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
Studio portrait of the women's basketball team in 1920. Sixteen players pose with coach in front holding basketball with ""B.A. '20"" written on it and two players seated on floor holding Bethel pennant.
Contributing Institution:
The History Center, Archives of Bethel University and Converge Worldwide - BGC
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
The picnic was held at Bass Lake, and provided an opportunity for butchers throughout the Twin Cities and the region to socialize. Picnics appear to have been held well into the 50s. The woman in the back row was not likely to have been a butcher, as it was not considered to be women's work.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Portrait photograph of a large group of Hadassah members in costume. Founded in 1912, Hadassah is the second-oldest independent Jewish women's organization in the United States. Hadassah draws on both the ideology of Zionism and on women's sense of social responsibility to elicit support for Israel, youth activities and educational services. National programs that were implemented in Minnesota included "linen showers" for medical units, money collection for school lunch programs in Palestine, and providing Jewish-German children foster-homes in Palestine during WWII. Members also made time to play and socialize.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Mrs. Louis Rubenstein posed for this portrait during the annual fundraiser. The woman selling the most tickets was named queen of the bazaar. Beth El Congregation was composed of younger members of the North Side Jewish community who were interested in reviving certain aspects of religious expression, including Torah study (in English) and Friday evening Shabbat services.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Group of ski jumping contestants who competed at Benson Ski Hill Tournament two miles north of Lanesboro. Among the fellow competitors are Lanesboro Norse Ski Club members and Aurora Ski Club members from Red Wing. The man holding the megaphone is Lanesboro resident Olaf Thompson whose deep bass voice announced tournaments nationally. The group is posed in front of Thompson Brothers furniture store.
The Benson Ski Hill north of Lanesboro where ski jumping tournament, maximum 175 feet jump allowed, was held for several years drawing up to 2000 spectators. The ski jump was built by R. O. Benson whose six sons were skiers. The National Ski Association participated in these tournaments. Olaf Evenson was its most successful local participant.
Many graduates of the Minneapolis Talmud Torah stayed together socially after their Hebrew instruction was complete. Through participation in sports, men built social networks that served them in business and community activities. Activities were paid for jointly by individuals and community organizations, which encouraged people to join by relieving financial constraints.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
This group of neighbors would meet informally at members' houses over the years. Their connection was geographic (North Side) rather than congregational (synagogue-related).
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives