Browse Items (36 total)

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  From Vienna to Louisville, 1938-1940

  Six-page narrative of Trude Ackermann Breiner as told to Carolyn Moyse and Virginia Wilson. The story covers the Ackermann and Pokorny families's experiences in Vienna, Austria, during World War II and their efforts to navigate the immigration process to the United States.
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  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Executive Board meeting minutes, October 9, 1941

  Four-page minutes for the executive board meeting of the National Council of Jewish Women. Louisville Section held on October 9, 1941. A summary of the Service to the Foreign Born chair report includes the "receipt of $10.00 from 2 people who have moved out of the city as return on help from the Comm for their citizenship papers. There were 9 newcomers during the summer. The Nursery School has 33 registrations which means a waiting list of 15. It has been possible to increase the teacher's salary and she has a NYA assistant."
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  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Annual meeting minutes, April 21, 1941

  Two-page, typed minutes for the annual meeting of the National Council of Jewish Women. Louisville Section held on April 21, 1941. The minutes include a summary of Mrs. Edgar Menderson's presentation on '"National Council in the Field of Service to the Foreign Born." The National Council decided to end the German Children's Aid Inc. "to make way for a broader field of work in service to the foreign born" and increase local sections' financial contributions to the expanded work.
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  Report of the Nursery School, February 1941

  9-page, typed report on the Nursery School operated by the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Louisville Section and the Jewish Welfare Federation of Louisville, Kentucky. The document begins with the need for, purpose, and principles of the "combination nursery and school" for "children 2 1/2 to 5 years of age." It outlines how Selma Kling and Katherine Bottigheimer of the NCJW Americanization Committee spearheaded the creation of the school in part to serve "Immigrant children of pre-school age who will use the school in learning English and general orientation." The school opened on February 5, 1940. The report profiles the initial behavior and improvements of some of the students, including three refugee children. The document notes that "the teacher at the School is a German refugee who obtained kindergarten training in Germany and additional nursery school training in this country. We feel that the provision of employment for her thru the establishment of the Nursery School is in line with the aims of the Council in relation to work with New Americans."
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  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Executive Board meeting minutes, December 9, 1940

  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Executive Board meeting minutes for December 9, 1940. The minutes include reports on the group's Nursery School enrollment and Workshop, both of which served immigrant women and families. The Service to the Foreign Born Committee also reported on interest in Mrs. Dan Byck's American History study group for German women, collection of clothing for a refugee camp in Spain, and use of the Klauber Fund to cover fees for "four new citizenship papers."
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  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Executive Board meeting minutes, June 3, 1940

  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Executive Board meeting minutes for June 3, 1940. The minutes reference work with and advocating for immigrants and refugees, such as that "Sara Landau, Chairman of Peace and International Relations suggested that the work of that committee be combined with the Legislative Committee in as much as most of the problems confronting people today deal with legislation in regard to immigration and directed against aliens." Other committee reports include that volunteer English teachers were needed for the Americanization Committee, the "German Children's Aid Inc. has received $527.72 for this year," and "that Mrs. Bernard Selligman plans a study group on Contemporary Jewish Affairs, to hold one meeting each month, to study the refugee problem."
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  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, annual meeting, April 17, 1940

  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, annual meeting minutes, announcement, and election ticket for April 17, 1940. The minutes report on expenditures and remaining funds, including for specific immigrant and refugee aid projects like the establishment of the Council Workshop. A summary of Selma Kling's report notes "that approximately 250 emigrees are now residing in Louisville. These have been the responsibility and care of the [Americanization] committee from the time they arrive until their lives run in normal channels."
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  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, monthly meeting minutes, March 18, 1940

  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, monthly meeting minutes on March 18, 1940. The minutes report that the Council "has contributed $100 to the National Council Scholarship Fund for Refugees." The Americanization Committee reports "that one new family and one individual had arrived in the City since the last meeting," thanks Council members for donating clothing and furniture for new residents, and notes that the Girl Scouts want to work with the committee to help immigrant girls join. A letter read from the National Chairman of the Children's Aid appeals for continued funding. To conclude the meeting, the Committee on Contemporary Jewish Affairs held a roundtable titled "Milestones in Refugee Resettlement."
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  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, open meeting minutes, December 11, 1939

