Look to the rock from which you were hewn Vol. 23, No. 4, Fall 1999 chicago jewish historical society chicago jewish history IN THIS ISSUE Elizabeth Stein, Photographer–– and the “Paris Garter” Oral History Excerpt: Philip M. Klutznick From the Archives: The Minnie Graner Collection Chicago’s Opera Diva, Rosa Raisa–– Notes and Pictures “PARIS GARTERS FOR MEN. A. STEIN & CO., Center Ave. & Congress St.” Delivery Wagon, c. 1906. Photograph courtesy Elizabeth Stein December 12––Save the Date! Robert Matanky to Speak on “The Jewish Community in West Rogers Park” Robert W. Matanky, prominent attorney, realtor and civic leader, will speak about the history of Jewish West Rogers Park at the Society’s next Open Meeting. The Open Meeting will be held at Spertus Institute of Judaica, 618 South Michigan Avenue, on Sunday, December 12 at 2 p.m., following a social hour and refreshments, beginning at 1 p.m. Members and guests are welcome, at no charge. ❖ 2 Chicago Jewish History Fall 1999 President’s Column chicago jewish historical society IN RECENT WEEKS THE CHICAGO SUN- Officers 1999 TIMES HAS BEGUN TO RUN STORIES Walter Roth President describing incidents of note that occurred during Burt Robin Vice President the 20th century in Chicago. In a column about Clare Greenberg Secretary the year 1908, Bill Brashler wrote that in March Herman Draznin Treasurer of that year, an anarchist named Lazarus Averbuch Directors “stabbed Police Chief George Shippy and shot Leah Axelrod Walter Roth Shippy’s young son during a home invasion before Harold T. Berc he was shot and killed.” Brashler’s recollection of Charles B. Bernstein this news item rankles because it repeats a misrepresentation of the Dr. Irving Cutler “Averbuch Incident,” even though a great deal of time and effort Dr. Carolyn Eastwood have been spent to set the story straight. Sheldon Gardner Last year, in a book we co-authored, Joe Kraus and I attempted Elise Ginsparg to set forth the Averbuch story in detail. We reached a conclusion Danny Greenberg quite opposed to the hysterical reporting of the Chicago media at the Dr. Adele Hast* time. Below is part of the letter that Joe Kraus sent to the Sun-Times Rachel Heimovics* on the subject: Janet Iltis “As Walter Roth and I argue in our 1998 book, An Bea Kraus Accidental Anarchist, drawn from Walter’s exhaustive research Joe Kraus on the incident, the story is considerably more complicated Seymour Persky Muriel Robin Rogers* than either Brashler or the newspapers of 1908 report. Norman D. Schwartz* Outside of Shippy’s statements, there is no evidence that Ethel Shulman Averbuch, a hard-working, 17-year-old immigrant, had any Dr. Milton Shulman political or criminal motives for knocking on the door of Norma Spungen Shippy’s home; several people who knew him speculated that Dr. N. Sue Weiler he might actually have sought the equivalent of a letter of *Indicates Past President recommendation attesting to his good character and employ- ability. There is also significant evidence that Shippy may not Chicago Jewish History have been wounded in the attack, even though he claimed Chicago Jewish History is published that he was. Walter and I do conclude that the mainstream quarterly by the Chicago Jewish Historical Society at 618 South Chicago newspapers of 1908 failed to explain all the circum- Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois stances of (Averbuch’s) death at the hands of one of the most 60605. Telephone (312)663-5634. powerful men in Chicago.” Please send submissions to the editor, The “Averbuch Incident” is another demonstration that Beverly Chubat, at 415 West historical “facts” once falsely reported at the time of their occurrence Fullerton Parkway, #1102, Chicago, Illinois 60614-2859. are difficult to refute nearly a century later, despite the evidence. Single copies $2.00 postpaid. In a very different vein, recall the incident of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow. Successor to Society News. As originally reported, and for a century later, the cow was blamed for kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire of Editor/Designer 1871. New evidence indicates it was not true. The blame seems to lie Beverly Chubat Immediate Past Editor with the participants in a card game in the O’Leary barn. Joe Kraus (Descendants of Mrs. O’Leary long sought, and finally received, an Editor Emeritus apology from the Chicago City Council.) Now, with the decorative Irwin J. Suloway “Cows on Parade” sculptures populating our tourist areas, cows have become beloved in our city. We can only hope that Lazarus Averbuch Editorial Board will somehow obtain righteous judgment in Chicago’s history books Joe Kraus, Burt Robin, and media as has happened with Mrs. O’Leary’s cow. ❖ Walter Roth, Norman Schwartz and Milton Shulman Chicago Jewish History Fall 1999 3 LETTERS from our Readers Author Bea Kraus Chicago, Illinois Denver, Colorado Describes Heyday of To Norman Schwartz To Bev Chubat Jewish Resorts in Thank you for the issue of CJH My best memories of Camp South Haven about days long ago. There are a lot Kinderland were the classes, of us who are active in Jewish life learning Yiddish and having to who received our original impetus speak in Yiddish on Saturdays––for from Camp Avodah. everything! The campfires on Friday Almost no month goes by when nights, making up songs to tease the I am not plugged in to one of my counselors, and what seemed like friends of yesteryear. Many of these hundreds of steps going down to the former campers have made unique, beach. These were happy times! enriching contributions to Jewish I feel that the summers I spent life here in Chicago and elsewhere. at Kinderland were a strong Rabbi Frederick C. Schwartz influence throughout my life, Resident Scholar, Temple Sholom making me strong in my desire to Bea Kraus be an active member of the Jewish photo by Norman D. Schwartz community. Winter Park, Florida The scene was the Society’s My sister was Doris Minsky, To Walter Roth Open Meeting on October 10, at and my grandfather was the largest Temple Sholom. The mood was As always I read my newest issue Jewish monument dealer in Chicago nostalgic for the sugar sand beaches of CJH with interest and pleasure. ––Goldman Monuments at 2810 of southwestern Michigan, as Extremely interesting were the West Roosevelt Road. author Bea Kraus related highlights stories of the “old” summer camps Frances Goldman Wolpo to which Chicago Jewish children from her new book, A Time to went during the hot summers. Remember: A History of the Jewish Do any of the Society members Calling All Campers! Community in South Haven. The whole Jewish community: remember Council Camp which I In the Summer issue of CJH we pub- the pioneering farmers, the hard- attended in the 1920s? Or Camp lished personal memories of just a working resort owners and the fun- Sunset? I was a resident, along with few historic Jewish summer camps loving vacationers are all recalled in my brother and my sister, of the that no longer exist. We have heard this lively, illustrated history. Chicago Home for Jewish Orphans from readers concerned that their Ms. Kraus is a member of the at 6802 South Drexel Avenue, historic, still-active camps were not board of directors of the Society, 1926-1929. The younger children mentioned. In the future, CJH may and she greeted the CJHS-Dawn were sent to Council Camp and the publish articles about other summer Schuman Institute historic Jewish older ones went to Sunset. I have no camps. Send us your stories! ❖ idea where either of these camps was tour when it visited South Haven located. What I do remember is that on August 29. This annual tour of I was extremely happy there, liked Society Welcomes southwest Michigan, expertly led by the activities and the positive New Members CJHS board member Leah Axelrod, attention I received, and was always is always an enriching experience. sad to return to “the home.” Rita Demsetz Bea is scheduled to discuss her Even though I have lived Rose Goldman book at conferences and book fairs, happily in Winter Park, Florida, for Philip Hoffman and tells CJH that she is available 28 years, I cling in some fashion to Rochelle Levin for other speaking engagements. my Chicago roots. One of my Celia Levinson The softcover edition of the “vines” is the Chicago Jewish Mr. & Mrs. Dan Lipman book may be ordered directly from Historical Society. You are doing a Arline Munvez Bea Kraus, at 4840 Foster St. #413, very fine job. Leonard & Helene Pine Skokie, IL 60077 (847-675-1338). Natalie K. Roussman Lawrence Sherman Send check in amount of $20.00 Ned Turner plus $3.00 shipping & handling. ❖ 4 Chicago Jewish History Fall 1999 Elizabeth Stein, Photographer BY WALTER ROTH he recording of oral histories often leads one to We met Ms. Stein in her apartment, and it was discover unexpected treasures of Chicago’s past. instantly clear to us that we were in a remarkable place. TThey are surprising and totally unanticipated. Her home is filled with unique and beautiful art Our Society has for some time been looking forward to objects, paintings, and above all––her photographs. taping and transcribing the life story of Elizabeth Stein, Elizabeth Stein, we learned, had been an art teacher a resident of Chicago’s Gold Coast, who is a great- for over forty years, and during that period she had also granddaughter of Marcus Spiegel, a Chicagoan who was become a splendid photographer. Her pictures have one of the highest ranking Jewish officers to serve in the been exhibited locally and in galleries around the Civil War, and who was killed in battle.