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The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

Browse Items (35 total)

  • This birth certificate for Kurt Ackermann was produced in 1938 by the Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wein or the Jewish Community of Vienna. First organized as an official Jewish community organization in the mid-19th century, in 1938 the IKG was tasked with managing emmigration and deportation of Vienese Jews.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Kurt Ackermann's passport contains stamps from the various ports of passage on his year and a half long journey out of Austria and to the United States.

  • It took several years for Kurt Ackermann to transfer his medical credentials and become certified to continue his career as a doctor in the United States.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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, Board meeting minutes for April 8, 1935. Mrs. Theresa Bernheim was announced as the new “Chairman of the local Jewish Committee on the placement of German Jewish Children in homes,” and it was reported that “five children are to be placed in this community.” The Council discussed changes in the bank used for a safety deposit box and contributions to the Hadassah. There was an extended discussion of the fourteenth Triennial Convention in New Orleans, which was themed “What Do We Owe the Next Generation.” The minutes refer to “resolutions concerning munitions, World Court, Military Training in Schools and Colleges, Disarmament, League of Nations and Racial Relation.” National dues were increased “to $1.50 per person in order to carry on a broader social program which embodied the field work, a Nat’l quarterly bulletin for each Council member, birth control clinics, radio programs, continuation in work for German Jewish Children, and a religious educational project for the home teaching of children by mothers.” Additional discussions concerned charitable funding for a Women’s Club float, a joint tea and musical event with the Adath Israel Sisterhood and Bi-state Sisterhood, and clothing donations for the Council birthday party at Waverly Hills Sanatorium. The Penny Lunch fund and the Committee on Ways and Means both reported positive financial situations for free lunches and cookbook sales. The correspondence read at this meeting concerned letters of appreciation to and from the Council, “changes in immigration and naturalization laws pending for consideration in Congress,” charitable contributions, and upcoming events. The minutes conclude with a reminder to Board Members “to keep secret all matters discussed at the Board meetings until presentation of these matters had been made at Open Meetings.”

  • National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, open meeting minutes for December 18, 1934. During the correspondence portion of the meeting, the Council read a letter from National President Fanny Brin “requesting further co-operation in securing additional passage money for Jewish children of Germany to this country and for the securing of private homes for the placement of the children.” The Council also received acknowledgement for the money already donated “for the passage of two German Jewish children.” The minutes also recount expenses and remaining Council funds for October through December. The Penny Lunch Committee reported that 38 lunches per week and 5 breakfasts per day were being served each day to children in the lunchroom. The total cost of the lunches per week was $9.50. Updates were given regarding the next book review meeting and “Contemporary Jewish Problems Class conducted by Rabbi Solomon N. Bazell.” Reports were also given by the Committee on Drives regarding the Red Cross Drive, the Student Loan fund, the Membership Committee, the Committee on Ways and Means regarding the Council cookbook, and the Memorial fund. The Council read letters relaying appreciation for various local efforts, including “jellies and preserves” donated to the Jewish Children’s Home, and updates on local happenings, including Y.M.H.A. performances and the availability of a report on Public Schools by Griffenhagen Associates. Many of the letters pertained to national matters. The Louisville Board of Trade, Civic and Welfare Endorsement Committee, sent a letter “advising the presence in the community of undesired individuals soliciting funds under false representations.” Letters also covered the National Conference on the Cause and Cure of War in Washington, D.C., National Council efforts to reach out to former members who may rejoin and non-members in small communities, and upcoming National Council elections.

  • National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Board meeting minutes for March 12, 1934. Two letters discussed at the meeting relate to boycotting German goods and where to acquire items such as fabric gloves from other suppliers. A letter from National President Mrs. Fanny Brin provides updates about sanctioning the "the American Palestine Campaign to raise funds for the settlement of German Jews in Palestine." Other topics are an overview of funding and volunteer situations for the Penny Lunch Committee, Student Loan Committee, Committee on Social Welfare, and anti-Nazi propaganda efforts. The board decided to form a study group related to the anti-propaganda efforts. The minutes then turn to correspondence received by the board. The board decided to join the Louisville Conference of Jewish Organizations and discussed details of membership requirements. One letter requests that Mrs. J.M. Fuhrman join the Recreation Advisory Board and another is a letter of appreciation for donations of jellies to the Jewish Children's Home. The final letter concerns the movement to allow "delegates to the Kentucky federation of Women's Club to be empowered to act for the Council at meetings of the federation" in May.

