Coming Soon- Fannie Schanfield Family Portrait Exhibit
Fannie Schanfield, one of our beloved JHSUM Life members, has been a generous donor and contributor to JHSUM over the years. Fannie writes about what motivates her to be the “family historian” in the introduction to Ma, I Wrote It Down.
The summer of my eighth birthday my mother called me in from play and asked me to sit and have coffee with her. She had already set the table with her large cup of black coffee, and a place for me with a small cup of coffee au lait, coffee with milk, and a large carmel roll. After we were well into eating, Mama began to talk. She said to me, "Just listen and I will tell you about me. First, I must tell you where I come from. It is very beautiful not like here. A river, mountains, and family. Some day I want you to write it all down." She spoke only Yiddish to me but I understood, as did the other members of the family.
The coffee klatch sessions lasted all summer and I regret I didn't always pay attention. I regret that I don't remember as much as I should, but most of all, I regret that I didn't write down what Mama was saying way back in the 1920's. The best part of these "klatches" led to years of "easy talk" and togetherness. Now in my later years, my children clamor to hear about the past so I going to try to "Write It Down".
Fannie has taken the next step in "writing it down" by upgrading her $1,000 Life membership with an additional gift of $4,000 to JHSUM's Face the Future Endowment Campaign. With Fannie's donation at the Family Portrait Level she is able to tell her family's story to future generations. Her generous gift ensures her family's history and photos will be permanently housed online at JHSUM's website, jhsum.org.
If you are interested in preserving your family history and donating to JHSUM's Face the Future Endowment please contact Katherine Tane at 953-381-3363 or ktane@jhsum.org Face the Future with Your Past Endowment Fund Campaign goal is to grow our assets to $3 million in the next three years so we can continue to maintain our archival facilities, sustain our programming and support our staff.
The Soviet Jewry Movement in the Upper Midwest
In October 1970, the Soviet Jewry movement in Minnesota was sparked by University of Minnesota students, who held a Simchat Torah rally in sympathy with Soviet Jews, who were being harassed for demanding freedom to emigrate. The JCRC aided this student effort, and by January of 1971 had created the Minnesota-Dakotas Action Committee for Soviet Jewry (MDACSJ). . . (Continued)
Soviet Jewry Rally, Washington.
Who is the most important Minnesota born Zionist you’ve never heard of?
Photo courtesy of University Archives University of Minnesota
Max Lowenthal was a lifelong defender of civil liberties and a prolific writer whose papers include correspondence relating to his 1950 exposé of the abuses of power in J. Edger Hoover’s FBI, his work on railroad bankruptcies and sedition laws, and his key role behind the Truman administration's recognition of Israel.
Read project archivist, Susan Hoffman’s comments which were part of Out of the Boxes and into the Archives: Celebrating the Life and Work of Max Lowenthal event which was held on March 14, 2008.
“Pick of the Archives” Exhibit Showcases St. Paul Teacher Annie Ginsberg
St. Paul schoolteacher Annie Ginsberg on strike for better schools, early 1950s.
The life and times of Annie Ginsberg is on display in the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest’s exhibit case in the Sabes Jewish Community Center lobby. Maybe you haven’t heard of Annie Ginsburg? Hers was a quiet yet extraordinary legacy.
Annie was an English teacher, and later a principal, in the St. Paul public schools from 1922 to 1956. She wrote numerous workbooks and textbooks on writing and English composition. Annie was also a trustee of the Friends of the St Paul Public Library and active in the Jewish Education Center, Hadassah and the Jewish Home for the Aged, among other organizations. She was honored by the Jewish National Fund on her eightieth birthday in 1967 by having a special grove of trees planted in her honor in Israel. At the recognition dinner former students, now older adults, came forward to remember her good influence on their lives. The collection about Annie, contributed to our archives by her nephew Don Mains, contains many clippings, letters, personal reflections and memories honoring Annie and keeping her memory alive for us.
Saving World War II Memories: The Upper MidwestJewish Story
Explore JHSUM’s newest exhibit "Saving World War II Memories: the Upper Midwest Jewish Story."
This online exhibit showcases photos, journals, letters, uniforms and memorabilia from the war period.
Too Short? Jews and Sports in Minnesota
Sports have always been important to Jewish Minnesotans whatever their physiques and height limitations. Explore JHSUM’s lighthearted exhibit "Too Short? Jews and Sports in Minnesota." (Note: It might take a while to load but it's worth the wait)!
Did you know…?
Nearly 150 Jews have played major league baseball. As Martin Abramowitz, the president of Jewish Major Leaguers, Inc., points out, these Jewish big leaguers have combined for 22,000 hits, compiled a batting average of .265, hit more than 2000 home runs, and driven in over 10,000 runs.
As of 2002, Jewish pitchers had a record of 1,134-1,114 record with 11,600 strikeouts and 810 complete games. All in all, Jewish ball players have performed at or slightly better than that statistical average for all big leaguers.
Rabbis in Top Hats: JHSUM Exhibit Showcases an Early 20th Century Cultural Phenomenon
Using photographs and artifacts from its permanent collection, the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest’s newest exhibit highlights one example of how Orthodox men from the Old Country assimilated into new American culture—donning top hats.
In the early 1900s, Orthodox rabbis and temple members wore top hats to signal that they understood and were comfortable with American clothing styles. What’s more, the hat signified that the wearer had achieved great status.
The display teaches about this phenomenon and invites young people to see how they would look in a top hat. The exhibit will be on view through the end of January, 2007 in the JHSUM display case at the entrance to the Sabes JCC in Minneapolis.
