Washington State Jewish Historical Society

06/17/2026

An Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) convention picnic at Lake Lucerne, 1940 ☀️🌲

Founded in 1924, Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) is an international Jewish youth organization focused on leadership, community service, personal growth, athletics, and Jewish life. As the male branch of the B'nai B’rith Youth Organization, AZA has helped shape generations of young leaders.

This snapshot captures a summer gathering full of community and connection. Pictured here are Elsie Deutsch Weiner, Hoda Strusser Greenberg, Helen Fisher, Pearl Joel Reubstein, Betty Finkelstein, Stanley Singer, Carolyn Luilner, Lewis Back, Connie Lander (Williams), and Althea Wisenhaus (Stroum). As well as Stanley Singer, Mitchell Schneider, Ann Faghin, and David Sidell.

Photos like these preserve more than names and faces—they tell stories of friendships, youth experiences, and moments that became part of community history. Do you recognize anyone pictured here or have memories connected to AZA? Share below!

06/10/2026

Oral History Spotlight: Harry Varon

Harry Varon was born in Seattle on July 19, 1918. During World War II, he served in the Navy as a butcher and cook, stationed at Sand Point Naval Air Station and later at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. He owned Varon's Kosher Meats from 1947 until he handed the business to his son-in-law, Roger Hirsch, in 1984. Varon discusses his family history, his Navy service during World War II, and the kosher meat business he operated in Seattle. He also describes the other butchers in the area, the effects of the Race Riots on business, and the closure of many butcher shops with the advent of chain supermarkets. Listen to Harry's oral history interview at the UW Special Collections.

🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/oral-history/harry-varon

📷 Children at Ralph Adatto's Bar Mitzvah at Adatto home on 17th Ave. and Jefferson St., August 1940. Back row, left to right: Harry Varon, Leon Uziel, Morrie "Muskie" Moshcatel, Mier Varon, Ralph Adatto, Sol N. Azose, Jack Moshcatel; front row, left to right: Tom Halfton, Sol Jerusalmi, Albert Adatto, Jack Adatto. Courtesy of UW Special Collections.

06/04/2026

We want to share a very special thank you to Sarah Po***ck and Sabrina Heinrichs, two incredible graduate students at the University of Washington, who have been working alongside our team on an exciting new project we hope to unveil in the fall of 2026.

Our upcoming Mapping Project will feature an interactive map with location pins highlighting historic Jewish sites across Washington State—bringing stories, places, and community history together in a new way. While the project is still in development, we’re excited about what’s ahead.

Sarah and Sabrina, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and all the care you’ve put into this project. We are incredibly grateful for everything you’ve contributed.

Join us in celebrating and congratulating them on their amazing work—and all that’s still to come!

06/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for “Reconstructing a Family’s Journey: Oral History, Research, and Storytelling” with author Ken Baronsky, where he explored how memory, research, and storytelling come together to preserve the lives and histories of his family that might otherwise be forgotten.

If you were unable to attend, you can find the link to his recorded presentation below. If you would like to read Ken's book, you can purchase it at the link below. A heartfelt thank you to the Spokane Public Library for hosting us, and to Ken Baronsky for sharing his family’s story and partnering with us in our mission to preserve oral histories.

Here are a few memorable moments from his presentation, and we will be working to upload the collected Storybooth content soon, so stay tuned.

🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/event/reconstructing-familys-journey-oral-history-research-and-storytelling

🔗 https://www.amazon.com/Zaydes-Crossing-Ken-Baronsky/dp/B0GZ9DQ245

06/01/2026

Interested in learning more about Seattle’s Sephardic history?

Join the Seattle Sephardic Tour and explore the rich history, culture, and stories of Seattle’s historic Sephardic neighborhoods. Created in partnership with the Washington State Jewish Historical Society, this experience highlights the vibrant heritage of a community that continues to shape Seattle today.

Seattle is home to the third-largest Sephardic population in the United States, and this fascinating tour through Seattle’s Central Area brings that history to life. Hear compelling stories from community guides—including some who grew up in the neighborhood—as you choose between a 2.25-mile walking tour or a small bus tour featuring key historical sites. Plus, enjoy a delicious Sephardic treat along the way!

📅 Next tour: Sunday, June 7 at 10:00 AM
⏳ Registration closes June 4
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seattle-sephardic-tours-tickets-1988373500666

Come experience the stories, history, and traditions that continue to connect generations.

05/31/2026

Antell Family Picnic at Lower Woodland, c. 1907

A lively glimpse into early Seattle life, this photograph captures the Antell family gathered for a picnic at Lower Woodland around 1907.

Identified family members include Celia Antell, Meyer Lurie, Lillian Antell, Ethel Kirshbaum (with dog), and several generations of the Antell, Lurie, Weisfield, and Kirshbaum families—among others.

From multi-generational gatherings to a relaxed day outdoors, this image reflects the close-knit community and everyday life of Seattle’s early Jewish families. This photograph comes directly from our collection at the UW Special Collections Jewish archives.

05/26/2026

We’re excited to bring our StoryBooth to Spokane alongside author Ken Baronsky for a special conversation around Zayde’s Crossing—a powerful story of faith, migration, resilience, and one family’s journey across continents to the Pacific Northwest. Drawing from family memories, oral histories, and archival records, the book highlights how storytelling helps preserve lives and histories that might otherwise be forgotten.

WSJHS staff will be on-site with our StoryBooth, collecting oral histories and preserving community stories for future generations. Stop by, say hello, and share your story with us.

📍 South Hill Library – Spokane
📅 May 27 | 6:00 PM
🔗 https://events.spokanelibrary.org/event/16195865
📖 Zayde's Crossing Book: https://www.amazon.com/Zaydes-Crossing-Ken-Baronsky/dp/B0GZ9DQ245

05/21/2026

More moments from “Steeped in Stories: An Exhibit Celebrating Two Decades of History.”

It was a wonderful afternoon filled with community, conversation, and reflection as we looked back on decades of preserving and sharing our local history.

Thank you again to everyone who joined us and made the event so special. If you took photos, don’t forget to tag us—we’d love to see and share them!

Whether you were able to attend Steeped in Stories or couldn’t make it, we’d love for you to explore our curated collection celebrating 20 years of Jewish history. Check out the link below!

🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/event/steeped

05/20/2026

We’re excited to bring our StoryBooth to Spokane alongside author Ken Baronsky as we help preserve local Jewish histories through memory, storytelling, and community voices. Stop by and say hello!

Save the date! Our friends at Washington State Jewish Historical Society and Spokane Public Library are co-sponsoring this great event later this month, to take place at SPL's South Hill branch.

05/20/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Sunday for “Steeped in Stories: An Exhibit Celebrating Two Decades of History.”

We’re so grateful for your support as we shared decades of our work and celebrated the incredible leadership of Lisa Kranseler. For more than 20 years, Lisa has been the driving force behind WSJHS, guiding, growing, and championing our mission with passion and dedication. We are deeply grateful for all she has done and continues to do for our organization and community.

Here are a few photos from the event! If you took any of your own, please tag us—we’d love to see them and share them on our page.

Whether you were able to attend Steeped in Stories or couldn’t make it, we’d love for you to explore our curated collection celebrating 20 years of Jewish history. Check out the link below!

🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/event/steeped