Established in 1924, AZA (Aelph Zedik Aelph) is the fraternity component of BBYO (B'nai Brith Youth Organization) for high school aged Jewish boys. The acronym stands for Ahavah (fraternal love), Tzedakah (benevolence), and Ahdoot (harmony). Photograph taken at the Lowry Hotel in St. Paul.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
The Alpha Omega Club was a Minneapolis young people's social club. Worth noting is Sam Finkelstein, seated at center. Finkelestein was a driving force behind the success of the South Side Neighborhood House. The community center was modeled after St. Paul's Neighborhood House, providing a place where the community's children and young people could play sports and engage in social and practical activities.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Many of the players on this amateur Minneapolis football team were from the North Side neighborhood. Players identified are #60 Jerry Reichel, # 25 Phil Levin, #55 Zelmer Schrell, #59 Shel Epstein, #68 Dick Jacobs, and #52 Lev Goslin. Sid Levine is kneeling on the left, wearing glasses.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
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
The Bearmans were a North Side family with a successful produce business. They sponsored a baseball team that played in the municipal league. Of note is the unidentified African-American player at the far left.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Queens from three Beth El fundraisers posed for this photograph, including Mrs. Louis Rubenstein on the left. The woman selling the greatest number of tickets to the event was named Queen.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of Beth El congregants dressed in costume. Beth El was founded by young people, many in their 20s. It was a congregation that, in addition to being "modern" in outlook and practice, enjoyed having fun.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Sans their bowling shoes, these members of B'nai B'rith women's bowling league proudly display their hardware. Left to right: Sally Orenstein, Mary Effress, Ethel Frank, Rae Davis, Jessie Swatez, Kathy Sigel.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
B'nai Brith Young Women's Organization is the B'nai Brith Young Women's organization. It was the women's division of B'nai Brith, the oldest continuously operating Jewish service organization in the world. The St. Paul B. B. Y. W. O. chapter had offices at the St. Paul Jewish Community Center.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of young men and women sitting and standing on a large sleigh. B'nai Brith Youth Organization was comprised of A. Z. A., a young men's fraternity, and B. B. G., the young women's counterpart to A. Z. A. Both were founded in response to discrimination in admitting Jewish youth to high-school level sororities and fraternities Both groups emphasized social service, leadership education and social activity. Originally affiliated with B'nai Brith, B. B. Y. O. re-structured as an independent organization in 2002.
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
A group of boys playing billiards outside while other boys look on. Camp Sophie Wirth operated from 1911-1943. It was founded and run by the St. Paul chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women. It offered low cost recreational and rest opportunities for immigrant women and their children.
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
Portrait photograph of children attending a child's birthday party. The families represented by the children in this photo where children of the first generation of Jewish settlers that had arrived at the turn of the century, mainly from Lithuania by way of Superior, Wisconsin. The Jewish community in Range towns was relatively tight-knit. Each of the larger towns, including Virginia, Hibbing, Chisholm and Eveleth had a synagogue at one time or another, and much of the community life revolved around activities related to them.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A group of young people standing in front of an automobile with two canoes strapped to the roof. Council Camp was establish in 1937 in Hinckley and moved in 1949 to Aitkin. Council Camp began as a W. P. A. program site: the Jewish Camping Program oversaw that at least 1/3 of the campers were low-income. Though non-sectarian, Council Camp was based on Jewish principles, including Shabbat observance and traditional meals.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives