Browse Items (270 total)

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  YMHA Chronicler Cover: Success Number

  Coverpage of the YMHA Chronicler Success Number, Volume I, No. 3.
  
  This item was featured in the Bricks and Mortar, Soul and Heart: The Evolution of Louisville's Young Men's Hebrew Association and Jewish Community Center 1890-2022 digital exhibit: https://filsonhistorical.omeka.net/exhibits/show/ymha-jcc-louisville/founding-and-early-years
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  Y.M.H.A. Camps for a summer of fun, 1950

  4-page brochure for Camp Riccaree in Louisville and Camp Tall Trees in Meade County, Kentucky. The brochure describes the dates, staffing, locations, food, fees, and activities for the Jewish summer camps.
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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, 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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  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, November 1941

  The November 1941, vol. 19, no. 19 issue of The Bulletin, a World War II era newsletter of the Louisville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women in Kentucky. The issue opens with an address from local president Esther J. Handmaker (addressed in the officers list as Mrs. Herman Handmaker). She calls for council members to "give our time an energies . . . generously" in support of "volunteer training and service for the success of the National Defense Program depends upon the strength of that volunteer effort." She situates the efforts as a present-day "emergency need" and "firm foundations" for the future. Next, the issue provides a detailed list of "chairmen" and "leaders in every important activity." Local updates follow, including an announcement for an upcoming book talk with Willie Snow Ethridge, an advertisement for "a Singing Message" program, and projects by the Social Welfare Committee in partnership with the Children's Convalescent Home. The issue requests donations for the National Service to foreign Born and advertises ongoing refugee support in the fields of education, household supplies, and entertainment. The issue then turns to updates and announcements regarding Red Cross membership, study groups, Council Workshop, new members, Memorial fund, membership dues, the Night Group, and the upcoming November conference meeting. The final page is an acrostic poem using the words "Victory for Council" to highlight some of the Council's values and efforts.
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  The Bulletin, January 1941

  The January 1941, vol. 17, no. 17 issue of The Bulletin, a World War II era newsletter of the Louisville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women in Kentucky. The issue opens with a New Year's address form the National President Mrs. Maurice L. Goldman that encourages readers to "recognize the coming of the new year as an opportunity and challenge to a free people living in a free country, to keep that country free and, if possible, to assist in emancipating the people of all the world who now live under the yoke of the Dictator." The issue then offers a preview of the Book Review Teas luncheon and reminds members that dues for 1941 must be paid. The "Have You Heard?" column advertises local events, causes, and achievements and is followed by an open enrollment call for the Nursery School. The issue ends with a poem advertising a Council event at the Brown Hotel on February 17th.
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  The Bulletin, February 1942

  The February 1942, vol. 20, no. 20 issue of The Bulletin, a World War II era newsletter of the Louisville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women in Kentucky, with the address of Lillie Grauman written on the cover. The issue opens with an address from national Council President Mrs. Maurice L. Goldman regarding what members should do to support "the Victory Program." Local President Esther J. Handmaker (addressed in the minutes as Mrs. Herman Handmaker) asks readers to "heed her sound advice remembering that doing our every day tasks is part of defense." It is followed by a copy of the letter the Council sent to President Roosevelt "placing the resources of the National Council of Jewish Women at the disposal of the United States Government." A copy of a letter of appreciation from Secretary to the President Stephen Early follows. The issue then shifts to specific local news and events, including a legislation education class, free lending library, noncitizen registration assistance, refugee education programs, the Nursery School, Council Workshop, Memorial fund, Red Cross donations, Service fund, and Defense Program. Strong, consistent community support of these organizations and fundraising efforts is a common theme. A summary of how the Council Dues support "civilian defense," "national unity," "civilian morale," and "an expanding democracy follows." The issue calls on readers to not be a "hoarder" or to engage in "profiteering" on shortages, instead asking them to focus on "conserving" food and resources. The last two columns acknowledge community members for specific achievements and call for continued charitable support. The issue ends with a poem advertising a Council luncheon at the Brown Hotel.
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  The Bulletin, April 1941

  The April 1941, vol. 18, no. 18 issue of The Bulletin, a World War II era newsletter of the Louisville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women in Kentucky. The issue opens with an address from local Council President Esther J. Handmaker
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  The Bulletin, April 1940

  The April 1940, vol. 15, no. 15 issue of The Bulletin, a World War II era newsletter of the Louisville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women in Kentucky. The issue opens with an overview of National Council news and member updates. Most of the issue discusses local news. One major point is "the problem of refugee relief" and how the Council and community members can support refugees with everyday goods, childcare, English language education, and more. It also acknowledges community support for children's birthday celebrations, the Penny Lunch fund for school children, the Memorial fund, and the Student Loan fund. Additional contributions to these funds and volunteers for the Red Cross are requested. The issue ends with a list of notable Council accomplishments.
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  Tall Trees Tower, Second Camping Period, July 14, 1951

