aliyah.’” Shortly before visiting Shapiro, reside in the courtyard of Congre- Her family stayed put, and I went to sculptor Gilbert Beall’s gation Agudas Achim, where at- for good purpose, she believes. Hancock Drive studio to watch him tendees at the TJHS/SJHS meeting She is witnessing a revival of working on the limestone tablets. In will attend Shabbat Eve services at Judaism on the island and at the addition to rehabbing and restoring their meeting in Austin on October Sephardic Center. Things are the lettering, he has carved the Ten 24, 2014—exactly one year after the happening that were unthinkable Commandments into the formerly installation.) 30 years ago. The gallery of the Sephardic Center has an absorb- President’s Message, continued from page 2 ing exhibit—in Spanish and ern Jewish Historical Society. Hollace Center. In addition, there will be panel English—about the Holocaust Weiner, Bryan Stone and Sally Drayer, presentations on various aspects of Tex- and the history of Jewish Cuba. along with the local arrangements com- as and Southern Jewish history, a dinner The exhibit title reads: “From a mittee chaired by Davie Lou Solka, cruise on Lady Bird Lake for Havdalah Culture of Survival to a Culture have prepared an incredible three day and viewing the bats, and culminating of Community.” week-end conference. Plans include Sunday afternoon with the dedication of May it be God’s will. Shabbat Eve dinner at Congregation the B’nai Abraham synagogue. (Editor’s Note: Another trip Agudas Achim, followed by dinner and The registration form for this to Cuba is planned for June a presentation by Sam Gruber, a leading fabulous week-end is included in this is- 8-15, 2015. If you are inter- expert on synagogue restoration, a tour sue. The complete program is on TJHS ested, contact Vickie Vogel at of the LBJ Library, the TJHS collection website – www.txjhs.org. Fill out the [email protected].) at the Briscoe Center of American His- form and mail it today! I’ll see you in tory, and Jewish artifacts at the Ransom Austin in October!

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 11 Encyclopedia of Texas Jewish Communities

The Texas Jewish Historical Society awarded a grant to the Institute of Southern Jewish Life to re- search and publish the histories of Jews in Texas towns. These histories are available on the Institute’s website and are called “Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities.” We will adapt one of these histories in each issue of our News Magazine. Thanks to the History Department of the ISJL for per- mission to do so. To see other towns, go to the Institute’s website, www.isjl.org, click on the “History Department” and look for “Encyclopedia” in the drop-down menu. Austin For over a century, Governor Austin was home to Elisha Pease, a small Jewish com- managing his munity that was often estate and overshadowed by land holdings. Houston, Dallas, San DeCordova was Antonio, and even a politically ac- Waco. Austin was tive Democrat a relatively sleepy and served as a capital city, known city alderman more for its laid back and on the Tex- atmosphere than as as State Demo- a bustling center for cratic Executive commerce. Since Committee. He the 1980s, this has supported the changed as Austin has Confederate emerged as a center cause, serv- for high-tech industry. ing as a state As Austin has grown, senator and as so has its Jewish secretary of the population. Since Texas Military 1968, Austin’s Jewish Board during population has in- the war. After creased, making it one An 1876 photograph of Congress Avenue in Austin, looking north from between 5th the war, De- of the fastest growing and 6th streets. The 1853 capitol building is in view. Cordova served Jewish communities Photo courtesy Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Austin, Texas. as a U.S. Com- in the country. By the missioner for 21st century, Austin had become a DeCordova, Phineas came to Galves- the Western District of Texas, while diverse and vibrant center for Jewish ton from Jamaica in 1848. He joined also becoming Grand Master of the life in the southern Sunbelt. Jacob in a land business, working to Odd Fellows of Texas, the first Jew to Originally named Waterloo, the attract European immigrants to Texas hold that position in the United States. small village on the banks of the through their publishing of the Texas With only a handful of Jews liv- Colorado River was selected to be Herald and Immigrant Guide. Phineas ing in Austin, a growing number of the capital of the Texas Republic in DeCordova moved to Austin in 1849 the Jewish immigrants settled in the 1839, and was renamed to honor the after Governor Peter Bell invited him small central Texas town. B. Melasky father of Anglo settlement in Texas, to work with the state government to left Poland in 1856, and settled in Stephen F. Austin. Austin’s first attract immigrants to Texas. DeCor- Texas by 1859. He spent some time Jewish resident, Phineas DeCordova, dova opened a land company with in New Braunfels and San Marcos, became one of its most influential. James McKinney, and later befriended and then enlisted in the Confederate The half-brother of land agent, Jacob continued on page 13 Page 12 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Austin, continued from page 12 cause at the start of the Civil War. After the South’s defeat, Melasky moved to Austin, where he opened a clothing store on Congress Avenue with Abraham Biberstein. Later known as Melasky & Son, the store was a quick success and by 1870, he owned $10,000 worth of personal estate. Henry Hirschfeld was born in Posen in 1834 and settled in Texas in 1850. After the Civil War, he moved to Austin and opened the Capital Clothing House in 1865. He mar- ried Jennie Melasky in 1868. After enjoying economic success with his store, he sold it in 1886 to focus his time on real estate and investments. Hirschfeld was one of the founders of the Austin National Bank in 1890, Photograph of the intersection of 6th and Congress Avenue looking east towards and served on its board until his death the Driskill Hotel, date unknown. in 1911. He was a charter member of Photo courtesy Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Austin, Texas. Austin’s first Masonic Lodge. During the Reconstruction era, about fifteen again tried to establish a congrega- started a Sunday School, which was Jewish families lived in Austin, with tion. This time the effort was encour- run by Sigmund Philipson. Dr. Gluck most being German immigrants who aged by the local newspaper, which returned in the spring of 1878 and led owned retail businesses. said that several other Texas cities had the congregation’s first Confirmation Although Austin’s small num- Jewish congregations, and “we can see service. He invited Austin’s mayor ber of Jews tried to organize early, it no reason why Austin should not keep and aldermen to attend in an effort to took them several attempts to create a company with them.” That day, thirty show these leaders that Jewish wor- successful congregation. Land for a Jews gathered at the Odd Fellows Hall ship was not strange or foreign. B’nai cemetery was purchased in 1866, and and established Beth Israel, Austin’s B’rith leader Charles Wessolowsky in 1872, the Hebrew Benevolent Asso- first lasting Jewish congregation. The visited Austin in 1879, and found ciation was organized with B. Melasky two most prominent Jews in town, thirty-five Jewish families who were as its president. The group tried to Henry Hirschfeld and Phineas DeCor- doing well economically. He en- raise money for a synagogue, but was dova, were its first president and vice- couraged them to build a synagogue unsuccessful, prompting them to dis- president, respectively. B. Melasky building. band. In 1874, Rev. J.M. Chumaceiro lent his Torah to the congregation and By 1881, the group had become of Charleston, South Carolina, visited the group quickly raised $2500 to inactive and it looked as though Beth Austin to try and organize a B’nai build a synagogue. One of their first Israel might not continue. The follow- B’rith chapter. Austin Jews decided debates was whether to solicit non- ing year, Rev. Chumaceiro returned to that a congregation was a higher Jews, but the group narrowly voted to Austin and inspired them to revitalize priority and created B’nai Shalom restrict their fundraising to the Jewish the congregation and move forward Congregation with Henry Hirschfeld community. They bought land for a with a building campaign. The mem- as its president. Though the congrega- building in 1877, but had a difficult bers decided to reopen the religious tion collected over $1,300 in pledges time raising the money. school, hire a rabbi for the High toward a synagogue, the group had That same year, Dr. Gluck was Holidays, and begin to raise money for disbanded by the end of 1875. At that hired to lead the High Holiday servic- a building. They held Purim Balls to time, a lodge of B’nai B‘rith success- es that were held at the Odd Fellows raise funds, and when members trav- fully began with Henry Hirshfeld serv- Hall. He remained in Austin for three eled north for business, they solicited ing as its first president. more months, and during that time, contributions from wholesale suppliers In September 1876, Austin Jews continued on page 18

