Newsletter November 1993

CENTER PAGE
SPREAD
"REMEMBERING AZA
SWEETHEARTS
1970s - 1980s"
OPENING DECEMBER 15TH:
"Jewish Women in Business!"
C
0
M
0IN
Special Story on Page 2 .
A major Exhibit in the
JCC Gallery will honor
Jewish Women in Business
for the past one hundred years.
December 15th - January 30th
--.
7
Celebrate Mrs. B.'s 100th Birthday
Opening Night!
I
Prisoners at Auschwitz
welcome the liberating armies
Come to
Washington D.C.
with the
Nebraska Jewish
Historical Society
May 11-15,1994
10
N
G
Important Details on enclosed flyer
Four Days of Visits to the Holocaust
Memorial Museum and Much More!
We're showing off your
Ketubot on exhibit in June!
For Hanukkah,
give NJHS
memberships to
former Iowans
and Nebraskans
Your Ketubah or a Ketubah from
your parents or family members will
go on display in this major exhibit
in the JCC Gallery.
Special Story on page 2
Join us for
each of
NJHS 's
happenings!
LINES
MORE NJHS COMING EVENTS
FROM
Watch for information in the Jewish Press about our Traveling
Exhibits, Tours of Jewish Omaha, and new museum in the
Gordman Center for Jewish Learning.
LOUISE:
Memories, memories, how wonderful
it is to take out a stack of photos, look
through boxes and drawers, and with each
item there is a memory... .Our aim is to
encourage you to go through your things
that are near and dear and share them with
us at the Nebraska Jewish Historical
Society. We can and will preserve your
most cherished treasures so that future
generations will look to the past and know
that their heritage is rich. Take time now
to share your past with us. If you want to
do an oral history, just call us and we'll
see that is done.
We've had a busy season. There do
not seem to be enough hours in the day to
take care of all the things we hope to
accomplish. We have just purchased new
travel exhibit equipment thanks to Betty
and Max Falk and Alan Baer. (We're
now set to go on the road with our
exhibits.) In December we are planning
to honor Jewish Women In Business during the past. 100 years. Also, we'll be
exhibiting Jewish businesses where husbands and wives have worked side-byside, during the past 100 years.
An exciting trip to Washington, D.C. is
planned through the NJHS May 11
through 15. This trip will be hosted by
Anne and Barry Broder and Kim and Jay
Noddle. This will be a unique tour with
the opportunity to visit the Holocaust
Museum as well as other Jewish
Museums plus tour greater Washington.
A once in a lifetime opportunity - the
price is terrific, so sign up early SPACE IS LIMITED!
Remember us in your wills, remember
us at holiday time, remember us for special events, and don't forget, remember us
and be a part of remembering the past.
Louise Abrahamson, President
JEWISH BUSINESSWOMEN'S EXHIBIT
OPENING DECEMBER 15
WITH A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO ROSE
BLUMKIN
ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY
A major exhibit honoring Jewish women
who have started and managed businesses
during the past one hundred years will open
in the JCC Gallery December 15th for a six
week period. On the opening night, a gala
reception and birthday party will honor Rose
Blumkin, internationally recognized business
entrepreneur, on her 100th birthday.
Included in the exhibit will be the photographs, stories, awards, and honors of
many Nebraska and Council Bluffs women
who have served as founders and presidents
of a variety of businesses. The exhibit will Ruth Katzman, Charlotte Zipursky, and Sylvia
Jess, owners of the Gilah, an art, gift, and jewelry
also include awards and honors received by store in the 1970s and 80s.
these women. In addition, there will be
another exhibit in the Corridor of Jewish History honoring couples who have run
"Mama and Papa" stores. Persons still wishing to have their stories and photographs in
either exhibit (or the stories of members of their family) are urged to contact the NJHS
office immediately (334-8200 ext. 277) or come to the office at the JCC.
Roger Reeves, Library/Archives Director for the Historical Society of Douglas
County, will serve as coordinator of the exhibit.
,'teCJa% 9f6?,
A large number of Ketubot, the marriage certificate signed by the bride and groom on
their wedding day, will be on exhibit in the JCC Gallery during June 1994, the month
usually associated with weddings and related festivities. Many of the Ketubot in the
Nebraska-Council Bluffs area are beautiful original works of art. Some have been created by Israeli artists, and a growing number are
being designed in the United States.
Persons wishing to loan their framed Ketubot to
the NJHS for the exhibit are asked to call 334
8200 ext. 277 or come to the NJHS office at the
JCC During the next few months details about the
programs that will be a part of this display will be
announced
We know there are many beautiful Ketubot in
this vicinity and hope a great number of couples
will share theirs with us for this unusual exhibit.
David and Susan Duitch's Ketubah
Remember - Celebrate
Make your contributions through NJHS! Donor cards and Morris C. Feliman
Memorial Fund cards are the way to go when you want to make a contribution in
honor of, in memory of, or to remember an event or someone special. It's easy;
just call the NJHS office 334-8200, ext. 277. Your purchase of these cards helps
us maintain many projects and preserve and publish material that has to do with
the life of Jews in Nebraska.
