Welcome to the JHSFC
The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County provides historical and educational materials and information about the Jewish community of Fairfield County and serves the community through its membership and its archival resources.
↪Click HERE for Annual Membership.
JHSFC Mission Statement
The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County strives to build intergenerational community through sharing and preserving Jewish history, heritage, and culture. We tell the story of the human experience through Jewish eyes.
Exciting JHSFC News
JHSFC Award Grant from Stamford Arts and Culture Commission
Stamford Arts and Culture Commission designated JHSFC as a winner of a grant for production of a travelling exhibit,
"It Happened Here."
Mayor David Martin and the Stamford Arts and Culture Commission announced the winners of the
2021 Stamford Arts and Culture (SAC) Grant on January 25, 2021.
According to Eva Weller, grant project manager, "The JHSFC will draw on its more than 5,000 photographs and over 250
oral histories in the design of this exhibit, which will consist of seven pull-up panels (each at 33" width and 78" height)
to cover such topics as immigration, civil rights, and women's accomplishments. Even with this grant, we need your help
to bring this exhibit to its full completion. Please consider donating to this project."
Mayor David Martin said in a release "Stamford's arts venues and programs have provided immense value to our community
this past year, and I am glad we can continue supporting the work they provide to our residents. I know I look forward
to many of these programs as defining experiences to Stamford's cultural identity and I look forward to their work this year."
Remembering The Family Store
The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County announces that the presentation of the
Making of Our Documentary is now available to everyone on YouTube.
Even though the documentary itself is still in production,
you can see the amazing three-minute trailer and get a good idea of what the
documentary will be like.
If you missed the live production or want to see it again,
it is now available at the link provided below. You can discover (or re-discover) how the
documentary originated, the personal connections of Lester Sharlach, Gail G. Trell, and
Steve Karp, and hear how the award-winning filmmaker, Marge Costa, has created the production.
Enjoy and please share with anyone you know who would want to see it.
↪Click HERE to Enjoy on the JHSFC YouTube Channel and Share!
JHSFC Spotlights
A Message From the First Aliyah
by Jeff Bendremer
↪Click HERE to view Palestine Postcard
and Translation
With Yom Ha'atzmaut right around the corner, it seems appropriate to talk about the establishment of the modern State of Israel.
Believe it or not, you may have something historic amongst your own family heirlooms that relates to the founding of the country.
This postcard, part of my own collection, dates from April 22, 1899. It was written in both Hebrew and Yiddish on Ottoman Turkish
postal stationary and sent by Rabbi Josef Heisler from Tiberius, Palestine to his supporters in Germany. We may not associate modern
political Zionism with this early date, but it was the era of the 'First Aliyah,' sometimes known as the 'Agriculture Aliyah' (1881-1903),
fueled by antisemitism and pogroms in Europe.
As you can see, besides asking for continued support, agriculture was an important concern as
expressed in Rabbi Heisler's letter: "My beloved friend, how can I even express to you how helpful and vital your support for our family was?
You have made us survive and brought us to this day. It was particularly auspicious as Israel is being plagued by horrible locusts which
has covered the land and destroyed so much of our agriculture and has created worry about the future. May G-d have mercy of the land and its inhabitants."
This is a good time of year to appreciate the intrepid, early Jewish immigrants to Palestine. They endured many hardships
and surmounted numerous obstacles (and, yes, even locusts) so their descendants could gain independence for the State of Israel some 50 years later.
↪Click HERE to view Palestine Postcard
and Translation
"PREMATURELY ANTI-FASCIST"
Bill Susman aka William Susman
aka Robert Ellis
by Larry F. Ginsberg
President Ronald Reagan, defending private U.S. citizens fighting with the Contras in Nicaragua
against the Sandinista Regime, invoked the Abraham Lincoln Brigade as part of "a long, honorable tradition."
But Reagan further argued that the Brigade fought on “the wrong side” in defending the Loyalists
and the Spanish Republican Government against the 1936 right-wing Nationalist coup led by Francisco Franco.
Lincoln Brigade and WWII veteran William Susman retorted: "The wrong side was soon to be the side we were
opposing in World War II. If Hitler and Mussolini were alive, they would be supporting the Contras."
↪Click HERE to read
the rest of the story.
The following "Musings from My Heritage" is the opinion of the author...
not necessarily of the JHSFC.
Musings from My Hermitage
The Disingenuousness
of Ben & Jerry's
by Larry F. Ginsberg
“We believe it is inconsistent with our values for Ben & Jerry's ice cream to be sold in Occupied Palestinian Territory” What hypocrisy! “Although Ben & Jerry's will no longer be sold in the OPT, we will stay in Israel through a different arrangement. We will share an update on this as soon as we are ready.” (It should be noted that this requires the cancellation or non-renewal of a licensing agreement that terminates in December 2002 where the franchisee has a manufacturing facility and two scoop shops south of Tel Aviv.)
JHSFC'S EXCITING PLANS FOR 5782
The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County has exciting plans for the New Year. We are developing programs to reach out to the community to share our expertise gained since our 1984 founding in Archive Development and Oral History Interviewing techniques. Join our mailing list to keep up to date . . .
Archive News
Treasures Almost Lost
Update on Hurricane Ida
On September 2, The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County (JHSFC) was reminded
of what a Treasure is when Hurricane Ida's unprecedented heavy rain flooded the Archives.
Thankfully a dedicated JHSFC team of Debra Emery, Leah and Bruce Tillman, Gail G. Trell,
Eileen Rosner, Marc Freundlich and Peter Lilienthal came to the rescue to save the Archives.
Never before had this treasured collection been in such danger.
The Archive houses family histories, agency and synagogue memorabilia of not only the greater
Stamford area, Norwalk, and Bridgeport but also all of the Fairfield County towns as well.
The greatest legacy we can leave to the younger generation and beyond is our history, not only family
history but the history of our communities. The JHSFC contains the only Jewish Archive in Fairfield County,
making sure their treasures are not only preserved but also shared.
Our days and hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays,
10:00am to 2:00pm.
If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please call the archives (203) 359-2196.
A JHSFC Strategic Planning Committee has been organized and is in the process of formulating a viable plan for the future of the JHSFC Archive and the Harry Rosenbaum JHS Judaica Library. We will continue to keep you informed of the progress we are making and the specifics that are needed to preserve and reimagine the future.
Discover the Archive
Have you ever wondered what we have been collecting for 40 years in our Archives?
Do you want to know about our exciting current projects?
Join us for a Virtual Discovery Tour of the JHSFC Archives.
↪Click HERE to view on the JHSFC YouTube Channel and Share!
Click SHOW MORE on our YouTube Channel and you can jump to a specific chapter listed here:
0:00 - Welcome and Intro
4:34 - History, It's About US (video highlights)
8:00 - Guided video tour of the Archives
20:46 - Congregation for Humanistic Judaism Oral History Project
27:36 - Grandchild/Grandparent Oral History Initiative
29:03 - Treasures in the Archives
48:05 - Remembering the Family Store (intro and movie trailer)
59:59 - Wrap-up and close
↪Click HERE for easy access to the chapters.
Remember to click SHOW MORE
on our YouTube Channel to access the the chapter list.
Enjoy on YouTube and Share!
From the Archives ...
Russian Silver Marks
By Jeff Bendremer
Click on image to enlarge
The few items our ancestors brought with them from 'the old country' tells us a lot about their values and priorities.
With its importance in Shabbat and Passover observance, a diminutive kiddush cup might be the only object of value
portable enough to make the journey. But what information can we obtain from the tiny, enigmatic hallmarks on the bottom?
Turns out, a lot!
These are two kiddush cups belonging to the family of Dr. Elissa Kaplan,
immediate Past President of the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County. The first is marked with the standard
Russian assay system established by Tsar Peter the Great in 1700. It includes a maker's mark, assayer's mark, silver
standard mark and town mark. We can tell that this cup was made by the famous silversmith, Ivan Zakharov ((и3),
who was active in Moscow from 1856-1896. This particular cup was made in 1876 in Moscow according to the assay mark
and town mark depicting St. George slaying the dragon. Its silver purity is 84 Kolotniki (a unique Russian measure),
or 87.5%, a bit less than sterling silver. The assayer was Viktor Savinkov (BC).