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 13 From Our Archives

This column is based on information in the TJHS Collection, housed at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas campus in Austin. It has been supplemented with online research. If you have corrections or additions, please submit them in writing to the TJHS editor at [email protected]. We want our archives to be as complete and accurate as possible. From Bardejov to Belton by Vickie Vogel In 1993, Don Teter tombstone says that she conducted an oral inter- was plucked from life in view with Gloria Novak her young days.11 at her home in Houston. The five children were Below is Gloria’s story Ben (Benno), Max, Issac as told to Don.1 (or Issak), Annie12 and Sam (Shlomo Zal- Gloria’s mother, Lillie.13 man) Neuman (Gloria’s Lillie had a twin sister maternal grandfather) who had died in Europe. was born in 18792 or The family worked in the 18813 in a town in store with Sam, with the Hungary called Bar- children attending Belton fast (or Bardier) which schools. later became a part of After Geitel died, Czechoslovakia, some- Sam returned to Europe times listed as Bardejov, and married a first cousin, Slovakia.4 His father Hava Broder, whom the was Menachem Neuman5 family in Belton called and his mother was Miri- Eva. Sam died in 1932, am Esther Riff Neuman.6 and was buried in Waco He came through New at Agudath Jacob Cem- York before World War etery.14 Since Sam died I and traveled to Belton, before his and Eva’s son Texas, where he became was born, the baby was a fruit peddler7 with a also named Sam.15 mule and wagon. Trag- When Sam Neuman edy turned into opportu- died, his unexpected death nity when a train struck was news in several lo- and killed his mule. The cal places because of his railroad paid him enough prominence in Central compensation to open a Texas business circles. store in Belton. His wife He died unexpectedly and five children were in Marlin where he had then able to join him in Sam and Eva Neuman, 1930. Photo courtesy Cheryl Colen. gone to “take the health Texas in 1921, after be- baths and to rest for a few ing apart for seven years. home from school and found her un- days” before leaving for the New York Sam’s wife Geitel (Gisele) was conscious, and medical skill could not markets to buy stock for his stores. born July 26, 1878,8 in Austria/Hun- save her. She died the next evening. He had been “in good health up to the gary.9 She died at home on Central “Mrs. Neumann [sic] was gentle time of the attack, and his death came Avenue in Belton May 2, 1923, of and womanly in character and was a as a great shock to his family and peritonitis. Her obituary in the Belton devoted Jew in belief and faithful to friends...”16 Journal said her children returned all the teachings of that belief.”10 Her “Mr. Neuman, starting with a continued on page 15

