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From the Universal Jewish Encyclopedia DULUTH, the third largest city in Minnesota.
The first Jew to
arrive in Duluth was Bernard Silberstein, who came in 1870 from Budapest
Hungary. He became a prominent merchant, and was commissioner of public
safety and an ardent worker in Jewish causes. Among the other early settlers
was I. Freimuth, who came here in the 1880's, owner of the second largest
department store; Louis Hammel and his wife Rosa; P. H. Oswald, who ran a
cigar store; J. H. Winterfield, a wholesale cigar dealer; Sig Levy; Henry
Leopold, a tailor; a Leopold in the furniture business; Phillip Levy who
operated a cigar stand in the old St. Louis Hotel, Sam Loeb, Isaac Bondy, Ben
Heller and J. D. Moise Polinsky were the first to head this group and were
followed in a few years by Yankel Levine, L. Polinsky, Louis Cohen, Shapsie
Karon, William Goldstein, Isaac Abrahamson, Max Zalk and Jacob Zien. The first
congregation-Temple Emanuel Congregation-was organized in 1891. A Reform
institution from the start, in 1940 it was under the leadership of Rabbi
Burton E. Levinson, a graduate of the Hebrew Union College. The temple is
located on Fourth Street at Nineteenth Avenue East. In 1893 Tifereth Israel
Congregation was formed under the leadership of Yankel Levine and Louis
Cohen. A second Orthodox synagogue, Adas Israel, was organized in 1900 with
Isaac Cook as its president. The Hebrew Brotherhood Synagogue was founded in
1912. In 1940 the three Orthodox synagogues were let by Rabbi Paul J. Bender.
In 1897 the first B'nai B'rith lodge was founded, with Bernard Silberstein as
its president. A branch of the National Council of Jewish Women was organized
in 1919; a Hadassah chapter was founded in 1926. The first United Jewish
Social agencies were set up in 1911; in 1937 the Jewish Welfare Federation
was organized to support communal endeavors, including the Bikur Cholim, the
Hebrew Institute, the Moa Chitim, the Hachnosas Orchim, and the Sunday School
(Temple Emanuel). In 1940 there were in all, more than thirty Jewish
organizations in Duluth. Among those Jews
who figured prominently in the Jewish and communal life of Duluth are: E. A.
Silberstein, president of Temple Emanuel and founder of community chest;
Louis Loeb, bank director and prominent businessman; Moses and Anna Cook,
active in social welfare; Ida Cook, benefactress of the Talmud Torah; H. Y.
Josephs, prominent businessman and distinguished for his generous gifts;
Harry W. David and his wife, Ida, distinguished for their work for Jewish and
non-Jewish causes; and E. Gershgol, prominent businessman. source:
The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia By Isaak Lzandman Volume 3, page 609 Further
information regarding some of the names mentioned in the article: Yankel Levine Decembe 14, 1911 Duluth News-Tribune DEATHS The following
death was reported in the office of the health inspector yesterday: LEVINE-Yankel, 53 years old, a dealer in livestock, died
at 821 Fourth avenue east, Dec. 12. LOUIS COHEN 4-27-1918 Duluth News-Tribune Louis Cohen,
aged 62 years, died yesterday at his home, 1115 East Third St., of pleurisy.
The deceased was a pioneer of Duluth of 32 years residence. He was a member
of the O. b. A. lodge for 22 years. He is survivied
by his wife and two sons, Maurice and Henry S. both of Duluth, and six
daughters, Mrs. Louis Shenowsky, Mrs. M. Steiner, Eva, Mattie, and Viola
Cohen, all of Duluth, and Mrs. J. Bernstein of Richmand, Wis. 5-5-1918 Louis Cohen, aged 57, died last Friday at his home, 1115
East third stree, of pneumonia. He had resided in Duluth for more than 30
years, and was well known, especially among the Jewish people. Mr. Cohen is
survived by his widow and two sons, Maurice and Henry S. both of Duluth, and
six daughters, Mrs. Louis Shenowsky, Mrs. M. Steiner, Eva, Mattie, and Viola
Cohen, all of Duluth, and Mrs. J. Berstein of Richmond, Wis. Maurice Cohen
is a member of Duluth Typographical union No. 136. The funeral was
held Sunday, with interment in the Jewish cemetery. Daughter Eva marries Ben Spier of Dayton, Ohio.6-13-1920 |