The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

Browse Items (27 total)

  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mssbd_j59_f0355.pdf

    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.
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/mssbj_n277a_f105_005.pdf

    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.
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/mssbj_n277a_f105_003.pdf

    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.
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/mssbj_n277a_f105_004.pdf

    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.
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mssa_l668_f08_001.pdf

    Seven-page speech by Denise Wolff (1909-2000) detailing life and agony in Nazi occupied France during World War II, her family's immigration to the United States and Louisville, Kentucky, in 1941, and news of the Holocaust.
  • MssA_C472_F123_001b.jpg

    French language pamphlet on transportation options for refugees leaving France during World War II. Includes a map of France.
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mssa_l668_f07_006.pdf

    Postcard written in French to Jacques Wolff (1903-1977) that mentions a United States courier.
  • https://filsonhistoricalomekaimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/mssbj_n277a_f014_005.pdf

    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.
  • https://filsonhistoricalomekaimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/mssbj_n277a_f014_006.pdf

    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.
  • https://filsonhistoricalomekaimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/mssbj_n277a_f014_007.pdf

    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."
  • https://filsonhistoricalomekaimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/mssbj_n277a_f014_004.pdf

    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.
  • https://filsonhistoricalomekaimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/mssbj_n277a_f014_008.pdf

    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."
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mssa_l668_f07_004.pdf

    Letter, written in French, to Albert Wolff (1906-1989) mentioning embarkment to New York.
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mssa_l668_f07_005.pdf

    Letter in French written to married couple Albert Wolff (1906-1989) and Jean Wolff (1913-1986) from Albert's brother Jacques Wolff (1903-1977), about arranging immigration visas.
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mssbd_j59_f0005_002.pdf

    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.
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mssbd_j59_f0005_001.pdf

    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.
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mssa_l668_f02_002.pdf

    A two-page letter from Jewish American B. J. Lee to A. H. Frenke, confirming to Frenke that the Wolff family will receive passage from Lisbon, Portugal to New York City, New York on May 2, 1941.
  • MssA_L668_F06_001c.jpg

    World War II era French passport for Jacques Wolff (1903-1977), a Jewish man. He was married to Denise Wolff (1909-2000). His uncle Sol Levy arranged for their family's immigration to Louisville, Kentucky, to escape German occupation and the Holocaust. The passport shows that in 1941, the family traveled to Spain and Portugal before taking a ship to New York City. Blank visa pages were not scanned.
  • MssA_L668_F06_004b.jpg

    World War II era French passport, identity card, war ration booklet, and bread rationing card in possession of Henrietta Levy Cerf (1866-1946), a French Jewish woman. Her brother Sol Levy arranged for her and other family members' immigration to the United States to escape German occupation and the Holocaust. Blank visa pages were not scanned.
  • https://filsonhistoricalimages.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mssa_l668_f08_004.pdf

    Autobiography sharing the story of "Great-grandma Wolff" by Denise Wolff (1909-2000). She recounts living through multiple Germanic and German occupations in the 19th and 20th centuries, immigration to the United States, and her subsequent life as a Jewish American in Louisville, Kentucky.
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