Patrons - 1993
James Farber Family
E. Robert Newman
Kim & Jay Noddle
Nancy & Harlan Noddle
Bev & Lou Rich
Beryl Weiner
Donations
In Honor of:
Bernice & Norman Harris for their honor
from UNL,
Debbie Friedman for Jewish Federation
Young Leadership Award,
Graduations of Noah & Aaron Pollak,
Rachel Shukert' s Bat Mitzvah,
Lillian Farber's honor from NJHS,
New homes of Mary Fellman, Lola
Reinglas, Dottie Rosenblum
Birthdays of:
Lois Friedman, Leo Eisenstatt, Aaron
Levine, Sara Saltzman, Art Adler
Anniversaries of:
Harriet & Dan Miller, Janis & Donald
Yale, Frances & Meyer Ferer
Recovery of:
Lloyd Friedman, Shirley Altsuler,
Leonard Lefkowitz, Nate Shukert,
Charlotte Slutzky
In Memory of:
Leona Gotsdiner, Warren Zweiback,
Ernie Nogg, Anne Katzman, Rose
Milder, Aleck Altman, Barbara
Berenson's Father, Alice Heeger, B i 11
Rubin, Nate Ostrow, Reva Rosenbaum,
Gertrude Goldware, Doris Bloom, Sylvia
Friedlander, Milton Mayper, Moe
Grossman, Jack Zysman, Arthur Spiegel,
Harry Silver, Nancy Silver, Sam Shyken,
Lorene Cohn, Esther Fox, Jenny
Rosenblatt, Ruth Roffman Shapiro, Ann
Newberg, Ethel Bleweiss, Ralph Nogg,
Bernard Greenberger, Sara Woskoff.
/6"&aP/ro#r
'a/
We have a wall waiting to be covered with photos of Lincoln and
outstate families, businesses, and
activities. We're also looking for
information about Jewish businesswomen from these areas.
Help us out, and contact our office
now. (402)334-8200 ext.277
Life Members
Rosaline and Sam Epstein*
Betty & Max Falk*
Lillian & Harold Farber
Rebecca Goldstein
Bernice & Norman Harris
Phil & Terri Schrager
*Benefactors
New Members
since May, 1993
Helen Abraham
Lois J. Barish
Edward I. Cherniss, M.D.
Bernice Crounse
Jean & Wally Elkon
James Farber Family
Ida & Irving Forbes
Sonia & Iry Forbes
Rebecca Goldstein
Mr. & Mrs. I.M. Goodman
Yale Gotsdiner
Mark Greenberg
Mr & Mrs Edwin Milder
Kim & Jay Noddle
Judy Nogg
Beth Perlmeter
Leon Polikov
Bruce Rips
Herbert Rosenthal
Mary Saferstein
Marilyn (Breslow) Schneider
Michael S. Sellz,D.C.**
Lazier Singer
Esther & Bill Siref
Harriet & Jerry Slusky
Donna (Steinberg) Small
Enid & Stephen Wenner
Sam White
**Member since 1991
For a Hanukkah gift
that lasts,
give
a membership
to the
Nebraska Jewish
Historical Society
and
treat yourself to a life
membership.
NJHS BOARD MEMBERS
Louise Abrahamson, President
Shirley Berman, Secretary
Rocky Stern, Treasurer
Ethel Goldston, Dues Secretary
Dee Fox, Dues Secretary
Bob Belgrade
Jean Duitch
Richard Feilman
Lois Friedman
Saranne Gitnick
Bernie Jonisch
Jean Ann Krupinsky
Sheldon Kushner
Charlotte Slutzky
Mary Feilman, Executive Director,
Co-Founder
Oliver Pollak, Co-Founder
Office Staff:Susan Silver, Archivist
Dottie Rosenblum, Office Manager
Archiving With Susan
What happens to photos, documents, scrapbooks, or other items that you donate to
the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, and what do we do with all these items once
they are properly stored? I am asked these questions often and am taking this opportunity to answer them.
When an item arrives at our office, we first must establish its pertinence to Nebraska
or Iowa Jews If the items are of historical value but have nothing to do with Jewish
life I will ask the donor to present or I will present such items to the Historical Society
of Douglas County or to the Western Heritage Museum.
Susan Silver, Archivist
Once it has been established that the item is appropriate for our archives, it is then
listed in' our card catalogue. Smaller items are filed in either acid free document boxes
or photo boxes, and larger items are stored in our JCC lower level archival area. Our dream is to catalogue all items on our
computer and to have a computer link up with other historical centers and museums in the state. We are currently looking for someone familiar with computers who would be willing to spend some evening and weekend time typing
inventory data on our IBM compatible computer. Any volunteers?
