Browse Items (39 total)
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Interview with Shirley Bailen, 2018
Summary of an oral history interview conducted with Shirley Bailen (1922-2019) in May 2018. The interview was part of the Louisville Jewish Family and Career Services's project to document the lives of Jewish seniors in Louisville, Kentucky. -
Letter from Isaac W. Bernheim to R. C. Tway, December 6, 1940
A two-page letter written by retired Louisville distiller and philanthropist Isaac W. Bernheim (1848-1945) to Mr. R. C. Tway provides an example of one Jewish German American's views of World War II. He argues that the United States "must enter the war in self-dense on the side of England, and do so quickly." He addresses his American sons' service in World War I for the sake of democracy and anger at the aid given to Germany afterward. He states that "in return we got this undefensible system of thievery and slavery which the world now faces and must continue to face until Hitler, Mussolini, and all their German slaves and associates are destroyed." -
Letter from Isaac W. Bernheim to A. B. Cowen, September 15, 1941
A letter from retired Louisville distiller and philanthropist Isaac W. Bernheim (1848-1945) to A. B. Cowen reflecting on the state of Judaism and Jewish life in the United States in relation to World War II and broader changes. He stresses elements of Reform Judaism and argues against the undercurrents of Zionism, referring to Judaism as "a universal religion which knows no land or people or race." -
The Voice of Club 60, November 1965
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. -
Fourth Anniversary, 1943
Hitler doesn't look pleased with the cake he received to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the war. -
Arthur Wolff carte d'identité, 1938
French identity card of Arthur Wolff (1877-1941), a Jewish Frenchman. Arthur was the husband of Aline Levy Wolff (d. 1941), and her brother Sol Levy arranged for their family's immigration to the United States to escape German occupation and the Holocaust. -
Eugénie Baer Hirsch carte d'identité, 1943
French identity card of Eugénie Baer Hirsch (1880-1967), a Jewish Frenchwoman. Eugénie was the widow of Jacques Hirsch, and mother of Denise Hirsch Wolff (1909-2000). She immigrated to the United States in 1947 and settled in Louisville, Kentucky. -
Denise Wolff carte d'identité, 1939
French identity card of Denise Wolff (1909-2000), a Jewish Frenchwoman. Denise was the wife of Jacques Wolff (1903-1977), a nephew of Sol Levy. Levy arranged for the family's immigration to Louisville, Kentucky, to escape German occupation and the Holocaust. -
Jacques Wolff demobilisation record, 1940
Formal release of Jacques Wolff (1903-1977) from French military service during World War II. For more on Jacques service and life, see this 1965 biography: https://filsonhistorical.omeka.net/items/show/7047
Jacques was married to Denise Wolff (1909-2000). His uncle Sol Levy arranged for their family's immigration to Louisville, Kentucky, to escape German occupation and the Holocaust. -
Jacques Hirsch sauf-conduit partie a détacher certificate, 1940
World War II era French safe conduct pass for Jacques Hirsch, a Jewish Frenchman. He was married to Eugénie Baer Hirsch (1880-1967). -
Eugénie Baer Hirsch sauf-conduit partie a détacher certificate, 1940
World War II era French safe conduct pass for Eugénie Baer Hirsch, a French Jewish woman. She was married to Jacques Hirsch and the mother of Denise Hirsch Wolff (1909-2000). -
Jacques Wolff passeport, 1940
World War II era French passport for Jacques Wolff (1903-1977), a Jewish man. He was married to Denise Wolff (1909-2000). His uncle Sol Levy arranged for their family's immigration to Louisville, Kentucky, to escape German occupation and the Holocaust. The passport shows that in 1941, the family traveled to Spain and Portugal before taking a ship to New York City. Blank visa pages were not scanned. -
Denise Hirsch Wolff passeport and enclosed records, 1940-1941
World War II era French passport and additional documents such as a Remitter's receipt and a ticket owned by Denise Hirsch Wolff (1909-2000), a French Jewish woman. She was married to Jacques Wolff (1903-1977). The passport includes photographs of their young children, Francis Wolff (1931- ) and Hubert Wolff (1938- ). Blank visa pages were not scanned.
Denise's uncle Sol Levy arranged for her family's immigration to Louisville, Kentucky, to escape German occupation and the Holocaust. The passport shows that in 1941, the family traveled in Spain and Portugal before boarding a ship to New York City. -
Eugénie Baer Hirsch passeport, 1947-1952
French passport for Eugénie Baer Hirsch (1880-1967), a French Jewish woman. She was married to Jacques Hirsch and the mother of Denise Hirsch Wolff (1909-2000). She immigrated to the United States and moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where her daughter had moved during World War II. Blank visa pages were not scanned. -
Henrietta Levy Cerf passeport and enclosed records, 1939-1941
World War II era French passport, identity card, war ration booklet, and bread rationing card in possession of Henrietta Levy Cerf (1866-1946), a French Jewish woman. Her brother Sol Levy arranged for her and other family members' immigration to the United States to escape German occupation and the Holocaust. Blank visa pages were not scanned. -
Refugies, circa 1940s
French language pamphlet on transportation options for refugees leaving France during World War II. Includes a map of France. -
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." -
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. -
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. -
Letter from Malou Lavaux to Albert Wolff, November 30, 1944
Letter from Malou Lavaux to Albert Wolff (1906-1989) explaining wartime struggles, family connections, and the Germans's arrest and imprisonment of Albert's brother Jean-Paul Wolff.