The Columbus Jewish Historical Society

Austin Reid

 

Image of Torah scrolls at Emanuel Jacob Congregation.
Photo courtesy of the Mansfield News-Journal, September 8, 2007.

 

Dedicated to the members of Emanuel Jacob Congregation
who carry on a tradition of Jewish life in the Mansfield area.
Austin Reid, February 2023

 

Introduction: Early Jewish Families in Mansfield and Plymouth 

Mansfield, the seat of Richland County, was founded in 1808 just five years after Ohio became a state. During the village’s early years, most residents were identified with Protestant denominations including Congregationalism, Methodism, and Presbyterianism. By the mid-1800s, the diversity of Christian congregations in Mansfield had grown to include Catholic, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches. It was also during this period of growth for Mansfield that the first Jews arrived in the area. Myer Miller is the first Jew known to have lived in Mansfield. A native of what is today Germany, Myer immigrated to the United States in 1845 and arrived in Mansfield in 1848 after spending some time in Alabama.^[1] In 1851, Myer married Barbara, who was also an immigrant from Central Europe. Myer supported his family by operating a clothing store and he was active in the local Masonic lodge.^[2] He is also credited with organizing Mansfield’s second volunteer fire department, Torrent Fire Company no. 2, in 1852.^[3]

Plymouth, a village located 20 miles northwest of Mansfield, was also home to a Jewish presence by the mid-1850s. Hannah and Moses Billstein are the first Jewish family known to live in Plymouth. Like the Millers, Hannah and Moses were immigrants from modern-day Germany. They raised five children in Plymouth. These individuals were named Jennie, Rachel, Rena, Sarah, and William. Sarah, whose name is also given as Stella in some sources, was the oldest of the five. Moses supported his family by operating a business that bought and sold grains, seeds, and wool. This business was a precursor to the Bachrach Company, a livestock business that remained active in Plymouth until at least the mid-1970s. Myron T. Herrick, who would serve as Ohio’s governor from 1904 to 1906, was an early employee of Moses’.^[4] Two other members of the Billstein family, Moses Sr. and his wife, Theresa also lived in Plymouth by 1870. Another relative, known only as A. Billstein, operated the New York Clothing Store on the south side of Plymouth’s Public Square by 1853. 

Solomon Spear, an immigrant who arrived in Plymouth in 1857 at the age of 14, was another early Jewish resident of Richland County. Solomon was likely a close relative of Hannah Billstein since it is known that her maiden name was Spear.^[5] Solomon attended a school in Plymouth for a time before beginning to work as a peddler. He later sold livestock before moving into the clothing business by 1868.^[6] During his 68 years as a resident of Plymouth, Solomon was active as a member of the village council and he served on the local school board. His time in local government spanned 27 years.^[7] Solomon also has the distinction of being the first Jew known to have held elected office in Richland County. In 1867, Solomon wed Augusta Billstein, a cousin, and the family raised six children. In 1868, Solomon entered a business partnership with Moses Shield, his brother-in-law, who was also Jewish. Moses had married Betty Spear a short time before. The couple had two children, Edith and Louis. 

During the 1860s, at least four additional Jewish families settled in Mansfield or Plymouth. In Mansfield, Abraham and Bertha Heineman arrived from New York in 1866. At first, Abraham found work operating a horse stable along what is known in 2023 as West Fourth Street.^[8] Abraham both boarded and sold horses at this location. By 1892, Abraham’s business had grown significantly and he was considered one of the most successful horse dealers in the United States, selling over 3,000 horses a year.^[9] Abraham was also engaged in the Mansfield community as a member of the Elks, Knights of Honor, and
Masons.^[10] The Heineman family’s legacy can still be felt in Mansfield into the twenty-first century when one visits Middle Park, North Lake Park, or South Park. Part of the land for these parks, which were united as one area when created in 1887, was donated by Abraham to the City of Mansfield. Another portion was given by Senator John Sherman. It was in honor of these two individuals that the park was known for many years as Sherman-Heineman Park.^[11] In addition, Abraham is the namesake of Heineman Boulevard, located between Western Avenue and Rowland Avenue. 

In Plymouth, Herman Aaron, Israel Bachrach, and Aaron Kappenberg all arrived in the village by 1866. All three of these men likely moved to Plymouth around the time they married members of the Billstein family. Herman was married to Betty and the couple raised at least three children. Israel was married to Rosa. In addition, another relative of Israel’s, Henry Bachrach lived in Plymouth by 1866. By 1869, Henry was married to Mollie Birkenruth. Aaron Kappenberg, the final individual listed, was married to Yette. The couple had at least three children. One son, Myer, died young. It is known that Israel, Henry, and Aaron were all professionally related to the local livestock business as butchers or proprietors of meat markets. Herman Aaron likely also supported his family through a similar line of work. Members of the Bachrach family continued to be involved in Plymouth’s cattle business into the 1970s.^[12]

Ashland, located about 13 miles northeast of Mansfield, was also home to a Jewish presence by the mid-1860s. The first Jew known to have lived in Ashland was Jacob Cahn. Jacob operated a clothing store in Ashland by 1864 and in 1872 he wed Regina Tillman. The couple had at least five children. One of these children, Louis Cahn would go on to lead the Jewish Charities of Chicago from 1920 to 1930.^[13] In addition to managing a business, Jacob was active in the Ashland community. Most notably, he served at least one term as the town’s mayor around 1879. A few years before this, a Kentucky native, Nathan Strauss arrived in Ashland and found work with Jacob. Nathan would become a partner in the Cahn clothing store in 1878 and in 1909, when Jacob retired from business, he took full ownership of the store renaming it N. Strauss and Son.^[14] The son referenced in the firm’s name was Albert Strauss. N. Strauss and Son would remain a fixture on West Main Street until 1991.^[15] Nathan was also active in helping to create Ashland’s volunteer fire department, which was organized in 1883, and for a time he served as the town’s fire chief.^[16]

