Browse Items (52 total)
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From Vienna to Louisville, 1938-1940
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. -
Report of the Nursery School, February 1941
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, December 9, 1940
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, June 3, 1940
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, April 17, 1940
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, March 18, 1940
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, December 11, 1939
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, October 16, 1939
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. -
National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Board meeting minutes, March 11, 1940
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. -
National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Y.M.H.A. Symposium minutes, November 13, 1939
National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Board meeting minutes for November 13, 1939. Regarding support for refugees, “Mrs. Arthur Kling reported the arrival of 12 emigrees since last meeting. All of them have been visited by the committee.” In addition, Mrs. Ben Wilde reported “the enthusiasm and interest shown in the Council’s Workshop for German women” and noted “articles” will be available for sale at the November Book Tea. The minutes also recount expenses and remaining Council funds for May through October. The first two main points of business relate to education. The finance Committee agreed to send $62.50 to “Miss Irene Levy to maintain her sister in a school in Belgium.” The Penny Lunch fund reported “50 free lunches daily are being given, making a $50.00 monthly expenditure.” Updates regarding the Committee of Education’s book review meetings, the Committee of Hospitality’s Tea, and upcoming Council meetings are given. An extended discussion of National Council matters occurred during the Committee of Peace and International Relations report -
National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section, Board meeting minutes, October 9, 1939
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, Board meeting minutes, May 22, 1939
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." -
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. -
Hebrew Committee of National Liberation, May 24, 1945
Letter from the Hebrew Committee of National Liberation to Louisville Times Editor Tom Wallace. The letter is signed by Secretary General S. Merlin. Merlin explains that he is responding to the paper's recent solicitation of opinions of "how to bring about a solution of the Jewish problem." He notes the "complexities of this age-old problem" and expresses "deep regret" over the resulting implications from opinions in the newspaper that there is "a world Jewish community with national and political characteristics." He further claims that the concept of "the universal Jewish nation, or Jewish people" is "detrimental to the very interests of our people." Six clarifying points follow in which Merlin discusses the differences he sees between nationality, "religious affiliation," and political terms. One major theme is that there "is a decisive distinction between the terms 'Hebrew' and 'Jew.'" Merlin explains that the Hebrew Committee of National Liberation seeks to "convince the United Nations that they must assume the responsibility of repatriating all the Hebrews from Europe who desire to . . . return to their national territory--Palestine." He concludes the letter by noting that this is "an international question" and that answering it is a "moral responsibility." -
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. -
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. -
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 -
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. -
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. -
Voices of the Shoah script, April 16, 1993
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.