Author: Archivist

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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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Kutz Foundation Support Provides Boost

The Jewish Historical Society of Delaware is pleased to announce a grant from the Milton and Hattie Kutz Foundation for the Coxe House renovation project.  News of the grant was welcomed by officers and board of directors of the JHSD.

JHSD archivist, Gail Pietrzyk, reported, “With the COVID-19 restrictions, we are not able to pick up our mail as often as we would  like.  It was a terrific boost to everyone to find such generous support from our members and the Jewish community in our mailbox.”  Additional donations for the Coxe House and for the JHSD were also received.

The JHSD Board has been working on many of the preparations that are needed for this change. The by-laws of the 501(c)3 organization have been updated, a policy and procedure manual is under review and updated membership and financial management systems are taking shape.

“We have not only outgrown our space,” said archivist Pietrzyk, “we’ve outgrown our shoestring, bare-bones operation and the board has been amazing.  They have worked very hard to help us reach this goal and prepare for the future. The generosity of the community and the dedication of everyone who has worked for this is so encouraging.  I love the stories I find in the JHSD collections. So many of the organizations in the Jewish community started with someone who had an idea to serve the community and the determination and passion to get others involved.  And those stories are not found only in the past. I see it happening today, for our work, and I am so happy to be a part of it.”

Work on the renovation project are moving forward and bids from contractors will be opened next month.