Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven

05/16/2023

We are so excited to share some great news. JFS is in a partnership with the Jewish Community Center of New Haven (JCC), Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, Inc. (CHSC) and The Towers at Tower Lane in the opening of Cafe J– A Café with a Cause! Café J will offer internship opportunities to individuals with developmental and social disabilities. This is a perfect fit since CHSC provides lifelong individualized services for these individuals, empowering them to live independent and self-determined lives. The JCC is proud to provide employment opportunities at Café J for members of the CHSC community. Coupled with Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven (JFS) who will be matching mentors to work alongside our Chapel Haven interns, this opportunity will offer an inclusive, and vibrant space for everyone in our community.

Join us on May 22nd for the grand opening at 11 a.m. Moving forward, Café J will be open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 2 pm. For information about mentoring a Chapel Haven student as part of the Café, contact Rachel Scolnic Dobin at [email protected].

05/11/2023

Check out our friends in Hartford!

Register today and join us at the Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford on Monday, May 15 at 7 PM for "Beatrice Fox Auerbach: Life and Legacy," presented by the Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library.

Beatrice Fox Auerbach expanded and modernized Hartford’s famous G. Fox department store into a model for customer service and employee satisfaction. She traveled the world, befriended Eleanor Roosevelt, and on her passing was hailed as “Hartford’s leading citizen.”

In this presentation in honor of Jewish American History Month, you’ll learn about Auerbach’s early life, her devotion to her family and the family business, and how her legacy lives on in the charitable work of the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation.

$8 JHS members/$12 non-members
Register at https://jhsgh.org/.../beatrice-fox-auerbach-life-legacy.../

05/10/2023

05/10/2023

Tomorrow at noon, join the League for "Safety & Health Hazards in Museums & Collection Care," featuring Savita Trivedi of the CT Dept. of Labor over Zoom. Register today: https://clho.org/events/

05/04/2023

Know the signs of burnout and when to take a break from studying, even if it's just 15 minutes, to reset your mind! Also, drink lots and lots of water. You can never have enough.

05/04/2023

Love and Knishes! To all our wonderful Great Give supporters, thank you. For those who have not had the chance to make your donation, there is still time to do so. Please help us earn matching funds, prizes, and show that JHSGNH has solid community support. This is a major fundraiser for us, so please make a donation now no matter the amount. We are counting on you.

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Great Give ends today! Remember, your donations will be matched up to $3,600. Help us reach our $12,000 goal.
https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/the-jewish-historical-society-of-greater-new-haven

05/03/2023

We won the May 3rd Early Bird $1000 Prize! Please visit our Great Give page to donate and help us reach our goal!
https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/the-jewish-historical-society-of-greater-new-haven

2023 PRIZE SCHEDULE AND MATCH POOLS
**2023 Prize Winners announced here!**
**Visit thegreatgive.org for details and to donate**

MAY 3-4, 2023

$500 Golden Ticket (6 winners drawn at random times):
America's VetDogs– The Veteran’s K-9 Corps
Massaro Community Farm of Woodbridge, CT
Madison Historical Society
WPAA - TV and Community Media Center (Wallingford Public Access)
Grace & St John's Episcopal Church
Housatonic Council, BSA

Draw Prizes: Nonprofits receiving donations during the designated prize times are eligible to win a prize in random drawings.

MAY 3, 2023

8 -9 AM Early Bird

The Community Foundation Early Bird Prizes (3) - $1,000
Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven, Greater New Haven Green Fund and East Haven Public Library

Valley Early Bird $1,000 Prize
cARTie

Black Futures Fund Early Bird Prize - $2,500
Artspace New Haven

12-2PM
Lunch Hour Double Draw $1,000 Prize
Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance
Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut

Black Futures Fund Lunch Hour $2,500 Prize
NCNW New Haven

5 - 7 PM
Happy Hour Double Draw $1,000 Prize
The Hamden Land Conservation Trust and Elena's Light
Valley Happy Hour Prize $250
Seymour Pink
Black Futures Fund Happy Hour Prize $2,500
James Vick Foundation

8 – 9 PM
Bank of America Raise the Curtain Power Hour for the Arts
$10,000 match pool for arts organizations receiving donations during this hour.

12 AM
Midnight Snack Prize
$500 to the nonprofit that receives a donation closest to midnight.
Milford Robotics

MAY 4, 2023
2 – 4 AM
Insomnia Draw - $1,000 Prize
All Access Training and Student-Athlete Development

8 -9 AM
Early Bird Draw Prizes (5):
The Community Foundation Early Bird Prizes (3) - $1,000
VetFuel
Sunrise Cafe New Haven
Marrakech, Inc.