Rabbi S. M. Silber, who led Kenesseth Israel during the first part of the century.
The Building Committee of Kenesseth Israel celebrating the completion of their synagogue on 6th and Lyndale. Rabbi Silber is in the front, middle.
The Shanedling Family of Virginia, Minnesota
Julius Shanedling was a pioneer of Virginia, Minnesota. He settled in Virginia in 1892. Shanedling was the founder of Virginia's B’nai Abraham synagogue, a clothing store owner and a father of five children. His wife Annie was from Minneapolis, and Julius moved there several years after Annie’s death. Three surviving grandchildren remain in the Minneapolis area: Anne Ribnick Wolf, John Ribnick, and Ann Shanedling Phillips.
Julius Shanedling in his clothing store.
Click below to see more photos of the Shanedling Family.
We Couldn’t Live at Home Exhibit Opening May 3, 2008 Minnesota Historical Society
The Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest and the Minnesota Historical Society combine forces in a powerful collaboration that brings to life the stories of residents, past and present, of a singular building on Minneapolis’ North Side. Once hosting the Jewish Sheltering Home for Children, and now housing Avenues for Homeless Youth, this site has sheltered more than 3500 young Minnesotans when they could not live at home.
Former residents Jyssica and Shirley Rothstein
The History Center’s new exhibit, featuring photos by Wing Young Huie, raises awareness of the still persistent problems and stigmas that are attached to such children and their families. The exhibit also gives voice to the many generations and traditions of young people in Minnesota who have the shared experience of living away from family. Compelling stories and images of Jewish elders who formerly lived in the home will be featured in the exhibit as well as the insights, poems, narratives and objects of the young residents who currently reside there.
It’s the hope of guest curator Kate Searls, developer JHSUM Director of Collections, Exhibits and Publications, Linda Mack Schloff, and the MHS exhibits team that this installation will be a catalyst to better meet the needs of Minnesota’s vulnerable children and their families as well as connect yesterday with today, children with adults, and people of many different heritages and traditions, reminding us we are all connected to and responsible for each other.
L-R Shá Cage, e.g. bailey and Irving and Charlotte Nudell
Hear more about the North Side community where the Sheltering Home is located in We Knew Who We Were: Memories of the Minneapolis Jewish North Side. Available for the first time on DVD June 1, 2008. Pre-order your copy today .
JHSUM has two exciting programs to offer local community organizations. In the Beginning: Early Jewish History in Minnesota uses photos and the writings of Amelia Ullman to tell the story of Jewish settlement and religious and civic life in the Minnesota Territory. A Treasured Past presents selected artifacts from the Society's collection and invites your group to bring your own treasures for sharing.
Both programs have been highly successful at engaging individuals with the region's vibrant and dynamic Jewish history. Call 952-381-3360 or e-mail Susan Hoffman at shoffman@jhsum.org to get more information or schedule a program for your group.
Jewish Roots in Hurley, Wisconsin JHSUM presents an exhibit chronicling early 20th century Jewish life in a northern Wisconsin mining town. Created by Dr. Steven Heifetz, the display tells the story of his exciting and heartwarming search for information about his great-grandparents of Hurley, Wisconsin. A collection of artifacts and photographs reveals an active Jewish presence in the early 1900s. View exhibit preview.
A plaque identifying the Sharey Zedek synagogue building was dedicated at a ceremony on July 24, 2005 as part of Iron County Heritage Days.
303 Iron Street, Hurley, WI. For more information, call (715) 381-3360.
North Side Exhibit at Sumner Library
The Jewish Historical Society maintains a rotating exhibit at the Sumner Library as part of the library's efforts to showcase the diversity of the Minneapolis North Side. Currently on display are photos, documents and memorabilia highlighting Jewish North Side Jewish businesses.
Minneapolis Public Library Sumner Branch 611 Van White Memorial Boulevard Minneapolis
Click here to check the Minneapolis Public Library web site for regular Sumner library hours.
Unpacking on the Prairie The Society’s most ambitious undertaking in the 1990’s was an exhibit in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society focused on Jewish women in the Upper Midwest. Unpacking on the Prairie opened 1996 at the Minnesota History Center to great acclaim. Lectures, a Jewish women’s art exhibit and other programs throughout the year rounded out the experience. A traveling version of the main exhibit toured for seven years and the award-winning Web exhibit – Unpacking on the Prairie – remains an important resource today. Unpacking on the Prairie co-chairs were Bobby Cohen and Shirley Rosenblum.
Minneapolis North Side JHSUM produced a televised documentary video about a large Jewish neighborhood, We Knew Who We Were: Memories of the Minneapolis Jewish North Side , in 2000. Reva Rosenbloom chaired the Northside Steering Committee. View video clip.
We Knew Who We Were DVD is now available for $24.95. Click here for more information.
Jewish Teen Life In 2003, the Society mounted the exhibit Belonging: Jewish Teen Life in the Twin Cities, 1945-1970 in collaboration with the Minnesota Historical Society. The exhibit was on display for one year at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. Satellite exhibits were mounted at the Minneapolis and St. Paul JCCs in spring 2004. View Jewish Teen Life video clip
Jewish Teen Life steering committee included (back row left to right) Barbara Friedman, Bobby Cohen, Lisa Heilicher, chair. (Front row) Beryl Berke and Sharyn Effress Pesses.
Jewish Roots in Hurley, Wisconsin
Unpacking on the Prairie 
Jewish Teen Life 