In this interview, Rabbi Kassel Abelson speaks of his life, times, and views regarding Judaism. Abelson spent over forty years as senior Rabbi at Beth El synagogue in North Minneapolis and later Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, serving as a leader in the community and as a developer of national Judaic programs and policy. Abelson recalls his family background, his childhood in Brooklyn, his education culminating in the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York in the 1940s (a focus of discussion), his chaplaincy, his arrival and experience at Beth El, relocating to Saint Louis Park from Minneapolis' North Side and actions in setting Judaic policy. The focus of the interview, in addition to Abelson's personal narrative, is on his vision of American Judaism and how it was enacted through various programs and organizations, such as the United Synagogue Youth, in addition to his social justice principles exemplified by his participation in organizations such as the Urban Coalition 1960s on Minneapolis' North Side. This interview was conducted by Dr. Linda Mack Schloff, former director of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest, in effort to document the stories of Jewish immigration to and community leaders in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Unidentified man, Audrey, Chip DeMann and two unidentified people (left to right) standing on grass at Holy Cross Church at the 125th Anniversary of the church.
One women sitting in a small horse drawn carriage, with another climbing in on the grass near Holy Cross Church at the 125th Anniversary of the church.
One women sitting in a small horse drawn carriage, with another climbing in on the grass near Holy Cross Church at the 125th Anniversary of the church.
Two women sitting in a small horse drawn carriage, with another woman standing next to them and another petting the horse on the grass near Holy Cross Church at the 125th Anniversary of the church.
Two women sitting in a small horse drawn carriage, with another woman standing next to them and another petting the horse on the grass near Holy Cross Church.
Audrey, Trip and Gus DeMann in horse-drawn carriage, with Chip DeMann on horse behind them and unidentified woman standing in front on the grass at the 125th anniversary of Holy Cross Church.
Audrey and Chip DeMann with man and woman (left to right) standing in front of William Archibald's grave in Dundas at the 125th Anniversary of Holy Cross Church.
