INDIAN Indiana A JEWIS H HISTORICA L Jewish SOCIET Indiana Y Jewish Historical History Society SOUNDS AVENUE INDIANA HISTORY CENTER 450 W. OHIO ST. INDIANAPOLIS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2006 Publicatio 7:30 PM at the intimate BASILE THEATER n #4 1 201 5 Indiana Jewish Historical Society Publication #41 6.00 x 9.00 .178 229 mm x 152 mm 4.521mm Content Type: Black & White Paper Type: White Page Count: 86 File Type: InDesign Request ID: CSS1525706 Indiana Jewish History by The Indiana Jewish Historial Society © 2015 The Indiana Jewish Historical Society All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, with- out the written permission of the author. First published by Dog Ear Publishing 4011 Vincennes Rd Indianapolis, IN 46268 www.dogearpublishing.net dogTvea3gT\C r PUNISHING ISBN: 978-1-4575-4194-0 This book is printed on acid-free paper. Printed in the United States of America CONTENTS Foreword v Acknowledgements vii Presidents Message ix Past Presidents of Society & Original Board of Directors x Officers and Board Members xi About our Society xii Jimmy Guilford 1 A Jewish History of Purdue 1920-1940 15 Andrey Abraham Potter: The Man for All Reasons 29 H. Gordon & Sons Department Store 41 The Story Of David S. Redelsheimer 49 Congregation B'nai Judah in Whiting, Indiana 65 Foreword The Indiana Jewish Historical Society is proud to present its 41st issue of Indiana Jewish History, which continues its tradition of publishing articles collected or written by IJHS members, which focus on the history of Jewish life in Indiana. Their personal commitment and interest in preserving and teaching others about Indiana Jewish History are evident in these articles. Congregation B'nai Judah in Whiting was once a small vibrant congrega- tion. Due to lack of membership and participants, the congregation was forced to dissolve in 2002. The B'nai Judah story unfortunately has hap- pened to many small Jewish congregations around the country, with its younger generations relocating to larger Jewish communities. The H. Gordon & Sons Department stores in Whiting and later in Gary, were the premier department stores of the Calumet region. From a very humble beginning, this family-owned business prospered, and for many years provided Northwest Indiana shoppers with quality merchandise and devoted service. Like all the other stores in downtown Gary, H. Gordon & Sons closed when its customer base moved to other neighboring com- munities. David S. Redelsheimer was among the early Jewish residents of Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana. Carolyn Lickerman, a past IJHS board member, researched her family for many years to tell the history of her great grand- father. Carolyn was able to find precious rare documents and pictures to add to her family's story. Every university has a person of cherished memory. At Purdue, that name is Andrey Abraham Potter, Dean of Engineering. He was Purdue's first Jewish faculty member and University President. Dean Potter paved the way for Purdue to become a frontrunner university in the field of engi- neering. Be sure to read the anecdotes at the end of the article from vari- ous people who knew him. Dean Potter kept his Jewish roots a secret until the later years of his life. During the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, Purdue, like many universities, had few Jewish faculty members. The few were very mighty, and played impor- tant roles in the Audiology and Speech Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics departments. The Jewish history of Purdue is very similar to other universities, nationwide. Entertainer Jimmy Guilford is a sometimes forgotten treasure in Indianapolis. Not only is he a member of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, he performs at their social events and fundraisers. He has an interesting story highlighting his family's Jewish connection. Sheila Greenwald met with Jimmy, who is now in his eighties and recorded his story. Funding for this publication was provided by Frank and Dorothy Newman through the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis. Frank was a long- time supporter of the IJHS and served on its board for three consecutive terms. Additional funding was also provided by the remaining members of Congregation B'nai Judah from the proceeds of the sale of the building. I cannot thank Sheila Greenwald enough for everything she does for the IJHS. Her stamina, ideas, and passion for the IJHS has revitalized the orga- nization. Under her leadership, the IJHS is thriving and we continue our mis- sion of collecting, publishing and sharing the history of the Indiana Jewish Experience. Eileen Baitcher Executive Director Indiana Jewish Historical Society Acknowledgements The Society is very appreciative of the following individuals who gave of their time to help with this publication. Thank you so much. Sally Cook Rochelle Greenwald Shawn Teets Stephanie Dlatt Presidents Message Welcome to the 41st publication of wonderful Jewish Indiana stories