The Aurora Club for Young Women was sponsored by the Emanuel Cohen Center on Minneapolis's North Side. The club provided recreational and social opportunities for young Jewish women in the neighborhood.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
The Polars Club basketball team, sponsored by the Emanuel Cohen Center in North Minneapolis. The E. C. C. had no gym: games were played at settlement houses in other parts of the city with gymnasiums. E. C. C. games were played at the Wells Settlement House, which primarily served the North Side Finnish community.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of boys and an adult at Sumner Field park. Sumner Field was a large commons area that served as a playing field for North Side neighborhood children. Recreational opportunities for children and young people were funded and organized by the Emanuel Cohen Center.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of boys gather behind their seated instructor at Sumner Field park. Sumner Field was a large commons area on the North Side that served as a playing field for North Side neighborhood children. Recreational opportunities for children and young people were funded and organized by the Emanuel Cohen Center.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Two young boys concentrate on the chess board while a group of children look on. Children's and young people's programming was held at the J. E. C. Annex.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of children and adults playing deck tennis. Kid's attended Center Day at the end of August before school began for a final round of play unimpeded by school or homework.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
The boys basketball team pictured in uniform with their coach. The Emanuel Cohen Center had no gym: games were played at settlement houses in other parts of the city with gymnasiums. E. C. C. games were often played at the Wells Settlement House, which served the North Side's Finnish community.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
From left to right, top row: Coach Bob Wolfson, Jay Ettinger, Ferrell Green and Jay Levitan. Middle Row: Marvin Neiltzer, Sherman Rosenblum, Don Kirtchner and Bert Dahlquist. Front row: Don Kennedy
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Adults and children walk through the entrance of the J. E. C. in this posed shot. This photograph is significant in that one of the principle funders of the Center, businessman and philanthropist George Kaplan is in the photo. The Jewish Educational Center was the precursor to the St. Paul J. C. C. It served as a recreation and education facility. And by 1939 over 100 community groups, including Boy and Girl Scouts; a theater company, and two orchestra were using the facility.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A publicity photograph showing arts and crafts activates for kids enrolled at "Stay at Home Camp", a successful summer camp developed by the Jewish Center Activities Association, for the growing number of families joining the J. E. C. The J. C. A. A. was the Jewish Education Center's programming arm.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Three women kick their legs. Next to them sits a woman on a stool (perhaps a moderator or judge). In 1948, the Jewish Educational Center officially became the Jewish Community Center of St. Paul. As such, it split with the Hebrew School, and focused programming on leisure and educational activities for a rapidly growing young adult community, as well a support for clubs for returning Jewish servicemen.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Two boys play ping pong while a group of children look on. In 1936, the J. E. C. annexed an adjacent home to be used for children's groups and arts and crafts classes. The annex was closed in 1940 and activities shifted to Mt. Zion and Temple of Aaron.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Boys use a clothes ringer while an adult supervises in the background. Perhaps the kids at camp used the clothes ringer to dry out bathing suits? Stanley Calof is the boy at the hand crank.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Men and boys playing table tennis on Center Day. Sports and recreational activities took place at the Annex, an old house and yard next door to the J. E. C. The Annex remained in use until 1940, when deteriorating conditions caused it to close.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of children sit on the steps of the J. E. C. dressed for a fall outing. The Jewish Educational Center was the precursor to the St. Paul Jewish Community Center. It served as a recreation and education, and by 1939 over 100 community groups, including Boy and Girl Scouts, a theater company, and two orchestra were using the facility.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Children standing outside of the Jewish Educational Center in handmade costumes. The Jewish Educational Center was the precursor to the St. Paul J. C. C. It served as a recreation and education center, and by 1939 over 100 community groups, including Boy and Girl Scouts, a theater company, and two orchestras were using the facility.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Jewish servicemen stationed at Fort Snelling and from as far away as Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Colorado; received a free membership to the J. E. C. during World War II. The center carried on the tradition of free memberships to Jewish soldiers begun in World War I.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of unidentified women standing in front of a bus. The Emanuel Cohen Center provided recreation space and social services to the North Minneapolis Jewish community. The Center was named for Emanuel Cohen, an attorney and the Center's principle benefactor.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A photograph of members of the J. C. C. group theater performing on stage. The theater group was formally known as the "Grotto Players. The play being preformed is "The Golden City."
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Men and women stand outside in discussion. Among the many services available through the ECC; events were organized for young people, affording them an opportunity to meet and mingle, as well as a chance to leave the city behind for the weekend.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of unidentified men and women sitting in front of the Jewish Educational Center. By the time this photo was taken, there were over one hundred groups affiliated with the J. E. C. (Jewish Educational Center).
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of young men in basketball uniforms stand with their coach for this photograph. The programming arm of the J. E. C., known as the Jewish Center Activities Association, oversaw social and recreational activities at the Center.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives