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Jewish Press Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
Vol. LXXII No. S3 Omaha
iMMy tfSihrmkii StaU HittoHcal Society
14 NisNun, S76S, April 14,1995
JULIUS MEYER OF OMAHA And Some of His Indian Friends
Remembering liewish life in Nebrasica 1850-1950 Part one:
Rage 2
Jewish Press
AprU 14,1908
Happy Pass Introduction to this special holiday issue By Morris Maline The Kansas-Nebraska Act designated Nebraska as a territory in 1854 - a time when Jewish emigration from Europe was on the increase. Historians tell us that almost two million immigrants arrived in the United States between 1850 and 1860, and of this number, approximately five per cent were Jewish. Many of these Jewish immigrants were eager to seek their fortunes in the 'new world' and traveled Westward to the frontiers of America. Many of these Jewish immigrants settled in and around Omaha, and as our front cover illustration suggests, made friends with the Indians and traded with them. It wasn't long before a Jewish community became an integral part of Nebraska with a good deal of settlement in both Omaha and Lincoln. As the years passed, the historical record of this Jewish community was contained, for the most
part, in individual collections of photos, letters, and family recollections. On Oct. 15, 1982, the l^Jebraska Jewish Historical Society was founded under the guidance of Mary Fellman and Oliver Pollak. Today, the NJHS has over 800 members and ranks among the top Jewish historical societies in the country. After years of cramped quarters in a small office at the Jewish Community Center, the NJHS now has a new archival center in the JCC. The Henry and Dorothy Riekes Historical Museum is included in the new Dan and Esther Gordman Center for Jewish Learning on the Jewish Community Campus. In this special issue, a team of volunteers from the NJHS has joined with the Jewish Preat staff to present a taste of Jewish life in Nebraska emphasizing the first 100 years. By no means should this effort be viewed as a
complete history of the Jewish community with coverage of all facets of Jewish life. This presentation is merely a glimpse of Jewish history using those materials which were immediately available and suitable for transfer to the pages of the Jewish Press. The NJHS and the Jewish Press plan to continue bringing our Jewish history in Nebraska to life with ongoing coverage in future issues. Also, there most likely will be opportunities in the future for more special issues devoted to additional slices of Jewish life. Many volunteers aided the Jewish Press staff in this endeavor, compiling information, writing stories, and selecting photographs. Our thanks to: Mary Fellman, Sharon Kirshenbaum, Oliver Pollak, Bert Lewis, Silvia Roffman, Joan Bernstein, Jerry Gross, Morris Lipp, and Sally Zipursky.
Meet the Rabinowitz family This photograph of thv Rubinowitz family (1901) is one of the historical documents presented in this special issue for the Passover holiday. When land opened up, Minnie Rabinowitz (back row, first on left) went off to homestead in the Oakotas. She was sent overseas during World War I by the Jewish Welfare Society, and
after the war was in charge of Grand Central Station for Traveler's Aid Society in New York City. The baby on the left is Sol Rosenblatt, who became head administrator of the NRA under Franklin Roosevelt in the *30s, and subsequently an internationally recognized lawyer. Others in the photo include Morris M.
The Jewish Press (Founded in 1920) Tht roU of th* Jcwiih Ptdcratlon ofOmah* 1« to involv* Jcwi in mMting Jswith communal nMdi locally, nationally and in Urarl Agtnclai of tha Fadaration arc: Community Hclalinnn, Jawiih Community Cantar, Jewiih Education, Jawiah Prsai, Jawlih Family Sarvica, Library and Buraau lor tha Aging. Tha Jawlih Praaa (USI>S 276620) i* publlihad waakly on Friday for $24 par calandar yaar U.8.. 127 foraign. by Iha Jawiah Fadarallon of Omaha. 3.11 y i. it2nd Slraat, Omaha, NE 68164. Sacnnd clan poiitaga paid at Omaha, NE. POSTN! "nd addraia changaa to I Jawlih Praaa, 333 aoulh 132nd Slraat, Omaha, NE 68 K... . "• 4O2-334-a200.
Ban Wiaaman Pmidcnt, Board uf Director* Morris Malina EdilorinChiBf Sharyl Friatlman Budnaaa Managar Mauraan LaPour Pnxhicllon Larry Aialrad AdvaKlaIng Coordinator Oaorga Bchapiro Voluntaar
Rosenblatt, Dorothy Rachman, daughter of Morris Rachman and Gussie (Rabinowitz); Esther Rachman, Bertha Rabinowitz, Anna Rachman, Joe Rabinowitz, Leah Rabinowitz, Abe Rabinowitz, Jennie Rabinowitz, and Nathan Rabinowitz. ( The photo carries the identification of Heyn's Pictiu-es.)
Board of Directors
I
Sylvia Wignar, Vica Praiidant; Stava Lavingar, Treaiurai Cynthia Epitain, Sacratary; Bobby Eiaanbarg, Stava Danoi Marcl Oallnar, Howtrd Kaplan, Sharyl Laa, Lao Maycraon, Jai Rip*, Alvin Roai,R«*a Schupack, Audrey Shapiro.
Ed ioriala oprcu tha viaw of tha writar and ar* not nacauarily rapraxintativa of tha viaw* of tha Jawiah Prat* Board, tha Jawiah Ftdaration of Omaha or tha Omaha Jawiah CommuniH *a a whol*. H Tha Jawiah Pr«u la not raaponaibia for tha Kaahrulh of any product or •atabllahmiint.
April 14,1995
Jewish Life in Nebraska! It all began in the 1850's 1840 - 1850*8 - Earliest Jewish settlers from Glerman, Austrian and Bohemian origin came West 1866 - Dr. Carl Golding settled in Plattsmouth combining caring for the sick and Indian trading 1863 - Aaron Cahn became a member of the state legislature 1867 - Lazier Brown homesteaded in Madison County-First recorded Jewish service at Masonic Temple
CONTAiN'/T
1874 - Samuel Wolbach settled in Grand Island 1875 - Kesher Shel Barzel was founded- Alexander Bear of Norfolk was in state legislature 1877 - Lawyer Simon Bloom on Board of Education 1878 - Moses Horwich organized Beth Hamedrosh Hagadol synagogue 1879-George Heyn, photographer, came to Omaha 1881 - Jonas L. Brandeis arrived in Omaha from Monitoo, Wisconsin-Rabbi Abraham Isaac Bramson first permanent shochet 1882 - Omaha's first kosher butcher shop- 23 families and a dozen bachelors arrive in Omaha to escape European horrors 1884 - First local chapter of B'nai B'rith foundedDr. Oscar S. Hoffman first Jewish physician in Omaha-"Mogy" Bernstein organized first "newsies' picnic-Lithuanian "minyon" became B'nai Israel synagogue - Hebrew Ladies Sewing Society founded
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1870-Joseph and Robert Oberfelder were located in Sidney, Nebraska
1872 - First Jewish cemetery for Temple Israel was founded by Burying Ground Society
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1868 - Mr. and Mrs. Moses Oppenheimer were first Jewish arrivals in Lincoln
1871 - Temple Israel was founded on Jan. 8, 1871First class was confirmed on Sept. 16-First edition of Omaha Evening Bee by Edward Rosewater
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1886 - Morris Levy and Herman Cohen formed Nebraska Clothing Company-Russian synagogue formed 1888 • Jacob Gordon first Hebrew teacher at first Talmud Torah at 11th and Jackson 1890« - Many Jewish young men volunteered to serve in Spanish American War
•
18B1-Abraham Blotcky set up first business-Rabbi Henry Grodinsky first Orthodox rabbi 1882-Metropolitan Club New Year's Eve party Harry Lapidus and father, Israel, came to OmahaOmaha Hebrew Club founded for mutual aid and protection 1895 -Pioneer Zionist group formed 1896 -Council of Jewish Women started school for children of Russian immigrants and hosted a national convention 1897-1898 -Young Men's Hebrew Benevolent Society formed for organized Jewish charity
Before 1900-Chevra B'nai Israel Adas (Russian), Chevra Biltur Cholim (iiungarian), and B'nai Jacob Anshe Hhalom (Kapuller) were founded
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Julius Meyer at a Metropolitan Club children's party Bottom row: June Abrams, Lillian Meyer, Blanche Frank, Ruth Meyer, Irene Rosewater, (unidentified), Lorene "Rosenstock, Vema Kirschbaum. Top row: unidentified. Photo about 190a His good friends were i'liief Standing Bear. Red Most of the newcomer German, Austrian, Boheniinn and Hungarian Jewish settlers to Cloud, Sitting Bull and otiier Indian warriei For many years his "Indian Wigwam" itu !•) .-jmii Nebraska sottled in Omaha but Some drifted out to Frcnioni. '"'oiunihus. (irancJ '.s^land. North Phitte. it 11th and Fariiam was an attraction fur tourists I •nuspuiu Sidney, Nobrii.'-ka (-ity and Plniismout; 'lever ai^' 'inaiia M . Onr i'.Mnuy .aci'.ioHd 'in' tiuir Mi 1 uion m 1.H71 auO the ^lillula^l Club I'DF -Jews ami ir. •• '1 -.viioni ijanio in l-SGo ai. non-Jews which later became the Metropolitan arotlu'-r. Julius, '.vtio ('ani(» m ISGliJulius became an Indian trader, mastering the Club for Jews only. Meyer was active in Temple Israel's organization dialects of ai least six native tribes and because of his popularity was adopted by the Pawnee tribe as well as the Hebrew Benevolent Society in the under the name of "13 ox-ka-re-sha-hash-ta-ka." 1880's. His sudden death in the early 1900s was His name meant "curly headed white chief with one mourned by the entire community. tongue."
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KRIEGER
Ayr M. Weinberg and S. Mandelbaum opened a general store in Ayr on August 20, 1881. They later opened a branch store in Blue Hill.
Beatrice The earliest Jewish settler in Beatrice was Michael S. Wolbach, who come in 1880 and continued in the mercantile business until 1909 when he moved back to Lincoln. Wolbach was one of the Wolbach brothers who founded the Wolbach stores in Grand Island and Hastings in 1874. Originally they came from New York. With the Michael Wolbachs when they settled in [ Beatrice came Mrs. Wolbach's parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Hesse, and a brother-in-law of Michael, Henry Friedsam. Both men were in the employ of Wolbach. The Friedsams had two sons and one daughter, who moved away after the death of Mr. Friedstun in 1915. He was then 80. Another early settler was Emanuel Shembeck, who came to Beatrice about 1885 and engaged in the wholesale liquor business for a number of years. He died in 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of 75, The Deutsch brothers, Morris and Julius, also came at the same time as Shembeck. Joseph Samish arrived two years later, in about 1887, and started a women's ready-to-wear shop. Sam Speier opened a clothing store in Beatrice in 1890. Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Bernstein moved to Beatrice in 1892 and opened a retail shoe store. Ben Isaacson, an Omahan who engaged in business for a short time in Calloway, Nebraska, operated a dry goods store. The Fair, with Louis Goldstein as a partner. For religious services, residents of Beatrice went to Lincoln or Omaha. A Fishbach family in the poultry business also lived in Beatrice.
Beaver Crossing Ehe Simon Kellner family had a large lumber nesB here between 1890 and 1906.
Chadron _e Benjamin Lowenthal came from Deadwood, South Dakota, after the Gold Rush and settled in Chadron in 1686, opening one of the first general •tores. The town had just started when the Northwestern came through, but was not incorporated until 1886. Mr. Lowenthal became an influential citizen, and was elected mayor of Chadron. Lowenthal was a close friend of Mayor James C, Dahlman of Omaha, a former resident of Chadron. When the town was incorporat«d, Lowenthal was elected city treaiurar and Mrved two tenna. In 1893, he wai namad county commitaioner, larving three yaari, and in 1896, Lowenthal wai namad to the school board, a pott he held for twenty yeari. He also served a tarm on the council, befor* hit election as mayor.
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Arapahoe Joseph Einstein, only Jewish resident of Arapahoe, settled there in 1889, having come from Augusta, Ky. He was born in Waldorf Baden, Germany, the birthplace of John Jacob Astor. Einstein was a member of the city council several times and served as mayor in 1921. He was in the clothing business.
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Category One
By Ella Fleishman Auerbach
[arcuB Frankle came in 1902 and engaged in the men's clothing business. Next came Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Isaacson of Omaha who opened a women's ready-to-wear shop. John Leavitt arrived in 1919 and opened a retail meat shop. Louis Mandelberg settled there in 1922 and went into the hide pid fiir businesB. He died in 1926.
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April 14,19»B
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Rabbi Henry Grodzinsky, Omaha's first ordained orthodox rabbi, came to the city in 1891. Educated in Lithuania, Rabbi Grodzinsky served as many as four synagogues simultaneously and supervised ritlial slaughter. A relative of the Chief Rabbi of Vilna, Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky, Rabbi Henry Grodzinsky himself was the author of numerous published works on Jewish law. His volumes dealt with the laws of ritual baths, family purity, and the reading of the Torah and included reference works on portions of the Talmud and Codes. When he died at Kabbi Henry Grodzinsky about ninety in 1948, Rabbi Grodzinsky was eulogized as one of the "greatest scholars of his generation" by leading authorities in the United States and Israel.
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Columbus . Albert Heller was the first Jewish re8ident"a Columbus, having settled there in 1870 when just a youth, after the completion of the Union Pacific. He remained but one year, then moved to Fremont and Omaha. He came from Milwaukee. Two outstanding pioneer citizens who came la,ter and had a great deal to do with the building up of the town, were Israel Gluck and Carl Kramer, former mayor and postmaster. Israel Gluck was born in Breslau, Germany, and came to America in 1865 at the age of 24, after serving two years in the Prussian Army. He arrived in Chicago with only $12 in his pocket, but soon found a job as a clerk in a store in Niles, Michigan. He worked there and in St. Joseph, Missouri, until he had accumulated $1,000 in savings when he decided in 1869 to try his fortune in the new state of Nebraska. With this capital, he established a dry goods store in Fremont with Henry Fuhrman, but was apparently dissatisfied for he moved a year later, in 1871, to Grand Island. He remained there until 1874, when he settled permanently in Columbus to open a dry goods business which he conriucted until 1886. That year, he entered the real estate and loan business until, he retired and moved to Omaha to be with his children in 1907. Mr. Gluck attributed his marked financial success to honesty and fairness. While active in public affairs — he is credited in Morton's History of Nebraska, with being the author of the first occupation tax ordinance introduced and passed in the Nebraska legislature — he never sought public office except for a two year term as a member of the Columbus city council. He was a Democrat until 1896 when he quit the party. His philanthropies included $5,000 to the Jewish war relief fund, and $5,000 to the Omaha Jewish Community Center. When he died, the Omaha World-Herald stated that he had sent about $40,000-to relatives in Breslau, Germany, since the World War, to help them rehabilitate themselves. He was married in 1875 to Fannie Philipps, and they had three children, Mrs. David M. Newman, Mrs. Max Sommer, and Edward Gluck. A grandchild, Esther Newman (became Mrs. Herman Jahr, wife of Dr. Jahr, pediatrician at the University of Nebraska Hospital) worked on Omaha newspapers and authored a playlet. He died April 20, 1923, ai the age of 82. Carl Kramer, mayor of Columbus in 1886 and for whom the half million dollar high school was named in honor of his 40 years of service on the school board, was born Feb. 8, 1845, in Altenmuhr, Bavaria, Germany, his father having been a Jewish teacher. j He came to America in 1857, wandered to the' Pacific coast via the Panama Canal, and back across the plains to Chicago. He settled in Columbus in 1879, and engaged in several mercantile lines, department store, news store, and coal, later run by his son, Harold. Mr. Kramer served as county supervisor, city councilman, and mayor; was president of the Y.M.C.A. Business Men's club, Modern Woodman, president of the Nebraska State Elks Association, Grand Chancellor of the Domain of Nebraska, Knights of Pythias, and president of the Nebraska State Association of School Boards. He married Berthn Ix)eb in Chicago on May 26, 1880, and then returned ond established their home in Columbus. Four children were born to them — Clifford, who died in childhood; Mrs. M.J. Kelley of Chicago; Mrs. George Williams of Albion; and Jerold of Columbus. Carl Kramer died Jan. 14, 1926.
I
Fairbury Joseph Sarbach located in Fairbury, and was mayor there. He later moved to Nebra«ka City, Max Segal moved to Pairbury in 1892 and later to Chicago.
I
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Pages
Jewish Press
"^*i_'" .Jid*[!'JL^r,»«lyS-«
April 14,19»^
Brandeis opened in downtown Omaha in 1881 The Brandeis Company was started in downtown Omaha im 1881 by Jonas L. Brandeis. It was later taken over by his three sons, two of whom died in 1912 - one in the Titanic disaster, the other after surgery. The third son, Arthur, continued to run the business, later with the help of a cousin, George Brandeis, until Arthur's death in 1916. George Brandeis managed the business until his death in 1948, when E. John Brandeis, Arthur's son, assumed the store's presidency. Jonas was a retailing innovator. He made shoppers take notice of what he had to offer by leaving store windows lighted at night, running newspaper ads with pictures of the merchandise and stuffing balloons with coupons for free merchandise. The Fair was the first store opened by Brandeis, located on the first floor of a small two-story building at 506 South 13th Street. In 1888 the store was relocated to 114 South 16th Street but gn'owth soon forced a move to the northwest corner of 16th and Douglas Streets. During this period the store was known as the Boston Store, a name considered stylish at the turn of the century. By 1917 the Branduis building at 16th and Douglas Streets had grown to its full 10 stories, and each floor was stuffed with merchandise. Even into the 1960s, when the first suburban shopping centers were taking shape, downtown retailing remained dynamic. Shoppers could walk from store to store by using a lighted tunnel. E. John Brandeis, a grandson of Jonas, headed the store from 1946 to 1974, although he spent much of his time in California.
By 1972 the downtown store's dominance had started to wane, as did most other downtown retailing. This store was closed in 1980.
Alan Baer, a nephew of E. John Brandeis and great-grandson of J.L. Brandeis II, became owner and president of the store in 1974.
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Page 9
Jewish Press
Ben Simon & Sons starts in 1887 Ben Simon opened his first clothing store in 1887 in Cuba, Kansas, a town just south of Fairbury, Nebraska. Ben understood the value of good public relations, climbing in his wagon on Sundays, driving to the countryside and sharing some beer with farmers - and customers. "A lot of people in northern Kansas and southern Nebraska used to bank with Ben because they did not trust bankers," said his grandson, Robert. "He just kept the money for them. I don't know if he even paid interest." In 1903, Simon and his wife Addie, inoved to Lincoln, Nebraska. Addie wanted her children to grow up in a stronger Jewish environment. After a brief fling with the cigar business, Ben Simon returned to the business he knew best, clothing, joining Herman Speier in 190B in a men's and boy's clothing store at 10th and O Streets in Lincoln. ' After World War I, Ben sold his interest in the store to Speier and gave his oldest son, Joe, authority to buy a new business while he visited his native Germany to round up the rest of the Simon family. In May, 1922, Joe Simon bought the Armstrong Clothing Company and renamed it Ben Simon's & Sons. The entire family pitched in - Ben and Addie, Joe and his brothers, Harry, Sam and Charlie, and sister, Gertrude, and her husband, Abe Wittenburg, to make the store a success. But in 1928, just as the business started to grow, Ben died. A year later, Addie died. Joe, the eldest son, became president of the company, running the operation until his death in 1932.
Sam became president, and, according to Robert, each of the brothers assumed specific roles in the company. "Charlie was the business leader at that time, Sam was the greeter, the smiler, and Harry was the glue that kept it together," he said. In 1939 they opened a new five-story store at 1215 O Street. Charles died in 1953,Sam became the board chairman and Harry was named president. Robert, who had been working at Wallach Stores in New York City, returned to Lincoln and joined the family business.
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He became president in 1967. In 1973 the company expanded into the Omaha market, occupying 9,400 square feet of space at Westroads Shopping Center. That was later expanded by 6,000 square feet. In 1977, Ben Simon's moved from its O Street building to 11,000 square feet of space in the new Lincoln Atrium. The company also has a 35,000-square-foot store in Lincoln's Gateway Shopping Center. Robert Simon was elected chairman in 1983, at the same time that the company named its first non-Simon president, Glenn Clements. Clements, 35, at the time, had been with the company since he was 17 years old.
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Succeeding him as executive vice president was Rob Simon, one of Robert Simon's three sons and the fourth generation of iSimons to become involved in the company Of the company's 100-f years in business, Robert Simon said, "I'd have to say we are awfully lucky, and we have some wonderful employees who give good service."
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Falls City Aside from Morris Friend, who was in business for a short time in about 1880 in Falls City, the first Jewish family of which there is any record is that of Abe Seff, who operated a general store. Later he was joined by his brother, Morris, who with their families remained for 15 years, and then moved to Sioux City, Iowa. A daughter of Morris, Anna, was an honor student in the High School, and a member of the 1912 debating team. Two sons were graduated from a Tennessee law school. Jacob Lansky also came to Falls City and operated a shoe store. Three junk dealers followed. First came Jake Ferer, who left Falls City to operate a small hotel in Omaha. He was followed by I. Sorkin, who in turn was followed by Roy Novak, who immigrated from Humboldt, also in Richardson county. Aaron Davidson, Omaha newspaper man, came to Falls City in March, 1922, and found the Sorkins the only Jews there. He was city editor of the FalH City Daily Journal and worked up to a regular editor. He increased the paid circulation from 1600 to 3600. In 1923, he was elected commander of the American Legion post, and the same year was chosen, at the state convention, national delegate to the Legion convention at San Francisco, the only delegate ever chosen from Falls City, and the only Jew ever elected delegate from Nebraska to a national Legion convention. He left Falls City in the spring of 1926. Sidney Poska of Lincoln started an Army surplus store there in 1925 but remained only six months, selling out to Dean Davidson of Lincoln, who converted the store to a clothing house. His wife was formerly Jeanette Rtlor of Omaha. A Halbert family lived at Straussviile, a little village in Richardson county.
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Israel Gluck, who later settled in Columbus, was perhaps the first Jewish resident of Fremont, having come there in 1869, in the boom due to the completion of the Union Pacific and the FremontElkhorn railroad branch to West Point. He opened a mercantile business there but sold out in 1871 to Albert Heller, then a youth from Milwaukee, who later made Omaha his permanent home. Mr. Gluck built a new house for Heller, who remained in Fremont until 1877. Bennett Goldsmith, later mayor of WeSt Point, also lived in Fremont for a short period, 1870. Henry Fuhrman, partner of Israel Gluck, came to Fremont also in 1869 or 1870. The family later moved to Seattle. Mrs. Fuhrman was a sister of Morris Mayer, first Jewish settler in Norfolk. The next settler of whom there is record was Hershel Kavich and his family, who came with the large party of Russian refugees to Omaha on July 15, 1882. Kavich went on to Fremont where he was joined later by his brother, Jacob, and family. The Beckmans, N. Sampler family, and that of John Sonin in Fremont are numbered among other early settlers; also Louis ZIotky, clothier who once headed the Nebraska Retail Clothier's Association. The Krupinsky and London families were also old settlers. The more than 25 Jewish families in Fremont organized an orthodox synagogue and maintain a ahochet.
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Ida and Julius Sherman were early settlers in Omaha. They came to America from Russia in 1884. Julius' parents, Rebecca and Abraham Sherman, also came to Omaha in about 1885. Ida and Julius first home-steaded in Devils Lake, North Dakota, and moved to Omaha in about 1885. Julius was the first mirror manufacturer in Omaha. Ida was very involved in Jewish societies.. They had family picnics at Hanscom Park, dances at the Hanacom Park Pavilion, and picnics atj Hiblers Park on West Leavenworth Street. I There were also picnics at Krug Park and a Ball at the old auditorium. Ida made cakes for the Ball and sold corned beef sandwiches to raise money. From a letter provided by Jeanette Sherman Milder written in 1984.
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Page 12
Jewish Press
(April 14,199S
LincolnTis first Jewish family
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[ssoper Foods The Nefsky family was the first Jewish famUy to come to Lincoln whose members have remained in Lincoln and retained their identity as Jews. David Nefsky, the first family member to come to Lincoln, originally landed in New York from Russia in November, 1881. He founded the predecessor to the Lincoln Jewish Welfare Federation, was a founder of Lincoln's B'nai Brith chapter, and was a founder of Congregation Tifereth Israel. In 1887, Mr. Nefsky opened a business which specialized in second hand furniture, bicycles and "a little pawn brokering on the side." This business was the basis of the longest continuous men's retailing operation in Lincoln, perhaps even in Nebraska. The store, named Guarantee Clothing Co., was sold by the family in 1986. The year was 1914 and Leon Nefsky, who was 10 years old, helped out at his grandfathers store at 10th and "P" Street in Lincoln. Ties were the hot Christmas gift item that year. They sold at two for $1 and Nefsky's grandfather featured 50 dozen in his store window. The photo, taken about 1887, shows a store at 1341 O St., and from left are, Harry Yanow, Dave Nefsky, and Joe Rosenberg.
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Bennett (Boruch) Somberg settled in Graf," Nebraska, in Johnson County in 1888 and continued in the general merchandising business for a quarter of a century. The family eventually m,oved to Omaha. The eldest son, Abe, went into business for himself in Elk Creek, also in Johnson county, in about 1898, and then moved to Omaha. Another son of Bennett, Nathan, a Spanish War Veteran, later in the real estate business in Omaha, died in 1927, as did a daughter, Ida Somberg Newman. Ben Somberg was another brother. •
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Page 13
Jewish Settlement in Nebraska
CARL S. BAUM DRUGGISTS
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Jewish Press
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The leading citizen of Grand Island was Samuel N. Wolbach, pioneer Jewish settler of 1874 for whom the town of Wolbach was named. He was the only Jewish person in Nebraska distinguished by this honor, with the possible exception of B. Newman, for whom Newman Grove is said to be named. While a leader in financial and political circles in his district for over 50 years, Mr. Wolbach was not the earliest Jewish settler in Grand Island. He was preceded in 1871 by Israel Gluck, who came from Fremont but who moved to Columbus permanently, after three year's residence in Grand^_ Island. ^M Samuel Wolbach was born in New York City iii^^ 1851 and came west in his youth with his brother Jacob, who later settled in Hastings, and Michael, in Beatrice. His early education was acquired in the public and private schools of that city, this being supplemented by a course in Bryant and Stratton's Commercial College. He then found employment in a mercantile establishment and held one position five years. He then went to Chicago and found employment. During the great fire, his firm was one of the few that saved its books during that terrible disaster. In 1874, he came to Grand Island and established the business known as Wolbach and Sons. Mr. Wolbach was married in Chicago to Rose Stein, and they had four sons: Murray W., a capitalist who resided in Chicago; E.J. of Grand Island; Dr. S.B., professor of bacteriology and pathology in Harvard College; and Emil of Grand Island, Mr. Wolbach had always been a democrat and was a member of the lower house of the legislature in 1885, and a member of the state senate in 1887 and 1889. He was an unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor in 1892, on the ticket with J. Sterling Morton. Mr. Wolbach was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Grand Island, and president of this institution for many years. w He was also connected with several other iinatv- H cial institutions of this part of the state, among them being the Bank of Doniphan, Cairo State_ te ' Bank, and the Revenna State Bank. He was th« owner of four sections of land in Greeley County. Mr. Wolbach was largely instrumental in providing Grand Island with the first theater in Nebraska for a city of that size. It had the second largest organ in the state as part of iu equipment. Next to the Wolbachs, Samuel Hextcr shares honors as an early pioneer and leader of Jewish affairs \ in Grand Island. He came to that city to be assod' ated with the Wolbach firm, but later went into business for himself A daughter was Mrs. L.L, Cady of Hustings. Samuel IJrbach, pioneer settler of North Plattc, moved to Grand Island on the death of his wife, fl some lime in the '80s, and resided there until he too ^ passsd away. David Kaufman, a member of the Wolbach orcani- H zation, was one of the lending Jewish citizens off Grand Island. Others were Sam and Max Greenberger, Phil Pizer. J. Ilrnvermnn, S, Zvcitel, H. Kavich, E.=
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Dating back to 1855, only one year after Congress in 1881 and included Russian immigrants running authorized the new territory, Jewish pioneers cast from the pogroms in eastern Europe. their lot with the virgin country in steadily increasAnother series of pogroms in the late 1890s, chiefly in Humania, again augniented the Jewish ing numbers. So wrote Ella Auerbach in her book on "Jewish settlement in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Cahn and Mrs. Cahn's brothSettlement in Nebraska." One Indian trader, Harris L. Levi, was massacred er, Meyer Hellman, were considered to be the first ,Jewish trio to cross the by the Indians. Missouri river and set foot on Two brothers, Jacob an Leopold J. Ungar, froze t The second wave of Jewish immigration Nebraska soil on Sept 7, 1856. started in 1881 and included those rundeath in a prairie blizzard. Others who claimed to be The earliest Jewish settleri ning from pogroms in Eastern Europe. "first" were the Lewis and were chiefly of German Henry Wessels in 1855. Austrian or Bohemian origin, running from the Cahn was elected to the state legislature in 1863. political struggles and economic crisis of the late His second child, Martin Cahn, was the first 1840's and 1850's. Jewish child to be bom in Nebraska. Some were dissatisfied with life in New York, The clothing business established by Hellman Baltimore and other eastern cities. Some were and Cahn was a profitable venture due to Mormon lured by the Homestead Law and the building of immigration and the fact that Omaha was the last the Union Pacific Railroad. point on the Oregon Trail where immigrants, minThe second wave of Jewish immigration started ing prospectors and freighters could be outfitted.
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By Louise Miller Abrahamson and Dr. Daniel Miller (David and Lena Miller's children) there. They knew they had to look for an alterDavid and Israel Miller were two of the four native because they both had the dream of children born to Ruth Miller in the shtetl of becoming rich land owners. They worked hard Kapula in Poland. and suffered a great deal of poverty, when one Their mother, who w^s left widowed, had day they heard about a homestead in Canada. It great difficulty supporting her children. She had was decided that Israel would go first to Canada her hopes set on David being a rabbi; however, while David continued to work the homestead he had other plans - he wanted to become a tainear Alliance where he would try to find a way lor so he could make a lot of money. to leave. ' His fondest wish was to save enough money so Israel established himself in Canada and he could go to America, make lots of money and wrote to his brother, David, to just give up the then send for his mother, younger brother, homestead in Nebraska and join him in Canada. Israel, and his sister. > This was in 1914. David was the second member of his family to They settled on land near the town which the come to America. A cousin living in Omaha sent brothers named after the town in Nebraska .him the money for his passage on the Kaiser where their former homestead was located Wilhelm. David and his cousin landed in New (Alliance, Alberta, Canada). They filed on a York where Dave's older brother, Harry, lived. quarter section of a piece of land and purchased Harry found a job for Dave in a sweat factory three quarters of a section from the Canadian which was miserable work for a 12-year-old. Pacific Railroad. Their main crop was wheat, His cousin continued on to Omaha and later and things seemed to be going well. Dave went when he was settled and had a good job he sent back to Omaha to bring his family to Canada. In for David to go to Omaha where he arranged for 1916, Dave again returned to Omaha where he a job at the "Novelty Skirt Company" . got married to Lena Hurwitz and returned to In Omaha, David met fellow workers Harry the homestead with his new bride. Segal and Hyman Schwartz, who told him that Dave remained on the homestead for two he could become rich by putting a claim on a years, at which time he was forced to leave as homestead in Cherry County, Nebraska. during the month of July there was a blizzard After searching for the right spot, David filed and their crop was completely wiped out! for a homestead near Valentine, Nebraska, and It was decided that Dave should seek his for returned to Omaha to work and save money as tune elsewhere while Israel remained on the he wanted so desperately to send for his mother farm where he continued to grow wheat until and brother and sister. 1950, when he moved his family to Vermillion, When David was 21, he had the opportunity to David and Lena Miller (March, 1926) Alberta, Canada. David went to Omaha with go to work in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was able to make "big bucks", (almost $20 a week, plus ers. After a short time, David decided it was time to his wife and family. check on his brother. When he got there he found David also returned to his original talent of taiovertime). loring. He and his wife owned and operated the Finally, David had put aside enough money to his brother, Israel, living in a sod house. David was torn as to whether he should return to Miller Garment Company, which manufactured send for his family. His mother was convinced that her son had become a millionaire if he could send Cedar Rapids or remain with his brother. He ladies coats and suits. He was in business until arranged for his mother and sister to return to 1968 when he retired. David Miller died in 1979. ,80 much money to her. When his family finally arrived, David kept his Omaha where they had family that they could live His brother, Israel Miller, had died in 1973. The Miller brothers were truly pioneers, respected in mother and sister with him in Cedar Rapids and with while he remained with his brother. Ailer several months of barely making a living, their Uves as honest and hard working and friends sent his brother to work the Homestead. Life looked very promising for the Miller broth- the brothers realized that they couldn't remain to all who knew them.
"Because I want to make a difference." In every synagogue, the ncr tamid, the eternal light, provides radiant testimony to the continuity of the Jewish people and the Jewish faith. Like that inextinguishable flame, the endowment funds of The Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha are an enduring statement of commitment to the future of our people. These funds, established in perpetuity, are eternal gifts to the community. In the days to come, they can make a critical difference for Jews in trouble around the comer or around the world. ENDOWMENTS PROVIDE SECURITY Endowment funds are the seeds we plant for the next generation. Income generated by the funds is available for immediate use, but the principal of each fund remains intact. As a permanent financial resource, The
Federation Foundation ensures our financial security. No matter what happens in the world - economically or politically - the Jewish community will have the necessary resources to save lives and sustain Jewish learning, culture, and human services. UNRESTRICTED GIFTS ARE VITAL Unrestricted gifts to The Foundation provide flexibility to respond to crises as well as to opporttmities. Funds may be used for: • Seed money for innovative programs that respond to the survival of Jewish families and Jewish identity. • Support of elderly, poor, and disabled Jews in our community. • Political, social and economic events that put Jewish lives at risk. • Meeting the new financial demands of peace in Israel and the deluge of immigrants escaping anti-Semitism and oppression.
EVERYONE BENEFITS In an unstable world, in a community facing increasing demands for services, The Foundation will play an increasingly important role in strengthening the long-term resources of the Jewish community and enhancing our capacity to respond. Whether you give during your lifetime or through a bequest, a gift to The Foundation can make a difference. In addition to significant tax and financial advantages, you will have the satisfaction of investing in the longterm security of Omaha's Jewish community. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss how your family can benefit by creating a living legacy that provides a secure and growing resource within The Foundation. We welcome your call at 402-334-8200 cxt 275.
THE FOUNDATION of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Ted M. Seldin Chairman
Sheldon A, Bernstein Endowment Director
P^e 16
Jc/wiahPi««a
April U,
Jewish Settlement In Nebraska Hastings
IMISSAN
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Emanuel Steinau, later county treasurer, was the first Jewish settler in Hastings. He came in 1873, engaging in the real estate and insurance business. He was appointed county treasurer by the county commissioners to fill a vacancy on March 12, 1881, and served until Jan. 6, 1882. He enjoyed a splendid reputation and received the republican nomination for the position the next term but was defeated by the Farmer's Alliance. He moved to Huron, South Dakota, shortly after. Jacob Wolbach, one of the three Wolbach brothers, (Samuel N., who settled in Grand Island, and Michael in Beatrice) who came in 1874 was probably the second Jewish settler, and was followed in the next few years by a group of small merchants, Aaron May, Emanuel Fist, Abraham Loeb, Samuel Hirsch, Leopold Stone, Moses Stern, A.J. Unna, J.C. Rosenfield, and Max Lustig. All these families were residing in Hastings in 1885, when Mark Levy made his advent. Mr. Levy was the first to introduce the sugar beet industry in Adams county, when he was the agent of the Oxnard Beet Sugar factory of Grand Island. He owned considerable land in Adams county, the tenants on which shared in the industry. From the day Mr. Levy arrived, his leadership was apparent. He at once organized Jewish services, himself acting as cantor and reader on Jewish holidays. Citizens of Hastings were that year forming the Parkview Cemetery association, of which he was president. The cemetery was exceptionally well laid out, and beautified with huge evergreen trees which Levy himself planted. The next year, 1886, he organized a promising Sunday school class which continued until 1888 when it had to disband because most of the Jewish settlers had moved away. In 1889, Mr. Levy was elected to city council, where he served six terms at various times. He was president of the council for two terms and was instrumental in obtaining for the city of Hastings its own electrical plant, water works, and beautiful parks. He was president of the Hastings Commercial Club for two terms; chairman of the republican county committee and a member of the district congressional committee. He was also a 33rd degree Mason. Aside from his mercantile, Levy always promoted the industrial upbuilding of Hastings and the agricultural developiment of Adams county, which occupied his sole attention since his retirement from business. The Jewish population of Hastings besides Levy's family included S. Jacks, Leopold Loeb, Max Jacks, D.M. Rosenberg, Louis Kully, H.B. Wiseman, Ben Sherman, A. Kahn, J. Smith, and Herman Zuber. The name of Herman E. Stein appears in early Hastings records.
Humboldt Morris Friend, who settled in Lincoln, came to Humboldt in 1880 from Atchison, Kansas, and with Albert Weinman as partner opened a store. Two years later, Friend's brother-in-law, Joseph Sarbach, bought out Weinman's interest. Sarbach moved to Nebraska City but Friend continued in business there until 1893. In 1886 his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Friend, arrived from AlsaceLorraine with other members of the family and lived in Humboldt until 1889 when they too moved to Lincoln. Mr. Weinman continued in business in Humboldt until some time in the '908, when he sold out to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Stramer and moved to St. Joseph. The Stramers resided in Humboldt for 30 years and were highly regarded by their fellow townsmen. They left in 1926 for Palestine to pass the remaining years of their life there. Roy Novak, a junk dealer, lived in Humboldt for a short time, then settled in Falls City.
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Henry and Charles Altschuler, merchants o Madison, were the sole survivors there of a colony of Jewish farmers who settled in Madison county in 1870 or before. They were the sons of Solomon AltAchuIer of Omaha. Others, who later moved back to Omaha, were the Laizer Browns, the Kellners, Morris Gross family, and the wife and children of Leopold Ungar, who, with his brother Jacob, was frozen to death in the blizzard of 1B71 L H^ RabinofTalso lived in Madison. I
April 14,1995
Jewish Press
Morris Fox and the beginning of F & F Cough Drops Morris Fox was born in -an isolated area of Russia in 1887 where his father worked as manager of a lumber company.
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In 1910, Fox enrolled in Creighton University and graduated two years later with a dpgree in pharmacyIn 1914, Fox married Ida Fox (no relation) and they had two sons, Bernie and Bob. Fox formed a partnership with Fregger and creaited Fox and Fregger Drugstore flater known as F & F Laboratories, Inc.)
There were not many educational opportunities for Jews and Fox, like many other Jews, learned about anti-Semitism first Hand. His father had encouraged him to become a pharmacist because he believed it was the best profession a Jew could aspire to in those days.
Fox soon came up with the recipe for a cough drop with a little spice. He was on friendly terms with a salesman at a candy company and he interested him in experimenting.
At that time there were restrictions placed on Jews by the Russian government prohibiting them from completing the four years of high school required before obtaining a pharmacy degree. Only 10 per cent of a school's student population could be Jewish, but luckily Fox was allowed a private instructor in order to earn his crpdoiitiiils.
The arrangement was that Fox would mix up the ingredients and then the candy company would turn the mixture into lozenges. The product, F & F cough drops, b.ec.ime widt'ly used. They wen' llio first 10 font (•mi"fi (inn., ;lll \'...
F & F Cough Drop factoi-y (193 P
In 1905. when i'o.\ wa.-: 1^ his father died of tuberculosis and lie, his mother, and four of his six sisters, unable to make a living, moved to Nebraska where his oldest married sister was living. Things were cheap in Omaha and Fox was able to support his family by working a number of odd
jobs. He was making.about $4 a week ,irul liis '••in ily was paying about $12 a month for the rent m' ii small space. Fox would sleep in the kitchen so the family could take in borders. One of his sisters married Jake Fregger in 1908, and Fox went to work in Fregger's drugstore. In later years. Fox and Fregger became business partners,
Vicks cough drops berain. : : . lion ami in order to cut costs he moveji the company to Chicago in 1936. There the cost of supplies, .like sugar and corn syrup, were cheaper, as were freight costs. When Fox turned 72 years old, he retired ani the operation of the business went to his sons.
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April 14, lSf96',
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Northwestern Iron and Metal Dan Hill was bom in Russia in 1883. When he was 13, Hill went to work as a clerk in a wholesale grocery store. Within a few years, he had become manager of the four million dollar firm. In 1905, political persecution became intolerable in Russia and Hill was forced to leave the country. He arrived in New York City on June 11, 1906. He worked for a short time in the east and went to Lincoln, Nebraska, the next year. After arriving in this country, he became a peddler selling clothing and housewares from farm to farm. When his horse was killed in a snow storm, he became a junkman. He later organized the Northwestern Iron and Metal company, one of the largest and most successful scrap metal companies in this section of the country. He started the company with $117, a building 25x100 feet and a small yard on North Ninth Street. Ten years later, the firm moved to Ninth and T Streets, in an old school building. Within six months, an addition had to be built. The brick building which formed the nucleus of the business was built in 1930 and has been added onto quite firequently.
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Jewish Pres«
April 14.1995
he Gross-Mushkin family
By Jerry Gross
Since my father, Jacob Grross, was from a family of seven children, and my mother, Mollie Mushkin Gross, was also'from a family of seven children, I am blessed with an amazing number of aunts, uncles, cousins and other assorted relatives. So far, I've been unable to pin down the exact year that my father's family emigrated to America but records show that the sixth child was born in Russia ia the year 1883 and that two years later my Dad was born here in 1885. As to how or why
My mother's family, the Mushkins, (the family name later shortened to Muskin), aurived on America's shores in 1889, but did not gravitate to the grocery business. Grandfather Abraham Mushkin owned a kosher meat market at 24th & Charles, a predominately Jewish neighborhood. As I've s^d, there were also seven children in my mother's family. Her older sister, Susie, married Sam Kaplan who operated the Omaha Hat Factory, a thriving business back in the period when every man wore a hat
their de8tinationgt^^j.^jy.L„y^,,j^^g^^^g^^„^j^^^^ Lawrence^"'^ °''"^«l *^° "'• was Omaha is a fam Gross, Gerald Gross; middle, Irving Cohn, Lyman three. He later ily "jy^'^/y; Cohn7Leonard Muskin, GrampaGross, Sora Miriam <=h«"eed the business "!.'!.^!":_.!!! ]t.l B'ank, Sora Miriam Katskee; seated, Allan Blank, Sally'"'« \^'^^] "P^';^"'!" census s^ows them Gross, Leroy Cohn, Stuart Muskin, and turned it over to all settled in Omaha his younger brother, The patriarch, my grandfather Chaim Michael TuUy, a business which, with the addition of men's Gross, is shown as a grocer in that census, and the clothing, has continued to this day. oldest child, my Uncle Bernie, had a grocery in Uncle Sam went on to establish the Supercraft Gretna, which was later moved to a village known Garment Company, a wholesaler of ladies clothing. as Albright, just south of, and later absorbed by, The oldest Mushkin son, Arthur, married Rose, South Omaha. who, as a daughter of my uncle, Ernest Meyer was The next in line was my Aunt Lena, who mar- already my first cousin and now became my aunt ried Ernest Meyer, a wholesale fruit broker, and Rose as well. the building in Old Market across from the French From that time on, she was referred to, within Cafe still carries his name blasted into the key- the family, as Art's Rose to distinguish her from my stone. aunt Rose Mushkin. Uncle Art was a coal salesNext in age was Aunt Gertie who worked as a man, a commodity in great demand at that time. head bookkeeper at the long defunct Hayden Bros. Aunt Rose Mushkin married Harry Malashock Department Store in downtown Omaha. who spent his lifetime operating a jewelry store She married a streetcar motorman named downtown and was later joined by his younger Reuben Kulakof8ky,who worked out of the car bam brother Jay. at the north end of the line at 24th & Ames. He The store continues in a new location under the saw a need for a grocery at that very busy intersec- same name but now owned by Jay's youngest son. tion and founded the R. Kulakofsky Grocery t«ifEich Bob. met with iminediate success. The next youngest sister, Hannah, married Bien Uncle Rube later joined with his older brother, Tatle who sold furniture for the Hartman Michael, and his two nephews, Harry and Louie, in Furniture Company, a large downtown store locatestablishing the Central Market between 16th and ed at that time, just south of the present entrance 17th on the north side of Hamey. to the Orpheum Theater. My father had established a grocery at 24th and But there remains a presence of the Tatle famiE Streets in South Omaha in the early 1900*8 with ly here since his younger sister, Gertrude Tatle $500 loaned to him by his brother Bernie. Newman, still resides in Omaha. He seized the opportunity to take over the R. Aunt Grace married Max Simon, who with his Kulakofsky Grocery on what must have been very brothers owned a wholesale grocery firm at 9th & favorable terms and, probably with equally favor- Dodge, and the cornerstone of their former building able terms, turned over the South Omaha store to on the northeast corner of that intersection still his brother-in-law, Louie Ziev, who was the hus- carries his name. band of sister, Bessie. After the demise of the Simon Wholesale Uncle Louie in the late 1920'8, moved to a new Grocery, Uncle Max and his family moved to and more modern store at 28th & Leavenworth Council Bluffs where he established a Central across from the old Alamito Dairy. Market until it was destroyed in a disastrous fire in My family in 1918, now consisting of my parenta, the early '308. my two older brothers, Elmer and Lawmy, and me He then went on to install a meat and grocery (sister Sally was a half dozen years in the future) department in the Philip's Store in South Omaha. moved from South Omaha to our new residence in The baby of the family. Uncle Nathan, received the Saratoga District near the newly acquired his medical training at Mount Sinai Hospital in store. New York and then returned to Omaha where he Groceries must have run in the Gross blood for spent his lifetime in general medicine. my uncle, Sam Gross, started a grocery in Council Of the 43 first-cousins from both sides of my Bluffs (many years later my older brothers both family, 30 remained in Omaha producing cousinshad brief stints in the grocery business) and my once-removed, cousins-twice-removed and on Aunt Tony had married Abe Katskee, who also through the generations until it boggles the mind. spent his lifetime in the grocery buainess.
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Jewish Press
April 14,1B96
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Chronologically Speaking 1900-1925
Garbo's
1900 - Harry B. Zimman electe^d to Omaha City Council - Shimksa Shul organized with 30 members. 1801 - William McKinley Lodge B'nai B'rith headed by Martin Sugarman to 1913 - Over 2,000 Jewish people came from New York through Agricultural and Industrial Aid Removal offices. 1903 - Associated Jewish Charities formed - First Community Hebrew School at Crounse Hall - First building for Wise Memorial hospital at 3208 Sherman - Dr. Philip Sher came to Omaha after receiving medical degree from University of Baltimore. 1904 - Sisterhood of Temple Israel organized. 1905 - 250th anniversary of Jewish settlement in theU.S.
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1906 - First of four stages for building Jewish Community Center. Raised $3,500. 1907 - Simon Pizer settled in Sargent, Nebraska, and operated a general store. 1908 - South Side Congregation of Israel organized July 20th. Bought building at 25th and J Streets in 1909 - Park Avenue and Jackson Street Temple Israel dedicated in May - Wise Memorial Hospital built at 24th and Hamey. 1909 - Jewish Peddlers Union formed - Western Jewish Journal started as first Jewish weekly. Jewish Bulletin later formed by Maxim Konecky. \
1910 - Immigration to Omaha and Midwest through Galveston - Building at 2l8t and Burt rented for Jewish community classes and activities - B'nai Israel dedicated synagogue at 18th and Chicago Brandeis Theater and ofGce building at 17th and Douglas.
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1912 - Building campaign for JCC raised $18,000 Helen Grodinsky first salaried worker of Jewish Welfare Federation - McKinley Lodge B'nai B'rith Auxiliary organized. 1913 - Sum of $8,300 raised for 116 rendered destitute families firom May 13 tornado. 1916 - Daughters of Israel Aid Society opens Old Peoples Home - Jewish Welfare Federation functions with 20 organizations at 2504 Charles 1917 - Third campaign for JCC building raised $57,000 in Lyric building - Harry Lapidus headed B'nai B'rith Joint Lodge #354
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1918 - $5,000 raised for Jewish Welfai« Board war relief activities 1919 • Jewish Bulletin edited by Isaac Konecky Omaha Chapter of Hadassah formed May 13, 1919 with Ida Levin as president - Council of Jewish Women reorganized with 146 women 1920 - Temple Israel Brotherhood organized Labor Lyceum formed March 2 - New Jewish weekly, Jewish Press, launched with Morris Jacobs as editor 1921 • Joseph Einstein mayor of Arapahoe, Nebraska - Fiftieth anniversary of Temple Israel 1922 • Omaha Hebrew Club membership over 600 Aaron Davidson of Omaha edited Fall City Daily Journal - Labor Lyceum built at 22nd and Clark for $16,000 1923 - Over $250,000 raised for new JCC 1924 • Highland Country Club organised aa a golf club with clubhouse nt 12th and Pacific - Aleph Zadek Aleph formed in May, 1924 - Ground broken for Jewish Community Center ins • Comentone laid for JCC at 20th and Dodge
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Sam and Lena Bloom Diamond, a junk dealer living in Manning, Iowa; William, who was in the egg business; and Abraham, who' was a mohel and also operated a kosher butcher shop for many years in Omaha. In 1911, Sam is listed in the city directory as living at 2314 North 22nd Street. At some time he began to trade in horses. In 1920, Sam and Lena lived at 1722 North 28th Street. In 1923, the directory lists Sam's occupation as salesman and in 1925 it lists "automobiles" which was his area of sales for the balance of his working life. His business was called "Bloom Auto Sales."
Sam Bloom ^ame to New York in November, 1904, on the Oscar II from Copenhagen. His brother, Nathan, preceded him to Omaha. Nathan's wife and daughter accompanied Sam on the voyage. Sam had been trained in Latvia as a shoe maker and was following that trade in 1906 at 1222 South 12th Street and boarding at 2222 South 16th Street. Lena Diamond came to the United States in 1908. She stayed some time in New York. In 1909 she was working as a finisher at the Novelty Skirt Company and boarding at 1907 South 19th Street. She had three brothers who lived in the Omaha area. Her brothers were Harry
Excerpted from a letter from Shirley Bloom Roaenzweiif
Photo after 1910 wedding
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April 14,1005
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Norfolk
Nebraska City
The distinction of attracting the first Jewish settlers in Nebraska territory belongs to Nebraska City. In 1855, the year that the town was laid out on the site of old Fort Kearney, there journeyed up the river two brothers, Lewis and Henry W^ssel. They were in business in St. Louis at the time but overheard a conversation that the new settlement then being Imd out would be the coming metropolis of the West. The business they established was known as Kalman and Wessels (Kalman was non-Jewish) according to a newspaper of June 21, 1860, which was in the possession of Louis Wessel's son, Walter. It prospered so well that in 1869 they erected a twoSjtory brick building at a cost of $17,000. The Weasel brothers emigrated to America from Bavaria when they were youths of 15 or thereabouts. Their first home in this country was St. Louis, where they metrried, and they retained their business there for several years after establishing a branch store in Nebraska City. Henry Wessel died at the age of 31, leaving four sons: Judge Henry Wessel of Philadelphia, Louis, Edward in New York, and Samuel who lived in Lincoln. Louis Wessel had four children by his first wife, who died in 1870. They were Julius, Alex, •Josephine, and Edgar, all in New York. His second wife, Sarah Reinheimer, whom he married in 1876, also bore him four children. They were Walter A. and Milton, in Nebraska City; Harry N., in New York were he was vice president of the West End Synagogue; and Edna, Mrs. Mose Goldberg of Kansas City. Lewis Wessel died in New York on May 30, 1906, at the age of 70. The second Mrs. Wessel died in Kansas City on July 22, 1926, at the age of 74. On the retirement of the elder Wessel from active business in 1903, his sons Walter and Milton, with I.D. Iseman, also an early settler in Nebraska City, purchased the business. The Nebraska City newspaper ad of 1860 bears on the reverse side an advertisement of the SiegelGreenbaum Clothing Company, so there must have been at least these two additional Jewish residents, but nothing further can be gleaned concerning them. Moses Oppenheimer, later resident of Lincoln, was in business in Nebraska City in 1867. It was at the close of the Civil War also that the brothers Jacob and Simon Blum of St. Louis founded a mercantile establishment in Nebraska City. Jacob's family did not settle in Nebraska City until 1873. The Jacob Blum family resided there until 1884 when they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Simon Blum's family moved to Omaha in 1891, where the parents died. A son, Henry, lived in Lincoln, where he was for many years chief to Governors Jolconib and Poynter. Another son, Joseph A., was a resident of Des Moines and active in fraternal and business circled. Jacob Siehl, clothier, whose daughter, Mrs. Fred S. Cleveland, lived in Nebraska City, was a pioneer settler, as were L. Levi, livery owner; Henry Froehlich, commission merchant, and E. Reis, barber, but the dates of their arrival cannot be ascertained. I.D. Iseman came to Nebraska City in 1886 from St. Louis. Eugene Levi, son of L. Levi, lived in Lincoln and was prominent in communal affairs. Later Jewish arrivals in Nebraska City were Reuben Goldstein and CD. Mendeison, who came in the lat« 'SOs. Their children resided in Omaha.
Neligh
Tlie Wolfe brothers, William and Emanuel, bom in New York City, came to Neligh in about 1882 as young men, from Pitlsfield, Illinois A brother, Ira. •ettled in Elgin, Nebraska. All three married non-Jewish women of the towns in which they lived. A daughter of William Wolfo Who was head of iho district R«xl Cross during the wor was Mrs. John Parber of Omaha. A son, Alexnndpf 1. Wolfe, lived in Norfolk.
PlBKe23
Jewish Settlement in Nebraska
Jewish Settlement in Nebraska
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Dr. Alexander Baehr was the earliest and most distinguished Jewish citizen of Norfolk. A native of Richmond, Virginia, the son of a wealthy and prominent southern family, he migrated to Nebraska in the early '70s and in 1875, he was elected to the Nebraska legislature from Norfolk. After two terms in the lower house, he was elected to the State Senate in 1879. He served there until 1885. Three years later he was elected mayor of Norfolk. Besides his professional and political interests. Dr. Baehr was vice-president of the Norfolk National Bank. In the middle '80s Dr. Baehr returned to Richmond to wed a young lady of that city and brought his bride to his western home. Two children, a son and a daughter, were born to them. Dr. Baehr's sight began to fail in the latter years of his life, and the family moved back to Richmond, where he later died. Mr. and Mrs. Morris Mayer were also early pioneer settlers in Norfolk and may even have preceded Dr. Baehr, in point of residence. The date of" their arrival there is not known but the Mayers were well established in business in 1884, when the^ next two Jewish settlers, Jacob and David Baum, came to open a dry goods store. One of the Mayers', sons, Sol Mayer, was active in Norfolk civic affairs. The Baum brothers, bom in Germany, emigrated to this country when they were 15 and 17, and lived I at Greenwich, N.Y., before striking out for the west. They made their home in Norfolk until Jacob Baum died. His widow then left for California, where a • son, Edwin, was in school. David, a widower, made his residence at the Masonic Home in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. The women in Norfolk organized a Jewish Ladies' Aid Society, of which Mrs. David Levine was secretary. Among the residents were Joseph Robinson, Israel Brown, Harry and Ben Skolosky, Phil Friedman, Sax brothers, J. Steinberg, Louis Snyder, H. M. Krupinsky, Alexander Wolfe, David Levine, and Mesdames Eva Spatz, Fanny' Margolis, Rose Mayer, L. Golinsky and Rose Goidfin. At one time, there was a group of Jewish farmers between Norfolk and Pierce, Nebraska, but their' identity could not be traced. Simon D. Mayer, Lincoln merchant, was also in business in Norfolk atone time, probably in the '80s.
North Platte
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The earliest Jewish settler of North Platte, so far as can be learned, was Samuel Urbacli, born in AlsoKubrin, near Budapest, Hungary, and a brother of Moritz Urbach, first Jewish settler in Sidney in 1872. Samuel followed his brother to Sidney shortly but did not remain there long, choosing to settle in North Platte, where he too opened a bakery and restaurant. He married Rachel Mannheimer, a sister of Mrs. Moritz Urbach. They had one child, Hattie (Mrs. Samuel Kugelman of New York City). On his wife's death, Samuel Urbach, who was then in partnership with a Mr. Schuff, moved to Grand Island, where he died. He and his wife were buried in the Urbach plot in the Omaha cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Abram S. Brown (she was Babette Kahn, niece of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Kahn of Omaha, who brought her here from Europe in 1867) lived in North Platte for a short period in the latter half of the '708, either before or after they retired to Sidney, where they were known to have lived in 1877. The family finally returned to Omaha, where a daughter, Fannie, was hosiery buyer in the Kilpatrick company. A Holzmark family also livi in North Platte at the same time tlie Browns did. Sam and Jacob J. Richards came to North Platte in the late '80s or the early '90g, for Julius Pizer, at, the time the leading Jewish citizen of that towiii found them in buBiness there when he arrived froi Barrisville, Michigan, in August 1893. He alsi found one Max Einstein located there. Jacol Richards moved to Gothenburg in 1898, then Denver and Seattle. WnRhington. A daughter ol Sam was an army nurse in World War I. Another| went on the stage, np|M>nring in the Zicgfiold Folliet. .Sum Rlcluirdn cnmr Ui Nebraika in IHH4, but m-ltUHi in (.'hndron firnt. Hi> married Ida Lun<lon of Fremont in 1891. |
Page 24
Jewish Preaa
April 14,1»5
Harry Nood^ll Harry Noodell was bom in 1906 in Russia. While Harry was growing up, Russia was in the midst of the turn-of-the-century revolution and subsequent involvement in World War I. Harry's father left Russia to find a better life for his family. He found just that in Omaha, where Harry, and eventually the rest of his family, joined him in 1921. , In 1922, Harry began to work for Tuchman Brothers grocery. They owned eight service-oriented stores in Omaha. Harry worked there a short time until he was offered a job at Louis Albert's market. Harry believed that Mr. Albert was the top grocer of his era and he could learn so much from him. After three years, Harry went to work at Central Market to learn the meat business. In 1928, he took the $300 he was
able to save in his six years of work and started his own grocery store. He worked out a deal with a jobber to receive a two week supply of groceries. If he ran out before he had the nnoney to buy more, the jobber would give them to him on credit. Harry never needed the credit. From day one, the Cuming Market on the corner of 29th and Cuming made him a comfortable living. In his store, he was owner, clerk, produceman, butcher and checker. The depression hit very hard in the 1930's. The bank closed and took all of Harry and his wife, Lillian's, money. They had to start over. Lillian and Harry worked in their store and raised their family. Harry and his family owned and operated the Cuming Market for 39 years, until 1967. They closed their store because of neighborhood problems.
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Sol Bergman
David Diamond
^In 1884, the Hammel Riglander Company, an importer of wholesale jewelry and watch parts in New York City, sent Sol Bergman to Omaha. Sol, then 21, was assigned the task of helping the Max Meyer Company of Omaha sell a $10,000 consignment of watch 'materials that Meyer had purchased from Riglander. When Sol emerged from the train at the Omaha depot his one hope was that he could complete his work in weeks and return to New York and "civilization." From his hotel room, Sol could take in most of :the Omaha area in one glance. Sixteenth Street was the point at which the city ended and the rugged country terrain began. Certainly, Omaha did not seem to be a city that could hold much, if any, promise for a young Easterner like Sol Bergman. But, Sol's job with the Meyer Company took longer than anticipated. Sol became increasingly aware that there was more to Omaha than first ifnet his eye. Still another thing that Sol found that he liked about Omaha, and the Midwest in general, was its people. They were honest and hearty people, possessing a candor that was pleasantly dissimilar to the people Sol had known in New York City. In 1888, the Meyer Company teetered on shaky financial foundations and then fell into bankruptcy. Because of his newfound love of the Midwest, Sol decided that he would try to raise enough money to buy the bankrupt stock. Although he had only $500 of his own money, he managed to borrow $6,000 from a local bank to purchase the stock. Sol centered his new business around selling watch materials to small jewelers throughout the midwest. At that time, the train, and a freight train at that, went only as far as Chadron, Nebraska. Sol would load his trunks with merchandise, hop the train's caboose for a ride to Chadron and then hire a horse and buggy to carry him to the furthest points of his far-flung territory. Aa thi business grew, Sol bought out his major competitors. When Sol died in 1943, at 81 years of age, the Bergman Company was the largest materiids house between Chicago suid Denver. Clarence Bergman, Sol's son, began working for the Bergman Company when he was just eight years old. After school hours, Clarence would come to the office to do janitor's chores. At 18, Clarence became a salesman for the Bergman Company, traveling on the road to service old accounts and open up new territories for the company. In 1939, Stewart Gilinsky joined the Bergman Company. In that same year, the Bergman Company ceased being solely a material house and began wholesaling jewelry, diamonds, watches, appliances and other jewelry store merchandise. Stewart's son, Larry, joined the firm in 1954. Wholesaling jewelry worked well for the company until the 1980'8 when retailers started buying directly from the factories. At that time, the family decided to get out of the wholesale business and turn to retailing. Larry Gilinsky started a promotional products division called Bergman Incentives about 20 years ago. Larry's son, David, and his daughter-in-law, Katherine Finnegan, have operated this division for over four years. David and Kevin, Larry Gilinsky's sons, repre-' sent the fifth generation of the family in the business. Stewart Gilinsky maintains an active role in the business and his daughter, Susie Cooper, is i<\<n involved in the company.
David Diamond and Rae Lillian Friedner were married in Liverpool, England, in 1898. ^ They came to the United States following their marriage and joined Max Diamond, David's brother, and his family in Minouk, Illinois, before moviilg to McCook, Nebraska. David and Rae both worked very hard to establish themselves in the small western town. Rather than "peddling", David rented a store on Main Street and gradually built up a men's haberdashery. One of his claims to fame is that he sold and supplied "Judge" George Norris of McCook and later, Senator George Norris of Nebraska, with many of his clothing needs and even mailed some items to Washington, D.C. After their third child was born in 1908, the family left the living arrangements over the second floor of the store to a residence which may still be located at 601 West Third Street. David Diamond turned to many other pursuits in McCook. He was Water Commissioner for a period and he operated a dairy enterprise where farmers bought their milk and cream to be tested and sold to larger dairies in the state. His last enterprise was marketing flour. This is the business he brought to Lincoln when his family moved there in 1919. Excerpted from a letter written by Bernice Diamond Katskee in 1990.
•
Gertrude Simon Gertrude Simon was born in Omaha in 1899 and her family moved to Council Bluffs in 1901. Her mother and father, whose name was Boruch Simon, came to America in 1882 by way of Ellis Island and arrived in Omaha, as her parents had relatives living here. They lived in a houM located at 602 WaBhington Avenue in Council BlufTa. (The house is still there and still occupied). Boruch Simon owned and operated a grocery store on 6lh and Broadway, acroia the ttreet fVom the Council Bluffs Post Office. Excerpted from • letter by Gertrude Simon Long In 1988.
Page 26
Jewish Press
April 14, IB96
David Manvitz David Manvitz came to the United States from Kilev, Russia, in 1905 at the age of 7. He started Omaha Compound Co. with one product: a sweeping compound that promised to effectively remove the grit and dust stirred up in Omaha's streets. Manvitz ladled ingredients into a mixing machine, went door-to-door to local businesses selling and delivering the compound, and then returned to the shop behind the 2001 Nicholas Street headquarters to begin all over again. Manvitz worked at the company until his death in 1971. Justin, his son, went on the payroll in 1949 after graduating from the University of Nebraska and became president at his father's death. His son, Todd, and daughter, Lisa, both joined the company. The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society would like readers of the Jewish Press to share the story, photographs and memorabilia of your family with our Archival Center for future reference. Your additions, corrections and identification of stories and photographs in this issue are also invited. Write or call: Nebraska Jewish Historical Society 333 So. 132nd St, Omaha, NE 68154 402-334-8200, ext, 277 or 262 Sharon Kirshenbaum, Archivist
•• 3001 S. 32nd Ave.
345-5656 "
Edward Rosewater Edward Rosewater, founder of the Omaha Bee, came to the frontier city of Omaha in 1863. He was born in Bukovan, Bohemia in 1841 and came to America with his parents in 1854. Telegraphed Emancipation Proclamation Because he studied telegraphy when the Civil War broke out he became a member of the telegraph corps and clicked out the story of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Associated Press agent The same year, he was sent to Omaha as a manager of the Western, Union and also acted as Associated Press agent for several leading eastern dailies. Elected to state legislature While a telegrapher he also was elected to the state legislature, and in 1871 brought out a small sheet called "Funchinello." Published Omaha Evening Bee Its expose of local conditions brought him much favor and on June 19, 1871, he'gave out the first edition of the Omaha Evening Bee. In the years that followed until his sudden death in 1906, Rosewater was involved in numerous civic areas of leadership and influence. Theodore Roosevelt appointee He urged the creation of a city library in 1877, urged annexation of South Omaha in 1890, was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt to the 1906 Postal Congress in Rome, and was a member of the U.S. Mint Commission in 1897. Founded Bohemian, German newspapers Rosewater also founded the first Bohemian newspaper in Nebraska in 1871, and the first German newspaper that same year. School named in his honor The former Edward Rosewater school was named in his honor. Helped fund Jewish hospital It was Edward Rosewater who left funds in his will to help fund the Jewish Wise Memorial Hospital and solicited funds which made the building at 24th and Harney possible.
The Milwaukee Delicatessen In 1923 Abe Abrams and Duvc Kuklin left Omaha to go to Lincoln to open the Milwaukee Delicatessen at 1619 "O" Street as equal partners, Prior to going to Lincoln, Dove Kuklin was a partner in the Fried and Kuklin DelirnteHSon on 24th and Charles Streets in Omaha. After a few years, Kuklin and Abramg separated and Dave Kuldin opened the Lincoln DeiicatesMn at 1439 *0'Street. Thia later became the State Market. Kxcrrptcd from letter written by Harry Kuklin In 1(WB
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Pace 26
JewiahPrejM
April 14,1998
Davidson's furniture started in Des Moines Saul Davidson, a Lithuanian immigrant, opened the family's first furniture store in Des Moines in 1885. He started his career as a door-to-door salesman "with a pack on his back", selling fabric, needles and thread. In 1932, 47 years after Saul Davidson opened his 'first store, the Davidson family business expanded into Omaha. The company first leased space in the downtown JC Penney store and later moved to South 16th Street. At one time, there were about 15 Davidson stores in the area, including stores in Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa. Gradually, the business became too "unwieldy," and the family agreed to split it. Some of the stores were sold off while branches of the family still own others. In 1961, Arthur Davidson, Saul's grandson, bought the Omaha store, then called Davidsons America's Furniture Showcase, from the family business, which was headed by his father, Abraham Davidson. Arthur Davidson has spent most of his life with the family firm. When he was 14, he worked at the store in Minneapolis, cleaning up, sweeping floors and learning the business. Doug Davidson, like his father, spent his free time in high school learning all aspects of the company. In December, 1968, Arthur Davidson, president of Davidsons Furniture Co., op>ened a second store in Lincoln. This store was managed by his son, Doug Davidson. Doug was made president of the company and moved back to Omaha in 1992. Al-t serves as chairman of the board and continues to be involved in all aspects of the company.
PASSOVER GREETINGS
"Meet the Brodkey Boys...wear diamonds"
JEWELERS
Omaha - Council Bluffs - Bellevue Norfolk - Grand Island - Hastings Des fi/ioines - Sioux City
feas -JH9 <XHjfii:.sm^_.. Saul Davidson, left, at his first store.
'iPassover
HAPPY PASSOVER from
to all of our friends
Joe Tess Live Fish Market Choice Carp and Buffalo for the Holidays 5424 So. 24 St. 731-8328 _ r—' '
OPEN Tues. thru Sal. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sun. 9 a.m. -1 p.m.
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We specialize in fashions., juniors, girts, infants and boys to size 16
•
\ as tfiis Passover season approaches and we gatiier, young and old around our Seder tables to tiear ttie story of deliverance told; as we listen to the four questions, as we raise our cups of wine as the Afil<omen is hidden for all the chitdren to find as we share our rich tradition as in each home the Haggadah is read as we dip the bitter herbs, and partake of unleavened bread; we at Kalico's join together to send each one of you wishes that family, friendship, and love be with you the whole year through.
I
Wishing You A Most Happy Passover
120 Regency Parkway Regency Court • 392-2806
ARRETT • REED M E N S W E A « •
We're open for you: Monday-Friday, 10 to 9 Saturday 10 to 6, and Sunday 12 to 5. Witti over 50,000 books and 1,500 greeting card designs we're bound to have \Ntiat you're looking for. The
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REGENCY PHOTO 143 Regency Fashion Court 391-3471 Charles Kay - Phoiogiaphur
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at Regency Fashion Court
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Page 28
Jewish Preaa '
April 14,1996
The Jewish Federation of Omaha 1900 - 1925 By David Bittner Around the turn of the century various Jewish communities in the United States began associating and federating their agencies for the relief of the poor. On Oct.l8, 1903, Omaha joined the march and created the Associated Jewish Charities through a .^•Tnerger of the Omaha Hebrew Club, B'nai B'rith, the Young Men's Hebrew Benevolent Society and sevpral other societies engaged in humanitarian BiCtivities. It was a policy dictated by the needs of the time, when the majority of Jews in Omaha were Yiddishspeaking Eastern European immigrants and as a group quite poor. That emphasis on relief was essential was demonstrated in 1913 when a violent tornado struck the heart of Omaha, passipg through the city's Jewish district around 2l8t and Lake Streets. Altogether 153 Jewish families suffered as a result of the tornado. The following day the Associated Jewish Charities established a relief station and a mass meeting was called which resulted in the organization of a Jewish Relief Committee to raise funds to provide relief for the Jewish sufferers. The tornado victims were supplied with clothing, bedding, groceries, fuel, rent and money for repairs to their homes. By 1914 the Associated Jewish Charities was enlarging its scope. A Free Loan Society, economic aid, legal assistance, and sponsorship of the Wise Memorial Hospital were added to relief activities. In 1919 the organization changed its name to the Jewish Welfare Federation, with the implication ^at it was consecrated to the idea of the welfare of the entire community in all its phases. Meanwhile the structure of the organization was becoming streamlined. Every Jewish organization in the city was affiliated and had a representative
on the Board of Directors. The scope of the Federation had become so enlarged by this time that it became necessary to employ a paid administrator. In 1919 Samuel H. Schaefer was hired as first Superintendent, predecessor of the modern-day' executive director. In 1925 the Federation affiliated with the Omaha Community Chest. The Federation stood separate from non-Jewish organizations, but now "instead of sending out bills and making its office a collection agency," it had help in the communal financing and collection of funds, and could devote more to the relief of distress and assistance in rehabilitation. The Federation continued to function as fiscal agent for such purely sectarian organizations as the city Talmud Torahs. During 1925, the Relief Department of the Federation assisted 47 families, including 59 adults and 136 children. It also gave temporary aid in the form of a meal and a night's lodging to 378 "transients." A Free Loan Society which was inaugurated in 1911 extended its services not to the poor who were subjects of charity, but to families who needed a temporary fund to tide them over and give them an opportunity to start life fresh and retain their position in the community. During 1925, 131 loans almost equalling the total capital of the society were made. Persons were helped to become established in business, continue in business, pay pressing debts, pay insurance, help relatives abroad, pay doctor bills, repair dwellings, pay taxes, and pay off mortgages. A more positive investment in youth was the Jewish education given in the City Talmud Torah and the South Side Talmud Torah and the Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Associations. In 1925, the Fflderation contributed over $6,000
to both schools. The Social Service Committee also administered student loans and scholarships and paid for the Hebrew School tuition of poor children. In 1921, the Federation began to subvent the Jewish Old People's Home, established in 1918 byj* the Daughters of Israel Aid Society. •JM The 11-room Home, located at 25th and Charles Streets, usually housed no more than a dozen persons at a time. A mikvah (ritual bath) was in the basement of the Home, and the Daughters of Israel cooperated with a small paid staff in seeing to the day-to-day needs of the residents of the Home, Federation aid to Palestine began during the 1920's. In 1922, following the receipt from Sir Herbert Samuel, High Commissioner of Palestine, of information relative to "worthy institutions" in the country, the Federation included several of these among its beneficiaries for the first time. It was in 1925, that a very important project was revived because more pressing needs had finally been resolved - the building of Omaha's first Jewish Community Center. Since 1921, the Lyric Building at 19th and Farnam Streets served as temporary JCC headquarters. Space was available for meetings, lectures and recreational activities. The YMHA and YWHA had their rooms. The new building at 20th and Dodge Streets cost $400,000 to build. Presidents of the Jewish Federation of Omaha 1903- 1925 Carl Brandeis Samuel Ravitz Morris Levy Dr. PhUip Sher William J. Holzman
1903-1905 1905-191^ 1916-1923 1923-1924 1925
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Rafe29
Jewish Settlement in Nebraska North Platte -- continued
1
Mr. Pizer opened a clothing store in North Platte and owned considerable land in adjacent counties when he died in August 1927. His' children were Mrs. Sam Bergman of Los Angeles, Harry and Joseph Pizer. ^ Joseph Stone, grandson of Jacob Schiller, Omaha pione'er, opened a drug store in North Platte. Harry G. Fleishriian of Omaha was in the shoe business there for several years. Jacob Lipshitz, in the junk business, and Blocks, in a ready-to-wear store, are other Jewish residents of the town, made famous as the former home of Buffalo Bill and ex-Governor Keith Neville.
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Max Krasne, oldest of a number of Krasne brothers, who settled in various towns in the state in the early '908, chose Oakland for his home. Here he lived until moving to Council Bluffs, and reared a large family. Only one son, Israel, remained there to continue the business. Michael and Moses were in business in Fremont, Frank in California, and Hyman in Kansas City, while several other sons were in business with their father in Council Bluffs. Mrs. Krasne was a sister of the Fredmetsky brothers who settled in Bancroft, Wahoo, and Pender at about the same time. A Krasne also lived in Oakland.
We are pleased to offer Carmel and Manishewilz Wines for your Passover enjoyment, We wish all our friends a Happy Passover.
Three mam campuses: EII(f)orn Valley Campus, 204lh & West Dodge Rd. I oil Omdha Campus, 30lh & Fort St. Soutti Omatia Campus, 27lti i Q St, &702 N W Radi*l Hwy »"-'*^^»^fc--^'^'-' -- iL*
Plattsmouth had one of the largest Jewish settlements of pioneer days, beginning with the advent of Dr. Carl Louis Golding in 1856. Harris Levi, victim of an Indian massacre near Kearney in 1869, was also an early Jewish settler in this vicinity. Settlers known to have come in the 'TOs were Isidor Nathan, who operated the first general store in Plattsmouth, and Elias Solomon. The wives of Solomon, Nathan, and Dr. Goldberg were all sisters. Nathan later operated stores in Geneva and Harvard. Julius Pepperberg, a cigar manufacturer, and families by the name of Elson Klein also came here in that decade. Julius Pepperberg came to Plattsmouth in 1869, moved fo Omaha for a short time in 1880, then back to Plattsmouth until^08, •^•fifen-lie movMl to Lincoln, where his son, Roy,'was in business^fee married Alice Strauss of St. Joseph in 1877. Mr. Pepperberg was active in Cass County Republican politics, but never sought office himself. At the outbreak of the Spanish American War, Pepperberg sent a check for $200 (then quite a sum of money) to President McKinley with the request that it represent his part of service to the government, since he was too old to serve. His son said that this was the second such gift. Miss Helen Gould having sent the first. Others followed. President McKinley sent a personal note of acknowledgment, as did Ellis N. Roberts, Treasurer of the United States. After he moved to Lincoln, Mr. Pepperberg was active in the Chamber of Commerce and Masonic circles. He died Sept. 27, 1926, in Dallas, Texas, where he was visiting his son, Leon, an oil geologist. Another son, Abram J., was an architect in New York. Roy maintained the business his father started in Lincoln. In 1880, Simon D. Mayer and Charles Mayer, later the leading merchants in Lincoln, moved to Plattsmouth from Indianola, Iowa, and opened a general store. There was a boom there due to the building of the Burlington Bridge. They were New York Cit youths, and suffered extremely in the blizzard o! 1882 but peraistcd for two years longer, when Uiey moved to Omaha. Another brother, Henry, joini them in Plattsmouth in 1883. Jacob Levy, later justice of the peace in Omaha, also came to Plattsmouth in 1H80 or 1881, and wai in the furniture buainesH there for three yenni, when he sold out to Mr. and Mrs, I. Perlmun who had just been mnrriwl in Omaha. Judge Levy and his family then moved to Omnhn. Byron Golding, a son of Dr. Golding, was bom in PlnttHmoutli. A brother, Dr. D.C. Golding, moved to Califoriiiu. The Perlmnna, too, moved to Omnha, ao thai thi' Jewish rpsidonts numbered only Hen and P. Shoriniin, nnd Hani Oiventer. Th(> Fnni;pr fnmily lived there for n number of yearn
Page so
April 14,1995
Jewish PtesB
BJvM, 0 wM 6Md ifj:^ CI^^
HAG SAMEACH •••••••
The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society
from the members of CORN BELT COUNCIL AZA& BBC of Mid-America Region
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization
"We Will AH Go, YouogaDdOld" Eiodat, 10:1
vJishii you a J{appij md^Htdihy Tassover and Invites you to share your memories
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home
333 South 132ndStrut, Omalui, 0^ 6S1S4 334-8200 • "Dtf. 277 &Tjcf. 262
Tcadcr, profttf kml can la «Icwith •Mot^rc
nos ^n natr
SISTERHOOD of Beth El Synagogue
BETH ISRAEL SISTERHOOD
Wishes you a happy, healthy Passover
ypnng Seniors
Our best wishes for a happy and healthy Passover.
voiih Uis'wn
Young Energetic Seniors
J^es 6S-78
Monday Group J.C.C.
Walk-In, Drop-In Groups
An organltaOon ol th» Bunmi tor thu Aging
Thursday, J.C.C.
""Wis/ies everyone a peacejvl
Old Timers
and juljillin^ Passover
»N**'>*4.
•to
U.T.T.O.
Best wishes for a meaningful and joyous Pesacfi.
Sponsored by Beth El Synagogue and Beth Israel Synagogue
Next Year in ]erusa\em\
Wishes everyone a healthy and happy Passover
Rabbi M. Mendel Katiman Chabad of Nebraska
Best Wishes for a Happy Passover
B'nai B'rith Women of Omaha
Henry Monsky Lodge B'nai B'rith
wishes the community a healthy and happy Passover
•VH
Beit U^i4Ae4' f^^s^^n Kalah Franklin Chapter Hatikvah Chapter
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TJ-_:-.l>^ •
l\j^ j_L
LL
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OMAHA SECTION
•xtandt Ms \M«nTMt( wiahM to the Jawlsh oommunfty for a Joyous Pataovsr 1
Wishing you a seajjonof health and happirless Hag Sameach!
•mi
Omaha Chapter of HADASSAH
DAS SAH
1 ir^ '
Happy Passover to the Omaha Jewish Community
National Council of Jewish Women form«rly AnMrican MIzrachI Woman
The New Friedel Jewish Academy on the JCC Campus wishes Kehillat - Omaha Hag Sameach
rSAMKBiCAJV
CM:
Omaha Chapter-at-Large W» ai» 1h« oclMit otgoiilrallon (oi lh» modoin wrxTxnv helping to •ducal* ovtr TOU.noo young paoplo In Jewlili convTunllln oiound th* wofid
•
Jewish' PreBs
April 14.1995
Page 31
Jewish North 24th ~ 'Street of Dreams' By Arthur Grossman Happy Passover From:
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It's The Finishing Touch To A Wonderful Affair
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333-2412
11414 W. Center-Omaha
cTHfli/ i/our home he hlessed mih Diealih and ^oy this U^assover.
It was literally the arterial lifeline connecting homes, shops, and sundry suppliers of products and services necessary for the maintenance of Jewish life in the area during the early 1900'8. It was North 24th, street of long-to-be-cherished memories. A high priority in settling where one desired to live in Omaha was the proximity of a synagogue. B'nai Jacob Anshe Sholom, the Kapulier Shul, located at 24th and Nicholas, attracted many to Omaha's North Side. The Shul was purchased in 1909 and converted from its previous appellation as the Second Presbyterian Church. Many a present senior Omahan became a Bar Mitzvah at the Kapulier Shul. The Shul was eventually moved to 31st and Cuming and was finally closed in 1988. Along its lengthy stretch. North 24th contained a melange of Jewish owned businesses such as grocery, bakery, clothing, drug, hardware and shoe stores as well as kosher meat, poultry and fish markets, to clarify just a few. There were feed stores for the needs of horses, cows and goats. Jewish grocers dominated that phase of North 24th business. Among store keepers were Fruma London, Sam Flax, Mendel Herzberg, Joe Adler, Morris Rimmerman, Morris Turner, Morris Fogel, Ben Grossman, Sam Babior, Sam Feldman, Herman Friedlander. Some also sold kosher meat, poultry, deUcatessen and fresh fish. Regarding fish: opposite the Kapulier Shul was Yansie Finkelstein's Alaska Fish Market with the quaint slogan, "If It Swims, We Have It." Similar activity could be witnessed at Abraham Stoller's Fish Market a few doors away. Kosher meat and poultry markets featured live chickens confined in coops, either outdoors on the walk or inside. Fresh baked bread fragrances wafted from the doors of Schultz's, Blend's, Abrams' Chicago Bakery, Adler and Forbes, and Himelbloom's, boggling the mind as well as the sense of smell. Caraway, rye, pumpernickel, challah, bagels, sweet rolls, and a variety of goodies were all hand fashioned. '-' Katz Hardware, located between Hamilton and Charles; Kaplan's, two doors south of Katz's; Rosenstein's, on Franklin, and Dolgoffs on Parker stocked lines of hardware, fashioned keys, and performed minor repairs on household items.
HAPPY PASSOVER -^
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Passover Greetings from JACOBSON FISH CO., INC. Anne Gorber Steve Scbron Todd Waldner Shannon Mooro Gilbert Wilgus
O.iiy Lmd
Joy Gcrber David Gorber Lois Mann Greg Huliska Chris Cole
Malashock Jewelry
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SUNDAY BUFFET
Just prior to Rosh Hashanah, families would march their youngsters into Jewish owned shoe stores for the annual rite of getting fitted for new footwear. Friedman Brothers Shoes was located on Charles; Crounse's Shoes, two doors north. Home sewing was an ongoifig function, and providing materials were Joe Himelstein at Charles,, and Victor Zucker at Seward. Clothing stores ran the gamut from selling used articles to sparkling new merchandise. Popular ones were Rosenblatt's at Caldwell; Ma3T)ers, near Hamilton; Schwartz's, adjacent to Charles; Colton's, at Clark; Belmont's, near Decatur, and at 24th and Parker, the star of the street—The Star Store, a mini-department store operated by diminutive, vivacious Charlie Levinson. Pharmacy needs were tended to by Ike Levy at 24th and Decatur, and Bernard Robinson at 24th and Parker. Sundays, youngsters were feiven 10 cents to attend the Franklin Street Theater operated by the Melcher family. Some other Jewish enterprises of the early 1900's located on North 24th included Altschuler's Mattress Manufacturing; Spiegal's Junk Yard; Wolk the Tailor; Wolk the Barber; Hans Danskys Garage; Sirefs Harness Shop; Sorefs Upholstery; Goldstein's Confectionary; Micklin Lumber Yard; Wolsky Watch Repair; Sol Lewis Record Shop; Hurwitz the Photographer; Gilinsky Furniture; Levine Furniture. As Jewish families moved out, Jewish businesses on North 24th declined. By mid century, for North 24th, the Jewish throng was over; but the memories linger on.
AREA WIDE DELIVERY
Wishing our friends a very Happy Passover 712 N. 114th
496-9990
rP^e32
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Jewish Press
When Chaim Weizmann visited Omaha (April 26-27,1923) By Oliver B. Pollak The Omaha Jewish community has hosted many renowned Jewish leaders, such as Elie Wiesel and Abba Eban. Their appearance in Omaha raises midwestern Jewish consciousness, raises funds, and has an impact on the visitor. In 1923, Chaim Weizmann, "the worlds greatest Jew" visited Omaha in behalf of Zionist projects in Palestine. The Jewish Press lavishly announced Weizmann's impending visit. Press releases went to the Omaljia World Herald, Omaha Bee and Omaha Daily News. As a chemist at the University of Manchester during the first World War, Weizmann contributed to the development of trinitrotoluol, T.N.T. A committee of scientists from Creighton and the University of Nebraska welcomed Weizmann the scientist and educator. The Zionist reception committee included J.B. Robinson, John Feldman, H. Levine, Sioux City; A.B. Alpirn, J. Helphand, Meyer Silverman, Des Moines; A.I. Kula.kofsky, J. Slosburg, Abner Kaiman, Irvin Stalmaster, J. Katleman, Dr. Philip Sher, Nathan E. Green, Nathan Bernstein and J. Crounse. About a thousand Jews, many waving Zionists flags, welcomed the trtiin at Union Station at 10:50 Wednesday morning, April 26. Weizmann stepped from the train accompanied by his secretary Bernard Stone. The World Herald reported that "Hundreds of Jews, representing all classes, from the owners of limousines to those who went on foot, stood" in the station. Men, women and children formed a-human aisle while siren whistles and automobile horns blared at full blast.A parade of automobiles, and hundreds of walking Jews followed Weizmann the several blocks to his suite at the Hotel Fontenelle. Reporters crowded around. Weizmann stated that Palestine provided relief for the suffering oppressed Jews of Europe. It would be the center of Jewish culture. It attracted about 1,000 European Jewish immigrants a month including many wealthy families and people with high school and college educa-
Chaim Weizmann tions. Establishing Hebrew University of Jerusalem received highest priority. He did not expect many American Jews to move to Palestine. Farming, hydroelectric projects and railway development were on the drawing board. Weizmann modestly said he assisted in the development of TNT but could not take credit for its invention. Mayor Dahlman and the Rev. Frank G. Smith greeted Weizmann at the hotel. Five hundred people crammed the Brandeis Grill for the banquet. A.I. Kulakofsky presided. About a dozen welcoming speeches preceded Weizmann. Mayor Dahlman presented the keys to the city. Rabbi H. Chechanowitz of Warsaw, Poland, spoke in Yiddish and brought the diners to their feet several times.A five minute ovation preceded Weizmann's speech. His quiet voice "held the crowd at the Brandeis Grill in suspense while he told of the work" being done and planned for the promised homeland for the Jews of the world. He
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hailed the rebuilding of Palestine as the rebuilding of Jewish pride, rights, language and customs. The League of Nations provided a basis in international law for the rehabilitation of a land and a people. "Upbuilding" could provide homes for 3,000,000 people, Palestine could be as productive as California. Two thousand people jammed the "last available inch of space" in the Brandeis* Theater. Rabbi C. Hillel Kauvar of Denver chaired the meeting. Impassioned speeches were delivered by Rabbi M. Braude of St. Joseph, Rabbi S. Rivlin of Des Moines, and Rabbi J.L. Barron of Davenport, Iowa. The banquet ran two hours over schedule and Weizmann did not enter the theater until midnight. When he entered the entire audience stood and sang the Jewish national song, "Hatikvah." Following Weizmann's speech Henry Monsky stood on a table exhorting Omahans to give. Monsky, a consummate solicitor for B'nai B'rith and other public causes, declared "Omaha Jews have never fallen down on a campaign for a worthy cause. Every one of you sitting here tonight must do your share. Don't give Omaha Jewry a black eye in this campaign." Forty to fifty thousand dollars in cash and pledges came in a few minutes, half of it from Omaha. Des Moines and Denver gave $10,000 each; Waterloo, $500; St. Joseph, $600; and Sioux City, $15,000. Weizmann described Omaha as the "end of the world...a 12-hour journey from Chicago." The "local Jewish community is rather wild but, still, they gave $50,000, a little more than North London." Weizmann left by train for Chicago early Friday morning, April 27, 1923. On April 12, 1925 the formal opening of Hebrew University was celebrated at the City Auditorium. The program included Governpr Adam McMullen, Mayor James C. Dahlman and Father John F. McCormick, President of Creighton University, the latter two had attended the April 26,1923 activities.
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Mr. South Omaha - Philip Greenberg
iltiewish Press
Page 33
Passover Greetings
SCHWALB REALTY • Builders of Fine Homes • Land Development • Luxury Apartments, Duplexes & Townhomes
551-9494
Whenever the history of South Omaha is told, the story of Philip Greenberg is told. The prominent role he played, the respect and affection he earned as a business man, the way he ran his retail store and how it grew, are all part of South Omaha. Bom in Romania, he came to Omaha in 1906 to attend the wedding of a cousin. His intentions were to continue to South America, but, like many others in those early days, he ran out of money. The obvious answer? Get a job, which he did. He worked, he earned and in 1908 returned to Romania to marry Celia Marcus. The family, by the time they returned to Omaha in 1910, included a son, Samuel. Mr. Greenberg opened a grocery store on 10th Street and the family increased with the birth of daughter, Ruth, and son, Henry, by 1915.
That was also the year South Omaha merged with Omaha. In June of 1916, the Greenbergs opened a little dry goods store at 4935 South 24th Street, which evolved into the Philips Department Store. This was the beginning of a 71-year history. Philip ran the store until 1946, when his two sons took over. The Omaha World-Herald paid tribute to the family in June of 1987 when the store closed, calling them "forward looking merchandisers" who introduced innovative ideas, cashed payroll checks, installed a pharmacy and later added groceries." The newspaper added "Philip Greenberg was a Romanian immigrant who succeeded in America. Sam and Henry Greenberg gave the community years of civic involvement and business leadership. The Greenbergs .have earned the affection and respect of their neighbors and customers,"
from
Canfieltfs Sporting Goods i^ovo located at the
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Jewish Presa
God Bless America, Land of the Free.
tCi
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By Frances Blumkin batt The sweet music of freedom was the magnet that pulled and inspired Solomon Joseph and Chasia (Sarah) Gorelick to undergo any hardship, to do any kind of work to reach the golden land of America. An imix>verished, bitter existence in the "shtetel" (village) of Shchedrin in S.E. Bobruisk Oblast, Belorussian Russia, was the impetus to hope and plan for a better life. , Pogroms, anti-Semitism, and lack of economic opportunity constantly forced the Gorelick family to dream the impossible dream — to come to America. Solomon Joseph was a rabbi with a meager income. Chasia sold groceries in her home for survival of her family of 10 children. Twin girls died; one lived one day, and the other died at one and a half years. They were born in 1891. The eldest child, Sam, born in 1890, led the exodus to America-in 1913. He was a 23 year old university student in Russia and his port of entry was New York's Ellis Island. In 1914, Mayer, age 18, born in 1896, joined Sam in Iowa. My father, Isadore Blumkin, who mturied my mother, Rose Gorelick, in 1914 in Gomel, Russia, traveled with Mayer to New York, and then to Iowa to join Sam. My father went first because there was money for only one ticket. World War I erupted in Europe, so my mother, Rose Blumkin, did not emigrate until 1917. Her dream of America was solid when she was six years old. She awoke one night, found her mother baking cookies to sell to feed her family. By day, Chasia raised her children and sold groceries. My mother promised her mother: "When I grow up, I will get a job, earn money, and bring my family to America." Rose Blumkin fulfilled her promise. At age 13, she walked 18 miles, barefoot, with her new leather shoes hung across her back so they would laet longer. She took a train to Gomel. After about 25 tries to get a job, she got a job as a saleslady in a dry goods store. She worked there until March, 1914, then she married Isadore. In January, 1917, while World War I raged, she began the journey to the new world, America. Without a ticket, she boarded a train on the transSiberian railroad at Gomel. She hid under benches so as not to be caught. At the Manchurian border without a passport, she crossed into China by promising a border guard a bottle of vodka. She traveled on the train to Tsein-Tsein, China, took a boat to Yokohama, Japan. She waited for two weeks for a peanut boat, "Ave Maru," eventual destination: Seattle, Washington. She arrived in March, 1917, took a train to Iowa where she joined her brothers, Sam and Mayer, and her husband, Isadore. Omaha, Nebraska, in 1919, became their home,
^
From left, Mary Gorelick Katz Klein, Ruth Gorelick Lasher, Chasia Sarah Gorelick, Anne Gorelick Rosenblatt, Rebecca Gorelick Friedman, Rose Gorelick Blumkin. and eventually the mecca for the entire Gorelick family. The years from 1917 to 1922 were filled with scrimping, saving, and denial of anything but necessities to save money for the tickets ($3,000) for passage to America for the rest of the Gorelicks to come to America. The dream was realized in October, 1922, when the Gorelick family's ship, the "Mauretania," the Cunard Line, steamed into New York, then Ellis Island. The group of travelers were Solomon Joseph, 58; Chasia, 54; Mary Gorelick, 23; Ruth; Simon, 16; Anne, 13; Max, an orphaned nephew of Solomon Gorelick. My mother had purchased a house at 2710 Burt from Fanny Greenberg for $5,000 with a $100 deposit, monthly payments of $50 at 6.6% interest per year for the family. Rebecca Gorelick had married in 1922 to Louis Friedman in Russia. They arrived July 10, 1923, in New York. She was 21, and he was 22. Their arrival, finally, in Omaha, Nebraska, completed the exodus of the family. During these early years, at one time, 16 members of the "mispoche" (clan) lived in the house on Burt Street. The years of struggle were filled with great happiness — marriages, births. Kellom School was attended by the younger family members, some went to night school, then Technical High School. The Kapulier 'Schul" at 24th and Nicholas was an important part of the family's lives, as was the Labor Lyceum on 22nd and Clark Streets.
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Jewish Press
April 14,1995
PagaSS
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Best Wishes For A
Joyous Passover Season
Wishes Happy
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Page 36
Jewish Press
April 14,1995
May you and' your family have a joyous Passover full of wonderful nnemories .. . recorded forever
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April 14,19S5
P»ge37
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rime Time The prime time to catch up on today's news is when it's convenient for you. Whatever time that may be, the daily World-Herald fits easily into your schedule and contains the most complete news reports of the day.
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The Thomas Bernstein family In the year 1913, ZIota and Thomas Bernstein and their six children arrived in America. They had fled their homeland, Pilif, Poland. They hid their children under a tarp in a horse-drawn wagon escaping to Russia. There, they were able to board a ship to the United States. After landing in Galveston, Texas, they came by train to Omaha, and settled in a row house in South Omaha which was owned by a Mr. Offerman. As the years passed, the family increased by three, maiung a total of nine siblings for the Bernstein family, consisting of Dave, Charlie, twins, Iz and Joe, Gladys, Sally, Sam, Lillian, and Freda. Eighty-two years later in the year 1995, six of these children are still living. The oldest, 94-year-oId Dave, resides at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Joe and his wife, the former Ruth Margolin, are living at Remington Heights. Gladys, Sally, Lillian, and Sam all reside in California. Dave's son and daughter-iu' law, Terry and Joanie Bernstein, Iz's children: Eleanor and AJ Feldman, Tevee and Bernard Turkel and Sharon Cohen, and Joe's son and daughter-in law, Tom and Mary Bernstein, all live in Omaha. From left, Charlie, Thomas, Iz, Joe, Zlota, Gladys, and baby DoUy.
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HS
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Charter members of Aleph Zadik Aleph, organized May 13, 1924, in Omaha. The charter was signed by Sam Beber, president and organizer. AZA Chapter I was, and is, the youth organization of B'nai B'rith. Seated, from left, are Stanley Levin, Harry Sidman, Hyman Shrier, Marion Graetz, Harry Wise, Jerome Diamond, Harry Freed, Leonard Herman; Middle row, from left, Fred Brodkey, Louis Fellman, Sam Glazer, Simon Cohen, Ben Falk, Ben Kazlowsky, Mike Freeman, Abe Babior; top row, from left, Max Givot, David Beber, Leo Milder, Jack Milder, Morris Alperin, Harry Rubenstein, Bernard Theodore, and Edward Ruback.
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April 14,1995
Jewish Press
Page 39
Early Nebraska Synagogues
First Temple Israel
Beth Hamedrosh - Adas Yeshurun
Second Temple Israel
South Omaha Synagogue
Second Kapulier Synagogue
-Ji
Lincoln Tifereth Israel
Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Council Bluffs SynajrotriK'
First Kapulier Synagogue
Happy Passover To All Of Our Friends
First Beth El Synagogue
B'nai Israel, 18th & Chicago
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Riekea Synagogue
Jewish Press
April 14,1995
The Past of Nebraska Jewry is our FUTURE! Join with the Nebraslca Jewish Historical Celebrates our "13th! Society as NJHS n
jj
Check Out our WISH LIST AND LET US HEAR FROM YOU YESI
On October 15, 1982, the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society was founded in Omaha by Mary Fellman and Oliver Pollak. Our m^or function is to discover and collect material which may help to establish and illustrate the Jewish history of Nebraska. (This special Passover issue of the Jewish Press is an example of the articles and photographs we have already gathered!) (AND THERE'S MORE COMING!) YES! We have collected materials, thousands of materials, such as histories, genealogies, biographies, programs, posters, manuscript materials, journals, account books, cemetery records, field books, pictures, photographs, and thousands of other items illustrative of Jewish life, conditions, events, and activities of the past and the present. AND In addition to our business office at the JCC and a multitude of items in storage, WE NOW HAVE AN ARCHIVAL CENTER AT THE JCC with a new computer and monitor for computerizing all of our materials! (Thanks to the generosity of Bernice Falk Mittleman of Flint, Michigan, and Adele Homstein and her son, Michael, in memory of Bennett Homstein). AND We have over 800 members, life members and Benefactors! Yes, we are the largest Jewish Historical Society in the United States! We are Grateful to our Benefactors AND of $1,000 to $100,000 Our many NJHS exhibits in the JCC Gallery and in our "Corridor (Individually or as family groups or as Foundations and organizations) of Jewish History" and the permanent exhibits in the Hall of Frances & Norman Batt Patty & Steve Nogg History at the JCC have been outstanding in their stories and phoPennie Z. Davis Morton Richards tographs. Rosaline & Sam Epstein Dorothy & Henry Riekes BEST OF ALL Betty & Max Falk Elise & Norman Rips The Henry and Dorothy. Riekes Synagogue Historical Museum is Mary Fellman Jeanne Lipsey Rosenblum planned to open this fall in'the new Dan and Esther Gordman Janie & Gary Fruchtman Cynthia & Charles Schneider Ruth & Arthur Goldstein Phyllis & Irvin Sherman Center for Jewish Learning! Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Ethel}^! & Lawrence Simon We Invite You to Join With Us as we Grow and Gather the histoHerbert Goldsten* Lynne & Ken Weinberger ry of the Jews of Nebraska! Read our Journal "Memories of the Rose, Pam & David Gross Anna & Ben Wiesman Jewish Midwest," and our annual 16 page Newsletter. Pearl & Gerald Gross Alan & Meu-cia Baer Foundation Share your families history with NJHS! Audrey & Joe Kirshenbaum Carl Frohm Foundation Myma & Kevee Kirshenbaum Herbert Cioldsten Trust Come see our wonderful exhibits at the JCC! Join with the Ethel & Philip Klutznick Milton S, and Corrine N. Livingston Nebraska Jewish Historical Society as we celebrate our 13th year! 1. Funding for nam- bemah, pews, shtening the new Archival dera, etc.) - (in memory Center of the NJHS in of or in honor of) the Jewish Co^nmunity $5,000 for each item. Center ( in memory of 4. Onderwrite the or in honor of) - cost of publishing $25,000 for an our Annual 16-page Endowment Fund (by Newsletter - $2,000 an individual or group). 5. Remember us in 2. Underwrite the your will or consider us cost of publication of the May, 1995 issue of now for a grant frona "Memories of the your Foundation or priJewish Midwest" hon- vate funds. oring Jewish persons 6. Sponsor tours of who served in the mili- Jewish Omaha for newtary services in comers,Russian famiAmerican Wars - (in lies, and Jewish chilmemory of or in honor dren post Bar/Bat of) - $5,000. 3. Restoration of indi- Mitzvah age - $1,800 vidual items from the for four tours per year. 7. Funding for continKapulier Sj^nagogue for display in the new uation of Oral History Interviews of Jewish Riekes Museum m the Gordman Center for persons 60 years of age Jewish Learning (ark, and over, and for the
Bernice Falk MitUeman Ramelle & Hubert Monsky National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section
transcribing of these taped interviews $2,000 per year. 8. Underwrite the research and 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 (by an individual or group). 9. Establish a fund for future exhibits for the Jewish Community Center Gallery, our Corridor of Jewish History Museum, and the Henry and Dorothy Riekes permanent museum in the Dan and Esther Gordman Center for Jewish Learning - $6,000.
Foundation, Inc. Henry Monsky Lodge - B'nai B'rith * Deceased
All contributions to NJHS are tax deductible Remember Dear Ones
and Friends with NJHS Donor Cards
and Morris C. Fellman Memorial Fund Cards (From $5 and up) Call (402) 334-8200 Ext.
Visit Our "South Omaha and Council Bluffs Jewry" Exhibit Now in the JCC Gallery
277 or 262. GIv* a Gift of a NJHS M»mb«rahlp (or any occaalon
IMalllo Ncbraaka J*wl*h Hlalortcal Society 333 South 132n<j Street, Omaha, NE. 68154 (402) 334-6300. Exi. 2/7 and 262 Gift yourMll, a (riand or ralatlva
Nama of raclpianl.
NEBRASKA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1994-95 BERNflEJONISCH MARY FELLMAN MARGO RIEKES SHIRLEY HERMAN KAREN POLLAK ETHEL GOLDSTON ADELE HORNSTEIN OLIVER POLLAK LOUISE ABRAHAMSON BOB BELGRADE JOANIE BERNSTEIN LOIS FRIEDMAN SARANNE GITNICK SHELDON KUSHNER MORRIS UPP MAXNEIDEN
IcHy
SHARON KIRSHENBAUM ARCHIVIST DOTTIE ROSENBLUM ADMINISTRATOR
^Jewish Landmarks
UtaMMOtMr.
500
Buainasi
250 100
lAddraM
Sponsor^ jap.
Organlntfon
BO 30 Fvnily
Come See Our Permanent Exhibits In the JCC
.S1000
I Your Nanw_
I
iciiy
PRESIDENT EXEC. DIRJCO.FOUNDER VICE PRES. SECRETARY TREASURER DUES SEC (AK) DUES SEC (LZ) CO-FOUNDER PAST PRESIDENT CHARLOTTE SLUTZKY ZEPHTELPNER
Tall your Nabraaka and out of atata Jawlah frianda and family about NJHS
Ban«(actor_
I AddTM*.
i
25 Individual or Sludwil IB
^Jewish Youth •100 Years of Organizational Life and •"Our Story" by the National Council of Jewish Women
| 1 1 1
I
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Pbge41
Jewish Preas
April 14,1995
Chronology 1925 -1950
"IEETH^CT?'
1925 - Psi Mu athletic organization was formed - 5th annual Father and Son banquet I
1926 First Jewish funeral home - Chesed Shel Ernes opens - Wise Memorial Hospital remodeled 4CC at 20th and Dodge dedicated - Temple lairael builds annex for Sunday School
dssove^
1927 - Conservative synagogue organized - Jack Marer named Deputy County attorney - Maynard Greenberg president of medical fraternity - Mrs. Carl Fuerth president Council of Jewish Women - Beth Hamedrosh Adas Yeshurun hires Rabbi Nathan Feldman ,
H'ARTHRITIS
(^DEFORMED FEET
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I^EDEMA
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C^GOUT
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1928 - Morris Micklin president of B'nai B'rith Rabbi Frederick Cohn debates Clarence Darrow Sam Beber elected president of Conservative synagogue 1929 - Milton Abrahams elected B'nai B'rith president - Ben Simon of Lincoln dies
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29th & West Broadway Council Bluffs, Iowa
1930 - Cornerstone of new Council Bluffs synagogue laid - Chevra B'nai Yisroel - Max Barish elected president of Jewish National Fund - Sam Beber heads first Jewish Philanthropies campaign - Dr. Abe Greenberg heads B'nai B'rith
Across the I^tSO Bridge 323-6822
omfortplu
1010 5.74lh Plata •Omahi.NE 68114 ;'"""•' " On Ttw North Sida o1 Piddc Straal >t 74th (402) 392-2462 Mon. - Sit. >-<• Phona Oidan Welcoma GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
Inquire AtxHjt Medicare For Ckabetici Who Need Foo4ware
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nebrasl^ wine & spirits,ince
1931 - Harry Lapidus killed by unknown assailant 1932 - Union of Orthodox Congregations formed 1933 - Conservative synagogue forms Men's Club 1984 - Women's Division of Federation organized 193S - Louis Heller heads Hig^and Country Club Conservative synagogue becomes Beth El - Phil Klutznick receives federal housing appointment 193« - Sophie Neveleff honored by Bikur Cholim
*WisAui^ ^owf^ S^iM^4// ^as&ooer^
SIEGLER'S CATERING SERVICE 339-1410
1937 - AZA celebrates Bar Mitzvah year - Paul Veret hired as Federation Executive Director - Chesed Shel Ernes dedicates new building 1938 - Bureau of Jewish Education organized El dedicates cemetery
Beth
1939 - William Holzman re-elected Federation president - Federation Bureau of Jewish Education created
The Kirshenbaum Family
1940 - B'nai B'rith plans Hillel chapter in Lincoln Morris Jacobs heads Temple Israel - Sam Kiaver reelected to state legislature 1941 - Beth El synagogue located at 49th and Famam - World War II begins - Louise Miller marries Norman Abrahamson - Harry B. Cohen National Sigma Alpha Mu head 1943 - Hymie Epstein dies in service in New Guinea Beth Hamedrosh Hagadol hires Cantor Schwaczkin B'nai B'rith celebrates 100th anniversary - South Omaha synagogue bums mortgage 1944 - Sheldon Harris is president of Round Table of Jewish Youth - Jewish War Veterans EpsteinMorgan Poat #260 granted a charter
WOLF BROS WUTIIM ITOM
JC WMtraki-rooiDodjii IMo(lMBUi,CounclBlii>i
1945 - Sixteen Omaha Jewish War dead honored at services • Sheldon Bernstein liberated from prisoner of war camp 1946 - Sam Blooms heads Hebrew Club - Dr. Philip Shf<r Home for Aged built • Beth Israel announces building plans IM7 - Henry Monsky dies - I>abor Lyceum observes 26th anniversary - Milton Livingston heads Jewish Federation • Rabbi Grodunsky dies at 90 1948 - Israel became a state hea Maurice Alperin
Evelyn Dansky mar-
IMS - Sadie Kulakofsky electixJ National HadaMah vice- prasident 1960 - Cornerstone for Beth Israel synagogue laidAOL opens Omaha oflico • Goldstein family nalabliahM scholarshipa at Beth Israel - David Blacker oeuM publication of Jnwish I'ross and FtMlnrntion Uket over - Omaha ranka flml in reseltlemonl of diaplaoad peraona
EYEBUISS EXAM SPECIAL CRIli^^ BAR
Happy Passover 1100 am Avilll^l lu>l(ll illli 'Vuliit'
For the month of April your whole family can get an eyeglass exam for $35*. Exams will be held at both of our locations by Dr.V.C.Rocky O.D. W Call today for "^ your appointment!
FACTORY EYEGIASS
3 Qrent Lotdtlom Omaha'e OM Markat M1-442T 8724 W. Dodo* Rd. I97-S7I* Lincoln Haymarkat 477.J171 - --^ " ~~ Tiii-grt
11426 DAVENPORT • 330-1434 (NEXT TO SPIRIT WORLD)
325 NORTH 72NDa ST • 551-1639 Mon. thru FrI. 10:00-6:00 Sat 9:00-3:00 • onw aiiylw IS nudMr taiHM or panncw ttvtng a« •«••••»• aMaab
NMIV MMM* I
Page 42
Jewish Press
April 14, 1995
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From left, Bess Zoorwill Strelsn, Toby ^ Zoorwill Henis, Frieda Zoorwill Krizelman, ^•j Molly Zoorwill Greenberg, Ben Zoorwill '" (about 1920) Ben Telpner and Ida Telpner RobinBon
All in the family
i^
1 Jk J I
Back row, from left, Sidney Epstein, Sis Epstein Greenberg, Yetta Goldberg, Louis Epstein, Rose Epstein, Sam Epstein, Shirley Epstein Berman, Ralph Turkel, Sylvia Turkel Greenberg, Bernard Turkel, Ben Simon, Evelyn Simon; front row. Unidentified, unidentified. Jack Epstein, Sidney Goldberg, Minnie Goldberg, Unidentified, Gussie Turkel, Louis Turkel, Sam Turkel, Shirley Goldberg Fisher, Simmy TurkeL (1937)
ralyn Wolk Novak and Gloria Wolk Feintecb
)(wra COFFEE
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Morris, Billy, and Sam Schneider of Lincoln, early 1920s. Sam and Eva Lebowitz
Win Serile For A C ar When \ouCanH;no\ 1995 BUKK! Like the 1995 REC;AL! *:
Sarah and Sam Canar with Max and Louie, 191S
OPKN1ODAY 8:30A!V1 - 6PIV1
Sarah Bernstein and Samuel Wiesman, parents of K<>njamin Wiesman. (1920)
\ll^()f()llr\(•wl«W^»||k•ks \l III!
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lierahel and Hetty Hegal with Rose and Rebecca. The Sfigal" '••»••• to Omaha about 1908.
The Rev. •locob and Miriam Shukert with, Nathan Hhukert (1930a)
April 14, 1995
Jewish Press
Page 43
[SYNAGOGUE ACTIVITIES Passover Candlelighting Friday, April 14 Saturday, April 15 Ttiursday, April 20 Friday, April 21
;.... 7:44 p.m. not earlier than 8:45 p.m. 7:51 p.m. 7:52 p.m.
^BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ^_
556-6288
^^ Friday, April 14 Morning Service 6:45 a.m. (Followed by a Siyum) No Chometz may be consumed after 10 a.m. Chometz must be burned by 11 a.m. Evening Service 7:45 p.m. Shabbos, April IS Morning Service 8:45 a.m. Mincha 7:45 p.m. (Followed by lesson with the Rabbi) Ma'ariv 8:40 p.m. ^ Sunday, AprU 16 Morning Service 8:45 a.m. Mincha :....,. , 7:45 p.m. (Followed by lesson with the Rabbi, followed by Ma'ariv) Havdalah 8:54 p.m. Choi Hamoed April 17,18,19 & 20 Morning Service 6:30 a.m. Evening Service 7:45 p.m. Thursday Evening 7:55 p.m. Friday, April 21 Morning Service 8:45 a.m. Mincha/Kabbalas Shabbos ......".,.'.' 7:55 p.m. Shabbos, April 22 Morning Service 8:45 a.m. Sermon/Yizkor 10:30 a.m. Mincha 7:55 p.m. (Followed by lesson with the rabbi) Havdalah 8:53 p.m.
TEMPLE ISRAEL R56-65;)» I'ASSOVKK Friday, April 14 Evening Service Satlircliiv April \T\ Morning Service.. Congregational SciiiT
5 p.m ill', jm (i p m
CONCLUSION OP PASSOVER Thursday, April 20 Evening Service .6 p.m. Tempio Iiirael'a Women'a Sedrr- Lundi will be •erved from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Cost is $6. The Seder will follow from noon to 1 p.m. There ii no iharge for the Seder only. Call the Temple office for •jtorvations. nkUrhood Adult Kducation, <J :iu to 10.10 n m."Iliitory of .lewinh Women's Spirituality," led by Riibbi Stiel, I0:.'10 a.m.••••Findin0 God: Jewlih RrHpoiiHPB," led by Rabbi Azrinl. Friday, April 21 Morninii Sorvicr iii\(l Yi/.k<ir 11:16 a.m. "Food F«ir ThouKhr Tlin next lunrlieon Neaiilon will t>o TueHdny from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tiring n brown bflK lunfh,
rempI^ilhjTOvid^h^rinkji^^^^^^^^^^^
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
LINCOLN TIFERETH ISRAEL
492-8550 PASSOVER Friday, .^ril 14 Siyyum B'khorim 6:30 a.m. Shaharit , 6:55 a.m. Minha-Ma'ariv 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15, First Day Shaharit \ 9:30 a.m. Minha 6 p.m. Sunday, April 16, Second Day Shaharit 9:30 a.m. Minha-Ma'ariv 8:05 p.nl. Monday, April 17, Hoi Hamo'ed Shaharit 6:45 a.m. Minha-Ma'ariv 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, Hoi Hamo'ed Shaharit , 6:45 a.m. Minha-Ma'ariv , 5:30 p:m. Wednesday, April 19, Hoi Hamo'ed Shaharit 6:45 a.m. Minha-Ma'ariv 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20, Hoi Hamo'ed Shaharit 6:45 a.m. Minha-Ma'ariv 6 p.m. Friday, April 21, Seventh Day Shaharit 9:30 a.m. Minha-Ma'ariv 6 p.m. Saturday, April 22, Eighth Day Shaharit (Yizkor is said) 9:30 a.m. Minha-Ma'ariv 8:05 p.m. Passover ends no earlier than 8:31 p.m.
423-8569
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 330-4272 Friday, April 14 First Seder.'.
6 p.m. Saturday, April 15
Services Second Seder
9 a.m. 6 p.m. Sunday, April 16
Services Services
9 a.m. Friday, April 21 '. Saturday, April 22
9 a.m.
Services 9 a.m. Yiskor 10:30 a.m. Don Schwartz will lead all services and both Seders.
Friday, April 14 Pesacb - First Seder Light candles no later than 7:47 p.m. Services Saturday, April 15 Pesach - Second Seder Services Sunday, April 16 Pesach Services Friday, April 21 7th Day of Pesach Services Light candles no later than 7:55 p.m. Services Saturday, April 22 8th Day of Pesach Yizkor Services Jr. Congregation
:....6 p.m. 9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
9 a.m. 8 p.m.
9:30 a.m. 10:15 a.m.
B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 697-1660 Friday, April 14 Seders and Shabbat services in members' homes Call Rabbi Ehrenstein at 697-1660 to participate. Saturday, April 15 Community Seder 6 p.m. (East location. Call Paul Simon for reservations, 553-5635). Sunday, April 16 No Religious School Friday, April 21 ^ Shabbat Service 7:30 p.m (West location) Sunday, April 23 Religious School 10 a.m. (Westside Community Education Center) (Note: this is a change from previous schedule) Thursday, April 27, First Annual B'nai Israel White Elephant Auction Friday, April 28 Shabbat Service 7:30 p.m. (East location)
Page 44
Jewish! Press
April 14,1995
The Jewish Federation of Omaha 1925-1950 By the early 1930'8, the Depression caught up with Omaha, resulting in an increased demand for Federation services. Families who had previously managed to maintain normal standards of living, keeping their families fed and clothed, paying for their homes, and discharging their communal obligations were now losing their homes and becoming almost entirely dependent on community support. As relief costs mounted, funds available for the operation of the Jewish Community Center became diminished, many of those who had paid in the past for Center privileges now had to be put on the free list and there was an atteridance rise in the number of transients demanding services in Oninlia. To help the unemployed, the Women's Division of the Federation, organized in 1934, organized a Jewish Employment Bureau. The Depression caught the community in a double bind, for at the same time the demand for services increased there was also a depletion in the material resources of the community. For the first time in the history of the Federation, total receipts in 1935 fell short of total disbursements - $46,150 as opposed to $50,170. It was only by means of special grants from Philanthropies and the Community Chest that the Federation was able to balance its budget. To preserve its ability to carry out its mission, the Federation realized it would have to adapt to adverse conditions, and that meant reorganization. Accordingly, as the Depression began, the Federation adopted the so-called National Jewish Wc'ir.irp Budget Plnn. under which orr;aniz,itii)jis
. ••.i)m^X^i i.
Top, first home lor Jewish aged, 25th and Charles. Bottom, Mikvah, next to home III K'".
the Federation {'iiirrcd :i i-
By David Bittner The Federation helped Omaha absorb as many as 44 German refugee families a year during the 1930'B and 1940's. The Community Thrift Shop was established in 1940 to outfit the families. Increasingly large allotments of money were made at this time to the United Jewish Appeal and United Palestine Appeal. After Pearl Harbor, the JCC provided social and recreational facilities to thousands of soldiers passing through Omaha, and this gave Omaha the chance to do some excellent anti-defamation work as many non-Jews encountered Jews and Jewish institutions for the first time in their lives. The war generated other problems that called for Federation assistance. In 1942, the Federation assisted 112 individuals beset by problems of fami ly and personal relationships reawakened by war tension, problems of working mothers and child welfare, and cases involving military problems such as securing def)endency payments. Once peace returned, the Federation faced related difficulties with the veterans' problems of unemployment, cut-off military stipends, and rea4justment and personal problems. The Federation undertook responsibility for displaced persons distributed in Omaha by the National Jewish Refugee Service. Jobs, homes and English classes were provided for these immigrants. During the 1930's, there had been considerable sentiment against building a new Home for the Aged in Omaha. Rill in I')16, forces in favor of a new Home pre' •'.:,' '•••
TTuil conu' troiu joint finuncuig - uuiversitl apjiciil. fully organized and efficient campaigns and community control over appeals. Shortly after the Depression, the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Welfare Federation and Jewish Philanthropies merged into a single organization. The Federation also established seven standing committees, forerunners of today's Departments. These included: Education, Philanthropies, Jewish Free Loan, Family Welfare, Social Service, Jewish Community Center, and Budget. The Federation established a Board of Governors, consisting of an Executive Committee and a body comprising one representative from every Omaha Jewish organization plus one additional representative for every hundred members or mtyor fraction thereof.
cluoiiiflt'd.
In 1939, the Federation created a Bureau of Jewish Education to supervise and distribute funds to Beth El Talmud Torah, Temple Israel's religious school, and the City Talmud Torah. Within a few years, Talmud Torah enrollment in Omaha increased 50 percent. The Bureau also supervised adult education programs in the community, and in 1943 created the Federation Library, which went on to become one of the finest collections of Judaica in the country. Starting in 1935, innumerable resolutions about such issues as Lend Lease and the Palestine Open Door were passed by the Federation and communiques sent to President Roosevelt and Congress. Prominent men like Ludwig Lewisohn, Abram Leon Sachar and Maurice Samuel were brought to Omaha to lecture on the Nazi menace.
Every Generation Must Re-Learn And Re-Earn Its Freedom.
;•!';!:., ^'ih.r Tlmi,.^ fr,,- t|,,
A,,,,'
ator and a rixiiMlion room. When Israel became a state in 1948, the Philanthropies Division of the Federation raised an unprecedented $800,000 for the beleaguered infant state and secured bank loans totaling $350,000 to provide immediate funds. Presidents of the Jewish Federation 1 of Omaha 1925 1950 William J. Holzman Dr. FhUip Sher Henry Monsky Sam Beber Morris Jacobs Milton Livingston Joe M. Rice
1925-1928,1931-1941 1929-1930 lMl-1943 1943-194S 1945-1947 1&47-1949 1949-1961
i PASSOVER GREETINGS
JACK & HELENE SHRAGO lEON&DANISHRAGO
BAG 'N'SAVE
Old Mill Office Park 330-7200
WostroadH Shopping Center 330-7200 FDICInmred
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April 14, 1995
Jewish Press
P^ge 45
And Jewish life moves on... Growing up in Grand Island The History, Federation By Sally Zipursky of Council Bluffs Library I was born and raised in Grand Island, Nebraska, a community of 40,000 people located 150 miles Jewry
The first known Jews in Council Bluffs arrived in town in the late ISSO's. They were Sol Bloom, A-B. Newman and Henry Eismari. Bloom established a clothing store, Newman a dry goods store, and Eisman a general store. Chiefly of German and Austrian descent, these pioneers were refugees from political and economic crises in their native lands. A Reform Hebrew Society was established in 1882. The society purchased land for a cemetery which was dedicated as the Jewish Cemetery of Council Bluffs. The Reform Jews worshipped in whatever meeting places were available. Eventually this society disbanded. In 1882, 25 immigrants from Russia established the Orthodox congregation Bikur Cholim, which held services in a tiny rented brick building on Main Street. In 1887, representatives of Bikur Cholim arranged to purchase a section of the Reform Society's Jewish Cemetery. Among the Russian Jews were merchants, tailors, laborers, junkdealers and peddlers. Their congregation is no longer in existence. B'nai Israel was incorporated as an Orthodox congregation in 1903. The congregation had an initial membership of 14. In 1904, a frame building was constructed for $6,000 at 618 Mynster Street. The by-laws, written in Yiddish, provided for dues of 50 cents monthly from every member. A fire leveled the synagogue on the Sabbath eve of March 5, 1930. The Jews of Council Bluffs elected a building committee to construct a new synagogue. On January 11, 1931, the synagogue was completed at a cost of $26,000 and hundreds of hours of volunteer time. A large home on Pearl Street was purchased for $15,000 for use as a Jewish Community Center. It was formally dedicated in 1949, complete with •men's and women's lounges, a library and rooms for school and club activities. The Center was sold many years ago. B'nai Israel still stands at 618 Mynster Street. It has undergone many changes over the years and now functions as a Reconstructionist Synagogue under the leadership of Rabbi Ruth Ehrenstein.
The Jewish Federation library was established in the mid 1940's by Paul Veret, Federation Director, 1938-1970. It has grown and evolved over the years into a major resource center for Jewish knowledge. It is a free public library with over 33,000 volumes of Judaica. The collection also includes substantial numbers of magazines, news papers, records, video and audio cassettes. In addition, the Library offers special programs and community services. Edythe Wolf has been the Director since 1973, and Joyce Cohen is the current president of the Library Board of Directors. The following books are available on the history of Jews in Omaha: Auerbach, Ella Fleishman Jewish settlement in Nebraska. Bernstein, Nathan The story of the Omaha Jews. 1908 Demographic survey of the Omaha Jewish Community. 1976 Gendler, Carol The Jews of Omaha: the first sixty years. 1968 Jewish communal survey of Omaha. 1929
National Council of Jewish Women Our Story: recollections of Omaha's early Jewish community 1885-1925. 1981 Pollak, Oliver B. B'nai B'rith in Omaha: 1884-1989. 1989 Pollak, Oliver B. The Jewish peddlers of Omaha. 1982. •it
The Peoples Store The Peoples Store came under the management of the Krasnes and the Bernsteins in 1907. Prior to the year 1907, the Peoples Store was operated by a branch of the Eiseman family, who then returned from business in Council Bluffs. Mose Bernstein, Louis Bernstein, George Krasne and Frank Krasne operated the Peoples Store. In 1911, they were joined by Jake Krasne, who had operated a store in FuUerton, Nebraska, for a long time. When Jake came to Council Bluffs, Ike Krasne, •who had a store in Aurora, along with Frank Krasne, went to Fuilerton to run the store there. In 1917, Herman Krasne, who had a store in Dmaha, joined the Peoples Store family group. In the early 1920'8, Ike and Frank Krasne sold their holdings in Fuilerton, moved to Council pluffs, and entered the business.
In 1920, Milt Moskovitz started the all-purpose Cherry Garden Garage from scratch. It was located at 3701 Leavenworth. He installed gas pumps, set up a wash rack and hired a mechanic. Two years later, his brother. Max, who was a skilled mechanic and a parts manager for a Buick dealer, joined the garage. Max worked the night shift at the garage which was a 24-hour operation and ran the shop. Milt handled the administration.
Dan Cohen By Bert Lewis Dan Cohen was born in Russia in 1913. His parents, Louis and Chayashifra Cohen, were one of perhaps two dozen Jewish families in their village in Minsk. They struggled to scratch out a living for themselves, their four children, and Bobie, who lived with them. j Times were very tough artd there was a good deal of unrest at the time Dan was born. His father decided to find a better li('e for his family and he left for America. He came to Omaha, where his wife's uncle, Philip Schlaifer, was already settled and in a position to lend a helping hand. Louis proceeded to go to work and pi;epare for the day when his family could join him. In 1923, it became appajrent that for everyone's safety, especially Dan's oldest brother, Abe, who was approaching draft age', the time had come to leave Russia. Dan and his family arrived at Ellis Island and then made the train ride from New York to Omaha. Dan started his first job soon after his arrival even though he spoke no English. He sold papers on the corner of 15th and Farnam and found his way back home by lining up the Medical Arts Building and the Bee Newspaper building, his landmarks. By the age of 12, Dan w^s working after school for Louis Paperny, who had a fruit stand at 47th and Military. Mr. Paperny, who was to become a very successful and well-known grocer (Louie's Market), was a "landsman." He came from the same village as the Cohen^j, and knew Dan from the day he was born. After Lake School, Dan (enrolled at Tech High, and his part time job chnn([ed to employment for Ceiitnil Market. After his graduation in 1931, the he search for regular work began, but jobs we scarce. He eventually went back to old frien Paperny, who by then was operating u fruit stani at 42nd and Leavenworth. When Paperny decid to move to the Benson area, he suggested thai Dan an buy the business. For a short time, Dan had a partrt ner. A friend, Dave Wine, went into business with Ih him, but though the friendship endured, the partrtnership didn't. After a short time, Wine left the he business. Dan's brother, Ralph, returned to Omaha fro; Chicago and joined his brother. They worked ha for two years, and when beer became legal, it wai added to their inventory. In 1934, they moved to 38th and Leavenworth where thi^y built a siniplej concrete block structure. The produce and beer sol well, nnd soon a bar was add«d. In 19G6, Dan bought out his brother, Ralph, a Alan entered the biuineaa. t^e two worked for yean, then the dedilon was made to tell out
i
Up until 1917 the Bernstein brothers operated just the grocery department of Peoples Store. About 1917, Jake, George and Herman bought store rooms acljoining their store in order to expand the lestablishment. In 1921, tlie grocery area was expanded and a full basement was constructed to be used as a hardWare department. The Bernst«inf ran both the grocery and hardware departmenU. In 1923-24, the grocery department was sold to and managed by Sam and lertnan Meyeraon. In 1963, a complete refacing of the Peoples Store >uilding took place in order to bring it into the oonleniporary appearance of the times. In 1966, the grocery operation wu eliminated to lipand the other departments.
west of Omaha. I am the youngest of three daughters. There were several other Jewish families in the Grand Island/Hae^tings/Kearney area when my Bisters were going through school; however, there were no other Jewish kids my age in the area. I cannot tell you when I first realized I was Jewish because it was always a part of our lives and a part of our home. My mother and I held Sunday School classes at the kitchen table so I could learn traditions and teachings. All holidays were celebrated with traditional foods and stories. Every year for Rosh Ha»hanah and Yom Kippur, our family came to Omaha to attend services at Temple Israel with our coUsins; if we were unable to attend for some reasoii, we stayed home from school in observance of the holiday. My sisters and I attended Esther K. Newman Camp so we all could meet other Jewish kids and learn additional traditions and customs. The final tribute toj my parents and the "Jewishness" they instilled in me is my life here in Omaha. I sought out Judaism and became very active at Temple Israel and in the Jewish community. I am currently president of Temple Israel Sisterhood and sit on Temple's Board of Trustees. We look forward to raising our own family to be active participants in the community. .
I
Kadimah • 1939 - From left, Kuth Linda Forbee , Pauline Roaenbaum («ua«, IJl Epeiein Ouoo, Annette Forman Frank SchlofT, Adoltoe Specter
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P^e 46
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Jewish Press
April 14,1995
rjewish Settlement B In Nebraska *
Sargent
l^e Pizer brothers, Jacob and Simon, are the only known Jewish residents of Sargent. Jacob settled there in 1896, later moved to Hastingrs, then to Grand Island, and then Denver with his family. Simon settled there in 1907 and remained until about 1925 when he moved to Omaha with his family. Jacob and Simon were brothers of Julius Pizer of North Platte. All operated general stores.
Schuyler The Adolph Rosenberg, Emmanuel Klein, Theodore Mayer, and Sam Fuhrman families lived in Schuyler in the "908.
Sidney • The first Jewish settler in Sidney in 1872 was Merits Urbach, born in Kubin, near Budapest, Hungary. He came to this country at the age of 17, and worked as a cabinet maker in New York for awhile, before drifting westward to the country opened up by the Union Pacific. He purchased some property in Sidney and returned to New York, married Hannah Mannheimer, who, with their four-month-old baby daughter, came back to Sidney to settle in 1873. This daughter was Mrs. Albert Kruse, and remained in Sidney. "I had the first baby buggy here," she said. In those early days, Mr. Urbach ran a bakery and restaurant and later was in the saloon business. Three sons were born to the couple in Sidney. They were Will, Edward of New York, and Monroe of Omaha. Mrs. Urbach died when the children were quite young and he then married Bertha Freudenberger, also of New York. Leon Urbach of Seward, Alaska, and Esther of Oakland, California, were the children. Mr. Urbach served as county commissioner for several years and was also on the school board. He died at the age of 54 and was buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Omaha. A brother, Samuel Urbach, joined Moritz in Sidney for a short time and then settled in North Platte. Robert S. and Joseph Oberfelder, for many years leading citizens of western Nebraska and influential in political life, were probably the next Jewish settlers in Sidney. They came during the gold rush to the Black Hills in the early '708 when a brother Isaac, settled in Council Bluffs. He moved to Omaha a decade after and was the first president of Temple Israel, which he helped found. The Oberfelders later opened a general merchan yise store in Sidney, and Robert was appointed U.S. commissioner. Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Snlonionson and infant son, Eugene E., arrived in Sidney in December, 1873. Two daughters, Martha Graham and Rose were born in Sidney, one in 1875, the other in '78. Mr. Salomonson was a saloon-keeper there until 1912, when he moved to St. Louis. He was of German birth. The Abram S. Brown family came to Sidney from Omaha in 1877 (finding the Oberfelders already there) but did not remain long, as they decided to locate in North Platte. Other families in Sidney when the Browns arrived were the Simon and Ike Rubels, Simon and Sam Kellner, Michael and I.i0ui8 Cohn, cousins; and Sigmund, Jake, Sam, and Dave Gutfreund. He and Michael Cohn were brothers-in-law. Zophie Alexander was also a merchant in Sidney before 1879. Leon and Sam Pine, and S.H. Snyder were residenta in Sidney.
Page 47
Jewishhseffiiement in Nebraska Waithill Walthill, a new town slightly more than 20 years old, opened up when the Burlington railroad went through the Indian reservation, had two Jewish mayors in ita brief existence. They were R. Brody and H.D. Howitz. The first three Jewish residents of Walthill were Horwitz, Carl Breatman, and one Cherniss family. Ben Mandelstam of Sioux City formerly lived in Walthill. There were five Jewish families, all merchants. One of them, Ben Predmetzky, was the first Jewish resident in Bancroft and Wahoo, with his father, Isaac. Boris Predmetzky succeeded his brother, Isaac, in Bancroft and another brother, Gedaliah, with his sons, ran a general store in Render, Nebraska. A sister of Predmetzkj^ was the wife of Max Krasne, the earliest Jewish settler in Oakland.
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J.F. Ztgicek, banker of Bohemian extraction in West Point, said that Frederick Sonnenschein was the first Jewish resident in West Point and Cuming county. A native of Prague, Mr. Sonnenschein came there from Chicago in 1868 or 1869. He was a barber for three or four years, and from then on in real estate. He was elected councilman, and then mayor, serving at least two terms. In the late '70s, early '80s, he received a presidential appointment as Indian trader or agent on a Montana reservation. Sonnenschein died in West Point. Carl Rosenthal, the next Jewish resident, was a farmer in Cuming county two or three years, in th^ early '70s. He then moved to West Point, opening a restaurant and confectionery, and later a general merchandise store in the '80s. He was thought to be a native of Poland, and was noted as a man of education and learning, according to Zajicek. At his death, he left three children, among them a daughter, Mrs. R.F. Kloke, Omaha; and Ludwig Rosenthal, a West Point banker. Bennett Goldsmith, the next settler, also became a citizen of distinction, and a member of the legislature, also mayor of the city. Born in Kemper, Grand Duchy of Posen on July 29, 1844, he emigrated to America in 1866, living in Beauford, South Carolina, and New York, before coming west to Fremont in 1870. In 1875 he opened a general merchandise store in West Point and built up a successful business at the same time that he participated in the growth of the town. He was elected a member of the town council in 1889, and a member of the legislature in 1892. While serving in Lincoln the following spring, he was further honored by his election as a mayor of West Point. The whole town was plunged into grief the next year, on Aug. 9, 1893, when Mayor Goldsmith died suddenly in a Lincoln hotel room. The whole population was present at the station when a special car brought his body back to West Point for services by the Masonic, Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias Lodges, after which the remains were taken to Omaha for Jewish burial. Louis Goldsnvith, an only son, maintained the business founded by his father. During the latter's life, a brother-in-law, Mr. Alcovich, and another relative, Aaron Barnott, also lived in West Point and worked in the Goldsmith store. The firm of Kahn and Kahn was in the merchandise business in West Point during 1890-1893 and Tom Mohn or Wohl (?), restaurateur, lived there for a number of years. Isaac Predmetzky and family also lived in West Point for a few years during the '908, and there were other Jewish resideiitB from time to time. Towns in which there were only one or two Jewish residents: Albion, Wolf Brothers; Ashland, Marcus Blothes Shop; Elyln, Ira Wolfe; Friend, L. Liebermann; Gorin, George (Joidfin; Gretna, Cohen Brothers; Harvard, Rosenbaum and Sons; Loop City, M.L. Phillips; Lyons, Henry Belmont; Pender, Gedaliah Predmetzky and sons; Schuyler, Dafsky and Gerschin; lan family lived in Tecumseh in the late ScottKbluff , Zoeltmer and sons; 11. Hnmburc; Faarly '908, and is thought to have moved to Silver Crock, S. Hordy; Winnobago, Sam 4nbra«ka City from there. Rovin.
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Jewish Press
ADril 14,1995
'Hinky Dinky Parlez-Vous
^Wishing ^on & ^om family a joyous Passover
The first Hinky-binKy store at 24th and Vinton.
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Jule M. Newman, his brothers Henry and Albert, and their cousin Ben Silver, founded the Hinky Dinky chain of supermarkets in 1925. The company grew from one store at 24th and Vinton Streets, to 49 supermarkets in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. Jule M. Newman was born on March 30, 1893, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Moritz and Fannie Newman, who had emigrated from AustriaHungary. His father, like his paternal grandfather, was a grocer. When Jule was in eighth grade, financial conditions made it necessary for him to work in his father's grocery
cery stores, which had conventional names, in the Omaha area. The four men, all war veterans, were about to open additional stores and were looking for a unique name.
stores, sell newspapers and do whatever else he could to help his family, which also included his sister, Sally, and brothers, Henry and Albert. In 1920, after saving about $1,100, he and a partner opened a grocery store in Omaha. After three years, he purchased his partner's interest and a few years later began to build the chain of grocery stores. Eventually he invited his two brothers and a cousin to join him. The name "Hinky Dinky" vfas the brainchild of one of the four men during a car ride from Sioux City to Omaha shortly after World War I. At the time, the family already had three gro-
The name was from a World War I song soldiers used to sing in France - 'hinky dinky parlez-vous'. The name was a takeoff from that song. There was a competitor at that time under the name of Piggly Wiggly. The four men thought it would be cute to call the stores Hinky Dinky. The family sold the company to a Dallas company in 1972, which closed the last of the stores in 1985.
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Jewish Press
P!a£e49
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Jewish Press
April 14,1996
From Pawn Shop To Shopping Malls
Brodkey Jewelry still a family business after 115 Years '"Meet the Brodkey Boys—Wear Diamonds." This is arguably one of the most recognizable business slogans to Nebraskans and lowans. When the Brodkey Boys—^David, Edward, and Fred—began using it in the 1920's, their family business was already more than 40 years old, a pioneer in Omaha's retail community. Their parents, Morris and Etel Brodkey, had emigratecj from Russia; and along with thousands of other Ellis Island arrivals, they were encouraged to settle outside the crowded New York and Eastern seaboard population areas. So, they joined other family members who had moved to such midwest cities as Sioux City, St. Louis, and Omaha.
With the immediate family running the business and a low overhead, Brodkey's survived the Depression years in good shape. Even ii) troubled economic times, buying and selling gold, silver, antiques, and estate items continues. David's older son, Ron, joined the business after college in 1968 and became the first of the thirdgeneration Brodkeys to do so. Edward's son Sherman followed in 1965. "I joined the business after college graduation and spent three years in the stockroom behind a mop," Ron said. "I rarely saw the light of day."
In 1880, Morris optened the first Brodkey Jewelry at 1401 Douglas. A photo shows him posing outside the shop which has signs revealing its multifaceted nature: "Diamond Lx)an Office", "Diamonds, Watches, Jewelry, Musical Instruments", "Practical Watch Makers", "Fine Watch Repairing", "Jewelry Repairing", and "Yearly Sale of All Goods", for example. When Morris died in 1917, Etel and her children took over the store. The store moved to 13th and Douglas in the 1920's and, in the 1930's, to 1419 Douglas where it remained until 1975 when the entire block of businesses was torn down to build the W. Dale Clarke Library. A second store was opened in 1933 at 16th and Harney and named Edward's, after the oldest Brodkey brother. During the 1930'8, the pawn business was dropped, and the brothers adjusted their inventory to include bowling balls, tool sets, appliances, and a complete optical department with two optometrists. "The brothers always knew how to generate traffic," Ron said in a 1980 interview. "People came in to have their eyes examined and walked by the counters. When we made the transition from the pawn shop to the jewelry business with credit installments, some of the periphery items came along."
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Je#ash Press
w /W\
J eopJe wnojknow /ine/eoje/ry ana ^i/h comeyrom JO siaies ana 6 coniinenis io snop a/CBorsneiw. s.
All Makes founded in 1918 All Makes Office Equipment Company's downtown location is a tradition for the family-owned business, almost as central to the business' nearly 77 years of success as its family-style way of conducting its affairs. Harry Ferer founded the company in 1918 as All Makes Typewriter Co. at 205 South 18th Street, selling Ediphone dictating equipment and Underwood typewriters. Lazier Kavich, Ferer's son-in-law, joined the company in 1937. The company
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Page 52
Jewish Press
April 14,1995
Harold Cooperman started by working for his uncle After graduating from Central High School in 1933, Harold Cooperman went to work for his uncle, Al Wohlner, at California Grocery at 33rd and California Streets. For five years he learned the grocery business, putting in six-day, 73-hour weeks for $10 per week. In 1938, borrowing $2,000 from relatives and pitching in his life's savings of $185, Cooperman opened his own tiny grocery, Harold's, at 16th and Fort Streets. By 1941, he had tripled the store's size. World War H interrupted his grocery Career. A stint in the Navy from 1943-1946 included running the meat department of a base kitchen on the Pacific island of Guam. Cooperman returned to Omaha and the grocery business after the war, buying a store in Ralston in 1947. By the time he sold it 17 months later, he had purchased another store in Ashland. He added a store in Pickstown, S.D., during the construction of the Fort Randall Dam there, then sold it when the Army Corp of Engineers completed construction and most workers left Pickstown. In 1955, he opened a Harold's market at 21st and East Locust Streets in Omaha, a market he would run for nearly 30 years. By 1967, Cooperman had built a chain of eight small groceries: five in Omaha, one in Bellevue, and one each in Blair and Ashland. In 1968, he sold four of the Omaha stores to Fleming Cos. Fleming now owns Baker's Supermarkets in Omaha. In 1980, after researching the relatively new concept of warehouse stores, Cooperman opened his
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Synagogue life in Nebraska City Talmud Torah graduation 1937
Front, Aaron Katz, Marvin Camel, Gordon Margolin, Marcia Lee Byron, Melvin Swartz, Judah Wolfson; back, Dan Katzman, Marvin Gerber, Norman Hahn, Melvin Tatelman, Max Felz, Alex Weinstein, Kevee Kirshenbaum.
B'nai Israel (bhoir-1925
Jewish Presis
Page S3
Adas Yeshuron Synagogue 1909
Ben Magzamin, Dave Slobodinsky, Cantor Schwatzkin.
Temple Israel Confirmation Class 1903
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Tifereth Israel Confirmation Class with Rabbi Harry Jolt (1947)
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Hebrew School, established 1905
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From left, Reva Gittleman, Flora Schrier, Connie Gordon, Jerry Ginsburg, Marvin Friedman, Marshall Kushner, David Cohen, Bernie Wishnow
Beth El Confirmation 1940
Sunday School Teachers --1910, Temple Israel
Temple Israel Succot Festival 1945 with Rabbi Lou Silberman. Back row, Maurice Brodkey, Michael Davis, Judy Plattner, ( unidentified) Stern, Betty Weiner, Robert Nogg, Steven Fisk; front, Judy Pollack, Betsy Elenberger, Jr. Pepper, (unidentified), Nancy Brodkey, Judy Friedman, Myra Lipp, Sandy Gross, Standing: Rosina Mandeburg, lilanche Cohn, (unidentified) Bleicher. Dorothy Meyer, Fanny Rosenstock, Hazel Degen; seated: Irma Gross, Rose Bernstein, Alma Brandeis
First row, Geraldine Schafer Romnick, Roz Wasserman Friedman, Corinne Wohlner Chapman, Madoris Leon, Harriet Cohn, Roselle Osoff Pizer, Pearl Brick{ second row, Cantor Aaron Edgar, Phyllis Waxenherg Sherman, Lenore Simon Aronson, Pauline Falk, Shirley Davis Rosenberg, Betty Bordy Kutler, Rabbi David Goldstein
Beth El Capers, 1936
Beth El Supper Club (1948) Services at B'nai Israel, 18th and Chicago
A.r.L '1^ w ^ I H n- W
Artie K. Kulakofsky, Anna .l»ii<- KulHi><iif.it^, Ariene Dansky, Mel Sherman, Arlenr Lincoln, Betty Cohn, ('orrlne Wohlner, Shirlee Albert, Sally Gross, Bud Hnrish, Hucky (ireenberg, Podle Belmont, Billy Htiefler. Pritsi Rlekea.
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Klaine and Mark Jnhenis, Bev and Gil Fricden, Doris and Morrir Koom. Adrlr mid Joe Homstein
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Jewish Pres9
Page 64
April 14,1995
Stan Dworsky
Lab Breslowsky
In 1918, when Stsin Dworsky was 17 years old, his^father opened the Ldncoln Army and Navy Supply Co. In a store front, the elder Dworsky set out to make profits selling surplus equipment and uniforms from World War I. In 1924 he advertised canvas puttees for 39 cents, officer's dress shoes for $2.95, wool blankets for $1.95, ladies' knickers for $1.25 and wall tents for less than $10. In the mid-1920's the store moved to 11th and N Streets, where it was to remain for about 60 years until moving in 1972 to 12th and P Streets. The store did a big business selling uniforms to the ROTC cadets at the University of Nebraska, to the \ State Patrol and to police departments. Prior to World War II Dworksy used to outfit the Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas National Guard with uniforms. The elder Dworksy obtained one of the few licenses to sell military goods that the federal government, issued in the Midwest. As the country entered World War II, the store received priority shipments of uniforms and insignia while competitors' shelves remained bare.
Lab Breslowsky arrived in the United States from Russia in 1904.
Sam Galinsky The Galinsky Fruit Co. opened in 1906 on Howard Street, sharing business along the street with as many as 50 other produce vendors. Businesses in the area included smelting houses, breweries and warehouses full of everything from liquor to boots to calico sold by the yard. Sam Galinsky and his children ran the family fruit business out of a simple two-story storefront with a tin awning to cover their sidewalk stands.At that time, downtown Omaha and that area that is today's "Old Market" was an outfitting center for pioneers heading west. Sam Galinsky's two-story storefront was built in 1891. Its architecture was an example of the favorite design of early retailers: a full-fledged shop downstairs with big front windows under metal canopies and a residence upstairs for the shop owner's family. Sam Galinsky and his sons, S.E. and Phillip Galinsky, operated their family business until 1941, keeping the building for years after the business closed. They had bought the building in 1921 from its builder, Henry A. Kosters. In January 1968, Sam Galinsky's grandchildren .sold the building to Sam Mercer in order to save it from becoming a pile of rubble.
He arrived two years before his wife, Ida, and two sons, Jake and Harry. His occupation in Russia was a fisherman and he left Russia to escape a second draft in the army. Someone, unknown to the family, sent him frt)m New York with a railroad ticket to "the end of the line" which was Fairbury, Nebraska. He spoke no English, and soon learned that there were no Jews in Fairbury. He left for the nearest community with Jews which was Lincoln. The earliest recollection is that he sold "junk" near 2nd and West P Streets though his petition for naturalization indicates "fruit peddler" as first. He included in his petition the request that the name Breslowsky be changed to Breslow. He changed to the grain business and moved his operation to 9th and M Streets. Lab and Ida's youngest child, David, was born in 1917. Linweld, a Lincoln-based producer and distributor of industrial gases, began in 1945 with the David Breslow family's acquisition of Lincoln Welding Supply Co., a welding and blacksmith shop on South 10th Street. Expansion for the firm came with the addition of stores in Omaha, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Hastings, Kearney, Columbus and Holdrege. Linweld is headquartered at 1620 M Street in the capital city. John Breslow, son of the company's founder, is now chairman of the firm.
Harry Pizer Nebraska's first Jewish senator, Harry Pizer, left an indelible x ecord in the state legislature. Son of Julius Pizer, a pioneer North Platte merchant and farmer, Harry first served in the 1935 House of Representatives and in the Unicameral in 1937 and from 1945 through 1959 when lie was speaker. On St. Patrick's Day, he was traditionally introduced in the legislature as Senator O'Pizer. Too old for World War II service, he pressed the Union Pacific "for any kind of job" working seven days a week as a foreman of crews icing freight trains. Harry's brother Joe of Los Angeles played baseball in the old Nebraska state league in the 1930's before becoming a dress manufacturer in Los Angeles.
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Young Jewish people in group activities Jewish Youth Groups in Omaha, 1925 to 1950 By Andrea Collis
iiS^lTH SMAWI
National B'nai B'rith Sectional Tournament, South Bend, 1949, from left, Max Frank, Morrie Franklin, Ben Blatt, Aaron Epstein, Sam Kobn.
JCC Basketball (1929-30) Back row, Ed Burdick, coach; Morris Bloom, Sam Katzman, Max Altschuler, Iz Bogdanoff, Sam Zweiback, manager. Front row, Manny Goldberg, Iz Schreibman, Johnny Rosenblatt, Jake Sadofsky, Jay Stoler.
Young Judaea Club ~ Back row, from left: Ruth Fox, Esther Spar, Ethel Levinson, Min Segal. Front row, from left; Martha Lippett, Lil Gihna^ Ida BercovicL Lincoln group: top row, from left. Fireman, Fern Osheroff, Sideman, Ruth Bukin, Fox; next; Gerstien, May Shapiro, Ruth Evnen, Rose Gelsin, Fanny Hill; next,-Swartz, (unidentified) Fireman, Hazel Osheroff, Jean Wolfif; bottom row, Jean Evnen,(unidentified) Gerston, Rebecca ( unidentified) Kerchevsky, Shostack. Missing names are unidentified.
By 1929, when the Jewish Communal Survey of Omaha was printed, the following were listed as active clubs and groups: B'nai Abraham, Camp Fire Girls, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Herzl, Lambda Sigma, Psi Mu, Zion Fairies, Rho Delta, Center Players Guild, Junior Welfare Organization, Tonka Coda, Xi Lambda, Alpha Tau Club, Henrietta Szold Club, Junior Hadassah, Orchestra Club, Karmelites, Jecompter Camp Fire Girls, Sub Deb, Center Young Judea, Children's Theatre Brownies, AZA 1 and AZA 100. By 1933 the Round Table of Jewish Youth was organized. This body operated as the umbrella for all clubs for many years to follow. The Round Table put out a bulletin informing the community of all the activities of the different youth groups. It also sponsored a stage night, where the group.s competed with such acts as skits. Other programs included a "Hamantachen Hop" in 1941, and a style show in 1945. The Round Table brought together youth from various backgrounds from all over the city to interact with each other. There were still more clubs formed all the time and by 1940, there existed a Junior AZA, Gamma Tau, Rayim Club, (a resurgence of the old) Ronoh Tau Delta, Theta Lambda, Alpha Pi Tau and a junior affiliation of National Council of Jewish Women called Councilettes. The synagogue youth groups began to appear by the end of the forties as well. United Synagogue Youth, the conservative group under the auspices of Beth El, began around 1947-48. The Young Judea Groups had been in existence for more than 20 years by the time the 1949 roll call included Tikvas Ami, Debka Debs, Elesay, Szoldettes, Bialic, Kinareth, Deganya, and Sharon to name only some pf their number.
Round Table 1942 Conclave Fontenelle Hotel
AZA Mother Chapter #1, District Champs (1938-39) From left, Morrie Adler, Dave Weiner, Herb Meiches, Leo Sherman, Ray Schapiro, Sam Ruderman, Mort Soiref. The Harmony Club ~ Back row, upper left, ia Minnie Sherman.
Top row, from left, Bucky Greenberg, Frances Blacker, Marion Lipsman, Ruby Kolnick, Warner Frohman, Hairy Goodbinder, Ruth Rosenstein, Elaine Lagman, Harriet Kubby, unidentified, Jeanette Turitz, Charles Rosenstock, Ethel Kadis, Bay Epstein; Middle row, from left, Louie Katz, Yale Richards, Sam Kaplan, Ida Epstein, Mickey Goldberg, Beverly ZIotcky, Sheldon Bernstein, Frank Joscphson, Bucky Claymttn, unidentified, Sol Marcus, Ruth Miller, George Scholnick, Diane Lagman, Sylvia Bernstein; Bottom row, from left, Rosalie Kaplan, Madoris Leon, Bob Kahlmanson, Gene Passer, Thama Lee Krasne, Yale Trustin, Willard Friedman, Betty Cohen, Ben Miller, Mildred Singer, Meyer Meyerson, unidentified
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Champs, 1924 3oach, Harry Knpr>tr)r, Ham Liebowitis, Red sae, Mas Altitulrr, Ben Uoldware, Ham Ban, eyer (ireen, (unidentified) Schneider, Coach
Junior Hadassah Costume Party
4JCC /.Day •Camp > 193()'H i
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Only idrntificfltionN nre Leonn Pollack and Evelyn Dansky Alperin with nome of the Helen lirrnstein in the accond row, and a campern at thp .Irwish ('«»mmii"'*«' f'«-ii».-r Semi In the third roW; (_1919) , Day tjainp. ^
April 14,1995
A segment of our Jewish community Remembering the "J" in the '30's By Ruth Allen Bonder
JCCat 20th and Dodge I was thd sole professional worker at the Jewish Community Center in the early 1930's. We had programs going for all age groups that covered many aspects of communal work. We organized the Round Table of Jewish Youth in which representatives of all youth groups were brought together. It sponsored young peoples forums, fund-raising, educational programs and of course social programs. We started the first Jewish Center Day Camp that included athletic, cultural and sports programs five days a week with lunch served by our JCC cook Johanna - and all for $1 a day.
Oldest Jewish cemetery i The Temple Israel Cemetery is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Nebraska. The land ,was purchased at 6412 North 42nd Street for Pleasant Hill Cemetery, as it wafl originally known, in 1871 by then the Congregation of Israel, which became Temple Israel in 1889. Chevra Bikur Cholim acquired an adjacent tract around 1885, and the Kapulier Congregation bought a tract inside Pleasant Hill shortly after the turn of the century. Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol acquired Fisher's Fanp Cemetery at 8700 South 42nd Street in 1884. In 1913, Adas Jeshurun founded the B'nai Abraham Cemetery on the same grounds. In 1886, Samuel and Rachel Polowsky bought property in Lincoln's Belmont section on North 14th Street, which they then sold to the Chevra B'nai Jehuda Cemetery Association. This burial ground, which became known as the Mount Carmel Cemetery, serves Lincoln's Orthodox and Conservative Jews. Chevra B'nai Israel Adas Russia purchased land for Golden Hill Cemetery, located at 5025 North 42nd Street, in 1888. Four years later, Lincoln's B'nai Jeshurun Congregation began using a section of the non-sectarian Wsruka Cemetery for its burial purposes. In 1922, Beth Hamedrosh Adas Jeshurun purchased burial ground at 8700 South 42nd Street. Mount Sinai Cemetery and its chapel are now located there. Almost immediately upon the founding of Beth El Synagogue in 1927, the congregation acquired land for its cemetery at 4700 South 84th Street. Council Bluffs utilizes a part of Oak Hills Cemetery, off Pierce Street, for its burial purposes.
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In 1948, residents pose ou' '<hl Home for the aged, named after Dr. Philip Sher.
At the dedication of the Chemiack pavilion of the Dr. Sher Home are from left, Harold Cherniack, Milton Livingston, Gertrude Chapman, Jay Chemiack and Nate Nogg.
Groundbreaking for JCC 1924 Everybody came to the Center including many organizations like the Labor Zionists, National Jewish Workers Alliance, B'nai B'rith, Hadassah, Council of Jewish Women and the Conservative Synagogue which became Beth El synagogue.
From Omaha, 264 young men served during World War I. Thirty-eight represented Lincoln and one came from Nebraska City. Council Bluffs sent 40 young Jews to help in the war effort. Jewish citizens of all of these communities backed the war effort completely. They sold Liberty Bonds, helped industries, and served government in volunteer and professional capacities. From left are, Herman Krauss, Nathan Grossman, Nathan Nogg, Ben Seldin.
Eli Bittner family Center orchestra 1940 The Physical Education program was very active and its facilities were very good for its day. Lee Grossman was Gym director and Leon Fellman was in charge of the basket room. And I well remember community leaders like Henry Monsky, Phil Klutznick, Harry Wolf, Sophie Neveleff, Sadie Kulakofsky and Beck Wolf, with great admiration.
Groups organized A number of groups were organized in Uie 1900 1930 period to care for the needy, raise funds for Palestine, carry on the programs of their causes locally and nationally. These included Daughters of Zion which became Mizrachi Women, Pioneer Women, Bikur Cholim, Junior Hadassah, Young Judea groups, and the Daughters of Israel Aid Society which ran the first home for the Jewish aged. Workmen's Circle groups for men and women were also organixed and active in many areas of yiddish cultural life.
organifation of Jewish women, saw a need and filled it with the establishment of a Jewish Funeral Home at 1916 Cuming Street on March 15, 1926, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Harris Levey. The work of the Holne was carried on for many years by Mrs. Leve/s daughter, Mrs. Louts Neveleff. When the funeral home was ready to be refurbished and modamixed, Harry Sidman, past president of Beth Israel Synagogue, took over for many years. The funeral home was replaced recently with a new facility in memory of Louis Friedman. It is located at 4416 Cuming Street and was endowed by the family of Mr. Priadman.
I
Rabbi laaac Nadoff (left) and EU Bittner Last of the many Jewish immigrants to locate in Fremont was the Eli Bittner family who came from lyomza Gabema in 1929, five years after Eli came under sponsorship of Abraham ZIotky. Back in 1929, Fremont counted 30 Jewish families as well as its own synagogue. Family names then include Krasne, Kavich, ZIotky, Berek, Weinberg, Krupinsky, Rosen, Pred, Olesker, Kaplan, Samptor, Bordy, Sonin, Gluck, Heller, Goldsmith, Fuhrman, Beciunnn, London. When Fremont could no longer support a synagogue, Eli Bittner aranged to have the Torahs propariy located at B'nai larael in Omaha.
I From the outbreak of World War II on Dec. ^, Hl941, until V-day on May 5, 1945, the Jewish comHmunity of Nebraska was engagsfl in a great num' ber of war-rela|ed activities,. Several hundred Jewish men and women enlisted or were called up to the various services and through the columns in the Jewish Press kept in touch with the readership. The columns included "^ith Khaki and Blue." Mary Arbitman (Fellman) wrote the weekly columns filled with news, tidbits and a variety of types of information about those in uniform wherever they were stationed. In addition the YANCS organization was founded to give local women and families the opportunity to host servicemen coming through Omaha at the Jewish Community Center Canteen open daily and staffed by YANC volunteers. YANCS (which stood for Youth Army Navy Committee Service) sponsored dances and dinners at the JCC, urged members to invite servicemen to their homes for Shabbat meals and Passover. They offered free phone calls home on Sundays and other ways of making servicemen and women feel comfortable while traveling through or being stationed in Omaha. A number of YANC members met and married some of these "visitors" and announcements were made in the "YANCS in Action" weekly column in the Jewish Press. Following the end of the war in which 16 members of the Omaha, Council Bluffs and out-state Nebraska areas lost their lives, there were services of honor as well as memorials for returnees. Women of the community nlso raised money for a Red Cross ambiilnnre, folded bandapes at the
j'Jiipnes luiiioi'iiij,' tiu).si' wlio sencd and a plaque at the Jewish Community Center remembering those who died.
Fneefi?
Jewish Presa
April U, 1995
World Wai" II
At the U.S. Naval Training School in New York \6 seaman Lorrain Greenspan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Greenspan. Her sister, Shirley, also was In the Navy.
TrMny, NoTemlier 3, 1944
With Khaki and Blue By Kiary Arbitman l\ TIIKlIt ATTFMIT TO KKi:r TMK HO.MK FOLKS FRO&I \V()[CltVI.\(i . . , (hn boys Jn sorvici- nvu Utrni-HlnK to m«n> linii iiiliior liijiirii's until ihoy lunc irrcivrt) Ihcir rurpd- lloart iiunirU nliiiti tlu-v torwitrtl on wiili ii>inii nititvltnliinrc and n K^cat <l<-iil of iiioili'sl.t. l.iiM |-'il<l;ii ^Ir. iiiitl .Mrs. Jn,. |;<HIIJ. k ift.ivril « 1<-ili>r iiDMt llirir .<-nii, lUtl. MIIO K :I ra|iriiii wiili rlir ;u,i > rmorca Itiii'-ifill iti (M-i'iliiiht, in "liirli I in Ins,-,1 his INiml,- H.i:,t. .^t,m.1,1, iii...ni.T 1.1 UM- tituilh r...i,,-.| in I'lii.li it-i! . I-IIMM, m.-ri.
PVoin left, Lo<i Sherman, Sam Wolk, and Kay Schapiro in a brief encounter 35 kilometers from Essen.
'nr«l!i, ntli-r lil» Iciivt- nt hotno wflli tiis |tari.'nl3.
The Nebraska -Jewish Hi-storical Society will honor those wlio seivcd (in all the war.s since the Spanish American) in the i\hiy issue or"Ah'ni()ries of the .Jewish .Midwest"-Jom'nai. We neini your stories. i)icturos. etc! I'iea.se call .'334-8200. I'-xt. 262, and let us know voii will r)nrticit)ate.
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Jewish Press
Harry Rubenstein was born at home on North 18tli Street in 1892. He was the eighth living child of Fannie and Aaron Rubenstein. Child Labor laws did not exist at this time and children where permitted to quit school after fourth grade and earn pennies by selling pigeons and rabbits. Harry was powerfully motivated to help support his family of 10. His father was a very hardworking owner of a tailor shop. Used goat and cart By the time Harry was 10, he had saved \ enough to buy a goat and cart to deliver groceries for Mrs. Healy's Market. Before long he had rented space there to sell among other products, Harding's Ice Cream.
April 14,1995
Subsequently he Harty Bncl Ellzabetli Rubenstein
In 1910, at the age of 18, Harry bought a opened his own warehorse and wagon and house on Howard started his own busi- Street,Omaha's ness selling door to door Wholesale area, now the a variety of dairy prod- Old Market. Soon he had a fleet of ucts. Among the 175 to 200 delivery trucks selling houses he served eslch in surrounding states, day, one belonged to then later a Lincoln J.H. Millard, the presi- warehouse. dent of Omaha National He began by selling to Bank. grocery stores, then Millard took careful expanded to restaunote of this wirey hard rants, hotels, state facilworking kid and started ities and educational teaching him an abbre- institutions. viated form of an He sold himself to the M.B.A- at his kitchn holders of national table. brand products and By 1918, at 26, he had earned the right to have a loan from the Omaha the midstates exclusive. National Bank and Harry did not stop training from the president of the bank and he working until he was 75 opened the Dairy years old. He and his Department of Central wife, Elizabeth, lived ^ Market in downtown into their 90's. Omaha begun by his Excerpted from a lifetime friends and neighbors, the Kulakof- letter written by Jean Rubenstein Wallace. skys.
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April 14,1995
Harry Kaplan
Saul Suvalsky
In 1913, Harry Kaplan moved from Latvia to McCook, Nebraska. His brother-in-law, Morris Cramer, gave him a job working in his junk yard. ,» A few years after his arrival, Mr. Kaplan and his friend, Mr. Novak, (from Omaha's Rosen-Novak Automobile Agency), moved to Columbus, Nebraska, and opened a store which sold automobile parts. Around 1915, Harry Kaplan bought Mr. Novak's share of the business. When Mr. Kaplan received his citizenship papers in 1919, he sent for his family. He sent the family fifty dollars in cash. Ida Kaplan gave twenty-five dollars to some poor people who needed money for food, and used the other money to purchase first class passage on the ship. Queen Elizabeth, for herself and her three daughters. All of Harry and Ida Kaplan's daughters currently live in Omaha. Mollie Kaplan Franklin, a resident of the Rose Blumkin Home, laughed as she told how she ate her first banana on the ship peel and all! Moliie's sisters recently moved from Columbus, Nebraska to Omaha and they reside at Remington Heights Apartments. Her sister, Lena Kaplan, married Louis Kaplan, and her other sister, Sarah Kaplan, married Herman Kaplan. The two Kaplan gentlemen were brothers so there was no need to change the initials on the towels!
By Zeph Telpner The Suvalsky family has jjeen in business in Council Bluffs for more than 65 years. Saul and Frieda began their first business in 1924, the year they got married. They were grocers and operated the White Front Market. Saul managed operations, and Frieda managed the office and public relations. After Saul had back surgery in 1944,his physicians told him to get out of the grocery business. They chose the small appliance business because Saul thought they would be the "wave of the future." When World War II ended,'fbany new appliances were invented. Popup toasters replaced the old-hand op>erated ones. Electric frying pans, waffle irons, new lamps and vacuum cleaners were in demand. The new business was called Master Appliance Shop. Business was good. Television sets became popular, and business got better. In 1950 the company added household furniture and changed its name to Master Furniture and Appliance Co. The company now sells only m^or appliances, lamps and household furniture. Saul and Frieda's sons, Selwin and Marvin, joined the family business. Selwin came into the business when his father was ill. He had studied in college to be an aeronautical engineer, but he gave up that career when his family needed him. Marvin received a degree in business administration before he joined the family business. Selwin's wife, Reva, and Marvin's wife, Dottie, worked on the sales floor with their husbands.
SMaif this ^assoVer season usher in a time of jjeace The Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors OFFICCRS President Jerry Slusky Vice President Tom Fellman Vice President Forest Krutter
Treasurer Houjard Kooper Secretary Bobbie Epstein Past President DonaW A V^te
DIRECTORS Joel Alperson Jill Belmont Anne Broder Mary Fellman
Jan Schneiderman Marty Stiukert Arnie Weitz
Don Greenberg Steve hkagg Zo« RIekes Mark Sanford
CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN Don Goldstein Carol Katzman
Juice Katzman Fred Simon
THE FOUNDATION OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION Prtsl<knt - Ted SckJin
AGENCY PReSIPENTS Lhraru Joucc Cohen Aa/CRC MarkBcknont Jfuish Fanilu Service Julie Frank Bureau of JcuJsh Education MidiadUnn
Jeuish Press BcnWicsman Jeuish Conmrltu Center Paul Cohen Bureau For The Aging Robert Lepp
RABBIS Rabbi Aruch Azrlel
Rabbi Paul Drazcn
Habbi Joseph f ncdman
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Jewish Press
April 14,1995
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In the spirit of the Passover season, we wish for all a world of peace.