chicago jewish historychicagojewishhistory.org/pdf/1999/CJH.2.1999.pdf · Sentimental journey from the Maxwell Street area, Lawndale, Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Albany Park and

chicago jewish history

Vol. 23, No. 2, Spring 1999

chicago jewish historical society

Look to the rock from which you were hewn

IN THIS ISSUE

Spring & SummerCalendar of Events

From the Archives:The Scrapbooks ofAlderman Grossman

A Chicago West SideStory by Ben Hecht

Moe Berg: The Song

Follow-Up: U.S. MarinePrivate Irving Salomon

Learn the Art of Interviewing at Society’s Oral History Workshop

Sunday, May 23“Preserve Your Family and Community History” is the message of the

Society’s much-anticipated Oral History Workshop, on Sunday, May 23, atSpertus Institute, 618 South Michigan Avenue. Registration is limited!Members and friends are invited to learn the valuable techniques of inter-viewing from skilled professionals Emma Kowalenko and Victoria Haas.

The afternoon is divided into two parts to make it flexible enough forparticipants who can’t attend the entire program:

1:30 to 3:30 p.m. A “hands on” oral history workshop.3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Video presentation and general discussion.

Participants in the program will be given a manual on methodology andsources for genealogical research, including internet information.

Cost: $10.00/CJHS Members $12.00/Nonmembers For Information call Norma Spungen at 847-446-0113

continued on page 11, column 2

Rosa Raisa–Diva in the Golden Age of Opera

T he audience at the October4, 1963 opening night ofthe Lyric Opera of Chicago

season found a rose pinned to everytheater seat. The performance wasdedicated to the memory of RosaRaisa who had died on September28, and the house was decoratedwith some 3,700 roses donated byMedard C. Lange.

The opera being performed thatnight offered a particularly aptmemorial to Chicago opera’s greatJewish soprano. Verdi’s Nabucco(Nebuchadnezzar) is about the

Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem,and contains the stirring “Va,pensiero,” the chorus of the captiveJews on the banks of the Euphrates.They think of home and sing thenostalgic words, “Fly, my thoughts,on golden wings.”

She was born Raisa Burchsteinin Bialystok, Poland on May 23,1893. Even at a young age her voiceattracted attention, and she travelledthrough Poland as a child singer.She fled the Bialystok pogroms of1907 to settle in Italy. Her potentialwas discovered by a wealthy family

BY BEV CHUBAT

continued on page 4

Rosa Raisa in 1924photograph from the book

History of the Jews of Chicago;published by the Jewish Historical

Society of Illinois, 1924

MAY IS A MONTH OF CELEBRATIONfor us today, for it was in May, 1948 that the Stateof Israel was established. Yet the beginning of Mayis also notable for a great tragedy that occurred inChicago in 1886. In May of that year, a bomb washurled in Haymarket Square during a workers’rally, killing several policemen. Seven individualswere convicted of murder, though no one was everidentified as the actual bomber. The seven had

been represented by a volunteer team of Chicago attorneys, amongthem the young Jewish lawyer Sigmund Zeisler. The legal careers ofthese attorneys were destroyed by the public’s hatred of the defen-dants, (three of whom were hanged and one who died in jail). Thethree surviving defendants were later pardoned by Gov. John PeterAltgeld, whose own political career was ended because of his action.Of the attorneys, only Zeisler went on to achieve success in later life.

Sigmund Zeisler was born in Bielitz, Austria in 1860. Hegained a Doctor Juris degree with honors from the University ofVienna in 1883. In the same year he came to Chicago, and in 1884received a law degree from Northwestern University. He was quicklyadmitted to the Illinois Bar and became a lecturer at John MarshallLaw School. Zeisler’s brilliant legal ability made him known in theimmigrant community, and when the Haymarket trial began hevolunteered his services. He was active at the trial, and was quoted inthe press on the absurdity of the “conspiracy” charges on which thedefendants were being tried. Years later he wrote a classic resumé ofthe trial proceedings, which is still available in law libraries today.

No doubt Zeisler’s youth, his identification with theBohemian community, his political connection to the DemocraticParty and his overall brilliance saved his career. By 1893, he wasassistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. Ten yearslater, he became Master in Chancery of the Circuit Court.

In private life, he was a leading light of the Hyde Park andcitywide literary scene. Upon his death in 1931, he was survived byhis second wife, (his first wife, internationally famed concert pianistFannie Bloomfield, having died in 1927), and three sons. Many ofhis descendants still live in the Chicago area.

Sigmund Zeisler’s Last Will included bequests to the JewishCharities of Chicago, the Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler Musicians’Relief Fund, the Legal Aid Bureau of the United Charities ofChicago, and set aside a publication fund to be administered by theUniversity of Chicago, “the income to be devoted to the printingand publication of books and monographs worthy of preservationand publication for which adequate funds might be lacking.”

The coming year marks the centennial anniversary of thefounding of the Associated Jewish Charities of Chicago, andSigmund Zeisler’s spirit provides a splendid example of how courageand charity will always be remembered. �

Officers 1998-99Walter Roth PresidentBurt Robin Vice PresidentClare Greenberg SecretaryHerman Draznin Treasurer

DirectorsLeah AxelrodCharles BernsteinPaula ChaikenDr. Irving CutlerCarolyn EastwoodSheldon GardnerRabbi Elliot GertelElise GinspargDanny GreenbergDr. Adele Hast*Rachel Heimovics*Janet IltisBea KrausSeymour PerskyMuriel Robin Rogers*Norman Schwartz*Ethel ShulmanMilton ShulmanNorma SpungenDr. N. Sue Weiler*Indicates Past President

Chicago Jewish HistoryChicago Jewish History is publishedquarterly by the Chicago JewishHistorical Society at 618 SouthMichigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois60605. Telephone (312)663-5634.Please send submissions to the editorat 415 West Fullerton Parkway,#1102, Chicago, Illinois 60614-2859.Single copies $1.50 postpaid. Successor to Society News.

Editor/DesignerBeverly ChubatImmediate Past EditorJoe KrausEditor EmeritusIrwin J. Suloway

Editorial BoardPaula Chaiken, Joe Kraus, Burt Robin, Walter Roth, Norman Schwartz and Milton Shulman


Walter Roth

2 Chicago Jewish History Spring 1999

President’s Column

3Chicago Jewish History Spring 1999

May 19:Chicago YIVO Society

Special Tribute toFamed Yiddish Actress

Dina HalpernZ”L

The Chicago Jewish Historical Society––in cooperation with the DawnSchuman Institute––is offering three Sunday historic Jewish tours in 1999.

CHICAGO JEWISH ROOTS Sunday, June 13 Guide: Dr. Irving Cutler.Sentimental journey from the Maxwell Street area, Lawndale, Logan Square,Humboldt Park, Albany Park and Rogers Park. Special stops included.12:00 noon––Bernard Horwich JCC, 3003 W. Touhy Return––5:00 PM

Cost: $25/CJHS or DSI member; $30/nonmember

LIGONIER and SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Sunday, July 25 Guides: Leah Axelrod, Chuck Bernstein, Michiana Jewish Historical Society.First stop, Ligonier––a special Indiana community where the Jewish popula-tion made a significant impact from the 1850’s well into this century. Thenon to South Bend––an active Jewish community with a rich history. Bring asack lunch. Dinner included in tour fee (chicken or salmon entree).8:00 AM––Bernard Horwich JCC, 3003 W. Touhy Return–10:00 PM 8:30 AM––Marriott Hotel, 540 N. Michigan Return––9:30 PM

(RUSH STREET ENTRANCE)Cost: $57/CJHS or DSI member; $65/nonmember

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN Sunday, August 29 Guide: Leah Axelrod. Learn about the early Jewish farmers. Travel to thesummer haunts of South Haven and Benton Harbor, and learn about thedevelopment of these famous resorts. Meet the people and hear their stories.Bring a sack lunch; drinks provided. Dinner included in tour fee. 8:00 AM––Bernard Horwich JCC, 3003 W. Touhy Return––9:30 PM 8:30 AM––Marriott Hotel, 540 N. Michigan Return––9:00 PM

(RUSH STREET ENTRANCE)Cost: $54/CJHS or DSI member; $62/nonmember

REGISTER NOW––WE SOLD OUT LAST SUMMER!

For Information: (CJHS) Leah 847-432-7003 (DSI) 847-509-8282Reservations: Leah Joy Axelrod, 2100 Linden, Highland Park, IL 60035

Advance Payment Required

June 13: Annual Society Brunch to feature Humorist Dr. Steve Cohen

The brunch is set for Sunday, June 13 at11:30 a.m., at the Spertus Institute, 618 SouthMichigan Avenue, to be followed by the AnnualMeeting of the Society and the election of boardmembers. Stephen Z. Cohen, Ph.D., recentlyretired Professor at the University of Illinois atChicago, will entertain us with his humorouslecture exploring Jewish life in America. Detailswill be included in an invitation. �

Society Schedules Three Exciting Summer Tours

CJHS members and friends areinvited to attend a Special Tributecommemorating the 10th anniver-sary of the passing of Dina Halpern,and honoring Danny Newman forhis contribution to Yiddish culture,on Wednesday, May 19 at theHarold Washington Library Center,Lower Level, 400 South State Street.

Maynard Wishner, the distin-guished community leader andveteran of Chicago Yiddish theatre,will be the guest speaker. Guestartists are Sima Miller and WillieSchwartz. Reception at 5:30 p.m.Program follows at 6:30. Dietarylaws observed; Admission $18 (fornon-contributors).

Dina Halpern was a widelybeloved, international star of theYiddish stage whom Chicago wasprivileged to have counted as a resi-dent for more than forty years.

The Chicago YIVO Society isan affiliate of the YIVO Institute forJewish Research. Each year, theSociety offers a diverse series ofprograms and events designed topromote and preserve the richlanguage and culture of the EastEuropean Jews. �

Dina Halpern

Steve Cohen

that sponsored her vocal studies inNaples with the great teacherBarbara Marchisio, a legendarysoprano of the 19th century.

R aisa Burchstein made herconcert debut in Rome in1912. She was then intro-

duced to the conductor CleofonteCampanini and her operatic careerwas launched.

Campanini engaged Raisa tosing during the 1913 Verdi centen-nial celebration in Parma. She sangthe dramatic role of the seducedheroine, Leonora, in the revival ofOberto, Verdi’s first opera. RaisaBurchstein’s success was so phenom-enal that Campanini immediatelybrought her to Chicago for the1913-14 season. But first he short-ened her name. He asked her themeaning of “Raisa” and when sheanswered, “rose, in Russian,” hecreated the melodious name, RosaRaisa––“Rose Rose.”

W ho was CleofonteCampanini? He was avirtuoso conductor,

comparable to Arturo Toscanini.But Toscanini conducted in NewYork, the operatic capital, while hisrival spent most of his time inChicago. Campanini didn’t haverecordings to extend his fame.Above all, Campanini died in 1919,at age 59––young for a conductor.Had he lived through the splendidChicago seasons of the 1920s––whoknows how well he might beremembered now?

Raisa’s first role with theChicago Opera––her first appear-ance in the United States––was inthe first week of the 1913 season inthe title role of Aida. AlthoughRaisa was well-received from thestart, she remained somewhat in thebackground during her first season


with the company. She was not theflamboyant type at all, and of coursewas very young at the time.Campanini himself said, “I knowshe is young now and not fullydeveloped artistically, but mark mywords, one of these days she will beknown all over the world as one ofthe greatest dramatic sopranos.”

Indeed, Rosa Raisa wouldremain the backbone of the ChicagoOpera Company’s dramatic wingfor over 20 years. She sang all thegreat roles. The volume and inten-sity of her voice were magnificent.

The musical scholar CharlesB. Mintzer, in his splendidpersonal appraisal of Raisa’s

recordings, tells of writing to theChicago Tribune critic ClaudiaCassidy in 1968, asking her toreconcile the esteem in which sheheld Raisa with her recordings.

Cassidy replied, “Yes. Raisa was thatgood. Records never fully capturedher voice, not the records of thosedays. But it was a huge voice ofwonderful warmth and color, and itbelonged to the most warmheartedwoman. No doubt one of thereasons for the lavish language isthat it was impossible to hear her inopera without being emotionallystirred. She was generosity itself, onand off the stage, and her voice andpresence shared the color andopulence of the great roles.…Raisa’svoice struck straight at two vulner-able places: the spinal cord and theheart.”

When World War I began, Raisaremained in Italy, missing the 1914-15 Chicago seasons. But she didreturn in 1917 to sing the firstAmerican performances ofMascagni’s Isabeau, Montemezzi’sLa Nave and Respighi’s La Fiamma.

I n the 1919-20 season Raisabecame identified with a signif-icant new role, Bellini’s Norma,

staged for the first time in Chicagoin 25 years. Raisa had performedthe role first in Mexico City theprevious summer, where the audi-ence demanded 17 performances.Perhaps it was at that time that shesang for the revolutionary banditPancho Villa when he accosted hertrain en route from Mexico City toEl Paso, Texas.

The overwhelming event of the1919-20 season was the death ofCleofonte Campanini. Thecompany gave him a farewell astheatrical as his life had been, with amemorial at center stage of theAuditorium, home of the Opera.

In the 1920s, the companytoured the country, delighting audi-ences everywhere with performancesof Mary Garden’s Cleopatra andRosa Raisa in Halévy’s La Juive (TheJewess).

In 1924 Toscanini engaged

Giorgio Polacco in 1924photograph from the book

History of the Jews of Chicago;published by the Jewish Historical

Society of Illinois, 1924

In 1918, the Venetian-bornGiorgio Polacco was invitedby Cleofonte Campanini tobecome conductor of theChicago Opera Company.Polacco conducted Raisa’s1929 opening night Aida inthe new Civic Opera House.

Raisa continued from page 1


When Lullabies Are Arias––No romantic scene in whichRosa Raisa and her equally gifted husband, Giacomo Rimini,stars for years with the Chicago Civic Opera Company, havebeen cast, can compare with the above attractive andappealing picture showing the happy parents in their apart-ment at the Congress Hotel with their infant daughter, RosaGiuletta (Juliet), who was born July 7 at the PresbyterianHospital. This summer is an unusually radiant one for theopera favorites, an ideal couple, whose golden voicesblend as never before in glorious lullabies.

This photograph, and the accompanying caption, written in theflowery Society Page language of the time, appeared in the Chicago

Jewish weekly, The Sentinel, August 14, 1931. (Apologies for the quality of our picture. It was reproduced from a

photocopy of the printed page of the 68-year-old magazine.)

Mme. Raisa for La Scala, Milan tocreate Asteria in Boito’s posthumousopera, Nerone, and most signifi-cantly, to create the title role of theicy Chinese princess in the worldpremiere of Puccini’s Turandot.

In 1936, she sang Leah in theAmerican premiere of Rocca’s TheDybbuk in Detroit.

I n 1920, Mme.Raisa hadmarried Giacomo Rimini, theItalian-Jewish baritone, and in

1937, upon retirement from thestage, they opened a singing schoolin Chicago. She would say, “Wesang together, we quit together, weteach together.” After GiacomoRimini’s death in 1952, she retiredto her Pacific Palisades home withher daughter. She divided her timebetween California, Chicago andItaly and returned here for manyperformances of the young LyricOpera. She gave her entire operawardrobe to the Lyric in 1956.

In the mid 1950’s Mme. Raisamaintained a vocal studio in theFine Arts Building at 410 SouthMichigan Avenue. Across the hallwas the office of the young theatri-cal manager Danny Newman. In1948, he had married the greatYiddish actress Dina Halpern. Mr.Newman would listen for the depar-ture of Mme. Raisa’s students, andwhen she was free, they wouldconverse in Yiddish through theopen doors of their offices, so as toimprove his Yiddish language skills.

A Three-CD Set: RosaRaisa: The Complete Recordings(Marston 53001) has recently beenissued––technically excellent, andincluding a portion of Mme. Raisa’s1959 interview with Studs Terkel,and with a beautifully illustratedbiography by Charles B. Mintzer. Atlocal stores or phone Marston at610-690-1703. Available via the netat www.marstonrecords.com.

continued on Page 11, column 3


FROM THE

CHICAGO JEWISH

archives

“VOTERS OF CHICAGO USEYOUR NOODLES!” urged theStandard Opinion just before theprimary election of February, 1929.“Do not be misled by reform orga-nizations who would have youbelieve that your alderman ishooked up with crime and indi-rectly responsible for the gangmurders that have shockedChicago.” Many aldermen foundthemselves fighting for their polit-ical survival in that election, havingbeen targeted for defeat by theMunicipal Voters’ League in itseffort to sweep the city clean ofcorruption. Among those whoseseats were in jeopardy was LeonardJ. Grossman, alderman of the 5thward and former assistant corporat-tion counsel.

G rossman’s political troubleshad begun shortly after hiselection in 1927, when he

abandoned the Democrats to joinWilliam Hale Thompson’s camp.Although the Republicanswelcomed the move, the Democratswere understandably resentful, andthere was bitterness on both sides.During the two years he served asalderman, Grossman led the fight toget $30 million worth of improve-ments for the South Side; an agree-ment reached with MayorThompson was a major victory forthe alderman and his allies. Otherissues were the usual zoning fights,crime, and parking woes.

But a high point in his termoccurred in October, 1928, whenhe arranged a visit by the famousaviator Amelia Earhart. The heroineof the city, she was followed every-where by cheering crowds. Shevisited her alma mater, Hyde ParkHigh School, and was escortedaround town by Grossman andother politicians.

A lderman Grossman hadalways been active in theJewish community, serving

as president of the Ramah Lodge ofB’nai B’rith and of the ChicagoCentral Zionist Organization. InJanuary 1929 he played host toDavid Bloch, Mayor of Tel Aviv, ashe was wined and dined by all themajor Jewish organizations. Blochspoke of the efforts of the chalutzimto harness the Jordan River andreclaim Palestine: “Eventually wehope to buy back Palestine,” hesaid, “and develop it for the good ofthe race.”

By now the election wasdrawing near, and in spite of thegood will generated by these socialand diplomatic high points,Grossman was in trouble. TheMunicipal Voters’ League, whichhad called the City Council a“spineless mass of protoplasm,”urged voters to sweep politicians outof office. A last-minute debate couldnot rescue Grossman. Unable toshake off charges that he was a toolof Mayor Thompson, Grossmanwas defeated by Charles ScribnerEaton, who had himself been oustedtwo years previously.

A fter the election, Grossmanreturned to the practice oflaw, but retained his flair

for the dramatic and his ability tocatch the public eye. In 1932, hewas again embroiled in politics, thistime fighting the gubernatorialcandidacy of Henry Horner.Grossman said, “The issue for me inthis campaign is why I, a Jew, find itin my heart to vote for Len Small, aChristian…I resent any attemptthat is being made to boycott allJews who are not lashed into acorner for Horner.” Again,Grossman found himself on thewrong side of the fence, as Hornerwon the election handily, backed bymost of the Jewish community.

W hen Leonard Grossmandied in 1956, at the ageof 64, he had lived a

colorful, active life; he was survivedby his second wife, Trudel, andthree children. AldermanGrossman’s political career was shortand stormy, but it is documented inremarkable detail by six scrapbookswhich were donated to the ChicagoJewish Archives by his widow. Thescrapbooks are full of newspaperclippings, membership cards, letters,flyers and programs covering theyears 1923-1935. One scrapbook isdevoted entirely to the visit ofAmelia Earhart. These scrapbookshave have an amazing ability toconvey not just the events, but thefeel and spirit of the age. �

7

Joy Kingsolver is archivist of the Chicago Jewish Archivesat the Spertus Institute ofJewish Studies. Mark Akgulianis director of design at Spertus.

SCRAPBOOKS are uniquehistorical artifacts, created andorganized to tell the story of aperson, a family, a business, orto document a particular timein history. Unfortunately, theyare also difficult to preserve.Since newspaper is highlyacidic, it will turn brown andcrumble in a relatively shorttime. Moreover, the acid inclippings will transfer to thephotographs or letters, ifplaced next to them. Since thepaper in most scrapbooks is oflow quality, it too will deterio-rate, and adhesive will bleedthrough the paper. Today,archivists recommend the useof acid-free scrapbooks andmounting corners to minimizedamage. Scrapbooks like thoseof Leonard Grossman, fragilethough they are, can tell us afascinating story. At theChicago Jewish Archives, wedo everything we can topreserve them, so they can tellthat story as long as possible.

Chicago Jewish History Spring 1999

The Grossman ScrapbooksBy Joy Kingsolver Photography by Mark Akgulian


B en Hecht has beencharacterized as themost prolific multi-

media writer of the 20thcentury, leaving behind afterhis death in 1964 eightnovels, hundreds of shortstories, memoirs, plays, twoliterary magazines and screen-plays for over 70 Hollywoodfilms.

Born in Racine,Wisconsin to Jewish immi-grants from Ukraine, Hechtcame to Chicago with hisparents in the early 1900’s. Itwas in Chicago in the years

between 1915 and 1924 that Hecht became alegendary Chicago newspaper reporter and a leadingfigure in the city’s literary renaissance. It was our goodfortune that after his death, Hecht’s second wife, Rose,donated all of his personal notes, diaries, letters, books

Ben Hecht in 1924photograph from the book

History of the Jews ofChicago; published by theJewish Historical Society of

Illinois, 1924

and memorabilia to the Newberry Library on Chicago’sNear North Side. This special collection is called theBen Hecht Papers, and is available for viewing byappointment.

Starting in 1921 Hecht wrote a daily column forthe Chicago Daily News, which featured it on the backpage of the newspaper. The column was called “AThousand and One Afternoons in Chicago.” He wroteover 400 stories on varied subjects for his column.

Included was a series called “The Mishkin Stories,”featuring his creation, Feodor Mishkin, “the corpulentfreelancer of West Side journalism.” Although Hechtwas Jewish and close to his parents, he was assimilatedinto the prevailing avant garde culture of literaryChicago. Still, he was familiar with the Yiddish cultureof the Jewish West Side and could identify with it.

Florice Whyte Kovan, a writer and scholar whoclaims to have collected all 400 of the “Thousand andOne Afternoons” columns, sent us a copy of a Hechtcolumn written in 1922––this “Mishkin story.” �

WALTER ROTHWalter Roth is President of the CJHS

AROUNDthe TOWN

A THOUSAND AND ONE AFTERNOONS

IN CHICAGO

By BEN HECHT

ROMANCE

ELLO!” saidFeodor Mishkin.“Do you likeromances some-times? One of thechief troublesabout you is thatyou have no eyefor romance.”

The rotundand omniscientjournalist blotted

out the swivel chair as he sat down.“Yes, I am fond of romances.”“Hm! You are fond of romances!

As if that was something to beproud of. Who isn’t fond ofromances? Last week I was to awedding.”

“Indeed! Who got married?”

“Nobody. I just said I was to awedding. I didn’t say somebody gotmarried. You leap, like usual, toconclusions.”

“But what is more usual,Feodor, than to leap to the conclu-sion that a wedding is an eventduring which two people getmarried?”