Before moving into the beginnings of organized Jewish life in the Mansfield area, it is appropriate to highlight two other early Jewish families. In 1871, Henrietta Miller of Mansfield wed Adolph Dittenhoefer, a native of Cleveland. Henrietta, who was also known as Ettie, was the daughter of Barbara and Myer Miller. In 1872, Adolph joined Myer’s clothing business located at the corner of North Main and Third Street in Mansfield. The firm took on the name Miller & Dittenhoefer by 1886. In 1892, Myer retired from business and Adolph carried on the store. At the time of his retirement, Myer was Mansfield’s oldest merchant.^[17] Adolph continued to work until his death in 1905. Mortimer and Samuel, the two sons of Adolph and Henrietta, relocated to Minnesota by the outbreak of World War I. Over in Plymouth, William and Betty Schoenberg were living and working by 1870. Betty, who was the daughter of Moses Sr. and Theresa Billstein, married William around 1861 and the couple raised five children in Plymouth. William, who at the time of his death in 1902 was described as one of the area’s oldest Jewish residents, supported his family by buying and selling livestock, grains, seeds, and wool.^[18] The Schoenberg family’s presence in Plymouth would not endure, however, since all of the Schoenberg children ultimately relocated to Chicago as adults.^[19]

 

The Beginnings of Organized Jewish Life in Mansfield 

During the late 1870s and 1880s, a few new Jewish families settled in Mansfield. Included among these individuals were Louis Freundlich, Samuel Lowenstein, and Joseph New. Louis Freundlich, a native of Waldsee, Germany, arrived in the United States around 1878 at the age of 18.^[20] In 1888, he relocated to Mansfield with his wife, Laura, and opened a men’s clothing store at the Miller Opera House. Tragedy struck Louis this same year, however, when Laura died. Laura’s maiden name was Wertheimer. A relative, David Wertheimer, was an early business partner alongside Louis. Few references exist mentioning David, however, and, in a short time, Freundlich & Wertheimer became known as the Freundlich Company. The Freundlich Company moved several times as it expanded and, in 1928, Louis opened a new three-story location at the corner of West Third Street and Walnut Street. This building, which in 2019, housed a Girl Scouts office and Westfield Bank, still stands as of 2022. In 1893, Louis wed his second wife, Retta Eppinger, who was a native of Cincinnati. Retta lived in Mansfield until her death in 1946.^[21] Both Louis and Retta were active members of their adopted community. Louis was highly involved in local civic affairs and held memberships with the Elks, Kiwanis, Masons, Modern Woodman, and Odd Fellows. At the time of his death in 1932, the editors of The Mansfield News remarked:

…To know Louis Freundlich was to love him, to respect his integrity of purpose, to admire his courage, to welcome contacts with his remarkable personality, to praise his generosity and philanthropy. Louis Freundlich’s life and character stand as an example of what perseverance, honesty, and kindness can accomplish.^[22]

Retta, in addition to being a noted musician, was active with the local Women’s Club and Woman’s Federation. She also served on the board of directors for the Friendly House, an organization that will be mentioned again later in this work.^[23] Additionally, both Louis and Retta were active in Mansfield’s first Jewish congregation, Temple Emanuel, whose beginnings will be highlighted in the coming paragraphs. 

Samuel Lowenstein and Joseph New were, like Louis, involved in Mansfield’s clothing business. Both also operated stores along North Main Street. Samuel resided in Mansfield by 1883, while Joseph arrived by 1888. This same year, all six of the clothiers listed in the Herald’s Directory to Mansfield, Ohio were Jewish.^[24] The prominence of Jews in local clothing retail was part of a larger national pattern that was a product of the timing of the sector’s development and the beginning of large-scale Jewish immigration to the United States. Clothing retail developed on a national level due to the invention of steam-powered looms and other machinery that allowed for the rapid production of clothes. By the mid-1800s, these machines were becoming more common in the United States, and both the manufacture and retail of clothing were rapidly expanding just as a wave of Jewish immigration from Central Europe was occurring. Faced with limited job prospects, many Jews found work in the burgeoning clothing manufacturing and retail sectors and their descendants continued to play key roles in the area. Returning to Mansfield, unlike the Freundlich family, both Samuel and Joseph left Richland County by 1900. Samuel relocated to Canton and Joseph left for Youngstown. It is of note, however, that Theodore New, Joseph’s brother, and business partner, remained in Mansfield until after 1904.

While modest in size, the Jewish community of Mansfield and surrounding towns was large enough by the 1870s that members began to organize religious services in private homes. Mansfield’s current Jewish congregation, Emanuel Jacob, traces its roots to these intimate gatherings.^[25] No contemporary record of these gatherings has been located, however, and some sources in later years placed the beginning of Mansfield’s organized Jewish community in 1886 when a group of women gathered to sew articles of clothing for European refugees.^[26] Bertha Heineman is one individual who is known to have been associated with this early group of Jewish women.^[27] During the 1890s, the Jewish population of Richland County continued to grow slowly with the arrival of Moses Goldberg, Joseph Goldberger, Bertha and David Goldsmith, and Anna and Israel Schoenfield. Moses Goldberg, a native of Poland, arrived in Mansfield by 1900 and found work as a jeweler and pawnbroker. Joseph Goldberger worked as a scrap metal dealer in Shelby, 12 miles northwest of Mansfield by 1900. 

Bertha and David Goldsmith likely lived in Mansfield by 1890 and the couple had four children, Aaron, Carrie, Julius, and Louis. David supported his family through his work with the Freundlich Company, where he was employed for about 40 years.^[28] A source from 1922, however, states that the Goldsmith famliy did not arrive in Mansfield until 1894.^[29]Aaron Goldsmith was the only child of Bertha and David to remain in Mansfield past 1923. Carrie relocated to Newark, New Jersey following her marriage to Jacob Marder in 1907. Julius spent time in both St. Louis and Chicago before ultimately settling in Atlanta by 1930. Louis lived in Brooklyn by 1923 and worked in real estate. Aaron too spent time outside of Mansfield. During the 1910s, he lived and worked in Indianapolis before returning to Mansfield to take a management position with Freundlich’s.^[30] In 1924, Aaron opened a new clothing store, Goldsmith’s Men’s Store on North Main Street.^[31] His father, David, also left Freundlich’s to work in the new store. 

Moving to the Schoenfield family, Israel Schoenfield was one of 16 children raised by Doretta and Moses Schoenfield.^[32] While most members of the Schoenfield family resided in eastern Ohio, Israel and his wife, Anna, lived in Mansfield by 1880 and may have left for a time before returning to Richland County around 1891. The couple raised at least five children and Israel supported his family by operating a clothing store and later a hotel. Shortly after 1907, the family left Mansfield. Six years earlier, Anna Schoenfield died. Israel Schoenfield died in 1914 while in Pittsburgh and is buried alongside his wife at Mansfield Cemetery. Most of the 24 Jewish households profiled so far in this work share a common experience as first or second-generation Americans with roots in German-speaking Jewish communities in Central Europe. As the twentieth century began, however, an increasing number of Jews in the Mansfield area traced their roots, not to communities in Central Europe, but rather to locations further east including Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine. This shift locally coincided with a national change in Jewish immigrant patterns. Between 1880 and 1924, an estimated two million Jews immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe in response to limited economic opportunities and violent persecution. These more recent immigrants and their descendants would play an important role in the development of Mansfield’s Jewish community. 

In January 1904 it was reported by the Jewish Review and Observer, a newspaper out of Cleveland, that a Jewish congregation was formed in Mansfield.^[33] Myer Miller was elected the congregation’s first president. The other officers of the congregation were Louis Freundlich, first vice president, Israel Schoenfield, vice president, William Foust, secretary, and Solomon Loeb, treasurer.^[34] In addition, Samuel Dittenhoefer, Moses Goldberg, Abraham Marks, Henry Weil, and Alex Weissager were also among the group’s inaugural members. In total, the new congregation had about 20 members. While several of the names listed have already been profiled, five of the surnames are new and merit further detail. Moving in order of reference, William Foust and Solomon Leob were business partners who operated a clothing store at 80 North Main Street. This firm, which opened shortly before 1904, also engaged Solomon’s son, Benjamin, and sister-in-law, Frieda in its early months. Abraham Marks, who lived in Mansfield by 1899, operated a clothing store along North Main Street. He was married to Ida and the couple had at least three children. Henry Weil, an immigrant from Alsace, opened the Globe Clothing Company in Mansfield in 1902.^[35] By 1904, Henry’s son, Manuel, who was also known as Monnie, worked alongside his father and the clothing business took on the name Henry Weil & Son.^[36] The final individual listed above, Alex Weissager, moved to Mansfield with his wife, Mollie shortly before 1904. He worked as manager of the People’s Clothing Company, which was located inside the Purdy Building on South Main Street. 

One early action taken by the members of Mansfield’s nascent Jewish congregation was to organize a religious school for the instruction of youths. Henry Haupt, Ruth Loeb, Doris Marks, Harold Marks, Mortimer Marks, and Leon Schoenfield were among the earliest students enrolled in the school. The community also hired the services of a rabbi who could visit Mansfield when needed to lead religious services. Rabbi Alfred Godshaw is the first ordained person known to have ministered to the Mansfield Jewish community.^[37] Rabbi Isador Philo of Akron was another early visiting minister for the congregation, which had adopted the name Mansfield Reformed Jewish Congregation.^[38] This name symbolized the identification of the congregation with the Reform movement of Judaism. Reform Judaism, which traces its origins to early nineteenth-century Central Europe, emphasizes Judaism’s ethical precepts over religious laws and, in the American context during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, its adherents sought to make Jewish practice more compatible with the realities of life in the United States. Liturgical changes advocated by many Reform Jews during the late 1800s included mixed seating in synagogues, the introduction of organs and other instruments into religious services, and the abolition of head coverings during services.

During its early years, the members of the Mansfield Reformed Jewish Congregation met in a variety of locations. These sites included the former Y.M.C.A. building at 45 West Park Avenue, the basement of the Mansfield Public Library at 45 West Third Street, and a room located above the Knights of Columbus Hall at the corner of Fourth and Main streets.^[39] By 1910, however, the community seems to have become more settled. According to the 1910-1911 Mansfield City Directory, which was the first city directory to list the local Jewish congregation among the various municipal churches, the “Jewish Congregation” was located in the Bowers Block at the corner of Fourth and Main. By 1922, this same congregation had adopted the name Temple Emanuel. 

Women have played an important role in Mansfield’s Jewish community since its earliest beginnings. As noted earlier, some sources trace the beginnings of organized Jewish life in Mansfield to a group of women who first gathered in 1886 to sew articles of clothing for European refugees.^[40] By 1890, this group of women had adopted the name Jewish Ladies’ Aid Society. Members of the society supported local, national, and international charitable causes. For example, in 1900 members raised $5 to support victims of the Galveston hurricane.^[41] This sum is equivalent to approximately $176 in 2022. Early members of the Jewish Ladies’ Aid Society included Bessie Bein, Marie Haupt, Selma Loeb, and Bertha Weil. Bessie Bein, who lived in New York City and Chicago for a time, arrived in Mansfield with her husband, Joseph, and their seven children in 1911. The family was supported through Joseph’s work with The Model, a women’s clothing store on North Main Street.^[42] This store in its early years was owned by Joseph’s relative Abraham Bein. Abraham resided in Akron and later Portsmouth, Ohio, while Joseph managed the Mansfield shop. By 1922, Joseph purchased the store and was in business for himself. Marie Haupt, a native of Brooklyn, arrived in Mansfield by 1902 along with her husband, Joseph Haupt. Joseph worked as a superintendent at a cigar factory at the corner of North Adams and East Fifth Street owned by the American Cigar Company. The couple had three sons Arthur, Chester, and Henry. All three would eventually move away from Mansfield. Marie’s time as a member of the Jewish Ladies’ Aid Society was particularly noteworthy because she served as the group’s president for over eight years beginning in 1925.^[43]

Selma Loeb was married to Samuel Loeb, the son of Lena and Solomon. In 1907, Samuel worked with the Ohio Brass Company. Around 1918, Samuel and Selma relocated to Racine, Wisconsin, where they lived for 15 years. In 1933, the couple returned to Mansfield after Samuel accepted a position with the Freundlich Company.^[44] The society’s final member listed above, Bertha Weil was the wife of Henry and the mother of Manuel. In 1938, shortly after the death of Henry, Bertha relocated to Cincinnati. She passed away in 1942.^[45] By 1920, the Jewish Ladies’ Aid Society was renamed the Temple Sisterhood of Mansfield. Two years later, the group was known as the Temple Emanuel Sisterhood. This name change signified the organization’s close tie with Temple Emanuel and its efforts to support the growing congregation. Sisterhood members also took a leading role in maintaining the congregation’s religious school and organized outings such as picnics for its members.^[46]

 

Developments During World War I and the 1920s

In 1907, it was estimated that around 50 Jews lived in Mansfield.^[47] The next 20 years were a time of significant growth for the city’s Jewish community and the period was marked by several major communal developments. These milestones included the creation of a B’nai B’rith lodge and the formation of a second Jewish congregation, B’nai Jacob. Among the new Jewish families to settle in Mansfield between 1902 and 1927 were Robert and Shirley Block, Henry and Stella Cominsky, Jacob and Gussie Cousins, Hannah and Israel Fineberg, Effie and Samuel Fox, Edgar and Selma Joseph, Gertrude and Samuel Krosinsky, Esther and Hyman Mosberg, Abraham and Rebecca Rappaport, Moses and Rebecca Ratner, Bessie and Philip Rosenbaum, and Carl and Mary Sternbaum. Robert and Shirley Block, the first couple listed, arrived in Mansfield around 1924. Robert worked as a manager at the Mansfield Dry Goods Company. By 1928, however, the family had left the area. Eight years later, in 1936, the Mansfield Dry Goods Company was sold to Kobacker’s, a chain with stores based in New York and Ohio.^[48] Henry and Stella Cominsky lived in Mansfield by 1922. Henry worked as a driver at the DeLuxe Cab Company before starting his own cab business.^[49] Jacob and Gussie Cousins, who lived in Mansfield by 1902 and were without children, were both highly engaged in their community. Jacob was active in many civic and social organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Elks, Knights of Pythias, Masons, and Odd Fellows.^[50]He was also remembered after his death for the discreet ways he aided those in need locally.^[51] Jacob made a living as an entrepreneur who created the J. M. Cousins Scrap Iron Company. This scrap yard, later known as Cousins Incorporated, remained in existence until 2002 when it merged with Metal Conversions Limited Company.^[52] Metal Conversions continues to operate in Mansfield as of 2022. Gussie Cousins, a native of Toledo, was active in the Eastern Star, Knights of Pythias, and Red Cross.^[53]

Hannah and Israel Fineberg, the next couple listed above, operated a clothing store on North Main Street by 1917. The couple had three children Charles, Bertha, and Minnie. Effie and Samuel Fox moved to Mansfield in 1922 after Samuel took a job with Rodger Jewelry Company. In 1940, Samuel opened his own store, Sam Fox Jewelry at 12 West Park Avenue.^[54] Edgar and Selma Joseph lived in Mansfield by 1917 and Edgar operated the Conard Extract Company. Selma was the mother of at least two children and was active in the Jewish Ladies’ Aid Society. Gertrude and Samuel Krosinsky lived in Mansfield by 1908 and Samuel worked in a variety of roles including as a clothier, cobbler, and tailor. Esther and Hyman Mosberg arrived in Mansfield in 1911 and Hyman at first found work as a tailor. Later he went into the real estate business.^[55] Abraham and Rebecca Rappaport arrived in Mansfield in 1911. Like Jacob Cousins, Abraham found work as a scrap metal dealer.^[56] Moses and Rebecca Ratner operated the Rodger Jewelry Company together from 1923 until 1945.^[57] In 1945, the store was sold to Harry Morris. Harry was related to Moses and Rebecca through his wife, Mildred, who was Rebecca’s sister. Mildred and Harry were wed in 1930, and Harry had worked with Moses since 1943. Before this, he operated Morris’ Ready-to-Wear, a shop at 54 North Main Street, from 1914 to 1930.^[58] Between 1930 and 1943, Harry worked outside of Mansfield. Bessie and Philip Rosenbaum moved to Mansfield from Cincinnati in 1913. Philip operated the Cincinnati Merchandise Store at 222 North Main Street. 