Page 14 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 From Bardejov to Belton, continued from page 14 a time he Wharton and is buried in the Shearith had two Israel Cemetery there. He was a mem- stores in ber of the Shriners, the Rotary Club, Belton. the Masonic Lodge 865, and Scottish Some Rite Temple in Galveston. Isaac and months his wife, Jennie, had a daughter, Mary ago he Beth. When Isaac died, siblings Max, consoli- Annie and Lillie were all living in dated his Houston; Sam was in San Antonio.19 Main Gloria Novak’s paternal grandpar- Street ents were Isadore (1880-1919, pos- store sibly from Bialystok) and Bessie Stein with his Novak (1889-1918), who settled in St. original Louis. They died within a year of each place of other of the flu pandemic. Their son, business, Charles Sol Novak, age 6, went to live corner with an uncle. He had an older brother, Central Jack, and an older sister, Ann. Ann Annie, Max, Lillie, Chava, and Sam Neuman in their Belton store, 1929. Avenue stayed in St. Louis. Gloria does not Photo courtesy of Cheryl Colen, great granddaughter of Sam Neuman. and East know what happened to Jack. The un- small stock of dry goods and small Street.”17 cle, a produce peddler, had three sons capital, by close attention to busi- Sam’s oldest son, Ben, had ness and fair dealing with his patrons, a store in Georgetown, about 30 prospered during his residence in his miles from Belton, where Lillie adopted land, and at the time of his and her husband, Charles Sol No- death was operating stores in Belton, vak, opened a store. Ben also had Killeen, Georgetown and Burnet. For a large ranch with horses outside Temple. Annie married Will Feigenbaum, and in 1937, they opened Feigenbaum’s Famous Store18 in La Grange. Issak married Jenny Markowitz of Beaumont and they opened a store in Bay City. At one time, Max had a store in Bastrop, and after World War II, he had a store in Belton. Issak’s tombstone reads Isaac Neuman, born 1910, died 1975. His establishment in Bay City, Neuman Depart- ment Store, opened in 1938. Born in Czecho- Miriam Esther Riff Neuman in Bardejov, Slovakia, mother of Sam Neuman, c. 1836. slovakia like all Sam Photo courtesy of Cheryl Colen. and Geitel’s children, he moved from Belton to Bur- and a daughter when Charles joined net, where he worked with the family. Charles ran away when his father in the dry goods he was about thirteen and ended up store. Isaac was a board in New York before working his way Sam Neuman, 1928. Photo courtesy Cheryl Colen member of Shearith Israel in continued on page 16

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 15 From Bardejov to Belton, continued from page 15 down to New Orleans where he B’nai B’rith organization worked for the gas company. covering Luling, Lockhart, He later came to Houston and Seguin, and possibly Cuero worked for Schwartzberg’s and Gonzales. In the summers, Delicatessen. He was somehow there would be a picnic in the introduced to Lillie who was liv- park in Seguin. Her parents ing in Belton. They entered into would not let her date non- a “business arrangement” and Jews. Gloria was accepted in were married. her peer group, and was in Gloria was born in Temple, many organizations. eight miles from Belton, at Her brother, Irwin Sam Scott and White Hospital. The Novak, started school in family had the store in Belton Rosenberg and continued until she was 4 or 5 years old, in La Grange and Westbury when they sold it and opened a High School in Houston. He restaurant in McGregor, Texas. became a doctor, practicing That venture, however, was in Houston. When they lived short-lived. Before World War in Rosenberg, Mom and Dad II, they moved to El Campo and took him to the M and M meat opened a small dry goods store, market owned by Max Lewis staying there through the war. where Irwin “got his Hebrew Once Gloria was old enough lessons off of the meat chop- for Sunday School, the family ping block.”20 Irwin recalls would join the synagogue in the riding the bus alone from La nearest big town. She attended Grange to Austin when he was in Wharton, 13 miles from El 11 to study Hebrew at Agudas Campo. Charles wanted to live Achim.21 in a bigger town, so they bought Immigration documents of Benno Neuman, 1920-1921. The Novak name was a house in Houston, but things Photo courtesy of Cheryl Colen, Ben’s granddaughter. initially Wolinsky. “The story didn’t work out. They next is that name came from stolen opened a store in Gonzales, which had field. After attending UT and UH, papers of the family before they came a mill and was known for chickens Gloria started teaching. She remained to this country because the Jewish and produce. The store was reasonably in Houston. name couldn’t get them over. Whereas successful, but then drought came. El Campo was a more liberal town Novak is probably a shortcut from an- While in Gonzales, Gloria at- than Gonzales, in Gloria’s experience. other name. But the family name was tended Sunday School in either Austin Jews were accepted. Gonzales was Wolinsky originally.” or San Antonio, equidistant from more reserved in its acceptance. You Gloria had one daughter, Pamela Gonzales. She was confirmed in San were known as “the Jew girl” or “the Starr, who became a paralegal and Antonio at Adath Emeth or Agudas Jew family.” lives in Atlanta. Gloria and Irwin, Achim. They were members of both at “It was always Jew instead of Jew- who recently retired from his medical one time or another. ish,” she recalled. “And certain things practice, still live in Houston. Ben’s When Gloria was 17 and a senior in Gonzales you were part of, and the daughter, Gay Winter, lives in Ala- in high school, they left Gonzales. same time they left you out of other bama, and her daughter, Cheryl Colen, Her father bought a liquor store in El things. You never really became part who provided the photos for this Campo. Gloria decided to finish high of the community. At least I always article, lives in Dallas. felt that way.” school in El Campo, since that was the Endnotes class she had started school with. After Gloria points out there were other 1 Unless otherwise state, all informa- a couple of years, the family moved Jewish families there (she remembers tion is from Box 3A171, Communi- to Rosenberg, where her brother the Taubs and the Stones), and they ties: Goliad - Houston, Texas Jewish started school. When the Feigenbaums were more assimilated within the com- Historical Society Records 1824-2009, decided to sell the La Grange store, munity than the Novaks ever became. Dolph Briscoe Center for American the Novaks bought it. After four or When Gloria was there, she was the History, The University of Texas at five years, they returned to Houston only Jewish student in the high school. Austin. Oral history by Don Teter where Charles entered the real estate Gloria remembers there was a continued on page 17 Page 16 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Photograph a Texas Jewish Cemetery Today The Texas Jewish Historical toward their Religion Merit Badge or We need your help! There are 141 Society has undertaken a monumental the Ner Tamid Award would find this to local Jewish cemeteries in Texas that project to photograph all known Jew- be a strong and fulfilling project to help have been identified. Just a few are: ish burials (headstones) in the state of attain their goal. Austin (6); Columbus (3); Corpus Texas, and then put these photographs Hebrew School and Sunday School Christi (3); Dallas (18); El Paso (3); on our web site for future genealogical classes are often looking for projects Fort Worth (3); Galveston (5); Hous- research by any one that connect students, ton (15); San Angelo (3); San Antonio worldwide. parents, and teach- (7), including military (all photo- You have asked, ers. This also allows graphed by one man); Tyler (3); Waco “How can I get in- the students to learn (3); all other towns have either one or volved in this project the history of their two known Jewish cemeteries in them. and help?” There are congregation from the So please take Roch Monis on several ways that YOU stories of those they are your Texas Jewish Historical Society can become involved. photographing. If you are becom- Youth groups in and help us fulfill the dream of being ing a Bar or Bat Mitz- the synagogue com- one of the first states to have this vital vah or know someone munity can make an information available on line. who is, photographing inclusive community- If you need a camera, we have the headstones in your wide project out of this them available to loan along with local cemetery is a by choosing a large SD cards. For more information and wonderful mitzvah project and would cemetery and getting various groups instructions on how to photograph a be a service to the synagogues that use to participate, allowing for interaction cemetery, please contact Gordon Cizon that cemetery as well. among the groups. at [email protected], 214-361-7179, or Boy Scouts who are working We have a lot of work ahead of us. 214 868-6543.

From Bardejov to Belton, continued from page 16 1993, tape transcribed by Ruth May 16, 2014. ally Anna or Anni. Telephone conversa- Ginsburg Jan 1994. 7 Dr. Irwin Novak remembers he sold tion Dr. Irwin Novak and Gloria Novak, 2 Tombstone at Agudath Jacob Cem- clothing from the wagon, rather than op cit. etery, Waco. http://findagrave.com/ fruit. Telephone conversation with 13 Immigration listed Lillie as Minni. Tele- cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=neu author, April 17, 2014. phone conversation Gloria Novak, op cit. man&GSfn=sam&GSbyrel=all&G 8 Tombstone at http://findagrave.com/ 14 http://image2.findagrave.com/pho- Sdyrel=all&GSst=46&GScntry=4 cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=95691 tos/2012/232/95691518 _134551444424. &GSob=n&GRid=95691518&df=a 468&PIpi=65707131. jpg. ll&. 9 Central Texas Genealogical Soci- 15 Sam Neuman lives in San Antonio. Dr. 3 United States Census, 1930, ety, http://www.ctgs.org/CTGS%20 Irwin Novak, op cit. index and images, FamilySearch -%20Books/Fall%20and%20Puckett/ 16 Unnamed newspaper, “Neuman Dies in (https://familysearch.org/pat/MM9. Page%20_419%20.pdf. Marlin Thursday,” July 16, 1932, from Apr2014), Sam Neuman, Belton, 10 Belton Journal, May, 1923, with Gloria Novak. Bell, Texas, United States, citing thanks to Director Kim Kroll and Julie 17 Unnamed newspaper, “Sam Neuman Dies enumeration district (ED)0002, mi- Neal of the Lena Armstrong Public Suddenly in Marlin this Morning; Burial crofilm publication T626, roll 2290. Library in Belton for locating the in Waco,” from Gloria Novak. 4 Gloria Novak, telephone conversa- obituary, and other assistance. 18 L. David and Vickie Vogel, “Jewish Mer- tion with author, April 17, 2014. 11 Translated by Rabbi Jimmy Kessler, chants of La Grange,” 2008, unpublished. 5 Translated by Rabbi Jimmy Kes- telephone conversation April 21, 2014. 19 “Neuman Dies at 65,” unnamed news- sler, telephone conversation April http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.c paper reprinted at http://findagrave.com/ 21, 2014. http://image2.findagrave. gi?page=pv&GRid=95691468&PI cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=75944051 com/photos/2012/232/95691518 pi=65707078. &PIpi=92233726. _134551444424.jpg. 12 Transcribed as Ivan in the oral history. 20 Box 3A171, op cit. 6 Telephone conversation Cheryl Co- Correct name is Issak, re Irwin Novak. 21 Dr. Irwin Novak, telephone conversation, len, granddaughter of Ben Neuman, Annie to family, her name was actu- op cit.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 17 Austin, continued from page 13 and Jewish organizations there. Non- He originally planned to settle in San yans were held at people’s businesses Jews were also asked for donations Antonio, but on his way there, he and homes. Despite this, the Orthodox and $640 was collected from them. stopped in Austin and liked it so much group still worshipped at Beth Israel In 1884, Beth Israel dedicated its first that he decided to open his jewelry for Shabbat. By 1914, they decided synagogue building at 11th and San and watch repair shop there. In 1888, to form their own congregation, Agu- Jacinto Streets. The Hebrew Ladies he moved the business to E. 6th Street. das Achim. High Holiday services for Aid Society donated $120 to buy an His son, William, joined the business that year were held at the home of Ike ark. For the first year, the Temple in 1918. Joe Koen & Son Jewelers is Frank, and for the next several years, did not have permanent seating and still run by the fourth generation Koen various rented halls were used. One in 1885 they purchased pews for the family. Joe Koen was a leader in the year, thanks to Beth Israel President sanctuary. The Ladies Auxiliary Soci- Austin Jewish community and served Joe Koen, services were held on the ety was established in 1892, and later Beth Israel as president from 1899 floor of the Texas Senate. Orthodox became the Temple Sisterhood. until 1944. His son was president Jews from surrounding towns would In 1883 and 1884, a rabbinic from 1946-48, and his granddaughter, come to Austin for Agudas Achim’s student from Hebrew Union Col- Carolyn Koen Turner, became the first services. By 1921, the congregation lege was brought in and Isaac Mayer female president in 1984. His great- had twenty-five members. Wise’s Reform Minhag America grandson, Brian Turner, was president In 1924, Agudas Achim was prayer book was used. Although Re- of Congregation Beth Israel 2011-13. formally chartered and a small house form, members wore yarmulkes. In Due to a wave of Russian and at 7th and San Jacinto Streets was 1885, a rabbi was advertised for in the Eastern European Jewish immigrants converted into a synagogue. Israel American Israelite newspaper asking in the late 19th and early 20th centu- Cohen was the first president, serv- for “an American Hebrew minister ries, Austin’s Jewish population grew ing from 1924 until his death in 1936. who can deliver English sermons,” from about 200 people in 1907 to 575 Bernard Tanenbaum was hired in 1929 run the Sunday school and direct the people in 1937. Leopold Cohen and to be the chazzan and Hebrew teacher. choir. Rabbi A.R. Levy was hired, his brother, Israel, came to Austin While the children of the congrega- but stayed one year. Five years later, after the 1900 hurricane in Galveston, tion learned Hebrew from Tanenbaum he returned and stayed for nine years. and became dry goods merchants and on weekday afternoons, they went to In 1907, Beth Israel joined the Union active leaders in the Orthodox com- Sunday School at Beth Israel. of American Hebrew Congregations munity. Another set of brothers, Louis The small house used by the con- with fifty-one members and thirty-five and Jim Novy came from Poland gregation was inadequate by 1930 and students in the Sunday School. Rabbi through the port of Galveston. Louis land was purchased at 10th and San David Rosenbaum came to Beth Israel lived in Dallas, Ennis and Temple Jacinto Streets. A new building was in 1911, and convinced the congrega- before moving to Austin in 1917. He dedicated the following year. Rabbi tion to adopt the new Reform Union managed the Hancock Opera House, Harold Katz was hired and Agudas Prayer Book, but he continued to wear later changing its name to the Capitol Achim continued to remain Orthodox. a yarmulke to keep more traditional Theater. Jim began a scrap metal busi- The synagogue contained a mikva, members happy. ness before branching out into several but it was rarely used. Most members By 1890, there were an estimated different enterprises. In the 1930s, kept kosher and walked to synagogue. twenty-six Jewish-owned businesses Jim Novy befriended a young local There were social and class divi- in Austin. Eleven of these were dry politician named Lyndon Johnson and sions between the Reform members of goods, clothing or general stores, four established a relationship that would Beth Israel and the Orthodox immi- were grocery stores, and four were later provide big dividends for Aus- grants of Agudas Achim. There was saloons or liquor businesses. Many tin’s small Jewish community. not much social interaction between businesses were partnerships sell- Initially, these more-traditional these two segments of the Austin Jew- ing cigars, books, jewelry, junk and minded immigrants were part of the ish community. While both groups crockery. Morris Bernhaim and Jo- Reform congregation, Beth Israel. In were predominately merchants, seph Jacobs owned a dry goods store, 1901, Orthodox services for the High Beth Israel members tended to own while Simon Goldstein and Sigmund Holidays were held at the Knights of higher-end stores on Congress Av- Philipson owned a cigar business. Pythias Hall, led by Rabbi Ben Na- enue, while Agudas members tended Joe Koen left Russia in 1883. thanson of San Antonio. Daily min- continued on page 19