“For you, yes. That’s usual.Because you have no eye forromance. And because the mostinteresting thing for you about awedding is the name of the brideand groom and where did they gofor their honeymoon? Well, if you’reso convinced that people getmarried at weddings there’s hardlyany use telling the story to you.”

“I am not convinced ofanything. Go on.”

“You know what a chupa is?”“Yes.”“A chupa is a canopy under

which the groom and his colla walkto be married.”

“I knew that.”“All right. It don’t do any harm

to make sure. Well, Mrs.Brightenberg didn’t want a chupa,but Samson did. Do you know whoI mean?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea.”“Hm! I thought not. Mrs.

Brightenberg is a widow, a fine-looking woman and for five yearssince she’s a widow she has been inlove.”

“But Samson insisted on achupa, so she wouldn’t marry him.All your stories are alike, Feodor.”

“Aha! He leaps to conclusionsagain! And all my stories are alike!Well, to a man who is blind every-thing looks like an identical dark-ness. If I say Mrs. Brightenberg hasbeen in love for five years youalready have it all figured out and


there’s no use telling you anything.”“I beg your pardon. I thought–”“Yes, you thought! One of your

chief troubles is that you alwaysthink when somebody else istalking. If you’d listen––”

“I’m listening.”“It was Moytka the barber.”“What was?”“Her lover. The man she is in

love with. He is a barber on the westside by Salzman’s cafe. You knowwhere that is?”

“No.”“Well, it’s a block away to the

south. But Moytka has ambitions.He plays the fiddle and is only ayoung man. So they want him to bea Kubelik.”

“Excuse me, Feodor. Who wantshim?”

“Well, who would want him?His father, who else? His father says,‘Moytka, you want to spoil yourchances by marrying a woman olderthan yourself and a widow? Let hermarry someone her own age andwhen you are a Kubelik it will betime enough to be married for you.’So she did.”

“Samson.”“Please, are you telling me a

story or am I telling you a story? Ican’t tell. Maybe you can enlightenme?”

“The story, Feodor, is comingfrom you.”

“Maybe. Well, Samson is a fine,wealthy man and he is in love withMrs. Brightenberg, and after herheart is broken by Moytka goingaway and no longer paying her callsshe agrees she will marry him. So hewants a big wedding with a chupa.He is also a widower for seven years.Listen, didn’t you read about thislast week? The west side was full ofit.”

“Not a word.”“I’ll tell you, then. But if you’d

read something besides the English

papers you might save me a lot oftrouble. Samson hires the hall andhe engages a fiddler to play at thewedding. And who is the fiddler?”

“Moytka.”“All right. Go on with the story,

if you know.” “I don’t know, Feodor. I merely

guessed.”“Well, it’s Moytka the barber.

He is there with his fiddle to fiddleat the wedding. And when Mrs.Brightenberg sees him she remem-bers how she loves him and she letsout a holler and she faints.”

“Well, and then what?”“Nothing. Who can marry a

fainted woman? Samson and theguests are excited and the rabbi callsa doctor and the wedding is over.And where is Moytka the barber?He is sitting in a corner anddrinking until he gets drunk. Sowhen Samson asks him what’s thematter, if he knows, he says:‘Nothing. Only your colla is in lovewith me. Not you.’ So you canimagine how bad Samson feels.”

“Jealous.”“No. Not jealous. He’s upset.

Moytka is his favorite barber. Foreight years he has been shaving byMoytka four times a week. If youknow how attached to a barber aman like Samson, who is middleaged and has a hard beard to shave,can become you will understand.”

“Yes, I can imagine.”“That’s good. Because the point

is that Samson is terrible upsetbecause he has lost his bride and hisbarber at the same time. And whenhe finds out that Mrs. Brightenbergonly consented to marry him afterMoytka had jilted her, well, whatshould he do? He can’t go toMoytka to get shaved any more.And to break in a new barber aftereight years––well it was a mess. Asfor Mrs. Brightenberg, she refusesabsolutely to see Samson any more

or have anything to do with him.But the whole thing ends worsethan that, even. Because Samson is ashort man with a square face. Youknow the kind?”

“Yes. Of course. What hap-pened?”

“What happens is that he has togrow a beard. He says to me,‘Mishkin, how can I go to Moytkato get shaved after this? And howcan I go to anybody else? I hatebarbers and am afraid of them. So Imust grow a beard.’ And he is. Inthree weeks more he will have a fullbeard. And already he looks like thedevil because he is the kind of manwho doesn’t go well with a beard.And besides, his business, yes, hisbusiness will suffer. Ain’t that aromance for you?”

“What’s his business, Feodor?”“Well, imagine for yourself if

you can a heartbroken ice-creamsalesman with a full beard.” �

Society WelcomesNew MembersWith pleasure we welcomeEsther BernsteinStephen BezarkSally BrotmanHerbert EisemanErnest FruehaufEnid GolinkinEsther HirshNathan KantrowitzMarian MorrisMr. & Mrs. Jerome RossMalvin RossMr. & Mrs. Harold SchaffnerNancy SegalEsther ShlenskyBetty SolomonShirley SternHarvey TeitelbaumAnthony WaltersHerb Wander

MOE BERG: THE SONGMoe Berg the catcher––good field and no hitSomehow he lasted 19 years––’til his knees made him quitHe never really played much & he never really caredHe was happy just to hang around with a uniform to wear

Moe Berg the Princeton graduate––went on to study lawGot his degree from Columbia––all the while playing ballHe caught the eye of the Dodgers––who were trying to sign a JewWho might help ‘em sell some tickets––in the Bronx & Yonkers too

Moe Berg the professor of the bullpen joked with pitchersReading them the newspapers he used to have deliveredHe spoke to ‘em in Russian, Japanese & FrenchHe was the greatest scholar that ever rode the bench

Moe Berg & The Babe, they went on to JapanWith a team of touring all-stars giving clinics for the fansThis was back in the ‘30s as the world prepared for warMoe took a lot of pictures––nobody knew what for

Moe Berg the secret agent––never even told his momOf his mission to determine if the Germans had the bombHe learned to speak good physics––without hardly a lispHe infiltrated lectures with German scientists

Moe Berg the walking riddle––would put his fingers to his lipsIf you recognized him on the street––he’d nod and whisper, “shhhh”He kept a lot of secrets––no one will ever knowHe knew a lot of people––but nobody ever knew Moe

Moe Berg the beloved––he had the gift of gabThe moocher, the celebrity––he never paid the tabHe could get in at the ballpark––with his lifetime player’s passHe could eat up in the press box––someone always filled his glass

Moe Berg the son of an immigrant––brought his father shameAll that education––then to play a child’s gameMoe made it to the Majors––but his dad would never go see himMoe’s baseball card is on display at the CIA museum

Long after he’d retired––there was still Moe Berg the mythHe rode into the sunset hanging sadly on to itAppearing on a game show––as the mystery guestSome say disappearing––might be what Moe did best


Moe Berg as a Boston Brave in the middle 1930’s

photograph courtesy George Brace

Society Offers Solaceto Chicago Major

League Baseball FansSociety Past President Norman

Schwartz heard “Moe Berg: TheSong” played on the WFMT radioshow The Midnight Special last falland received permission for us toreprint the lyrics.

Moe Berg, who played for theChicago White Sox in 1926-30, wasthe subject of an article in ChicagoJewish History, Spring 1995.

As the 1999 major league base-ball season begins, and Chicago fansprepare for our annual disappoint-ment, we offer these humorous,history-filled lyrics as a comfortingdiversion for our readers. �

“Moe Berg: The Song” was written and performed by Chuck Brodsky onhis CD Radio on the Red House label, RHR-CD 119. The lyrics areincluded in the CD booklet. Red House records are carried by most majorrecord stores, but if you have trouble locating this CD, you can call RedHouse directly at 800-695-4687.

Rich Warren, Host/Producer The Midnight Special98.7 WFMT Radio


Colonel Irving Salomon

Pvt. Irving Salomon USMC

For help in researching thisarticle, thanks to Clare Greenberg,Andrew Karzas, Danny Newmanand Walter Roth. Sources: JohnDizikes,Opera in America: ACultural History; (Yale, 1993);Ronald L. Davis, Opera in Chicago,(Appleton-Century, 1966); andCharles B. Mintzer, “Rosa Raisa: APersonal Appraisal,” (booklet withMarston CDs, 1998) �

Bev Chubat is editor/designer ofChicago Jewish History.

Raisa continued from page 5

About the presenters: Emma A. Kowalenko is President of Kowalenko & Bilotti, Inc.,consultants in environmental and informational technology. She has more than 15 yearsof professional experience in oral history training, and cultural and historical resourceevaluation. Victoria C. Haas is Principal of Tapescripts+, an oral history and transcriptionservice serving clients all over the United States for the past 25 years. �

May 23: Oral History Workshop continued from page 1

Follow-Up: U.S. Marine Irving Salomon

The photo we published in the Winter1999 issue of Chicago Jewish History, asking“Do You Recognize U.S. Marine IrvingSalomon?” has brought quick replies!

We heard from Mr. Saloman’s nephew bymarriage, Walter S. Naken of Kansas City,MO, who sent a copy of our article to hiscousin, Irving Salomon’s daughter, Abbe S.Wolfsheimer Stutz of La Jolla, CA. Via e-mail from Mrs. Stutz we learned that Pvt.Salomon became a successful businessman inSan Diego and a diplomat––even serving asU.S. Representative to the United Nations.In World War II he reached the rank of Lt.Colonel. Mrs. Stutz’s biography of her latefather is about to be published. She seeksinformation about his Chicago years.

From a reader in Los Angeles, who iden-tifies himself only as A Maxwell St. Kid:

“The uniform is 1912 issue. The fieldhat indicates Marines who went to Europe inWWI (wearing Army uniforms). Otherwise,field hats were worn only by medalistshooters, rifle range and boot camp instruc-tors. Note the badge above the left sidebreast pocket of the blouse (jacket). Theseindicate a Marine’s proficiency in handlingthe tools of war.

“There may be some members…of theYarmo-Devere Post of the American Legionto which almost all of the West Side Jewishwar veterans belonged. Their members usedto practice their parade rituals behind theAdam-Schaff Piano Factory on the north-west corner of Central Park Ave. & FillmoreSt., paralleling the railroad. All the neighbor-hood kids participated in these “parades.” Ihope this helps you in your search.”

Thank you, Kid!

Photograph from the collection of Hattie

Grossberg Goldstein andMatilda Grossberg Bender.Donated to the Society by

Anita Navon, grand-daughter of Mrs. Goldstein.

Program Chairman Burt Robin and Guest Speaker Helen Sclairphotograph by Norman D. Schwartz

The lively “Cemetery Lady,” HelenSclair, presented a fascinating slide-illustrated lecture, “From LincolnPark to Eternity: An Overview ofChicago’s Jewish Cemeteries,” at theSociety’s Open Meeting on March14, 1999. A detailed report willappear in the next issue of CJH. �

from the book Incidents and Coincidences;

donated to the Society byAbbe S. Wolfsheimer Stutz

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About the Society

618 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60605


Look to the rock from which you were hewn

What We AreThe Chicago Jewish Historical Societywas founded in 1977 and is in part anoutgrowth of local Jewish participationin the American Bicentennial Celebra-tion of 1976. Muriel Robin was thefounding president. The Society has asits purpose the discovery, preservationand dissemination of information concerning the Jewish experience inthe Chicago area.

What We DoThe Society seeks out, collects and preserves appropriate written, spokenand photographic records; publisheshistorical information, holds publicmeetings at which various aspects ofChicago Jewish history are treated;mounts appropriate exhibits; and offerstours of Jewish historical sites.

Minsky FundThe Doris and Joseph Minsky Memorial Fund was established inmemory of two of the Society’sfounders and longtime leaders. It seeksto publish annually a monograph onan aspect of Chicago area Jewish history. Society members receive a copyof each monograph as it is published.Manuscripts may be submitted, andcontributions to the Fund are welcomeat any time.

MembershipMembership in the Society is open toall interested persons and organizationsand includes a subscription to ChicagoJewish History, each monograph pub-lished by the Minsky Memorial Fundas it appears, discounts on Societytours and at the Spertus Museum store,and the opportunity to learn andinform others about Chicago historyand its preservation.

Dues StructureMembership runs on a calendar year,from January through December. New members joining after July 1 aregiven an initial membership throughDecember of the following year.

Life Membership..............$1000Historian..............................500Scholar .................................250Sponsor ................................100Patron ....................................50Family ....................................50Senior Family .........................35Individual...............................35Synagogue / Organization ......25Senior Individual / Student ....20

Make checks payable to the ChicagoJewish Historical Society, and mail toour office at 618 South MichiganAvenue. Dues are tax-deductible to theextent permitted by law.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESWould you like to become moreinvolved in the activities of the ChicagoJewish Historical Society? We’d love tohave you! Following are the variouscommittees on which you can serve.Contact the Society at (312)663-5634or any of the Chairpersons listed below.

� PROGRAM COMMITTEEDo you have a great idea for a meetingtopic? If you are organized and creative,friendly and outgoing, the ProgramCommittee would welcome your helpin planning and implementing our bi-monthly and annual meetings. Contact Burt Robin (773)667-6251

� MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEEThe Society’s membership continues togrow, and you could help us introduceChicago Jewish history to even morepeople. Share your ideas and energy!Contact Elise Ginsparg (847)679-6793or Janet Iltis (773)761-1224

� TOUR COMMITTEEBring your creativity and organizationto planning and promoting our popularroster of tours on Jewish history. Contact Leah Axelrod (847)432-7003

� EDITORIAL COMMITTEEDo you like to write? Are you a greatproof-reader? You can contribute to ourquarterly publication, Chicago JewishHistory. Contact our Editor,Bev Chubat (773)525-4888

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Documents

chicago jewish historychicagojewishhistory.org/pdf/1999/CJH.2.1999.pdf · Sentimental journey from the Maxwell Street area, Lawndale, Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Albany Park and