NJHS Acquisitions —May-October 1993
Ophira Bahar—Installation photos at
Tifereth Israel
Harry Paskowitz—Jewish War
Veterans' Flag
Sam and Charlotte Kaplan—marriage certificate of Arnold Flesch and
Anna Gross
Louise Abrahamson—news clipping
Ed Rosen—photos and report of military separation, Israel in the Ranks, a
guide for Jewish soldiers during WW II
Sam Kaplan—article on B'nai B'rith
from Sun newspaper
Dr. Paul Gitlin—two Workmen
Circle photos and a badge
Ilene Pachman—Ketubah of Michael
Morris and Fanny Kohn, naturalization
papers of Michael Morris
Stan Silverman—photos, business
items, letters, Beth Israel Bulletins
Donald and Ozzie Nogg—family
photos, Blumkin home photos, B'nai
Brith script and tapes. Federation
slides, Jewish Day School interviews.
Norman Lincoln—photo, articles
about Lawrence Klein, former Omahan
Gloria Friedman—article about
North 24th Street in the Forward
Ruben Lippett—JCC Around the
Globe newsletter-l944
Suzanne Estrada Sobel—book from
Adflebund Club, 1923-26
Sam and Rosaline Epstein-1928
Lake School photo, 1938 high school
graduation photo, articles about
Pioneer Women, bracelet and locket
from Abraham Baum WW I
Cantor Leo Fettman—Talisim from
Germany 1930
Bucky Greenberg—booklet on exhibition about Danish rescue of the Jews
during WWII
Ben and Helen Rifkin-1925 camera, hair crimper, prayer books
Peggy Chasen—Sheitels and photos
Bob Kahn—AZA Sweetheart Books
Joel Cherniss and Edward
Cherniss—Cherniss family photos,
Cherniss family history
Once we have the items stored, what do we do with them? Obviously, we use our archival materials for exhibits,
newsletters, and journals. But that's a only a portion of our inventory's use. We get calls from around the country wanting material from our archives for special projects, television shows, and exhibits. We recently sent some photos and ceremonial objects to the Klutznick National Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. for an exhibit on B'nai B'rith currently on
display. We copied and sent a collection of photos to Chicago for an exhibit on Jewish women's clothing, 1880-1920.
Also, U.N.O. is in the process of creating a television program about Omaha's early architecture, and we are supplying
many photographs of Omaha Jewish businesses and homes.
We urge you to send us a copy of your family tree if you have one so that your progeny and other interested persons
will have the information available.
Feel free to stop by, and Dottie or I will show you how we process your donated items, and while you're at it, don't forget to bring a few photos or mementos that are gathering dust in a box somewhere. Help us to preserve your history.
91
J,#a/rces' od de C%ewoctylee Fami%
photographs and documents courtesy of Joel Cherniss
Note from Susan Silver: The following excerpts are from the last of a series of letters
by Dr. Edward Cherniss from Fresno, California. His first letter was an inquiry about
his ancestor Julius Cherniss who came to Omaha in 1882 with a group of 161 Jews from
Russia. His second letter sought more information on what brought the group to
Omaha. In the meantime, I realized that I had two great-aunts who had married into the
Cherniss family, and I sent Dr. Cherniss a letter asking if indeed there was a family connection between the Chernisses he was inquiring about and the Noggs (My great-aunts,
Gittel and Millie, were sisters of Sol and Morris Nogg). Here are parts of his reply:
Dear Not-Quite-Cousin Susan:
Sharing as we do, two (female relatives), we may not be blood kin, but the relationship can certainly be placed somewhere between mishpocheh and Jewish. I am delighted.
Ella Fleishman-Auerbach (author of several books on Nebraska Jewry) could rightfully claim to be an authority on my family. The 1920 Federal Census shows her as
Ellen Fleishman, 25, with her brother Max Fleishman, 19, living in the home of my
cousins, Ike and Anna Fleishman Cherniss. These were children of Rabbi Fleishman,
whom you will recognize as an early cleric of prominence in Omaha.
Rabbi Fleishman was instructed in mohel technique by my Great Grandfather Julius
Cherniss. At the retirement of Julius from the field, his knife was passed on to Rabbi
Fleishman. It was with that. very knife that I was circumcised in 1925. So I have been
told. All I remember was the sponge cake.
Our Aunt Gittel married Julius' oldest son, Shaya, back in Vinnitsa about 1881-82.
She would have been 5-6 mo. into her first pregnancy when the first wave of Chernisses
left. Perhaps this is why she and Shaya lagged behind until 1890. Shaya (referred to as
"Isaiah" by his assimilated descendants) moved with his brood to Los Angeles in 1913
where they all flourished and lost contact with the Omaha-Council Bluffs
segment... .Your Great Aunt Gittel was (by marriage) my first cousin once removed.
Apparently as the widow of your Great Uncle Ike Brown, she married widower Cousin
Dave after the death of his first wife, Teresa Hart, and they lived in the Los Angeles
area.
From Cousin Dave's first marriage came Cousin Harold F. Cherniss (1906-1986),
the only Cherniss to have made both Who's Who and the Encyclopedia Judaica.
