In this interview, Manual (Mandy) Ruder (1914 - ) gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan. Special attention is afforded to his family background, including information about his Romanian and Zionist parents farming in Palestine, their settlement in North Dakota, and eventually settling with his mother in Minneapolis after the tragic death of his father. The focus moves to Ruder's childhood in a Romanian Orthodox community near downtown Minneapolis, roughly during the period of 1910 - 1920, to his education at the University of Minnesota in the 1930s, Navy career, career in American National Bank, and copious family details. 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
In this interview, Roz Baker (1923 - ) gives an account of her life as a Jewish native of Minneapolis. She relates her family background which includes an immigration story to the United States from Russia through Cypress in 1915. She describes her childhood growing up Jewish in Minneapolis, relating memories of Labor-Zionist meetings, holiday traditions, school experience, working as a teenager during the Depression and various class distinctions among the larger Jewish community. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Ann Schulman 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
A sukkah decorated on the outside with Talmudic posters is in a grassy area. Description on back of photograph "Me [Naomi Lipsky] (facing camera in middle in pink) explaining Sukkos to a visiting middle school class.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Designed by Naomi Lipsky and made by Mel Turcanik, this undecorated sukkah made entirely out of wood. It is in a grassy area with trees in the background.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A view of the right side of a sukkah Designed by Naomi Lipsky and made by Mel Turcanik. There is skach on the top and two Magen Davids made of pine cones on the top
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
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
Frontal view of a new addition to Temple Israel synagogue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The addition was constructed in 1987 and added a new entrance on the parking lot, a 250 seat theater, meeting rooms, offices, and elevators to make the temple handicapped-accessible.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Group of children are shown making matzo before it is baked by a group of adult members of Lubavitch and Temple Israel synagogue at an annual baking event.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A young Jewish man sits amidst anti-Semitic graffiti at Mount Zion Temple. Graffiti was found on windows, doors, walls and sidewalks at the synagogue. The vandalism took place in 1978 on the 40th anniversary of ""Crystal Night,"" Germany's campaign to liquidate the Jews.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A Christian clergyman is shown painting over Swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti as an act of goodwill. Graffiti was found on windows, doors, walls and sidewalks at the synagogue. The vandalism took place in 1978 on the 40th anniversary of ""Crystal Night,"" Germany's campaign to liquidate the Jews.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of Jewish men and boys pray before a mock up of the Western Wall at the 1976 Israel Expo sponsored by the Temple of Aaron in St. Paul, Minnesota. During the previous year, the United Nations General Assembly had passed a resolution equating Zionism with racism. Rabbi Bernard Raskas of the Temple of Aaron responded in a variety of ways including this expo, demonstrating the synagogues '+D35s pride in Israel. 10,000 prayers from the Expo Temple Wall were presented to Rabbi Mayer Yehuda Getz, who at the time was Rabbi of the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
H. Bream, Barbra Keffer, Maren Yurgen, and Charles Keffer, Vice President of the College of St. Thomas look at a book at Jewish Community Relations Council/Anti-Defamation League Bicentennial Judaica Exhibit at the College of St. Thomas. There is a table prepared for the Passover Seder ritual dinner.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Frontal view of Temple Israel synagogue. On Sept. 1, 1928, Temple Israel members attended the inaugural service of this new synagogue, designed by architect Jack Liebenberg. The Temple's pillared facade on Emerson Avenue, the site of the former community house, reflects Greek influence on early Judaism. The five doors represent the five books of the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Sholom Home residents sit and stand around a table for bingo hosted by Jewish War Veterans Minnesota Department. Sholom Home has enjoyed an over 100 year legacy in providing a broad continuum of residential, social service and health care services primarily for older adults.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Five gentleman hold shovels to the ground at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Temple of Aaron synagogue on September 20th, 1970. Listed on the back from left to right: Allen Freeman, Dick Smith, Louis Lipschutz, Max Bearman and Alan Levey. The groundbreaking included a stone from Jericho in the Holy Land. In 1972, construction was completed that doubled the square footage of the building, allowing for more space devoted to educational, social and aesthetic purposes.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Portrait of Rabbi Dr. Nahum Schulman, rabbi of Mikro Kodesh Synagogue. In 1949, Mikro Kodesh of Minneapolis, Minnesota was the largest orthodox synagogue in the Twin Cities. By the late 1960, due to Jewish families emigrating to the neighboring Saint Louis Park, the synagogue merged with a conservative synagogue and later became B'nai Emet Synagogue of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A photograph showing the front exterior of Adath Jeshurun Synagogue. Adath Jeshurun was founded 1884. It joined together two groups of Jews--immigrants from Russia and Romania--that had settled on Minneapolis's South Side. The building in the picture was, like Temple Israel, designed by Jack Liebenberg in the Neoclassical Revival style. The number three--corresponding to the number of doors--has several symbolic references, including to the three patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A photograph showing the front exterior of Temple Israel. Temple Israel was founded as congregation Shaari Tov ("Gates of Goodness") in 1878. The building in the picture was designed by architect Jack Liebenberg, dedicated in 1929. The Temple's pillared facade reflects Greek influence on early Judaism. The five doors represent five books of the Torah--Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Front exterior view of Mikro Kodesh synagogue. Mikro Kodesh was one of the largest congregations in the Midwest during the 1950s. The building was designed by Samuel Bowler and completed in 1926. It features two prominent Byzantine domes and rounded Romanesque windows, as well as the three-door motif and five second-story windows.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A large group of young people sitting at a series of long tables in the Temple of Aaron in Saint Paul. United Synagogue Youth (USY) was founded in 1951 to promote living Jewishly to Jewish-American teens. Part educational and part service oriented, the organization encourages youth involvement in Jewish community service work; travel and service in Israel; and reflection on Jewish identity. USY is associated with Conservative Judaism. The photo was taken at Temple of Aaron in St. Paul
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