Page 18 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Austin, continued from page 18 to own smaller businesses on East ish students attending the University the Jewish Theological Seminary, was Sixth Street. Jews of both congrega- in 1933. In the 1950s and 1960s there hired. By the end of the 1940s, there tions lived among non-Jews; there was were four Jewish fraternities and three were 137 families in the congregation. never a predominantly Jewish enclave Jewish sororities on campus. In 2006, It was at this time that Agudas Achim in the city. Austin Jews suffered little Hilled dedicated a new building, the left the combined Sunday School with explicit anti-Semitism. Topfer Center for Jewish Life, named Beth Israel and began its own. The The University of Texas has had for former Dell Vice-Chairman Mort congregation embraced gender equal- a profound impact on the local Jewish Topfer and his wife, Bobbi, who gave ity fairly early and in 1976, Naomi community since the early 20th cen- the lead gift. It serves the more than Worob became the first woman to tury, when a handful of Jewish faculty 5000 Jewish students who now attend serve on the Board, with Marilyn Stahl members worked at the school. Dr. the University of Texas. becoming the first female president in Hyman Ettlinger, a Harvard-trained There were many non-religious 1976. By the 1980s, women were al- mathematician, came to UT in 1913. Jewish organizations in Austin. In lowed to read Torah and receive aliyot. He wrote a popular calculus textbook 1906, the Harmony Club, a short-lived By the 1950s both congregations and chaired the school’s Math Depart- social club, was established. The began discussing moving out of down- ment for twenty-five years. He was Workers of Zion was established in town Austin to the northern suburbs active in the Austin Jewish community the early 1900s, with Lydia Littman of the city, where most of their con- and taught Sunday School at Beth leading the group. They were af- gregants lived. Beth Israel built a new Israel. He also served as secretary filiated with the National Federation Temple on Seiders Avenue, now Shoal of the congregation from 1927 to of American Zionists. The Hebrew Creek Boulevard, and it was dedi- 1945. When Beth Israel did not have Benevolent Society was established in cated in 1957. A sanctuary was not a rabbi for a year in the 1920s Et- 1907, and in 1924, the society became built until 1967. In 1962 Rabbi Louis tlinger led services each week. There a part of the Federation of Jewish Firestein was hired and he stayed until were a small number of Jewish faculty Charities, which consolidated all Jew- 1987, becoming the longest serving members at UT, most of whom were ish charitable giving in the city. It rabbi in the congregation’s history. involved in the Jewish community. later became known as the Austin Jew- Agudas Achim bought land on Bull After World War II, the Jewish fac- ish Federation. The Ladies Guild was Creek Road in 1958 for $19,500. ulty grew significantly. Harry Leon founded in 1915, and four years later Their old building was sold in 1962 to and his wife, Ernestine, taught in the became a part of the National Council the U.S. government for $144,000 for Classics Department. He chaired that of Jewish Women. a new federal building. department from 1947 to 1967, and During World War II, a number Jews still owned several down- taught the first Hebrew class at UT. of Austin Jews served in the armed town stores on Congress Avenue and Ettlinger helped form the UT forces. Beth Israel and Agudas Achim East 6th Street in the 1960s. Some of Menorah Society soon after he ar- lent Torahs to Bergstrom Air Base these included Snyder’s, Slax, Jack rived in 1913, when there were only in Austin and Fort Hood in Killeen. Morton’s, Laves’, Goodfriends, Yar- thirty Jewish students at the univer- Special events were held for Jewish ing’s, Kara-Vel, Central Auto Supply sity. By 1917, there were sixty-six soldiers sponsored by the Jewish Wel- and Joe Koen & Son. Harry Smith be- Jewish students at UT. The Menorah fare Board. After the war, the Austin gan Economy Furniture, and his sons, Society was succeeded by Hillel, Jewish community enjoyed a period of Milton, Phil, and Elmer, joined the which constructed its first building growth. Beth Israel grew from eighty furniture manufacturing company. By near campus the following year. Beth families in 1945 to 203 by 1962. New the 1940s, Phil and Elmer had moved Israel’s spiritual leader also served religious school rooms were added in to Waco, and Milton and his wife, as rabbi for Hillel. By 1945, Hil- 1974. Bertram Klausner became rabbi Helen, ran the business. Milton was lel had grown enough to support its of Beth Israel in 1947, and he served a leading figure in the Austin business own rabbi and director. The Jewish as president of the Austin Ministerial community, serving many years on population of UT grew steadily over Alliance in 1949. During his tenure, the board of Capital National Bank. the 20th century, and by 1927 there Bar and Bat Mitzvah services were He also helped organize and served were three Jewish fraternities and one introduced for the young people. as chairman of the Dallas Furniture sorority. These numbers increased in In 1948, Agudas Achim officially Mart. He and Helen were among the the 1930s, along with the number of joined the Conservative movement, founders of the Community Relations Jewish students. There were 325 Jew- and Benson Skoff, a rabbi ordained by continued on page 20

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 19 Austin, continued from page 19 Council of Austin and both served members voted to move to the Dell has led Congregation Beth Israel. on many boards in Austin. campus, but the deal fell through when The decision not to relocate led some Jeff Friedman was elected congregation leaders could not come Congregation Beth Israel members to mayor in 1975, when he was thirty to an agreement with the Dell Campus break away and form another Reform years old. Sherri Greenberg rep- Committee. Instead, Congregation Beth congregation, Congregation Beth resented an Austin district in the Israel decided to add to its current build- Shalom. By 2010, Congregation Beth state Legislature from 1990 to 2000, ing. Since 1991, Rabbi Steven Folberg continued on page 21 while Elliot Naishtat has represented Austin in the Legislature since 1990. By the 1980s, the Austin Jewish In Memoriam community began to change, as a Joseph Sheinberg, TJHS member, Jo Sharon Miller new breed of Jewish businessmen died on May Mintz, TJHS would transform Jewish life in Aus- 19, 2014, in member, died on tin. Michael Dell had always been Corpus Christi. March 28, 2014, in interested in computers and dropped He was born Houston. She was out of college in his freshman year on December born on December to devote himself to his start-up 18, 1923. At 28, 1946. She is company, Dell Computer, which his death, he survived by her would help usher in a high-tech re- was survived by his wife, Ruth; his husband, Dr. A. Aaron Mintz and naissance in Austin. Austin became daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Aaron’s children, Steven, Richard a center of the high-tech industry Scott Bibeau; his son and daugh- and Beverly and their families. in the 1980s and 1990s. What had ter-in-law, Andrew and Leigh been a medium-sized artsy college Sheinberg; and two grandchildren. Leah Lichtenstein Pollman, TJHS town became a booming metropolis member, died and its Jewish community became Ruth Sheinberg, TJHS member, April 10, 2014, one of the fastest growing in the died on June 18, 2014, in Corpus in Dallas. She is country. Between 1980 and 1990, Christi. She survived by her Austin’s Jewish population grew is survived by daughter, Cheryl from 2,100 to 5,000. By 2002, an her daughter Pollman; her estimated 13,500 Jews lived in Aus- and son-in-law, daughters and tin, and estimates in 2010 put the Lisa and Scott sons-in-law, Janet total number at 18,000. Today, the Bibeau; her son and Terry Kafka numbers continue to grow. and daughter- and Marcie and Michael Brown; and In 1992, Michael and Susan in-law, Andrew and Leigh Shein- five grandchildren. Dell purchased a 40-acre parcel of berg; and two grandchildren. land in northwest Austin as part of Gladys Schaffer, TJHS member, a plan to create a unified campus Jarrell “Tank” Rubinett, TJHS died March 27, 2014, in Laredo. for the city’s Jewish community. member, died on March 29, 2014 She was a long-time resident of Cor- Both Beth Israel and Agudas Achim in Austin. He was 88 years old. pus Christi before moving to Lar- were invited to move to the campus, He is survived edo. She was born August 22, 1915 which would also house a new and by his wife, Shir- in Lockhart, Texas. She is survived enlarged Jewish Community Center ley; his son and by her daughter and son-in-law, and Austin Jewish Federation. The daughter-in-law, Marcia and Russell Deutsch; her son Dell Campus opened in 2000. Con- Gordon and Su- Richard Schaffer; four grandchildren gregation Agudas Achim decided to san Rubinett; his and their spouses; and eleven great- build a new synagogue on the Dell daughters and sons-in-law, Benita grandchildren. Campus and dedicated it in 2001. and Larry Elsner and Lynn and Rabbi Neil Blumoff is the cur- Rick Levy; and six grandchildren. May their memories rent rabbi at Congregation Agudas be a blessing. Achim. Congregation Beth Israel