Carl and Mary Sternbaum, the final couple listed above, arrived in Mansfield in 1917. Both husband and wife were born in Warsaw and wed before immigrating to the United States. During his early years in Richland County, Carl supported his family by operating a meat market. By the early 1950s, this small business had grown into one of Ohio’s largest family-owned supermarket chains.^[59] In 1953, Sternbaum Complete Food Marts had locations in Ashland, Fremont, Mansfield, and Willard. At least 250 people were employed by the company.^[60] Carl and Mary were also noted philanthropists in Mansfield. More will be written about the Sternbaum family in the section of this work covering the 1950s. 

On April 6, 1917, Congress voted to declare war on Germany, marking the entry of the United States into World War I. Alongside millions of Americans, Jews and non-Jews in Richland County did their part to support the war effort. At least five local Jews are known to have served. Their names are Louis Bachrach, Maurice Bachrach, Royal Bein, Jerome Freundlich, and Benjamin Loeb. Louis Bachrach opened a dental practice in Mansfield shortly before the United States entered World War I. During his enlistment, Louis served in the dental corps. After the war, he returned to Mansfield and practised dentistry for over 40 years.^[61] He was also active in the local American Legion post and Temple Emanuel.^[62] In 1917, Louis wed Sara Rosenblatt, a native of Missouri. Sara was an active member of the Temple Emanuel Sisterhood.

Maurice Bachrach, the son of Henry and Mollie Bachrach who were mentioned early in this work, returned to Plymouth after the war to continue working in the livestock business. Royal Bein, the son of Bessie and Joseph, served in the Army. Following the war, he resumed his studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Jerome Freundlich, the son of Louis and Retta, served in the Army. Following the war, he resumed his work with the Freundlich Company. In this role, Jerome was known to assist individuals coming out of the Ohio State Reformatory by providing them with jobs and other support. He also led religious services at the Reformatory for Jewish inmates.^[63] Benjamin Loeb, the son of Lena and Solomon, served with the 29th United States Regimental Band during the war. After returning to Mansfield, he resumed working with his father at Loeb & Son, a clothing store at 80 North Main. This store was a successor to Loeb & Foust. On the homefront Jews also contributed to the war effort. For example, the members of the Jewish Ladies’ Aid Society supported the Red Cross by sewing needed articles and raising funds for war bonds.^[64] In addition, Louis Freundlich served as chairman of several Liberty Loan committees. Liberty Loans were one way the United States government raised money to support the war effort.

In 1917 a new Jewish organization, B’nai B’rith, was organized in Mansfield.^[65] This group, which had 33 members in its inaugural year, was affiliated with the national B’nai B’rith organization and was given the lodge number 797.^[66] Shortly after, in 1919, plans were announced detailing efforts to build a synagogue in Mansfield.^[67] At the time, it was estimated that approximately 75 people were members of the local Jewish congregation.^[68] In addition to serving as a place of worship, it was envisioned that the new building would include meeting spaces for the new B’nai B’rith lodge and Jewish Ladies’ Aid Society. In the Mansfield News piece highlighting the plans for the new synagogue, it was emphasized that this space would welcome not only Jews from Mansfield but also those living in nearby towns including Ashland, Bucyrus, Crestline, Galion, and Shelby. Several Jewish families arrived in these smaller towns between 1895 and 1919. These families included Nathan and Nettie Fliegel, Belle and William Glick, Anne and Louis Goodman, Samuel and Sophia Grundstein, Estella and Louis Komito, Hattie and Solomon Meyers, Mary and Max Oxman, and Ida and Jacob Roth. 

Nathan and Nettie Fliegel operated the Fashion Company, a women’s clothing store in Ashland, beginning in 1914. The store was located at 116 West Main Street until 1930 when it moved to East Main.^[69]Belle and William Glick lived in Willard, a town located 25 miles northwest of Mansfield. Belle was the daughter of Israel and Rosa Bachrach of Plymouth. William operated a clothing store alongside Abraham Bachrach, who was Belle’s brother. The partners were in business together by 1910. Abraham moved to Willard from Missouri Valley, Iowa in 1901. During his time in Missouri Valley, Abraham bought and sold livestock and for a time served as the town’s mayor.^[70]Anne and Louis Goodman arrived in Galion, a town 17 miles west of Mansfield, in 1919. Louis was associated with a manufacturing plant known as the Ohio Overcoat Company and worked as the firm’s secretary and treasurer. Two other Jews, Harry Fellenbaum and Martin Goodman, were also among the company’s early leaders. Louis retired from the business in 1959 and moved to Shaker Heights, Ohio with Anne.^[71]Samuel and Sophia Grundstein lived in Ashland by 1918. Samuel operated a scrap metal business. 