I call to your attention a publication by our Not-Quite Cousin Richard Bialic, The
Baal Shem Toy's Descendants Lived in Nebraska Too! Heritage Quest, Jan/Feb 1988,
Issue 14, in which he asserts a descendency of Cherniss from The Baal Shem Toy
through our great-great aunt Golda Cherniss Trustin. The connection, such that it was,
was actually through our cousins, the Trustins, an entirely different chapter. But the
article should properly be in your archives. Check it out.
Your people must have known my mother Cele, who lived (in the Omaha area)
long enough to know everyone, at one era or another. Her brother, my Uncle Louis
Lipp, has been an occasional contributor to the Journal of the NJHS.
I am hoping that you will soon have the occasion to meet my excellent Cousin
Joel Cherniss, regarded by many as the best of all the Chernisses, and that there will be a
fruitful exchange of information. (Ed. note: We did meet, and Joel is an excellent
Cherniss.)
Edward Cherniss, M.D.
1339 West Barstow
Fresno, California 93711
Certification Paper of Conversion of
Lizzie Kunath to Judaism, 1894
from Rabbi Leo Franklin, Temple Israel
Louis Cherniss's Furniture Store
515 Main St., Council Bluffs
5
&#remk'ik
AZA 1-1971
LORI FELDMAN,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Albert Feldman
p4221 'i' eel eel t%4
AZA 1-1973
JANIE POTASH,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Merle Potash
AZA 1-1 972
JUDY DAVIS,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Saul Davis
AZA 100
1975
JUDY
HANDLEMAN,
Daughter of
Mr. and Mrs.
Morris
Handleman
AZA 1-1974
ELLEN
FREEMAN,
Daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. M.J.
Freeman
to
00
00
AZA 1
1975
CINDY
CLAYMAN,
Daughter of Mr.
and Mrs.
Al Clayman
AZA 1-1977
JULIE NOVAK,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
William Novak
AZA 100-1976
BARB SIMON.
Daughter of
Dr. and Mrs.
Marvin Simon
AZA 100-1 979
BETH SELDIN,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs
Ted Seldin
AZA 100-1978
MICHELLE KAIMAN,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs
Ben Kaiman
on
AZA 151 O-Chaim Weizmman1974
SUSIE CAIN,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Norman Cain
Since Lottie Rips Bloch became AZA 1
1934, it has been the tradition of Om
Sweetheart Dances every year. Eventu
along listing the candidates for Sweethea
ad-book were photos of the candidates, a
ous year's Sweetheart, and sometimes a
cover of the new Sweetheart.
AZA, or Aleph Zadik Aleph, is a youth
ed in Omaha in 1924 for the purpose of ad
NJHS is collecting AZA and BBG (B'i
collection contains many books from the I
tos and ad-books from the 1930s to the pr(
plete the set. If you have any of these I
especially from before the 1970s, call our
We are highlighting on these pages son
AZA 1-1 979
CARIN ROFFMAN,
Daughter of Dr. and Mrs.
Blame Roffman
a,ecoojt%e 7970c aira11980e
,
AZA 1-1980
ANDI REDLER,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Steve Redler
AZA 151 O-Chaim Weizmann1980
ELIZABETH EPSTEIN,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Epstein
first Sweetheart in
ha AZAs to have
ly, ad-books came
Included in each
llcture of the previicture on the front
)rganization foundLottie Rips Bloch
ancing the cause of Judaism.
ai B'rith Girls) ad-books, and while our
)70s and 1980s, we are looking for pho;ent for all the AZAs and BBGs to com)oklets or photos to loan or to give us,
ffice (334-8200 ext. 277).
of the Sweethearts of the 70s and 80s.
AZA 151 0-Chaim Weizmann 1983
LESLIE SIMON,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Steve Simon
AZA 100-1 981
JESSICA LAZER,
Daughter of
Mike Lazer and Nancy Lazer
AZA 1-1 982
AMY
GREENBERG,
Daughter of
the late Justin
Greenberg and
Pam Rochman
AZA 1-1 981
LORI BLATT,
Daughter of
Mike Blatt
and Marilyn Blatt
AZA 1-1983
SUSIE NODDLE,
Daughter of
Mr. and Mrs.
Harlan Noddle
SUSAN SIMON,
Daughter of
Dr. and Mrs.
Marvin Simon
AZA 100-1984
DAWN SNYDER,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Barry Snyder
AZA 151 0-Chaim Weizmann 1984
HEIDI MEYERSON,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Larry Meyerson
7
AZA 1-1988
AMY ZUBER,
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Zuber
From Our Mailbag...
Just a note thanking you for all the
help you've given me in the production
of the project for Nebraska ETV network.
Since the onset of this endeavor, everyone within the J.C.C. (& Historical
Society) have shown me nothing short of
graciousness and support and I'm certain
that will translate into what I hope to be a
fine production that we can all be proud
of. .... A tape of the program will be provided . . . .at our expense after it has been
aired.
Thanks again for everything. I think
the collection photos (from N. 24th Street
exhibit) will be invaluable to the program.
Camille Steed
Unit Director,
Public Affairs (NETV)
I am collecting for publication information on early American Jewish physicians (from the earliest material available
up to those American Jewish doctors
born before 1850). This also includes the
Caribbean and South America.
I have been in contact with medical
societies, but alas, the information is very
sparse.
Do you have any information available, or could you direct me to other
sources?
Theodore Cohen, M.D.
186-30 Cambridge Road
Jamiaca Estates, New York 11432
Ed. note: We sent Dr. Cohen several
items on early Nebraska Jewish physicians. Readers are welcome to write Dr.
Cohen with any information. Here is Dr.
Cohen's reply to our letter:
I just returned from a three week trip
to Siberia (really) and found the information on early American Jewish physicians
which you sent and which will be helpful...
Theodore Cohen, M.D.
Nancy, Harlan, Susie, Jay, Kim, Judy,
Jenny, Betsy (and let's not forget the
newest Noddle—Miss Rebecca) and I are
very appreciative of the recognition given
our mother, grandmother, and great
grandmother, Lillian Farber, by the
Historical Society.
Our Jewish Community can now look
back with pride on our heritage because
of the work you have done in the last ten
years gathering, preserving, and exhibiting the physical evidence of the Jewish
presence in Omaha and Nebraska.
We support what you have accomplished and want to continue to help
expand and continue what you have created and nurtured.
Jim Farber
1720 South 86th Ave.
Omaha, NE 68124
Thanks a million for the Journals. We
have enjoyed reading them so much... .1
told my sister, Elinore Kutler, of
Overland Park, Kansas about the
Journals, and she is going to write you
and see if she can get them, also.
It is wonderful to read about things of
the past that took place in Lincoln,
Nebraska. In one of the previous publications, there was a picture of my
Lincoln cousin's deceased daughter in a
Sunday School class picture.
Thanks again for what you do. It is
wonderful. Looking forward to getting
the publications.
Louise and Israel Goodman
7489 North Lombardy Road
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217
Many thanks for including the information and article about my grandmother, Rose Eisenberg, in your newsletter.
(Ed. Note: Rose Eisenberg owned the
Kosher Cafe in Omaha in the early
1900s. She had three children, Sam,
Anna, and Birdie. Mrs. Jacobson is seeking any information about her grandmother.)
Please find the enclosed check. Let
me know if you hear anything.
Audrey P. Jacobson
412 Caroline Street
Ogdensburg, New York 13669
I presented the information (you sent)
last March to our Jewish Historical
Society of Southern Arizona Board last
week. They were impressed.
Although we too are only ten years
old, we have not developed the way
NJHS has. We envy you. We have a
new multi-million dollar Jewish
Community Center, and we certainly
would like to get housed there for better
exposure. Since our "cash on hand" is
limited, we are unable to undertake the
projects you have. We are still seeking
out a generous giver to help us along.....
I was happy that I was able to convince my brother and sister-in-law Eddie
and Shirley Cherniss to become members
of NJHS. With the Ben Schneiders that
makes three of us who are now members .... (Eddie) and I are geneologists, and
we understand the importance of the past.
Alfred Lipsey
4148 Pontatoc Canyon Drive
Tucson, Arizona 85718
I am trying to research information on
my family and would appreciate any help
you might be able to provide.
My Great Grandmother evidently
lived in Omaha as my grandmother was
married there in 1892. My Great
Grandfather's name was Jacob Lobman;
my grandmother was Jessie Lobman, and
she married Leon S. Klein from
Pittsburgh.
If you have any records or have any
other sources, I would be most grateful.
Thank you for your time.
Suzanne F. Scott
1538 Woodland Road
Rydal, Pennsylvania 19046
I wanted to tell you, once again, how
much I love the NJHS .... Although I like
living in California, I'll never stop missing Omaha. As I get older, the history
and the memories become more and more
important to me. I've also sent along a
little essay I wrote—a collection of memories of Kiva Hornstein.
Kiva Hornstein
Excerpt from Francie Hornstein 's
"Papa Kiva"
Papa Kiva was happiest in his garden. He and his brother, Uncle Sam,
often worked together in each other's
yards. They carried on a friendly
level of bickering about the best ways
to do things. Tomatoes were Papa's
specialty. Aside from the help of the
hot, humid Nebraska summers, I'm
not sure how he made them taste so
delicious. I think his newspaper and
string may have had something to do
with it. He used old sticks and sometimes tightly rolled up newspapers
and string to stake up the vines. Papa
would pick tomatoes off the vine,
bring them in the kitchen, and we'd
lean over the sink, sprinkle them with
salt, and eat them whole. Papa also
ate whole onions like you or I would
eat an apple. In the summer, he had
the familiar smell of onions and
sweat. At the end of the season, papa
Kiva would wrap batches of green
tomatoes in newspaper, slip them into
brown bags, and put them in a closet.
Sometimes they took a few weeks to
ripen, but eventually we always ate
them.
Thanks so much for all the work and
love you put into this project. I appreciate it tremendously.
Francie Hornstein
6409 Hillegas Ave.
Oakland, CA 94618
I was re-reading the 10th anniversary
issue of the Newsletter tonight, in which
our story was so nicely done, and in trying to find several Wintroub family members in the set of group photos, I discovered that the legends of names are
reversed! They read right-to-left instead
of left to right.! (Ed. note: You are
absolutely right. Sorry for the mistake.)
I notice you are preparing to do a
South Omaha South 24th Street exhibit.
My grandparents, both Harris and
Alexander, first settled there in basement
quarters. An uncle by marriage of mine
named Ben Roitstein, married to a Sophie
Alexander (my great aunt) my grandfather's sister, had a grocery on the northeast corner of 26th and Q and lived
above, and had a daughter, Sally, I think,
and a grandson Marvin Simon. Marvin's
mother was a Sarah (also Ben's daughter)
who married a Simon who was a partner
in a meat company called Table Supply.
There have to be some of them left in
Omaha - I hope! Maybe we'll try to
find some of them on our next trip. We
weren't close in my generation, but my
Mom was close to her cousins, Sarah and
Sally, and to her Aunt Sophie.
My grandad, Morris Alexander,
moved to North 20th Street, but I remember visiting 26th and Q often. On the
Harris side, my Dad's, the family left
South Omaha and settled along 16th
Street, 20th, and 22nd Street in the
Jewish area after Grandad Harris died. I
remember my grandmother, Anna Harris,
from 23rd Street off Clark, and the big
double-seated swing in the front yard and
the fenced yard.
Norman Harris
6435 Crystalaire Drive
San Diego, California 92120
I am researching a dual biography of
Gertrude and Leo Stein and am writing to
ask for your assistance.
Their friend, Leon Mendez Solomons,
was teaching psychology in 1900 at the
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, when he
died after (evidently) a minor operation,
on Feb. 2, 1900. According to the eulogy delivered by Rabbi Jacob Voorsanger
of San Francisco, Solomons' home, (it
appeared in The American Israelite and
was reprinted in the Western States
Jewish Historical Quarterly), Solomons'
funeral service took place in Omaha and
a Rabbi Simon, Solomons' friend and
"fellow student" officiated. This would
have been in early February 1900.
Do you have information on Rabbi
Simon? Where did he go to school?
Abram
Simon
Would you have access to his papers, or
know their whereabouts? Would you
have access to or know the whereabouts
to the eulogy he probably delivered?
Would there have been an obituary in an
Omaha publication? (I have contacted
the State Historical Society in Lincoln
and have come up with next to nothing.)
With what synagogue was Simon connected? Is it still active? Does it have
records—or do you?
Thanks so much for your help.
Among other things, I'm trying to find
Solomons' papers—and the proximate
cause of death.
Brenda Wineapple, Professor of
English
Union College
Humanities Center
Schenectady, New York 12308-2371
(518)370-6231
Ed. Note: We learned that Rabbi
Abram Simon was a rabbi at Temple
Israel from 1898 to 1903. He became
nationally prominent because of his innovative ideas on Jewish education and
moved to Washington for a position at
the Washington Hebrew Congregation,
according to Consider the Years, 18711971 by Suzanne Singer and Silvia
Roffman. This information was passed on
to Ms. Wineapple. Readers with further
information please contact our office.
Their Generosity, Vision, and Interest Made
the First Jewish Community Center Possible
-
OFFICERS
011
Harry Lapidus
President
Vice President
Henry Monsky
Louis Kirschbraun,
Treasurers
William R. Blumenthal
Secretary
Joe L. Wolf
TRUSTEES
Pledge of Morris Levy, June 15,
1922: "I do hereby subscribe and pledge
the sum of $50,000 for a Jewish
Community Center Building in Omaha,
on condition that pledges of $150,000
will be raised in six months."
Harry H. Lapidus, President of the
Jewish Community Center: "It will be the
heart of the men and women and children
of our Jewish Community Center that will
preserve and perpetuate the highest and
noblest in Judaism and in our local
Jewish life."
A. B. Alperin
Abe Goldstein
N. B. Feil
William Holzman
M. Kulakofsky
Harry Malashock
Dr. Phillip Sher
J. J. Slosburg
Irvin Stalmaster
Harry A. Wolf
Harry B. Zimman
DIRECTORS
Ground Breaking for 20th and Dodge
J.C.C., 1924, Northeast Corner
J.C.C. Auditorium
J.C.C. Kitchen
r
10
Sam Beber
Nathan Bernstein
A. Cohn
Max Fromkin
Dr. Abe Greenberg
J. J. Greenberg
Dave Greenberg
Wm. Grodinsky
Herbert Heavenrich
Abner Kaiman
A. Herzberg
Harry J. Kulakofsky
Sam J. Leon
Abe Levy
Ike Levy
J. M. Malashock
E. Meyer
Harry Rochman
Morris Milder
Sam Ravitz
Dr. Philip Romanik
Mrs. Philip Schwartz
Harry Z. Rosenfeld
Harry Silverman
Louis Sommer
Harry Trustin
Ed Treller
Fred White
Sam Wolf
Nathan S. Yaffe
HISTORY OF TIFERETH ISRAEL, LINCOLN
from its 25th Anniversary Celebration Book
Although there were Jews in Lincoln from the time of its incorporation as a city, the
majority of the founders of the congregation came to America as refugees from the persecutions which decimated the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe in the 1890s.
The early Jewish settlers met for worship in private homes; but at a meeting on October
19, 1903 held at the home of Mr. Charles Yanow, a congregation to be known as
Tifereth Israel, Israel's Glory (referring to God), was founded. Twenty-eight members
subscribed at that time to a Building Fund which would eventuate in a House of
Worship for the congregation. Mr. Louis Poska was elected President of the
Congregation; Messrs. Louis Haken, Louis Blumenthal, and Louis Poska were chosen
Trustees.
On July 24, 1898, there had been organized in Lincoln a congregation known as
Congregation Talmud Torah of whom Messrs. Morris Mozer and Louis Stine were the
Trustees. Records indicate that it was Mr. Louis Stine who purchased in 1910 the lot at
the corner of Eighteenth and L Streets, which became the site of the first permanent synagogue building in Lincoln. Only a few months after the lot was transferred to Mr.
Stine, a merger of Congregation Tifereth Israel and Congregation Talmud Torah was
effected, and plans were laid for the construction of a synagogue building. The minutes
of the general meetings held at this time give prominence to the name of Messrs.
William Seelenfreund, Sam L. Shostak, Morris Poisky, and Sam Adelson. Subsequent
expansion of the Jewish population of Lincoln resulted in an addition to the building,
which was completed in 1936. Until the time that it was sold, the beloved red-brick edifice served the Jews of Lincoln for forty-one years.
Although the merged congregations voted as early as 1913 to apply to the Jewish
Theological Seminary of America for a rabbi to serve as their spiritual leader, it was not
until 1925, under the presidency of Mr. Dan Hill, that formal affiliation with the United
Synagogue of America (Conservative) took place. Mr. Hill served as President from
1925 until 1928 and was succeeded by Mr. Louis B. Finkelstein, who occupied the post
for ten years. Mr. Herman Ginsburg took the reins of leadership in 1938 and likewise
served for ten years. Mr. Leo Hill, son of Mr. Dan Hill, was elected to office in 1948,
and under his guidance and direction, the Congregation erected its new edifice at ThirtySecond Street and Sheridan Boulevard. The lot on which it was constructed was
acquired in 1952; ground-breaking ceremonies were held on April 19, 1953, the
anniversary of the burning of the Warsaw Ghetto; and the cornerstone was laid on June
6, 1954.
Tifereth Israel's
Past Presidents
1925 - 1980
L to R: Dan Hill, Louis Finkelstein, Herman
Ginsburg, Leo Hill, Eli Evnen, Henry
Misle, Hyman Polsky, Willard Davidson
L to R: Norman Krivosha, Gerald Grant,
Bernard Wishnow, Sheldon Kushner,
Harry Allen
E
lowing is an additional list of those who gave oral histories from Lincoln:
y Evnen, Rose Feuerberg, Herb Gaba, Rabbi Harry Jolt, Ruth Levinson, Henry Misle, Leon Nefsky, Sam Rosenblatt,
e Katskee, Leelo Sommerhauser, Mitch Tavlin, Estelle Kominsky, Dorothy Kushner, and Emmanuel Wishnow.
Give _ Gift _______
Membership for
any occasion!
Nebraska Jewish Historical Society
333 South 132nd Street Omaha, NE 68154
;Nebraska
Tell
Jewish Friends about the NJHS
1Benefactor . ................................................... $1000
Name of Recipient
Life Member.....................................................500
Address_________________________________________
LlBusiness............................................................250
State
City
_Zip
Ll Patron ...............................................................100
IJ Sponsor...............................................................50
YourName
Ll Organization.......................................................30
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U Family.................................................................25
State
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U Individual or Student.......................................... 15
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NJHS WISH LIST
Since the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society was founded, we have managed to have ample funds for staffing our
office and for most of our projects. However we are now in need of additional funding for new and continued projects
to serve our membership and to reach out to the general community. If you would like to discuss sponsorship of the following projects, please call Louise Abrahamson, President (496-2479); Mary Feilman, Executive Director (393-3144);
or our NJHS office, (334-8200 ext. 277). And thank you for your continued support.
1. Underwrite the cost of the 1994 annual journal in memory of or in honor of dear, ones or for a special occasion
($3,500).
2. Underwrite the cost of a newsletter ($2,000).
3. Remember us in your will or consider us now for a grant from your foundation or private funds.
4. More Patron ($100), Life ($500), and Benefactor ($1000) members.
5. Sponsor tours of Jewish Omaha for newcomers, Russian families, and Jewish children over Bar and Bat Mitzvah
age ($1,800 for four tours per year).
6. Funding for the continuation of oral history interviews of Jewish persons sixty years of age and over and for the
transcribing of these oral histories ($2,000).
7. Underwrite the publication of a book on the history of the ,Jewish people of Nebraska and Western Iowa, based on
oral histories and archival material of the NJHS ($25,000).
8. Fund for future exhibits for the Jewish Community Center Gallery and our Corridor of Jewish History Museum
($5,000).
Excerpts from Zena Gorelick Fishbain's "Memories of South Omaha"
The first home 1 remember our having
lived in was at 22nd and N Streets. I recall
the Sacks had what I thought at the time
was a huge house at the end of the block
nearer to M Street They had two gigantic
dogs who barked wildly when anyone came
near. Their names were "Chazar" and
"Châzarina." I have been terrified of dogs
for as long as I can remember, and whenever I had to walk by the house, I was paralyzed with fear.
The Singers lived across the street on N
Street, and adjacent to their home was "The
Tin Shop" where my brother-in-law Lou
Singer tells jiie his father operated a business constructing materials for gutters for
homes, etc. Mr. Singer also operated a
clothing business at 23rd and N Streets. I
recall very vividly the courtship of my sister Reva and Lou Singer, since all he had to
do was saunter across the street to continue
the courtship. Directly across the street
from us lived the Canars, and next door to
them the Sol Epsteins. Across the Street
from the Singers, the Dave Epsteins lived.
And so, in our immediate area were six
Jewish families.
We had our own butcher shop in South
NJHS
333 South 132nd Street
Omaha, NE 68154
Editors
Susan Silver
Mary Feilman
Address Correction Requested
Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed
Back Row: Sammy Katzman, Pearl Katzman
Perelman, Isadore Perelman, Becky Katzman
Gorelick
Seated: Louis and Esther Katzman
Front: Eva Katzman Freund, Margurette
Katzman Edelman
Omaha, Schlaifer's. It always smelled
wonderful to me. The floor was covered
with shavings, just like the meat department
in my father's grocery store, and for years I
had a terrible time understanding how
"sodas" which covered floors in meat
departments and sodas which you drank
with ice cream were related. I was so adoring of my father, that when I discovered
that the "sodas" was really "sawdust", it
brought tears of love to my eyes.
Our Synagogue at 25th and J Streets still
stands. It had three sections on one floor
(no balcony), with the women in the one
section to the north as you walked in. We
had no Rabbi or Cantor. Mr. Sellz served
as cantor, and I don't remember who did
the Torah reading, but I do remember very
vividly Mr. Canar standing at the reading
table, pounding it very loudly and shouting
to the ladies to be quiet. When my niece
Edie was just a few months old, my sister
Reva brought her to Rosh Hashanah services, and my father paraded her up and
down the aisles, hoisting her like a torah,
for all to see his first grandchild. Nobody
complained. Everyone exclaimed how cute
she was. She still is!
And, of course, we had our neighborhood theaters, the Rosalind and Tivoli. We
would go to the show with a "serial card"
and maybe a dime or so for spending
money. Iry Epstein's father had the ice
cream, popcorn, and candy concession for
the Rosalind, and I did so love the penny
candy. I used to buy black licorice—the
long kind, and I loved it so because I could
unwind the "braid" around it, eat it first,
and then eat the licorice.
J°fl prof,tQr
LI
PAID
OMAHA NEBRASKA
U. 143
T
... ... . ___. 00
I10
COME TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
with the
Nebraska Jewish Historical Society
and visit the HOlocaust, Museum
May 11-15,19,94Chairmen are Barry and Anne Broder
and Jay and Kim Noddle
The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society invites you to join our comprehensive
spring tour to Washington, D.C. Highlights of the tour include an afternoon at the
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and visits to the B'nai B'rith Klutznick
useum and the Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum. In addition, this exciting
our will visit the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam
Memorial,. the White House, Arlington Cemetery, the Mail, with its many museums
nd galleries of the Smithsonian as well as breakfast with a Nebraska Senator!
I
Your hotel, the Georgetown Inn, sits in, the midst of Georgetown's unique shopping and
ntertainment district. Chic boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and a variety of nightspots are within
omfortable walking distance.
•
•
Tour Price: $739.00 per person, double
$1029.00 per person, sIngle
$699.00per person, triple
/
Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Members will receive first preference for
.
• available space.
our Price Includes:. Four nights at the Georgetown Inn, round-trip airfare from Omaha on
UNITED AIRLINES, airport/hotel transfers,. Continental breakfast daily, sightseeing (as described
above), two dinners, all hotel taxes, porterage and tips, and Travel Faire! Thomas Cook escort.
Space is Limited!! Reservation Deadline March 1, 1994!
A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 per person will hold your space!
For information call:
Deb Covert, Travel Faire 397-6357
Anne Broder 334-5295
Kim Nddle 3914600
or the NJHS office 334-8200 ext. 2,77,