Message from the president, Rhoda Sachs Zahler
from the Winter 2010 NewsletterDear friends of the Jewish Historical Society,
Over the last few months, the Society has continued to work with community partners such as the JCC, the Jewish Federation and the Orchard Street.Shul to sponsor programs on topics ranging from the struggles for open housing to the life of an historic synagogue to the Yiddish Theater roots of the Three Stooges. Board member Shulamith Chernoff organized a "Lunch and Learn" at the John Slade Ely House with artists who participated in the Cultural Heritage Artists Project of the Orchard Street Shul. More than 20 artists from all over the country created works representing aspects of the history of New Haven's historic synagogue, and many of them did their research in our JHSGNH archives. In fact, our Archivist Marv Bargar spent about 25 hours finding pictures, maps, and documents that were used in this exhibit, organized by renowned artist Cynthia Beth Rubin, who lives in New Haven. Visitors to the exhibit learned of the shul's history, sharing the stories of the men and women who built and sustained this community. For those who missed the exhibit, the catalogue is available from Cynthia.
On the afternoons of February 21 and March 14, we will have guest speakers Paula Hyman and Ingrid Mattson discussing the HUC-JIR museum's traveling exhibit of photographs by Norman Gershman, Albanian Muslim Rescuers During the Holocaust. Jim Shelton began his February 4th New Haven Register article about the exhibit, If courage has a human face, it may be found in the faces of Albanian Muslim rescuers. At a time of almost incomprehensible danger, these ordinary men and women: dairymen, doctors, shopkeepers and housewives risked everything to shelter Jewish families from the Nazis. They did it without hesitation, guided by their own principles of faith and personal conduct. There is a documentary film that has been made about this exhibit, which may be part of our program.
The Ethnic Heritage Center is the sponsor of the exhibit, with support from the JHSGNH, Southern Connecticut State University, Congregation Mishkan Israel and the Jewish Federation. You can visit this exhibit through June 30. The next exhibit at the Ethnic Center will focus on the wedding customs of the five ethnic groups of the EHC. Our Archivist, Marvin Bargar, has been looking through our archives for historic pictures and ketubot, and is interested in borrowing additional materials for the exhibit, including a chuppah and wedding attire (for both bride and groom). Please contact him if you have materials to share.