Estella and Louis Komito moved to Bellville, a village located about 11 miles south of Mansfield, in 1903. Here, Louis operated a branch of Richman Brothers, a clothing chain based out of Cleveland. In 1918, Louis and Estella moved to Mansfield after Louis accepted a position with the Richman Brothers store at 17 North Park Street. In 1926, Estella died and was buried in Cleveland. By 1930, Louis had married Hannah Fineberg. Hannah’s first husband was Israel Fineberg, who has already been mentioned in this work. By 1935, Louis operated his clothing store on North Park Street under the name Komito’s Clothes. Hattie and Solomon Meyers lived in Crestline, a village about 13 miles west of Mansfield, by 1910. Solomon supported his family by working as a scrap dealer. Mary and Max Oxman lived in Shelby by 1917 and, like Solomon Meyers, Max worked as a scrap dealer.^[72] As occurred in clothing retail, the notable presence of Jews in the local scrap industry was due to the recent development of the trade and its accessibility to contemporary immigrants living in the United States. Operating a scrap yard was also particularly attainable for many Jewish immigrants because of the low startup costs associated with the sector. Religious Jews could also create their own work schedules around holidays and other observances which would not have been permitted in larger factories. By 1930 Fortune magazine estimated that 90 percent of scrap metal yards in the United States were owned by Jews.^[73] Ida and Jacob Roth, the last couple listed among the newer arrivals in small towns surrounding Mansfield, lived in Ashland by 1910. Jacob worked as a clothing salesman. 

While $10,000 was raised to support the creation of a new Mansfield synagogue in 1919, the project would not be accomplished until 1929 when the members of Temple Emanuel purchased the home of Thomas Barnes at 132 West Second Street and converted it into a synagogue.^[74] Thomas was the president and treasurer of the Barnes Manufacturing Company, which produced pumps and other plumbing supplies. Two key donors who supported the community in purchasing the Barnes property were Jacob Cousins and Jerome Freundlich.^[75] Five years earlier, in 1924, Temple Emanuel received its official charter as a religious organization from the State of Ohio.^[76] After the purchase of the Barnes property, Temple Emanuel was sometimes referred to in Mansfield as the Second Street Temple. In 1927, a separate Jewish congregation formed in Mansfield that practiced Orthodox Judaism. This new community adopted the name, B’nai Jacob. Thirteen families were affiliated with B’nai Jacob within its first year.^[77] It is likely, however, that Orthodox religious services were being organized in Mansfield at least five years earlier. The 1922 Mansfield City Directory records a “Jewish Congregation” meeting in the Purdy Block at 24 South Main Street that was distinct from Temple Emanuel in the Bowers Building. During the early years of B’nai Jacob, services were also held at the American Legion, Bowers Building, Eagles lodge, and Moose lodge.^[78] In 1930, B’nai Jacob’s members moved their services to the Dixon building located at the corner of Fourth and Main streets.

A key figure in the establishment of B’nai Jacob was Jacob Cousins. Jacob served as the congregation’s first president and the community adopted the name, B’nai Jacob to honor both the biblical patriarch and Jacob Cousins.^[79] From 1934 to 1942, B’nai Jacob held many of its religious services and
other congregational activities at 132 West Second Street, sharing the space with Temple Emanuel.^[80] In addition to sharing physical space, B’nai Jacob and Temple Emanuel also shared religious leadership at various times. David Rub, a native of Hungary, was the first rabbi to minister at B’nai Jacob. He was hired by the members of Mansfield’s Orthodox Jewish community in 1925.^[81]  By 1932, David was also ministering to the members of Temple Emanuel on different occasions. He also served as a chaplain at the Ohio State Reformatory during his 24 years as a resident of Mansfield.

 

A Period of Challenges and Growth, Events From 1930 to 1945

The years between 1930 and 1965 were a time of growth for the Mansfield Jewish community. National and international events, including the Great Depression, World War II, and the post-war baby boom all impacted Mansfield. To keep this work better organized, this period of growth will be examined in two distinct parts. The first portion will consider communal developments during the Great Depression and World War II. The second section will profile the years following World War II up until the Jewish community of Mansfield began to experience demographic contraction. In 1937, it was estimated by the United Jewish Appeal, a national philanthropic organization, that 270 Jews lived in Mansfield.^[82]  This represents a remarkable increase of 260 percent from the Jewish population estimate given in 1919. For comparison, between 1920 and 1940, the City of Mansfield as a whole grew by 9,330 people, or 33 percent according to census records. While it should be noted that obtaining exact statistics for Jewish populations in the United States is difficult, and that the 1919 estimate by the Mansfield News included only Jews who were affiliated with Temple Emanuel, it is still indisputable that the local Jewish community grew significantly during the 1920s and 1930s.  