  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, open meeting minutes on December 11, 1939. The Committee on Americanization “thanked members who visited the German families and also thanked members for the generous response to the committee’s request for furniture.” The minutes also recount expenses and remaining Council funds for November through December. Reports and updates are recorded for the Committee of Education’s book tea and the Peace International Relations Committee’s book review. The Committee of Social Welfare report “asked for volunteers for the Children’s Home” and introduced a “Toy-Lending project.” After one month of operation, the Council workshop “has received $110.00 worth of orders.” Other points of discussion are Red Cross donations and volunteers, the Student Loan fund, the Penny Lunch fund, and updates on local events.
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  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, open meeting minutes, October 16, 1939

  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, open meeting minutes for October 16, 1939. In reference to World War II, the minutes note that "A letter was read from the National Council urging the study of the present neutrality laws and the President's proposals. Members were asked to write to Congressmen and Senators endorsing the President's proposed neutrality legislation." The minutes report on a bequest from Carrie E. Hirsch "for local refugee work," and work by the Americanization Committee to assist the "178 emigrees in the city, fourteen having arrived since June." The three-year old German Children's Aid Inc. fund also contributes to the care of 413 children through their work with the national organization. Charles Strull spoke to the Council about how the war in Europe was impacting refugees.
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  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Board meeting minutes, March 11, 1940

  National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Board meeting minutes for March 11, 1940 (mislabeled as 1949 in original document). The minutes summarize Mrs. Selma Kling's report on the Americanization Committee, stating that "she had received a request from the Girl Scouts who wish to cooperate with her Committee," "that neither the Council Workshop nor the Nursery School are being run for profit," and that "volunteer English teachers" are needed.
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  The Bulletin, October 1938

  October 1938 newsletter of the Louisville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. The newsletter is in the wake of rising German militarism and violence against Jews in Europe. Topics include fundraising for refugee German and Austrian Jewish children, and welcoming and supporting immigrants.
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  The Bulletin, November and December 1937

  The November/December 1937 issue of the newsletter of the Louisville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. The issue includes news on the use of Haavermarks as a medium of financial exchange to assist Jews in leaving Germany and local work in the naturalization and support of immigrants in Louisville, Kentucky.
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  The Bulletin, October 1937

  October 1937 issue of the newsletter of the Louisville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. The issue includes descriptions of refugee and Americanization work with Jewish immigrants in Louisville, Kentucky.
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  Bulletin, September 1934

  September 1934 issue of the newsletter of the Louisville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. The President's Report includes references to German emergency relief, boycott of German goods and stores that buy from German merchants, immigrant aid, and citizenship programs.
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  Voices of the Shoah script, April 16, 1993

  22-page script written for the 1993 Yom HaShoah commemoration program on the Holocaust titled "Voices of the Shoah" and held in Louisville, Kentucky. The program included a timeline of events, the experiences of survivors with connections to Louisville, Kentucky, and performing arts works.
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  Draft letter from Charles Strull to Charles W. Morris, June 2, 1944

  Letter drafted by Charles Strull (1883-1964) to Louisville Conference of Jewish Organizations Chairman Charles W. Morris (1892-1961) for Morris to edit and send to the Executive Committee of the Conference requesting its support of the Free Port plan to support Jewish asylum seekers coming to the United States. Strull hopes adopting the plan would sway neutral Iberian countries in particular to assist Jews seeking asylum.
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  Letter from Charles W. Morris to Executive Committee of the Louisville Conference of Jewish Organizations, June 3, 1944

  A copy of a letter written by Chairman Charles W. Morris (1892-1961) to the leadership of the Louisville Conference of Jewish Organizations informing them of the American Jewish Conference's request that their organization contact their government representatives and President Roosevelt to advocate for the creation of Free Ports to enable European Jewish refugees to seek asylum in the United States. The letter includes a ballot for the local organization to vote on their stance on the Free Port plan. A handwritten note on the back of the formal typed letter is addressed to Morris provides Dr. Rauch's view of the plan.
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  Letter from Chairman of the Louisville Conference of Jewish Organizations to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, June 22, 1944

  Letter from the Louisville Conference of Jewish Organizations in Kentucky to President Franklin D. Roosevelt requesting that he support the Free Ports proposal to provide asylum for refugees fleeing "totalitarian persecution." The Conference sent a similar advocacy letter to the Kentucky Senator Alben William Barkley.
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  Refugies, circa 1940s

  French language pamphlet on transportation options for refugees leaving France during World War II. Includes a map of France.