The second cup is marked with Kokoshnick hallmarks (named after the traditional headpiece being worn by the
woman in the assay mark), established by Tsar Nicholas II and used from 1896-1918. There should be tiny initials
to the right of the woman's head (right behind her neck) corresponding to the assayer. It was made by another famous
silversmith named Israel Eseevich Zakhoder (и3). He was originally active in Moscow but moved to Kiev, Ukraine,
in 1892 which is where this cup was made. Because this type of mark was instituted in 1896 and Zakhoder ended his
production in 1907, we can be certain it was made between those years in Kiev. Its silver content is also 84 Kolotniki or 87.5% pure silver.
Your family heirlooms will often come with stories about their history and meaning. But sometimes,
the items themselves can also tell a compelling story about the past.
A Ketubah: 1920's
by Jeff Bendremer
Click on image to enlarge
As we slide into spring, the number of weddings steadily increases topping out in June.
When it comes to a traditional Jewish wedding, the Ketubah , or wedding contract, is an
essential component. The formula of the Ketubah , reputedly dating back to Simeon ben Shetach, c. 140-60 BCE,
outlines the rights, responsibilities and obligations of the groom in regard to the wife.
Though it may look like Hebrew, traditionally the Ketubah is written in Aramaic,
the lingua franca of Jews in the 1st century. Signed by the bride and groom as well as witnesses,
it is read aloud during the wedding ceremony under a chuppah , a canopy held up by 4 poles. As always,
the text v'hakol sharir v'kayam — "all of this is in force and validated," the legal formula validating
a binding contract, can be found in large letter toward the end of the document.
This Ketubah is from the 1920's. Unlike some of the more fancy and artistic wedding contracts
seen today and throughout history, this was a very modest example printed on inexpensive paper.
As such, they can degrade over time if not properly conserved. You may have documents like this
in your own family archive which may need attention so they can last through the generations.
Spotlight on Program
Have you ever heard of an ethical will?
Elaine Erichson explains and reads from her father's ethical will
Elaine Erichson
View this clip below featuring Elaine Erichson from "A Bissel Yiddish," the JHSFC monthly get-together. Elaine tells us about her father's ethical will as well as the fascinating history and importance of ethical wills in Jewish literature and culture.
An ethical will (Hebrew: zava'ah) is a document that passes ethical values
from one generation to the next. Ethical wills are found in both the Bible, starting with
Jacob's words to his sons, and in the Talmud. Ethical wills blossomed in the 13th century,
and Rabbis, scholars, and Jewish laypeople have continued to write ethical wills to the present day.
↪Click HERE to view on the JHSFC YouTube Channel and Share!
Upcoming Program
Jewish Film Festival of Fairfield County Celebrates 20 Years
The Jewish Film Festival of Fairfield County celebrates 20 years of convening community around powerful and compelling film and conversation. Scheduled from Thursday, October 14 to Sunday, November 21, the Festival will offer one film per week over six weeks, following a hybrid model. Each week a film will be scheduled for an in-person screening or patrons can opt to stream online during the weekend. Audiences will enjoy a mix of Q&As via Zoom and in-person, featuring filmmakers, producers and expert speakers.
Irmi
In-Person Film Screening:Tuesday, November 9, 7:30 pm
Virtual Film Screening:
Friday, November 12 - Sunday, November 14
Based on her memoirs, this documentary portrait of German Jewish émigrée Irmi Selver (1906-2004) takes us on a unique journey through a life marked by love, unimaginable loss, and strength of spirit.
In partnership with the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County in commemoration of Kristallnacht.
For full Festival and film details, to purchase film tickets, or support the Festival, visit www.stamfordjcc.org/filmfestival.
