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Samuel Hirsch family papers and photographs, circa 1890-1983.
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Collection Overview
Title:
Samuel Hirsch family papers and photographs, circa 1890-1983Creator/Contributor:
Hirsch, Samuel, 1902-1985, creatorCreator/Contributor:
Heschel, Abraham Joshua, 1907-1972Creator/Contributor:
Hirsch, Mayer, 1874-1946Creator/Contributor:
Western Jewish History Center, 136.Creator/Contributor:
Judah L. Magnes Museum, WJHC 1986.003.Creator/Contributor:
Bancroft Library, Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life.Abstract:
Collection consists of papers, photographs, and scrapbooks relating to the family of Samuel Hirsch of San Francisco. Among
the papers are some of Samuel Hirsch's professional and organizational correspondence; papers, clippings and a memorial scrapbook
relating to Rabbi Mayer Hirsch; some papers of Ida Hirsch Nasatir; a considerable number of photographs of the Hirsch family
(including some portraits of Rabbi Hirsch and some photographs of him preparing sacramental wine during Prohibition); a few
images of the Central Hebrew School; one photograph of an unidentified boxer (with the inscription, "To My Nephew Sam Hirsch");
and one oversize photograph of the first Lag B'Omer picnic of the San Francisco Hebrew Schools at Oak Cove in San Mateo (circa
late 1920s). The collection also includes three scrapbooks of clippings and documents relating to the lives and accomplishments
of Hirsch family members; graduation booklets of the Central Hebrew School (from 1935-1936 and 1938-1942); an 18th anniversary
booklet from the Children's Synagogue in San Francisco; Congregation Chevra Thilim dedication and anniversary booklets (1946
and 1962); and a telegram from Rabbi Abraham Heschel in which he (i.e., Heschel) requested assistance for a Shanghai Jewish
family arriving in San Francisco (1948).
Date:
1890 (issued)Subject:
n-us-ca -- a-cc-smCommencement ceremonies -- California -- San Francisco
Jews -- California -- San Francisco
Jews -- China -- Shanghai
Jews, Lithuanian -- California
Jewish children -- Religious life -- California -- San Francisco
Prohibition -- California -- San Francisco
Jewish refugees -- China -- Shanghai
Synagogues -- California
Wine -- Religious aspects -- Judaism
Zionism
Remise des diplômes -- Californie -- San Francisco
Juifs -- Californie -- San Francisco
Juifs -- Chine -- Shanghai
Enfants juifs -- Californie -- San Francisco -- Vie religieuse
Réfugiés juifs -- Chine -- Shanghai
Commencement ceremonies
Jewish children -- Religious life
Jewish refugees
Jews
Jews, Lithuanian
Prohibition
Synagogues
Wine -- Religious aspects -- Judaism
Zionism
California
California -- San Francisco
China -- Shanghai
Central Hebrew School (San Francisco, Calif.)
Congregation Chevra Thilim (San Francisco, Calif.)
Congregation Adath Yeshurun (Stockton, Calif.)
Central Hebrew School (San Francisco, Calif.)
Congregation Adath Yeshurun (Stockton, Calif.)
Congregation Chevra Thilim (San Francisco, Calif.)
Hirsch, Samuel -- 1902-1985 -- Archives
Hirsch family -- Photographs
Hirsch family
Rabbis
Note:
Formerly: Western Jewish History Center Collection Number 136.
Formerly: Judah L. Magnes Museum Collection Number WJHC 1986.003.
COLLECTION STORED, IN PART, OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.
Transfer; Judah L. Magnes Museum; 2010.
Samuel Hirsch was an orthodox rabbi and educator who was the son of another San Francisco rabbi, Mayer Hirsch. Mayer Hirsch,
leader of San Francisco's congregation Anshe Sfard, was born in Lithuania and ordained a rabbi there when he was eighteen
years old. After he immigrated to the United States, he first worked as a rabbi in Denver and then, when he was 33 years old,
he came to San Francisco. Besides being a rabbi at the city's Anshe Sfard, he also served as a rabbi at congregations B'nai
David and Keneseth Israel. In addition, he became recognized as a leading authority in ancient Hebrew literature and Jewish
philosophy. He and his wife, Sofie Rodinsky, who died in March 1960, had five sons and four daughters: Samuel, Morris, Max,
Joe, Benjamin, Esther Hirsch, Rose Hirsch Goodstein, Rebecca Hirsch Schwartz, and Ida Hirsch Nasatir. Mayer Hirsch died August
3, 1946, at the age of 72 years. During World War II, President Roosevelt appointed Mayer's oldest son, Samuel (July 31, 1902-March
29, 1985), a military chaplain for the combined military services throughout the western United States. During and after World
War II, he also met many Jewish refugees at the San Francisco docks, provided their entry bonds, and helped them find shelter
and food. As a vice-president of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (H.I.A.S.) in San Francisco, he greatly assisted the immigration
of Jewish refugees to the United States, particularly those from Shanghai. Samuel, who was ordained a rabbi in private, served
as a rabbi for various California synagogues, including Adath Yeshurun, in Stockton, and Chevra Thilim, in San Francisco,
from 1966 to 1985. Samuel was also a member of Zionist organizations and promoted Jewish education as a member of the governing
board of the Jewish Education Society; a founder of the Children's Synagogue; and as a vice-principal and teacher at Central
Hebrew School. He also worked as a rug merchant.
Preferred citation: Samuel Hirsch family papers and photographs, BANC MSS 2010/738, The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and
Life, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Type:
Photographbulletins.
photographs.
Programs.
telegrams.
Archives.
Photographs.
Photographs.
Photographies.
Physical Description:
4 boxes and 1 oversize folder (1.6 linear ft.)
Language:
English
Identifier:
2006585576
Origin:
CaliforniaCopyright Note:
COLLECTION STORED, IN PART, OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.