Wishing you a Happy New Year
Remember our Jewish Veterans
Annual Meeting, April 11, 2021
The Jewish Historical Society of Delaware will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 11, 2021. The meeting will begin at 11 o’clock AM and will be a virtual, video presentation on zoom.
Annual Meeting Agenda
Welcoming Remarks, Gerry Resnick
The Coxe House Presentation, Richard Levin
Treasurer’s Report, Paula Gordon
Archivist’s Report, Gail Pietrzyk
Election of Board members
The nominees for the board of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware are:
John Elzufon
Joe Goldberg
Tina Heiman
Paul Lukoff
Donald Parsons
Charles Salkin
David Wilk
Robin Silver Zink
Peter Zoll
Appreciation for our retiring board members, Gerry Resnick
Retiring in 2021 are Danna Levy, Secretary and Eleanor Weinglass, Past Treasurer, Ellen Meyer and Richard Margolin.
Recommendation for Officers
Closing Remarks, Diane Wolf
At the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, the board will convene a regular meeting of the board for the Election of Officers.
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.
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.
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.
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.