Included among the new families who arrived in Mansfield and surrounding areas between the years 1925 and 1935 are the surnames Berick, Booksbaum, Chernoff, Ellison, Frankel, Goldman, Goldstein, Goler, Hayfer, Klein, Levant, Marcus, Meisel, Mintz, Munster, Post, Preis, Selfman, Silverman, and Stern. Beatrice and Meyer Berick, who were both immigrants, lived in Mansfield by 1932. Meyer supported his family by operating the Mansfield Fish Company. Benjamin and Rose Booksbaum arrived in Mansfield by 1928 and operated the Mansfield Pants Store, which was located along North Main Street. In 1958, the Mansfield Pants Store closed, and Benjamin and Rose opened a new store, Main Surplus Sales at 144 North Main Street.^[83]  Howard Chernoff, who does not seem to have had a wife while living in Mansfield, worked as the advertising manager of the Mansfield News-Journal during the 1930s.^[84]  David and Sadie Ellison lived in Mansfield by 1927 and operated the Ohio Brokerage Company, a clothing store on North Main Street. After David’s death in 1957, Sadie remarried Frank Schuster.^[85]  Frank and Sadie continued to operate the Ohio Brokerage Company until 1961. In 1925, Ada and Samuel Frankel moved to Mansfield from Bridgeport, Connecticut, where Samuel had worked in the glass industry. Once established, Samuel opened the Mansfield Plate and Window Glass Company. Ada assisted her husband in running
the business.^[86]  Originally the shop was based out of a modest storefront at 213 North Main Street. By 1963, however, the business had grown to employ 12 people and occupy an approximately 15,000-square-foot property at 301 North Mulberry Street.^[87]  The family’s business interests also expanded into real estate.^[88] 

Harry and Myra Goldman lived in Mansfield by 1931. During this same year, Harry founded the Mansfield Bag & Paper Company which continues to operate as of 2023. Bernice and Louis Goldstein arrived in Mansfield by 1932. Louis worked in advertising. Leonard and Miriam Goler resided in Mansfield by 1933. Louis was president of the Independent Barber and Beauty Supply Company, which opened a branch in Mansfield in 1935. This company sold equipment for barber shops and beauty salons.^[89]  Betty and David Hayfer lived in Mansfield by 1929 and were operating a men’s clothing store at 159 North Main Street.^[90]  Andrew Klein, a native of Ungvár, Hungary, arrived in Mansfield in 1934.^[91]  Once established in town, Andrew operated two stores that sold furs and provided clothing repair at the Ohio Theater on Park Avenue West.^[92] Around 1941, Andrew, along with his relative and new business partner, Elmer Klein, opened the Klein Fur Shop. This business, which was also known as Klein Furs, was located at 39 North Mulberry Street. In 1946, Andrew wed Esther, who would become highly active in Mansfield’s Jewish community as a member of B’nai B’rith Women and the B’nai Jacob Sisterhood. Later in his life, Andrew was known for frequently visiting the sick at hospitals in Ashland and Mansfield.^[93] 

Dena and Max Levant moved to Galion shortly after 1934. Before this, they resided in Crestline. Once settled in Galion, Max began a company known as Galion Auto Wrecking.^[94]  Helen and William Marcus moved to Mansfield from Cleveland in 1931. The family relocated to Mansfield due to William’s work with the City Produce and Commission Company. While in Richland County, William was active in supporting the Community Chest campaign, which later became known as United Way.^[95]  Max Meisel, like William Marcus, also moved to Mansfield around 1932 to work with the City Produce and Commission Company. He would go on to establish an accounting service under the name Meisel and Associates. Max was married to Blanche, who was active with both the B’nai Jacob and Temple Emanuel sisterhood organizations. Jack Mintz, who lived in Mansfield by 1927, was associated with the Barnes Holding Company and the Barnes Manufacturing Company.^[96]  The Barnes Manufacturing Company was founded in 1895 by Thomas Barnes and the firm specialized in the manufacture of hand pumps. Donna and Irvin Munster arrived in Mansfield by 1932. Irvin operated the Big Three Malt Company on North Main Street.

Anna and Morris Post lived in Mansfield by 1926. Morris made a living selling fruit. By 1946, his business was known as the Cut Rate Fruit Market. This store was located at 205 East Fourth Street. Bessie and David Preis moved to Ashland in 1931 and opened a clothing store at the corner of Center and Main. After David’s death in 1943, Bessie continued to run the store alongside her son, Morton.^[97]  In 1963, Preis Apparel was destroyed in a fire only a few months before Bessie died.^[98]  The business was rebuilt by Morton, however, and continued on. Ida and Solomon Selfman arrived in Mansfield in 1934 and operated a store, Public Dry Goods, along North Main. The business operated for 18 years before closing in 1952.^[99]  Benjamin and Lillian Silverman moved to Mansfield in 1931 and opened Ben’s Used Auto Parts at 180 West Sixth Street. Bernard and Mildred Stern, the final family listed above, lived in Mansfield by 1934. Bernard was a dentist who practiced in Mansfield for over 40 years. Mildred was active in both B’nai Jacob and Temple Emanuel. This example of one individual’s involvement in the activities of both congregations again demonstrates the close relationship B’nai Jacob and Temple Emanuel enjoyed during their years as separate religious bodies with differences in Jewish practice. 

Other Jewish organizations were highly active in Mansfield during the 1930s and 1940s. By 1939, three Jewish women’s organizations existed within the city. While the B’nai Jacob Sisterhood, which likely formed around the same time as the B’nai Jacob congregation in 1927, and the Temple Emanuel Sisterhood have already been referenced, the third organization, the B’nai B’rith Women’s Auxiliary, is new to this work.
The local B’nai B’rith Auxiliary was founded in 1938, and by 1957 the group was known as B’nai B’rith Women.^[100] Its members collaborated with the men’s B’nai B’rith lodge to support a variety of civic and philanthropic causes. The organization’s annual donor luncheon was an especially notable social event on the Jewish community’s calendar. The men’s lodge, which by 1934 was known as the Louis Freundlich lodge, was also active.^[101]  Louis, who was highly engaged in B’nai B’rith, died in 1932. It should also be noted that the Mansfield lodge supported a youth group, known as Aleph Zadik Aleph, by 1934.^[102]

