The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

Browse Items (34 total)

  • 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.

  • 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."

  • 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."

  • 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."

  • 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."

  • 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."

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

  • The Rosenshiels write a two-page letter to Louisville Jewish businessman and philanthropist Isaac W. Bernheim (1848-1945) from London, England. They detail their efforts to leave Nazi Germany after "having gone through all the horrors of the nefarious Concentration camp at Dachau." They note that the treatment they have received from English authorities is warm while they wait to be able to emigrate to the United States. He describes the desperation that led his wife to ask for money from Bernheim for their immigration. Other items in Bernheim's papers show that he also funded other Jewish refugees escape from Europe in the lead up to and during World War II.

  • Autobiography written in English by Denise Wolff (1909-2000), a Jewish French American that immigrated to the United States during World War II. She describes her youth in France, hardship during German occupation during World War II, and immigration to the United States via Spain and Portugal, and activities she took part in at the Temple in Louisville, Kentucky.

  • Newspaper of the Louisville, Kentucky, Jewish Community Center and National Council of Jewish Women's Club 60. The publication includes an article beginning on page 3 that details the youth, immigration, and subsequent settling of Jewish Frenchman Jacques Wolff (1903-1977) in the United States. Includes his service in the French army, and his personal losses to the German army and the Holocaust, after which he was able to work in wholesale business in Louisville, Kentucky. Jacques was the husband of Denise Wolff, one of the founders of Club 60.

    Pages 6-8 are missing from the original version in the Filson's collection.

  • 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.
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