  • National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Board meeting minutes for May 14, 1934. The Committee on Service to the foreign Born reported on a Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA) citizenship class. The Council discussed sending delegates to the Convention of the Kentucky Federation of Women’s Clubs and budgets “for the relief of German Jewish Children.” During the correspondence part of the meeting, an extended discussion followed regarding the German Jewish Children’s Aid, Inc., and efforts “to bring approximately 250 German Jewish Children to the United States.” The National Council sent a letter “emphatically requesting that there be no solicitation or collection of small continuations from Sections or Section members for the transportation of German Jewish Children to this country." The minutes also recount expenses and remaining Council funds for March through May. The Committee on Social Welfare report requested donations to the Jewish Children’s Home and a Council birthday party at Waverly Hills Sanatorium. Additional reports were made by the Committee on Hospital Circles. Correspondence read in this meeting covers messages of appreciation, funding for YMHA camp attendance and other charitable causes, and discussions with the Retail Merchants Association regarding returned merchandise.

  • National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Board meeting minutes for May 22, 1939. As the first major point of business, the Bank Committee (German Children's Aid, Inc.) was converted "into a Standing Committee, since it had been in existence for one year." The minutes describe ongoing events and programs for the benefit of new Americans, including teas, English lessons, youth recreation, and funding citizenship applications. The minutes summarize a letter from Mrs. Blanche Goldman, National President, “warning against the danger of allowing the cancellation of personal obligations which involves curtailment of cooperation, and advising the continued liberal support to the foreign-born.” Other correspondence concerns upcoming conferences, a thank-you letter for “ice-cream sent children of the Kosair Crippled Home,” a request for charitable donations to the Jewish Braille Institute, and various notes of appreciation. In terms of other topics, the minutes opened with a list of officers, directors, and committee chairs. They then recount expenses and remaining Council funds for March through April. 36 members attended the meeting, and 218 members total paid their dues for the year. In an update on the Student Loan Committee, Mrs. J.M. Fuhrman, Chairman, notes that a student's loan had been "charged off the books due to extreme illness of the man in question" and half was repaid when he recovered even though the repayment was "absolutely unsolicited."

  • National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Board meeting minutes for October 9, 1939. Committees on Americanization and Service to the foreign-born gave reports. An update from the National Council regarding refugee assistance is given: “During the summer, five persons have been helped with citizenship papers. 178 refugees are now living in this City, 14 of whom arrived during the summer. . . . the ten families that the National Refugee Service is pledged to take out of New York annually have been taken care of with homes, job, clothing, etc. The day camp for children during the summer was an unqualified success, in most instances showing a marked improvement in health and morale of the children. Mrs. Krupp, a trained worker, was employed by the Council to carry on a systematic plan for the children during the summer.” Correspondence read at the meeting concerns notes of appreciation, requests for volunteers and donations, and updates on programs and relief efforts. Mrs. Gertrude Glogower, National Chairman of German Jewish Children's Aid Inc., sent a letter of appreciation for the Council's support of Jewish Children, noting that the war has delayed efforts to relocate children from Europe to the US and that "There are 414 children in the United States today for which the Council is responsible and the National looks to the Sections for continued support." The Conference of Jewish Organizations sent a letter stating that $250 may be provided for "refugee work." The minutes also recount expenses and remaining Council funds for May through October. An insert into the minutes lists the Council’s general budget and committee budgets for 1939-1940. The minutes record a reminder to keep Board meeting discussions private until matters are discussed at general meetings. An extended discussion of Council business follows, including updates on finances, Working Rules, office terms, and resignations. Announcements about the upcoming Discussion Group and book review meeting are mentioned. The Council read a letter from the National Council “asking members individually and as a group to send letters to the proper officials in Washington upholding the President’s Neutrality laws and asking for a revision of the present ones.” Other updates concern the Student Loan Committee, the Committee of Social Welfare, and the Penny Lunch fund. The meeting ends with a request for members to pay their dues on time.

  • 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, 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.
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