Page 20 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Honor or Memorialize a Friend or a Loved One With a Donation to the TJHS Endowment Fund

When you honor or memorialize a The Texas Jewish Historical Society gratefully acknowledges your friend or a loved one with a donation to the gift to its Endowment Fund in the amount of Texas Jewish Historical Society’s Endow- $______ment Fund, you help support important programs. Send the honoree’s full name, In honor/memory of: ______type of honor (memorial, congratulations, ______or occasion—birthday, anniversary, award, new child or grandchild, etc.) and your Acknowledge To: name, along with a check in the amount of Name: ______your choice, to Address: ______Texas Jewish Historical Society Phone: ______P. O. Box 10193 Donor Information: Austin, TX 78766-0193 Name: ______Address: ______Your support of the Texas Jewish His- ______torical Society’s programs is greatly appre- ciated and will be recognized in an issue of Phone: ______the quarterly news magazine. Thank you. Your gift will further the efforts to record, preserve, and disseminate historic information about Texas Jewish culture.

Austin, continued from page 20 Can You Guess Shalom had 390 member fami- tion; Kol Halev, an Indepen- lies with Rabbi Alan Freedman dent/Progressive congregation; This Member? as their rabbi. They dedicated Shalom Rav, a Reconstruction- a building on the Dell campus ist congregation; Shir Ami, a No one came forth to Guess this Mem- in 2014. Reform congregation in Cedar ber, so we will give you another look – in In addition to Congrega- Park; Tiferet Israel, an Or- addition to the clue of Some- tion Agudas Achim, Congre- thodox shul; and two Chabad one on whom you can gation Beth Israel, and Con- centers. depend, we’ll offer gregation Beth Shalom, there Today, the Dell Campus is this one—he does look are seven Jewish religious the center of Austin’s Jewish a little older today, organizations in Austin – Beth community. It is the home of but is still pretty hand- El, a Conservative congrega- the Jewish Community Cen- some/cute? Email ter, the Austin Jewish Acad- your guess to Davie Correction emy Day School, the Austin Lou Solka at Jewish Federation, and four The caption under the [email protected] congregations. Befitting of photo of Enid Klass in our any time begin- a high-tech center, Austin last issue (April, 2014), indi- ning Friday, is at the cutting edge of cated that the silver mesh bag August 1. Entries received before that date American Jewish life and is she was carrying was from will not be considered. Previous winners and poised to become one of the 1902. The correct date for the family members are not eligible to participate. largest and most significant bag was 1920. We are sorry Good luck! Jewish communities in the for this error. South.