June Program
A Forensic Approach to
Holocaust Memory and Education
See how you can use forensic analysis techniques to uncover your family history.
Join the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County as Ryan Lilienthal tells how he uncovered his family story.
Ryan engages his audience in a blueprint process to harness the vast array of increasingly available
Holocaust-related archives to piece together the lives of Holocaust victims. In our digital age, primary source material,
including video testimony, letters, photographs and institutional and government documents are at our fingertips.
The presentation shows how we can deploy our own critical analysis skills to reveal our family history
by following the links to the history they left behind.
The program was co-sponsored by The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County,
the United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, the Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County,
the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center, and the Stamford Jewish Community Center.
May Program
A Virtual Tour of the National Museum of American Jewish Military History
↪Click HERE to Enjoy the May Program
on the JHSFC YouTube Channel and Share!
Did you know that there is another national Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. besides the Holocaust Museum?
Did you know that Jewish Americans have played an important role in the defense of the United States since pre-Colonial times?
In our May 2, 2021 Featured Program, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Sheldon Goldberg, Ph.D., museum docent and historian,
introduces a video tour of the National Museum of American Jewish Military History (NMAJMH) and answers questions.
The tour covers many hidden treasures of the museum, including The Hall of Heroes: American Jewish Recipients of the
Congressional Medal of Honor, Women in the Military, GIs Remember Liberating the Concentration Camps,
and The Life and Career of Commodore Uriah Phillips Levy (1792–1862).
The program was co-sponsored by the Stamford Jewish War Veterans Fred Robbins Post 142.
Please visit the National Museum of American Jewish Military History website (NMAJMH) to
learn more about this important resource.
You can also view the NMAJMH video tour separately from the JHSFC program at the NMAJMH YouTube channel.
March Book Talk
In Rachel Beanland's debut novel, the story focuses on a tragedy that the Jewish Adler family suffers in 1934 Atlantic City.
The Adlers struggle to conceal the drowning of a beloved daughter for fear that her pregnant sister, Fannie, will lose her baby.
Beanland writes of this tragic death and the tension surrounding this secret from the points of view of seven main characters in a tender,
yet probing manner. The reader gains great insight into each character's nature.
The range of their backgrounds and relationships, including that of a young refugee border from Nazi Germany, brings another dimension to the story.
Dr. Judith Katz is a featured Book Talk presenter. She is an award winning educator with a long and distinguished teaching career.
She is a gifted story teller who brings her dynamic presentational style and literary analysis skills to this thought-provoking novel.
Featured Program
In the Featured Program, Dr. Laura Ping presents a richly detailed analysis of New York's Lower East Side
immigrant life in the early Twentieth Century. She describes the "sweatshop" working conditions, which fueled the
Lower East Side's growth as the center of the nation's garment production.
She highlights the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire...a pivotal moment leading to the workplace reforms that followed.
Michele Esterman and Rhonda Ginsberg share the personal stories of relatives who were caught in the fire.
Community Program
The History of Antisemitism
presented by Steve Goldberg,
Co–Director of Education of HHREC (Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center)
↪Click HERE to view on the JHSFC YouTube Channel and Share!
Musings from my
"haunted" Hermitage
by Larry F. Ginsberg
Ring Magazine Cover
Hermitage Wire Service archive:
Pincus Silverberg
January 16, 1964: Ansonia's own Pinky Silverberg,
former NBA World Flyweight Champion who was "robbed" of his title died today at age 59.
Silverberg was born on April 5, 1904 and held the Flyweight Title during 1927.
He had 89 Official Bouts, won 33 (7 by KO), lost 33 (1 by KO to top contender Willie LaMorte in 1926),
15 draws, 6 no decisions and 2 no contests. He was the younger brother of the Professional Featherweight Herman "Kid Silvers".
He was known for fighting the top Flyweights and Bantamweights (when he was no longer able to make weight as a Flyweight)
of his era including Dark Cloud Bradley, Kid Chocolate, Panama Al Brown and Midget Wolgast. He was survived by his wife and two children.
↪Click HERE to read
the rest of the story.
