PICK OF THE ARCHIVES (reprinted from Fall 2004 Generations ) by Judy Sherman
We recently acquired some coloring books for young Hebrew students created in the late 1940s by Leah Bernstein. Leah was a remarkable woman. She taught piano lessons to several generations of children, among many other accomplishments. We also have in our archives a copy of her autobiography, Leah For Freedom... For Love..., printed in 1986.
Her life story is inspiring. Leah was born in Russia to parents who, although not rich in material goods, loved music and art. As a young girl, she learned to play the piano by ear and to dance well enough to perform. The family came to Minneapolis just before the immigration gates crashed shut in 1924. Leah and her beloved sister went to school in North Minneapolis, where her musical and artistic talents were recognized and encouraged. Helped along by scholarships and her own steely determination, Leah became an accomplished pianist and composer.
Leah Bernstein as a young woman
But tragedy dogged the family. Her parents did hard, menial work, and her mother became increasingly mentally ill. Her sister died of leukemia, and her father had to move to Chicago to find work. Leah, newly married to Minneapolis Talmud Torah teacher Pincus Bernstein, was found to be suffering from tuberculosis and was hospitalized for a year. Although she was not able to have children of her own, her piano students became her family.
Leah's energy and versatility were amazing. To help Pincus, she used her artistic talent to put on shows for the Jewish holidays and drew the charming and idealistic Zionist-then-led coloring books in our collection. She also took up sculpture with great success. Meanwhile she continued to perform piano concerts and keep up a challenging repertoire. During World War II anxiety about the fate of Pincus's family in Europe kept her awake at night, so she worked in an aircraft factory for a year to tire herself out. She helped bring family members to America after the war, planted a garden, acquired several dogs, and was an enthusiastic swimmer. She continued to be a demanding and idealistic piano teacher. Several of her students went on to musical careers.
In her memoir, she describes the death of her difficult but beloved mother and then of Pincus, but does not dwell on sorrow. Her story is for the most part upbeat, even humorous. As she wrote this book in her golden years, she was still performing, sculpting, and keeping up with old friends. She was recognized by her community and honored by her students.
We have many interesting biographies and autobiographies in our collection. Many are inspiring stories of immigrants making the most of their opportunities in America. Among these, Leah Bernstein's story, in her own cheerful energetic voice, is a standout.
PICK OF THE ARCHIVES (reprinted from Spring 2004 Generations ) by Judy Sherman
Victoria Levy Greenberg has given us a collection of family pictures, mainly of her son Maurice and her daughter Marcelle, as they grew up in Cairo, Egypt. The family was of Greek origin but had lived in Egypt since the late 19th century. Victoria and her husband Jacques left Egypt for England when King Farouk was overthrown. When her husband died in 1985, she came to Minnesota to join her children, who unfortunately have both since passed away.
Jacques and Maurice Greenberg, Egypt, late 1940s.
Like many middle to upper class Cairenes, these Jewish Egyptians spoke French, sent their children to French schools and lived according to French customs and manners. The photographs show the children at school and family scenes at the beach or posed in front of ancient Egyptian relics. The affection between Victoria and her children is obvious in these pictures, which are at the same time familiar and exotic. They reveal what appears to be a prosperous, secure Jewish community in Egypt in the 1940s. We are grateful to Mrs. Greenberg for sharing her happy memories with us.
A portion of the Levy family tree. Note palm trees.
