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The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

Browse Items (52 total)

  • Letter, written in French, to Albert Wolff (1906-1989) mentioning embarkment to New York.

  • Letter in French written to married couple Albert Wolff (1906-1989) and Jean Wolff (1913-1986) from Albert's brother Jacques Wolff (1903-1977), about arranging immigration visas.

  • Postcard written in French to Jacques Wolff (1903-1977) that mentions a United States courier.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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."

  • 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 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 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 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 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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