Jewish Life in Indiana

Rabbi Jacob Bergman, born around 1908, discusses his early life and education in Jerusalem before immigrating to the United States and finally settling in South Bend, Indiana. He discusses his congregation as well as others in the area. The temple, though Orthodox, commonly has Reformed Jews in the congregation. Bergman discusses declining membership and the Jewish organizations which once flourished and are now gone or fading.

Sydney Greenfield, daughter of German immigrants, discusses growing up in a Jewish community in Gary, Indiana. She discusses the Orthodox and Reformed Jewish communities in the city. She talks about the common occupations for Jews in business, while other immigrants usually worked menial jobs at the mills and were known as "hunkies." She discusses the history of her temple. Greenfield discusses her aunt's restaurant, which was quite famous in the area during its day. She also discusses the fact that many Jews have now left Gary.

Sam Mulis, born on April 28, 1900, briefly discusses his early life. He discusses his career in sales which brought him to Kokomo, Indiana. He discusses the Ku Klux Klan and other anti-Semitism he's experienced. He discusses his Jewish community, made up of multiple sects, and the community activism in which many are involved.

A panel of people who had spent most, if not all, their lives in Muncie, Indiana, discuss the Jewish community from around the 1920s until the present. They discuss anti-Semitism of the Ku Klux Klan, housing segregation, and barred membership into clubs. They discuss the Jewish-owned businesses which were prevalent in the area. They discuss the temple, Sunday school, and the strength of their faith. They talk about marriage within the religion. They also discuss World War II and the changes in the treatment of Jews in its aftermath.

Dorothy Pearlman, born in 1897, discusses her early life and education. She gives a brief family history for both herself and her husband. She discusses the separation between German Jews and members of synagogue, with the exception of Sunday school for the children. Pearlman discusses her father's family business. She recalls the Ku Klux Klan and its acts against the Jews in surrounding areas.

Max K. Tannenbaum discusses his early life and education in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He gives a brief family history. Tannenbaum recalls the various families which made up the small Jewish community from the time of his grandparents, as well as their family businesses. He mentions the tendency of young people to leave their small town for life in the city.

Margaret Goldsmith Welt, born on July 21, 1889, discusses the immigration of her maternal grandfather and her father to the United States. She discusses her grandfather's banking business, and the reference library her family helped to build following her father's death. Welt discusses the Jewish community of Ligonier, Indiana, and shares anecdotes about her life.