PICK OF THE ARCHIVES (reprinted from Fall 2000 Generations ) by Judy Sherman
This newsletter will highlight two fine small collections we have received. The first is from Larry Greenstein and consists of news clippings and campaign literature that chronicles his father Joe Greenstein's decade as Fifth Ward Alderman. He fought for better street lighting, better schools in his ward, and he attended to his varied constituency. Greenstein, once known as "Pumpkin Joe" started a tradition of giving pumpkins away, and, its peak, he gave away over 10,000 a year.
Greenstein campaign literature
The other collection is music that Cantor Louis Braverman wrote and there are both Hebrew and Yiddish selections. Braverman was cantor at Adas Israel synagogue where he directed a male choir. According to former pupil Lionel Davis, he also "was the guiding spirit behind the Hazomir choir." We are thankful to his descendants and donors, Dr. Michael Braverman and Laurie Savran.
Cantor Louis Braverman and music that he composed
PICK OF THE ARCHIVES (reprinted fromSpring 2000 Generations ) by Judy Sherman
The North Side project has greatly enriched our archives, adding wonderful photos and mementos to our collection. But among the most exciting additions are the oral histories, on tape and in transcription, bringing first-person recollections that keep alive the community that once existed there. Listening to the tapes, to the voices of the participants, brings back a world that has vanished. Earl Schwartz's recollection of the small minyan, Naomi Kastenbaum's story of her family home, tales of the Labor Zionist movement, of the role of women, of the centrality of the Talmud Torah in forming the identity and intellectual life of its students, of the work and synagogue centered life of the first-generation parents all these are preserved eloquently through loving memories.
Some of those interviewed are lively, articulate and eloquent, some are aged and hesitant, but all of these tapes form part of the picture of a unique and special community. It is fascinating to listen to the interaction between the interviewer and the person being interviewed. Sometimes there is a direction and thrust to the conversation, and sometimes it seems to find its own direction, as some topics are welcomed and others seem to be avoided. The interviews tell us not only about the time and place being discussed but also—often advertently—they tell us something about the participants.