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 21 Welcome New Members! Joel & Anne Batalsky Lynna Kay Shuffeld Save the Date 6643 Velasco Ave. P. O. Box 16604 Dallas, TX 75214 Houston, TX 77222-6604 September 18, 2014 214-908-3708 713-692-4511 Reception for opening of [email protected] 713-560-8152 [email protected] Howdy Ya’ll and Shalom Marcy Ann Berman Ya’ll—TJHS traveling ex- 3915 Azure Ln. Larry & Pamela (Moller) Addison, TX 75001 Simpson hibits—at the Gallery at the 972-308-6262 2900 10th Street J at the JCC in Austin. Exhibit 214-697-3377 Cell Wichita Falls, TX 76309 will be on display [email protected] 940-732-5262 September 9 - October 26, 2014. 940-767-2392 Congregation Beth Israel [email protected] Library October 23-26, 2014 Judy Weidman, Librarian David Weber Board meeting held jointly 5600 N. Braeswood Blvd. P. O. Box 671323 with the Southern Jewish Houston, TX 77096 Dallas, TX 75367 713-820-6410 214-883-5737 Historical Society Annual 713-771-6221 Cell 214-368-8823 Fax Conference— [email protected] [email protected] Austin, Texas Charles “Charlie” Gerson 9137 E. Diamond Dr. Directory November 14-16, 2014 Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 Weekend honoring Rabbi 480-829-8220 Changes 480-529-6411 Cell James Kessler, founder of [email protected] New email address for David TJHS, on his retirement Pearl Katz Seligman: from Congregation B’nai 3404 Rogers [email protected] Fort Worth, TX 76109 Israel—Galveston, Texas 817-923-7219 January 23-25, 2015 TJHS will be updating the Membership Directory this Board meeting— summer. Please check your listing and if it needs cor- recting, contact Marc Wormser at [email protected]. Galveston, Texas March 20-22, 2015 The deadline Please Note: Annual Gathering (joint for the No- If you are sending a meeting with Dallas Jewish vember 2014 check to the Texas Historical Society)— TJHS News Jewish Historical Dallas, Texas Society, please indicate Magazine is the purpose of the Friday, Octo- June 8-15, 2015 check—dues, gift, TJHS Mission to Cuba ber 17. contribution, etc.

Page 22 Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 TJHS Board of Directors 2014-2015 Officers Board of Trustees Board of Trustees President 2013-2015 2014-2016 Debra “Debbie” Winegarten (Austin) Elaine Albin (Rockport) Marvin Barenblat (San Antonio) 1st Vice-President Douglas Braudaway (Del Rio) Rabbi Murray Berger (Dallas) David Beer (Dallas) Suzanne Campbell (San Angelo) Nelson Chafetz (Austin) 2nd Vice-President Brad Greenblum (Austin) Gordon Cizon (Dallas) Jane Manaster (Dallas) Jan Hart (Temple) Bette Jean Cohen (Plano) 3rd Vice-President Harold “Pacey” Laves (Austin) Anita Feigenbaum (College Station) Davie Lou Solka (Austin) Marilyn Lippman (Dallas) Sonny Gerber (Houston) Treasurer Amy Manuel (Denton) Bob Gindler (Round Rock) Ruth Nathan (Houston) Abbi Michelson (Lockhart) Dr. Neil Gurwitz (Bastrop) Recording Secretary Amy Milstein (Frisco) Marilyn Jorrie (Boulder, CO) Susan Lewis (Big Spring) Allen Mondell (Dallas) Joan Katz (Houston) Corresponding Secretary Shirley Rich (Houston) Louis Katz (Houston) Samylu Rubin (Dallas) Dr. Stuart Rockoff (Jackson, MS) Scott Langston (Weatherford) Historian William “Bill” Rosenberg (Belton) Selma Mantel (Houston) Sally Drayer (Dallas) Dr. Bryan Stone (Corpus Christi) Mitzi Milstein (Longview) Archivist Rosalie Weisfeld (McAllen) Bernard Rabinowitz (San Antonio) Claire Brooks (Houston) Bobbi Wells (Plano) Jack Solka (Austin) Parliamentarian Gary Whitfield (Fort Worth) David Vogel (La Grange) Vickie Vogel (La Grange) Joyce Wormser (Pearland) Hollace Weiner (Fort Worth) Immediate Past President Rotating Member (Various) Sherry Zander (Dallas) Marc Wormser (Pearland) TJHS Traveling Exhibit The Texas Jewish Historical your location. The only expense Society has compiled two to the borrower will be the museum-quality photo exhibits, shipping of the exhibit back via with explanations, depicting early UPS ground. Jewish life and contributions. The exhibits have been Both exhibits highlight the lives displayed in various locations of Jews in Texas since the early in Texas and other parts of the part of the century. United States, including Rhode Each exhibit is comprised Island and California. They of approximately thirty-six photographs that can be either are an excellent program for self-standing with an easel back schools, congregations, and other or hung on a wall. There is no organizations. To schedule the charge for the exhibits, and they exhibits, please contact Jack will be shipped, prepaid freight Gerrick at 817-927-8765 or email via UPS in waterproof boxes, to him at [email protected].

Texas Jewish Historical Society - July 2014 Page 23 NONPROFIT ORG. Texas Jewish U.S. POSTAGE PAID HOUSTON, TX Historical Society PERMIT NO. 1662 P.O. Box 10193 Austin, Texas 78766-0193

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Texas Jewish Historical Society New Membership and Information Update Form Join the Texas Jewish Historical Society today! Or use this form to update your contact information. Complete each section below. Clip out and mail this form with your check made payable to the Texas Jewish Historical Society, P.O. Box 10193, Austin, TX 78766-0193. Please PRINT.

 YES! Count me in! My dues are enclosed.  Please update my information Check the Appropriate Box(es)  New Member  Donor: ______ Renewing Member Address: ______ Updated Information Only Phone: (______)______Occasion: ______Membership Category  $18 Student Member  $35 Annual Member  $100 Sponsor  $500 Benefactor  $50 Supporting Member  $250 Sustaining Member  $1,000 Patron Name(s): ______Maiden Name: ______Address: ______City: ______State: ______Zip: ______Home telephone: (_____)______Cell: (____)______Fax: (_____)______E-mail address(es): ______Website:______Page 24 Contributions to the Texas Jewish Historical Society are tax deductible withinTexas the Jewish limits Historical of the Societylaw. - July 2014