Author: Archivist

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A Nifty Trip to Israel

By MINDY HANKEN

Jewish Community Relations Committee Intern

“When I used to think of Judaism, I thought of studying for my Bar Mitzvah, going to temple on Friday evenings, seeing my family on holidays, and the occasional Jewish Federation events!

“But, my ideas of Judaism have just been expanded beyond belief. Now, when I think of Judaism, I think of the breath-taking beauty we experienced while hiking throughout the Negev. I remember at night, after our hikes, when we camped out under the stars, I had an overwhelming feeling of peace, as I listened to the sound of the open desert. I think of standing in awe at the base of the Western Wall, trying to understand the diversity and the unity of the numerous people who touched this very spot. I think of walking through the Old City, seeing Jews live their lives, in many ways like our ancestors did, many thousands of years ago. I think of the wonder and excitement of Tel Aviv, and I remember realizing that Israel is just as advanced as we are. I remember thinking how cool it was seeing a McDonalds sign written in Hebrew.

“But, most importantly, when I think of Israel, I think of how much fun I had and the wonderful friendships that will last a lifetime; friendships, just like my new connection to Judaism, that will never end.”

The above words were part of a speech Dan Medwin delivered at the JFD Annual Meeting in May. The speech left people at the meeting with a sense of pride for the next generation of leaders. The speech was about his trip to Israel during the summer of ’95. The trip has given Dan a renewed sense of commitment and dedication to Judaism and the State of Israel.

Dan Medwin joined 600 other Jews from across North America on the NFTY tour “Exodus to Israel.” The five and a half week tour started with a flight to Greece where the group spent two days before sailing on a boat to Haifa. The boat trip from Greece to Israel was to simulate the Jews trip to Palestine after WWII. For the next month in Israel, Dan was to meet new and exciting people, see interesting and historical places, and learn the history of his Jewish ancestors.

It was important for Dan to keep a journal of what he was doing, seeing, and learning in Israel. Upon his arrival to Israel from Greece, Dan wrote in his journal:

“As I looked out a window of the boat, and saw the magnificent shores of Eretz Yisrael, I only had one though… The idea was so simple and yet so strong, it blocked out all other thoughts. It blocked out the noise behind me of 600 screaming teenagers looking forward to the best summer of their lives, jumping into a new adventure with wide eyes and open minds… as the thought bounced around it grew strength; growing louder and louder in my subconscious until it was too loud to contain. It burst out of my lips. Only the Israelis around me understood how I was feeling, or even what I had said. The thought was simple, it was pure, but it was overwhelmingly powerful: I had returned home…”

While in Israel Dan explored the North of Israel including the Golan Heights, the Sea of Galilee, and Haifa. Dan traveled throughout Jerusalem which included an experience at the Western Wall, exploring the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, shopping on Ben Yehuda Street, planting a tree, and visiting the Knesset building. Dan also traveled to Tel Aviv, “the New York City of Israel,” where he shopped in Dizengoff Center, and walked the beach of the Mediterranean Sea. He hiked and crawled through caves in the Negev Desert and visited the Mitzpeh Ramon Crater. He had the opportunity to float in the Dead Sea and climb Massada early in morning Dan, left, and a friend on the boat to Israel. to experience sunrise from a mountaintop.

Dan can now reflect on the way his trip to Israel has affected this past year. He has gotten more involved in his NFTY Region and holds the position of Religious and Cultural Vice President of the NFTY Mid-Atlantic Region. As the RCVP, Dan writes programs and services focusing on Israel and other Jewish aspects. His future plans include attending Brandeis University as a Judaic Studies and/or Computer Science major. Dan often reflects back on his trip and recalls what he learned about the State of Israel and the lasting friendships he made while there.

Originally published in The Jewish Voice, July 19, 1996.

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In Memory of Those Who Served

This Veteran’s Day, the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware remembers the Jewish Delawareans who served in our country’s military.  

With a global pandemic today, many are reminded of the virus that took so many lives among the young soldiers fighting in France in WWI. The influenza pandemic claimed the life of Delaware native, Captain Rupert Mandell Burstan, USMC. 

Rupert Mandell Burstan, of Middletown, Delaware, was the first Jew from Delaware to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduating in 1915, Burston served in the Marine Corps. He was sent to Haiti, where he was promoted to the rank of captain. Later, Burstan was in charge of 1,100 men stationed in Quantico, Virginia. In 1918 he sailed to France, where he died in the flu epidemic.

Over one million Jews have served in the Armed Forces of the United States through the 21st Century

250,000 American Jews served in World War I
600,000 American Jews served in World War II
150,000 American Jews served in the Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf Wars

Jewish military service in the defense of the United States began in 1654 when Asher Levy, one of 23 original Jewish settlers in New Amsterdam, fought for and won the right to stand guard at the stockade.

Since its founding in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the USA continues to fight not only for the Jewish veteran, but for all Americans.

In 1947, 18 men initiated Jewish War Veterans Posts: Harry Fineman 525, Nathan Balick 747, and Arthur Blatman 767. Each is affiliated with Jewish War Veterans USA, Department of Delaware.

During our wars, 18 US Jewish servicemen were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism while in combat. Others wounded or killed received decorations and medals for their bravery.

Monument in Lombary Cemetery, Foulk Road, Wilmington, Delaware

A monument to those killed in action was unveiled May 28, 1950 in the Veterans’ section, Lombardy Cemetery Foulk Road. A Rededication of the restored area was September 17, 2006.

 

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JHSD and DHS Sign Agreements

Wilmington, Delaware — On Friday, October 30, 2020, the Delaware Historical Society and the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware held an official signing of the lease and operating agreements between the two organizations. The Jewish Historical Society of Delaware’s Co-Presidents, Dr. Gerald Resnick and Rabbi Peter Grumbacher and the Delaware Historical Society’s Executive Director, Dr. David W. Young signed documents which affirm in writing an understanding that has underpinned their relationship since the JHSD was established in 1974.

The Delaware Historical Society was also represented by Margaret L. Laird, PhD, Board Chair, Martha Moffat, Director of Building and Grounds, and Leigh Rifenberg, Chief Curator. JSHD Board Member Richard D. Levin and Archivist Gail M. Pietrzyk attended, and the Jewish Federation of Delaware was represented by Seth J. Katzen, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Following welcoming remarks by Dr. Young and Dr. Resnick, Rabbi Grumbacher offered a prayer in celebration of the event.

Left to right: Margaret L. Laird, Ph.D., Board Chair, and Dr. David W. Young, Executive Director, Delaware Historical Society, and Dr. Gerald Resnick, Co-President, Richard D. Levin, Board Member, and Rabbi Peter Grumbacher, Co-President, Jewish Historical Society of Delaware, in front of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware’s future home — the Delaware Center for Jewish History at the Coxe House.

The magnitude of the achievement of laying the groundwork, concluding the necessary negotiations and raising the funds to support the renovations to the Coxe House during a pandemic was not lost on those present. The fundraising effort was launched on November 3, 2019. Construction is now underway, with an anticipated completion date in early February, 2021. The initial campaign to raise funds for the construction project was successful, but the goal to establish an endowment to support the work of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware continues. Donations may be made at https://coxehouse.org. Gifts are tax-deductible.

By attending the first meeting of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware, on December 16, 1974, Dale Fields, Executive Director of the Historical Society of Delaware, expressed what would become the continuing supportive relationship between the two organizations. At the same meeting Rabbi David Geffen, PhD, one of the founders of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware, announced that his article “Delaware Jewry: The Formative Years, 1872–1889” had been accepted for publication in Delaware Historical Magazine.

We are pleased that each of our organizations and historic collections have grown over the years and that the supportive relationship forged in 1974 remains strong. Through the agreements signed on October 30, 2020, we ensure that the stories and histories of the Jewish communities who call Delaware home shall have a home in the Delaware Center for Jewish History at the Coxe House, as the building will now be called.

In addition to the collections of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware, collections of the Halina Wind Preston Holocaust Education Committee will also be housed in the Delaware Center for Jewish History at the Coxe House.

In the words of Board Member Richard D. Levin, “I have learned much from this experience. I feel fortunate to have been part of this project. I hope that our new home in the Delaware Center for Jewish History at the Coxe House will attract more people who also have had the wonderful experience of living as a Jew in our community to participate in the preservation and celebration of our rich heritage.”

The Jewish Historical Society of Delaware is pleased to participate in an upcoming holiday window exhibition at the Delaware History Museum and looking forward to this opportunity “to shine on Market Street” with historical items reflecting the celebration of Hanukkah in Delaware.

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Celebrating 350 Years in North America

Celebrating 350 Years in North America

In 1654, a group of twenty-three Jewish refugees fled Recite, Brazil, for New Amsterdam (New York) when the Dutch were defeated by the Portuguese. Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of New Amsterdam, tried to make them leave, but the Dutch West Indies Company overrode his decision. These men and women became the first permanent Jewish settlers in North America.

Within a year of their arrival, Jews were trading in the territory that became Delaware. Less than twenty years later the first Jew settled near the Appoquinimink Creek. However, it would be more than 200 years before there were enough Jews in Delaware to establish the first Jewish communal organization.

During the eighteenth century, the colonies developed and became a country. Although Jews, like other ethnic groups, faced discrimination, they were treated as equal citizens with rights and responsibilities guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The United States became the first country to give Jews equal rights under law. Given the chance to participate fully in society, Jews flourished. Today there are some 5.5 million Jewish people in the United States.

Our exhibit celebrates the freedom, opportunity, and idealism of America

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JHSD ANNOUNCES DELAWARE HUMANITIES CARES ACT RECOVER GRANT

Jewish Historical Society of Delaware logo with mask

Jewish Historical Society of Delaware505 NORTH MARKET STREET
WILMINGTON, DE 19801

Media Contact: Gail Pietrzyk, (302) 655-6232 or (610) 563-0096 mobile

Email: info@jhsdelaware.org

We are smiling under our masks.

Wilmington, Delaware: The Jewish Historical Society of Delaware (JHSD) is pleased to announce that they have received a Delaware Humanities CARES Act Recover Grant.  These funds have been made available through the CARES Act and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for redistribution by Delaware Humanities to organizations committed to the humanities that have faced financial hardship due to the coronavirus.

The CARES Act Recover Grant is significant for JHSD, covering essential operating costs and allowing it to continue providing remote access to the archives via the website at https://jhsdelaware.org and by phone at (302) 655-6232.  The grant will also pay for masks and other equipment to keep visitors to the reading room safe when it reopens to the public.

“The humanities community in Delaware is very supportive,” says archivist Gail Pietrzyk.  “We operate with a small budget and we are grateful for the cooperative relationship with the Delaware Historical Society, which houses our collections.”

The JHSD was forced to postpone its annual meeting program, “Telling our Stories: Oral History in Delaware’s Jewish Community,” in April because of the coronavirus outbreak and the quarantine restrictions. The yearly event often draws an audience of over 150 people.

JHSD is looking forward to once again welcoming researchers to its facilities, where they can make use of the collections which document the history of Jewish life in Delaware.

Jewish Historical Society of DelawareABOUT THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE

Founded in 1974, the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware acquires, preserves, and publishes materials pertaining to the history of Jewish settlement and life in Delaware.  Membership in the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware is open to all who are interested in supporting its mission. To learn about becoming a member, e-mail info@jhsdelaware.org.

National Endowment for the HumanitiesABOUT THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES

Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at www.neh.gov.

Delaware HumanitiesABOUT THE DELAWARE HUMANITIES

Delaware Humanities is Delaware’s independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Founded in 1973, Delaware Humanities provides educational and cultural opportunities to Delawareans through original programming and grants for non-profit organizations. Delaware Humanities helps Delawareans gain a deeper understanding of human identity, intellectual achievement, diverse cultures, and our shared heritage.

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