Valley Early Bird Prize - $1,000
BHcare

Black Futures Fund Early Bird Prize - $2,500
Phenomenal I Am

9 – 10 AM
School Bell Rings Power Hour
$5,000 pool for child day care, Pre-K, K-12 and Special Education schools.

10 – 11 AM
May the Fourth Be With You Prize - $1,000
Calvin Hill Day Care Center

12-2PM
Lunch Hour Draw Prizes (4)

The Community Foundation Lunch Hour Prizes (2) - $1,000
Benhaven
Branford Food Pantry, Inc.

Valley Lunch Hour Prize - $250
ST. MARY-ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL, DERBY, CT

Black Futures Fund Lunch Hour Prize - $2,500
Beulah Land Development Corporation

5 - 7 PM
Last Call Happy Hour Double Draw and Black Futures Fund Happy Hour Prize
Last Call Happy Hour First Draw Prize - $1,500
Read to Grow

Last Call Happy Hour Second Draw Prize - $1,000
Arts for Learning Connecticut

Black Futures Fund Happy Hour Prize to 1 Black-led nonprofit - $2,500
Fixing Fathers Inc. Fixing Fathers, One Dad at a Time, Inc.

You've Got Friends P2P Fundraiser Prizes:
1. Best Video Film & Cultural Center - $5,000
2. Elm City Internationals - $3,500
3. New Haven Chorale - $2,500
4. GNHCC - Greater New Haven Community Chorus - $1,000

You've Got Valley Friends P2P Fundraiser Prizes (tie for 2nd place!)
1. Adam's House - $1,500
2. Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven - $500
2. Cornell Scott - Hill Health Center -$500

Match Pools and Other Sponsored Prizes:

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven - $100,000 match pool for all organizations receiving donations.

Valley Community Foundation - $20,000 match pool for donations made by Valley residents.

The Konopacke Fund of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven - $10,000 match pool to inspire giving to independent, nonprofit animal shelters.

The NewAlliance Foundation - $10,000 match pool to inspire giving to organizations that support literacy.

The Progreso Latino Fund of The Community Foundation for
Greater New Haven - $10,000 match pool to inspire giving to Latine serving organization with Latine representation at the Executive Leadership level and with an annual budget of less than $500,000.

Branford Community Foundation - $500 each:
Branford Compassion Club
Branford Land Trust

The Madison Foundation - $500 each.
E.C. Scranton Memorial Library
Friends of Madison Youth dba The Barn

Guilford Community Foundation - $500 each
Guilford Performing Arts/ GreenStage Guilford
Guilford Center for Children GCC Early Education Program


www.TheGreatGive.org

05/03/2023

Our archival collection is a robust repository that documents the rich history of Jewish life in Greater New Haven. It is the heart and soul of our organization. Our highly skilled archival team ensures that our collections are maintained efficiently and professionally. The optimal operation of our archives is made possible by the continued support of grants, our membership and your generous contributions.

In 1991, we received our first computer. In the next few months, we're taking our collections online with the support of the Connecticut League of History Organizations' Connecticut Collections project. Please invest in the future of our archives, visit our page on The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Great Give website to donate:
https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/the-jewish-historical-society-of-greater-new-haven

The Great Give ends on Thursday, May 4! Thank you to all of our supporters. If you have not had the chance to donate, it’s not too late to show your support. Your donation will be most appreciated and puts us in the running for incentive prizes. Remember, your donations will be matched up to $3,600. Help us reach our $12,000 goal.

05/02/2023

Partnerships with other Jewish organizations have enabled us to broaden our scope of programming to reach the greater New Haven community. We have recently received a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven to work on a Judaica Project with Rabbi Reena Judd of the Peter C. Hereld House for Jewish Life at Quinnipiac University.

This and other exciting programs are made possible by the continued support of our membership and your contributions. Please visit our page on The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Great Give website to donate:
https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/the-jewish-historical-society-of-greater-new-haven

And join us for our Kick-Off event at Ricotta Kosher Pizza and Bakery today, 2-7 PM!
https://www.ricotta-kosher.com/order-online

05/01/2023

The accomplishments of Jewish women in Connecticut have had a lasting impact on all our lives. We recently introduced our Judith Ann Schiff Women’s History Program to an enthusiastic audience. This program will be presented annually and will focus on the remarkable accomplishments of Jewish women associated with New Haven. Your support in the Great Give ensures that this program can continue.

Visit our page on The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Great Give website to donate:
https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/the-jewish-historical-society-of-greater-new-haven

And please join us for our Kick-Off event at Ricotta Kosher Pizza and Bakery tomorrow, 2-7 PM!
https://www.ricotta-kosher.com/order-online

04/28/2023

Keep JHSGNH on your MENU of giving for the upcoming Great Give 2023!

Drop by Ricotta Kosher Pizza and Bakery for our Kick-Off event:
Support JHSGNH with your purchase, welcome this new business, and meet our board and staff! Ricotta offers delectable pastries, pizza, and Israeli fare.

Order in person or online between 2pm - 7pm on Tuesday, May 2, and mention the Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven, we will receive a 5% donation from your purchase.
https://www.ricotta-kosher.com/order-online/

Early donations for The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Great Give 2023 begin today! Please visit our page to contribute:
https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/the-jewish-historical-society-of-greater-new-haven

04/26/2023

New Haven native, ex-Bridgeport Post reporter, traces the German kin he lost in Holocaust for book

We're excited to share this New Haven Register article about Peter Kupfer's new book The Glassmaker's Son! Peter grew up on Willow Street and Marvin Barger z"l assisted him with New Haven research for the book. You can view a short video about the book here:
https://vimeo.com/771147526

Peter will be giving presentations about the book at Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden on Friday, May 5, at 6 p.m., and at the Mitchell branch of the New Haven Free Public Library in Westville on Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m.

"As a journalist, we're trained not to write about ourselves," Kupfer said. "I was trying...

04/26/2023

Don't miss this Holocaust exhibition and remembrance at Hilton C. Buley Library, Southern Connecticut State University co-sponsored by the Judaic Studies Program and the Philosophy Department at Southern Connecticut State University. JHSGNH Board member Mimi Glenn and Professor David Pettigrew organized this month-long exhibit, which will culminate in a remembrance program on Friday, April 28, at 3 PM. This year, they have highlighted Varian Fry and Hiram Bingham IV, two Connecticut residents who rescued Jewish and other anti-N**i refugees in Marseille in 1940-1941.

04/25/2023

Happy 385th birthday, New Haven!

04/25/2023

Congratulations to our friends at the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford!

We were thrilled to receive an Award of Merit last week from the Connecticut League of History Organizations for our oral history digitization project! Check out the digitized interviews at https://jhsgh.org/collections-2/

04/25/2023

Check out our friends at the The New Haven Preservation Trust!

IN-PERSON TALK
The Builder Book: Carpenters, Masons and Contractors in Historic New Haven

Wednesday, May 3, 6:00 p.m.
New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Avenue

The New Haven Museum will celebrate National Preservation Month with a presentation by co-authors Susan Godshall and Jack Tripp about their new book, The Builder Book: Carpenters, Masons and Contractors in Historic New Haven, published by the New Haven Preservation Trust.

Godshall and Tripp will highlight the biographies and show colorful illustrations of some of the Elm City’s notable architecture. The presentation will celebrate the often-unknown men, and one woman, who built houses, commercial and academic buildings, monuments, and other structures in New Haven between 1810 and 1930.

Susan Godshall has worked at four major New Haven institutions including City Hall and Yale University. Most recently, she retired as Senior Vice President of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce where she worked on economic development, state and local government affairs, and transportation investment. Susan holds degrees from Yale Law School and Yale School of Architecture. She is a long-time board member of the New Haven Preservation Trust.

Jack Tripp is a senior at Yale College from Westport, Massachusetts. His studies focus on English and political science, concentrating on the Romantic poets and political philosophy. Besides research for the Preservation Trust's Builder Book, he has also spent time writing for the Yale Daily News and The New Journal, serving on the executive board of the Yale Dramatic Association, and working as a President’s Public Service Fellow at the Arts Council of Greater New Haven.

Free and open to the public. Space is limited.

Presented by the New Haven Museum.

Image courtesy of Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library.

04/25/2023

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Great Give begins Friday, April 28!

Please make your contribution towards our $12,000 goal to support the vital work we do to preserve the history of the Jewish of Greater New Haven.

Visit our page on The Great Give’s website to learn more:
https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/the-jewish-historical-society-of-greater-new-haven

And please join us for our Kick-Off event at Ricotta Kosher Pizza and Bakery on May 2, 2-7 PM!

04/21/2023

Your support will help continue to grow our Jewish legacy. We are your depository for the history of the Jews of Greater New Haven. Your donations support archival research including oral histories, digitization, community education, and genealogical assistance to educators and families.

This major fundraiser for JHSGNH thru The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven begins April 28 for early donations. Please visit our page on The Great Give’s website:
https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/the-jewish-historical-society-of-greater-new-haven

And please us for our Great Give 2023 Kick Off at Ricotta Kosher Pizza and Bakery on May 2, 2-7 PM!

04/21/2023

Timeline photos

The Great Give is on May 3-4, 2023. Support Greater
nonprofits that help our community. Donate to the causes you care about. Your gifts go farther with matching funds and prizes! https://www.thegreatgive.org/

04/21/2023

Trailblazing Jewish Women from New Haven: The First Judith Ann Schiff Women’s History Program

The recording of this program is now up on YouTube!

“Trailblazing Jewish Women from New Haven: The First Judith Ann Schiff Women’s History Program,” was the inaugural program held in memory of City Historian J...

04/21/2023

Check out our friends in Woodbridge!

04/21/2023

Timeline photos

April Updates from Teach It - Maps | Primary Sources | CT History Day State Contest | More!
https://mailchi.mp/cthumanities/april-updates-from-teach-it

04/19/2023

The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising began on this day, April 19, 1943, when German troops and police entered the ghetto to deport its surviving inhabitants. Though this was the largest civilian resistance led by Jews during World War II, by May 16, 1943, the Germans had stopped the uprising, leaving the ghetto in ruins. Survivors were deported to concentration camps or killing centers. Before World War II, Warsaw was home to more than 350,000 Jews. In January 1945, only about 11,500 Jewish survivors remained.

🎨: , “Warsaw,” 1980, Pigment and wax on Masonite.

04/19/2023

Register now for "Beatrice Fox Auerbach: Life and Legacy," to be presented on May 15 at 7 PM by the Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library at the Mandell JCC.

The grandchild of German-Jewish immigrants, Auerbach became president of her family’s department store, G. Fox & Company, in 1938. Over the next 25 years, Auerbach expanded and modernized Hartford’s famous department store into a model for customer service and employee satisfaction. She traveled the world, befriended Eleanor Roosevelt, and on her passing was hailed as “Hartford’s leading citizen.” In this presentation in honor of Jewish American History Month, you’ll learn about Auerbach’s early life, her devotion to her family and the family business, and how her legacy lives on in the charitable work of the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation.

$8 JHS members/$12 non-members
Register at https://jhsgh.org/events/beatrice-fox-auerbach-life-legacy-700-pm-on-5-17-23/

04/18/2023

Photos from Jewish Museum of Australia's post

04/18/2023

Photos from Yiddish Book Center's post

04/18/2023

04/12/2023

Timeline photos

Roza Van Gelderen and Hilda Purwitsky were a rare example of an openly same-sex couple in Cape Town’s conservative Jewish community. Beginning in the 1920s they played a central role in the community as teachers, journalists, and patrons of the arts.

The pair dedicated themselves to helping Eastern European immigrant children adapt to new lives. With Van Gelderen at the helm, the pair not only demanded equality with men but flouted authority at every turn, whether the Cape School Board, the Cape Jewish Orphanage, or even the N**i Party in Austria. Born before their time, however, their progressive ideas were not tolerated, and in 1940 Van Gelderen’s school was effectively closed down.

Read more: https://bit.ly/43fhEVx

04/12/2023

Timeline photos

Our Partners have beautiful and historical Haggadahs in their collections from all over the world.

This Haggadah from the Jean Sorkin Moldovan Collection Yeshiva University Museum is titled Ma Hagada ou La Hagada des Jeunes (My Haggadah or the Haggadah for youngsters). It was published in Paris in 1958 by Comptoir du Livre du Keren Hasefer. It was edited, translated, and abridged by Rabbi Jean Schwartz. Gift of the Jesselson Family.

04/12/2023

Timeline photos

Children tending to the Council House roof garden circa 1930. Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section I-469.
*

04/11/2023

We love seeing old photos of exhibits with collection items we recognize. It’s a special thrill, a poignant reminder that these things we preserve are appreciated now and were appreciated in the past. Cultural heritage and memory work is enduring, it connects us to our distant and not so distant past in more ways than one.

These tablets of the Ten Commandments in Hebrew painted on solid wood were presented to B'nai B'rith Horeb Lodge No. 25 by David Strouse in January 1907. Since becoming a museum object, they have been exhibited at least twice. Once in the library at the Chapel Street JCC as part of an exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of Horeb Lodge No. 25 in 1956. The tag on the bottom right suggests they were exhibited again with other Ten Commandments tablets after coming into the possession of JHSGNH.

A booklet commemorating the 100th anniversary of Horeb Lodge No. 25 is available online from the CT State Library:
https://cslib.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4005coll11/id/481/

04/05/2023

Passover begins tonight! If you’re looking for any resources, check out jewishnewhaven.org/passover. Chag Pesach Sameach!

04/05/2023

Photos from Yiddish Book Center's post

04/05/2023

Sassoon Haggadah

Sassoon Haggadah

04/05/2023

Photos from Shalom Baby of Greater New Haven's post

04/05/2023

Timeline photos

It's that time of year again (thinking about rewatching A Rugrats Passover)