  Four-page newspaper produced by Jewish counselors and campers of Camp Tall Trees in Meade County, Kentucky. Includes a list of the cabins and campers with a characteristic of each.
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  Tall Trees Tower, First Camping Period, June 23, 1951

  Newspaper produced by Jewish counselors and campers of Camp Tall Trees in Meade County, Kentucky. Includes a list of the cabins and campers with "an outstanding characteristic of each camper," and biographical sketches on the counselors. Headlines include "Experiments," "Bravery Department," "The Treasure Hunt," "An Overnight Hike," "The Perfect Boy Camper," "The Chuckle Box," "The Perfect Girl Camper," "Things Most Appreciated This First Camping Season," "Nature Report," "A Report from One of Our Choir Members," "Evening Programs," and "The Swimming Pool."
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  Speech by Denise Wolff, March 26, 1945

  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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  Sol Levy carte d'identité, 1935

  French identity card for 1935 and enclosed portraits of Sol Levy (1865-1944), a Jewish American who had emigrated from France. Sol Levy was born in 1865 in Alsace-Lorraine, a region that alternately fell under the control of Germany and France in the 19th century and during World Wars I and II in the 20th century. After migrating to the United States in 1882, Levy moved to Louisville and worked as a wholesale merchant, establishing the Gould-Levy Company in 1907.
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  Report of Operations: YMHA Camp Tall Trees, 1950

  29-page report on the 1950 season of Camp Tall Trees in Meade County, Kentucky. The Louisville Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA) operated the Jewish overnight summer camp.
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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.
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  Postcard to Jacques Wolff from Madame Lavaux, October 18, 1944

  Postcard written in French to Jacques Wolff (1903-1977) that mentions a United States courier.
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  Polio vaccines, 1960

  8mm color film clip of two medical professionals administering vaccines to children at Camp Tall Trees in Meade County, Kentucky. The Jewish Community Center of Louisville hosted the 2-3 week long summer camp in Otter Creek. The children in this film are receiving what was likely the Salk polio vaccine, introduced just five years earlier in 1955. Before this point, many parents dreaded the late summer months when polio cases peaked, and swimming pools were often shut down to try to curb transmission through contaminated water. The year 1952 marked the worst outbreak of polio in the nation’s history, with nearly 58,000 reported cases of paralytic poliomyelitis. The number of cases dropped to just under 3,200 in 1960 and fell to the single digits by the 1980s.
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  New Zionist Organization of America letter to Tom Wallace, May 4, 1945

  The first page of this document is a letter dated May 4, 1945, from Col. Morris J. Mendelsohn to Louisville Times editor Tom Wallace. Mendelsohn expresses his support for "a Jewish Palestine" "as the only common-sense answer to the unequalled tragedy of the Jewish people." He describes the American government and civilian support for a Jewish Palestine and asks Wallace to read and sign the Declaration he enclosed with the letter. The following three pages are a copy of the Declaration, which is directed to the United States government and calls for Palestine to "be proclaimed as a Jewish State." Throughout, the Declaration connects an end to antisemitism with a rise in "lasting peace" across the globe. It also points out that Jewish delegations have been absent from United Nations conferences and seeks greater Jewish inclusion in international affairs. The signature line is blank. The last page of this document is a letter dated May 8, 1945, from Tom Wallace's secretary to Mendelsohn indicating that his letter has been received and will be given to Wallace when he returns to the office.
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  Louisville Mendelssohn Lodge membership register, 1860-1921

  An indexed membership register for the Louisville, Kentucky, B’nai B’rith Mendelssohn Lodge, a Jewish fraternal organization. The register documents members from 1860 to at least 1921. Recorded member information includes their name, place of residence, occupation, marital status, number of children, and date they were inducted.
  
  The Har-Moriah Lodge No. 14 (“Mt. Moriah”) opened in Louisville in October 1852 and a second B’nai B’rith lodge, the Mendelssohn Lodge No. 40, opened in Louisville in May 1860. Many of the early lodge members were recent Jewish immigrants from parts of now modern Germany who had strong bonds through neighborhood proximity, marriage, and business ventures. The Har Moriah and Mendelssohn lodges officially merged in February 1904 and became Louisville Lodge No. 14.
  
  Note: The PDF is 523 pages long, so please be patient while it loads.
  
  For the full collection finding aid, see https://filsonhistorical.org/research-doc/bnai-brith-louisville-lodge-no-14-louisville-ky-records-1860-1921/