for you and your family to share. Many of the stories come from IJHS members just like you! I must confess that I absolutely love the opportunity to listen and talk to the folks who end up in our publications—their stories are important to publish and share. This year, for example, I was fortunate to interview Mr. Jimmy Guilford. Jimmy has an unusual history that encompasses popular music, Jewish, and African-American experience. I spent many hours looking through his pic- tures, recordings, and music memorabilia and listening to him tell his story. I am sure you will appreciate his dynamic contributions to historic Indiana Jewish life as I did! All of the stories and histories of the people and places in this publication fulfills our IJHS Mission Statement: to collect, preserve, publish and share the history of the Jewish experience in Indiana. You can participate by continuing your membership in the IJHS. Every member is important. Time is fleeting and we are constantly working to catch the histories and physical artifacts of our Indiana heritage. Keep your eye on us in 2016 as we celebrate the State of Indiana's Bicen- tennial and show how the Jews of Indiana were a proud part of our great history. Sheila Greenwald President PRESIDENTS OF THE INDIANA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY * Max Einstandig 1972-1975 * Mary Fink 1975-1978 1978-1980 * Charles Fine 1980-1982 Marty Schwartz 1982-1985 David Kleiman 1985-1986 * David Fogle 1986-1989 * Earl Brenn 1989-1992 * Wynn Robin 1992-1993 Arthur Meyers 1993-1995 Richard Friedman 1995-1997 Paul Bloomberg 1997-1999 Judy Koor 1999-2003 Trent Pendley 2003-2009 Alan Gilbert 2009-2012 Sheila Greenwald 2012-2015 * Deceased INDIANA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORIGINAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS DECEMBER 22, 1977 * David Bucove Flo Mary Mantel * Mrs. Arthur Cassell * Illene Maurer * Armand Cohodes * Louis Pearlman, Jr. * Mary Fink * Morris Polis * Betty Fleck * Irvin Rose * Arthur Friedman * Meyer Ruchman * Melvin Goodman * Maurice Schankerman * Mrs. Melvin Goodman Marty Schwartz David Kleiman * Ervin Weil * Mrs. Walter Lichtenstein Rose Weinraub * Frank Maidenberg * Deceased INDIANA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2015-2016 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Sheila Greenwald Indianapolis President Rosalie Gussow Indianapolis First V.P. Mary Tilden West Lafayette Secretary Barbara Goldman Indianapolis Treasurer 2015-2016 BOARD MEMBERS Paul Brockman Indianapolis Steve Bulloff Indianapolis Linda Cohen West Lafayette Stephanie Dlatt Indianapolis Kelly Farkas Munster Alan Gilbert Fort Wayne Len Grabovsky Indianapolis Kevin Krulewitch Indianapolis Carolyn Leeds Indianapolis Jim Mulis Peru Brandon Roger Indianapolis Stanley Steiner Marion he Indiana Jewish Historical Society (IJHS) was founded in T1972 to collect, preserve, and publish material dealing with the two centuries of Jewish life in Indiana. Whatever illuminated the Jewish experience in Indiana is of interest, concern and value. It is our aim to gather and preserve the records of synagogues, temples, and societies, as well as personal papers, diaries, memories, governmental documents, newspapers and magazine articles, photographs, and even burial and cemetery records. We provide information and insight about the role played by individual Jews and Jewish communities in the creation of the diverse religious climate of Indiana. In August of 1999, the archive collection of the IJHS was per- manently gifted to the Indiana Historical Society. The Indiana Jew- ish Historical Society Archive Collection at the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis, contains over seven thousand items. In addi- tion to past records, the society is also interested in obtaining current records, for such records will be history for coming generations. We cordially invite your participation. Indiana Jewish Historical Society 6301 Constitution Dr. Fort Wayne, IN 46804 260-459-6862 [email protected] ijhs.org Jimmy Guilford immy Guilford's paternal grandfather, Wilburn Guilford, was the Jonly member of his father's family that he knew, other than an uncle. The members of his mother's family died when she was young, and she grew up as an orphan. Jimmy is working with a man to trace his ancestors, but the process is not complete. He has learned that his paternal great grandfather was a free man in 1859 rather than a slave. Wilburn was a cook and restaurateur in Vincennes, Indiana. His wife, Evelyn, was a Choctaw Indian. They had two sons, Wilbur and Harry. Evelyn died when Jimmy's father, Wilbur, was still a little boy. After that, Wilburn lost hope and "just pitter pattered around" to make enough money to feed his sons. They continued to live in Vin- cennes. Harry played the halfback position on his high school foot- ball team and had a record that lasted for 30 or 40 years. Wilbur married, and the couple had a son they named Jimmy and a daughter, Dorothy. Before that, Wilbur had played in a band.