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The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

Browse Items (35 total)

  • Photograph of the Ackermann family outside their home at 2063 Sherwood Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. Pictured left to right are Trude Breiner, Kurt Ackermann, and Gerda Ackermann.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 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 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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 April 9, 934. These meeting minutes cover local Council affairs and matters of national and international importance. The minutes recount the year's expenses and remaining Council funds. The Council decided “that whatever balance remained on hand in the General fund at the end of the year be set aside for relief in the aiding of German Jewish Children.” The meeting covered reports from various Committees, including the Committee on Education, the Penny Lunch fund, and the Student loan fund. The planned “study groups on Anti-Semitism” was set for the fall “under the leadership of Rabbi Solomon N. Bazell.” Additional community events and talks were discussed. The correspondence portion of the meeting addressed letters regarding upcoming radio broadcasts by national President Mrs. Fanny Brin about “The World Conscience and Anti-Semitism”

  • National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, open meeting minutes for March 19, 1934. The Council discusses the possibility of joining the Louisville Conference of Jewish Organizations. A letter from Mrs. Fanny Brin, National President, concerns the Committee on Aid to German Children and finding places for German children to stay. In relation to the ongoing boycott of German-made goods, a letter is read from the Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi League regarding fabric gloves made in other countries. The minutes recount the expenses and remaining Council funds for February through March. Next, “Miss Mary Hicks of the City Health Council . . . gave a short talk on Negro Health Week observance.” The Nominating Committee report lists officers for 1934-36 and directors for 1934-37. Announcements for upcoming book review sessions, community events, and talks follow. Additional letters concern notes of appreciation, upcoming events, and the Tydings Resolution. The meeting closes with a musical program and discussion of french composers.

  • National Council of Jewish Women Annual Luncheon Meeting minutes for April 16, 1934. As a follow-up to the March open meeting, the Council discussed “the action of the National Board relative to its activities in relief work for German Jewish Children.” The Council decided “that whatever balance remained on hand in the General fund at the end of the year be set aside for relief in the aiding of German Jewish Children.” Reports were given by the Committees on Education, Penny Lunch, Social Welfare, Hospital Circles, Student Loans, and Memorial funds. The upcoming book review meeting and talk by Rabbi Wise were announced, and the Council discussed the proposed “study group on ‘Anit-Semitism’ . . . under the leadership of Rabbi Solomon N. Bazzell.” The Nominating Committee report lists officers for 1934-36 and directors for 1934-37. “Mrs. E.H. Wehle reported on plans for systematizing the library at Waverly Hills Sanitarium and requested contributions for magazine subscriptions.” The correspondence section of the meeting covers discussions about the Copeland Pure food and Drugs Bill, local charitable events, and messages of thanks.
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