In Galion, 17 miles to the west of Mansfield, a new B’nai B’rith lodge was created in 1938 with 32 members.^[103] Around 200 people were reported to have attended the group’s installation services.^[104] The new organization was recognized as lodge number 1276 by the national body of B’nai B’rith. Louis Goodman served as the lodge’s first president and Irving Meckler, along with Milton Zucker, were the organization’s inaugural vice presidents.^[105] Other members of the Galion lodge included Harry Cohen, Louis Garfinkel, Irving Horwitz, Myron Morganstern, and Harry Silverman. B’nai B’rith members meeting in Galion utilized a space above the Wisterman clothing store at 109-111 Harding Way East and worked to support local organizations, including the Girl Scouts and Red Cross. Members also contributed to national Jewish philanthropic efforts.^[106] The Galion B’nai B’rith lodge existed until at least 1944 before merging with the Mansfield lodge. B’nai B’rith does not, however, have the distinction of being the first Jewish organization in Galion. This title likely belongs to the Jewish Sunday School, which was formed by 1923.^[107] In some sources, the school is known as the Menorah Sunday School.^[108] Students frequently traveled to Mansfield for their confirmation services. For example, in 1932 eight children from Galion were included in the confirmation class at Temple Emanuel.^[109] In 1937, seven Galion children were confirmed at Temple Emanuel.^[110] In addition to the Sunday school, a Jewish social club existed in Galion by 1936.^[111]This organization was likely a forerunner of the B’nai B’rith lodge.

Returning to Mansfield, in 1941 the members of B’nai Jacob purchased their first piece of property, a home at 50 Sturges Avenue, and converted it into a parsonage and synagogue. Previously, the home was owned by Clemie France. Clemie was the widow of Ira France, a noted businessman in Mansfield with interests in construction, dredging, and quarries.^[112] Ira died in 1910, 29 years before his wife. The first religious services held at 50 Sturges Avenue took place in May 1942. Approximately 200 people could be seated in the new synagogue.^[113] In 1944, the members of Temple Emanuel sold their synagogue on West Second Street and began to share the space at 50 Sturges Avenue.^[114] Jews who arrived in the Mansfield area between 1935 and 1945 included the Bloom, Cogen, Doppelt, Glattke, Goettinger, Hurwitz, Lapine, Lewis, Lifson, Lockshin, Mandel, Mittman, Negin, Shaffer, Shapiro, Shuster, Tuber, and Zavelson families. Abraham and Zelda Bloom moved to Mansfield from Cleveland in 1935 after Abraham took a position with the Dominion Electric Company.^[115] This same company, which was founded in Winnipeg, Canada, also brought Leonard and Rivia Hurwitz, Leo and Sara Kirschner, Nathan and Sarah Lifson, Florence and Samuel Lockshin, Alan Mandel, Benjamin and Martha Shaffer, and Ruth and Samuel Shapiro to Mansfield. Dominion relocated to Mansfield in 1935 after a period in Minneapolis.^[116] Nathan Lifson and Benjamin Shaffer founded the company 16 years earlier in 1919.^[117] Dominion produced electric home appliances, and in 1959 an estimated 400 people were employed by the company. In 1971, however, the Mansfield Dominion plant was closed.

Bertha and Jack Cogen arrived in Mansfield in 1941 from Cleveland, and Jack worked as a building contractor.^[118] Bertha was highly active in B’nai B’rith Women.^[119] Ruth and Saul Doppelt moved to Mansfield in 1938. Saul was the founder of Penn Auto and Sporting Goods Store, which was originally located on North Walnut Street. By 1954, the business moved to South Main Street.^[120] Ruth Doppelt assisted with the business and was active in the local Hadassah chapter. Hadassah is a Jewish philanthropic organization for women that focuses on medical needs in Israel. Mansfield’s former Hadassah chapter was founded in 1948.^[121] Fannie and Julius Glattke lived in Mansfield by 1943. Julius worked with the J. M. Cousins Scrap Iron Company until his retirement.^[122] Both Fannie and Julius were highly active in local Jewish organizations. Carl and Doris Goettinger resided in Mansfield by 1940. During his time in Richland County, Carl operated the Royal Crown Cola Company at the corner of West Third and Bowman streets.^[123] Both Carl and Doris were active with B’nai B’rith. 

David and Lillian Lapine lived in Mansfield by 1940 and were associated with the Mansfield Hardware and Supply Company. In 1955, however, the company, which had been renamed Mansfield Housewares Incorporated, was declared bankrupt. Notably, David and Lillian’s son, James, enjoyed success on Broadway beginning in 1984. His first work Sunday in the Park with George was a collaboration with Stephen Sondheim.^[124] Later works included Falsettos, Into the Woods, and Passion. James was not, however, the first Jew from Mansfield to find success on the Great White Way. Twenty-two years before Sunday in the Park with George was first performed, Lee Adams, the son of Florence and Leopold Adams, received a Tony Award for his musical Bye Bye Birdie. Other notable works by Adams include Golden Boy and Applause. Lee’s father, Leopold was a doctor in Mansfield by 1924.

Elsie and Martin Lewis arrived in Mansfield in 1938. Martin was the owner of Fashion Lane Clothiers, which began at 84 North Main Street. By 1957, a second location opened at the Johnny Appleseed Shopping Center.^[125] Belle and Samuel Mittman, who were both immigrants from Poland, lived in Mansfield by 1937. The family operated the Mittman Grocery, also known as Mittman’s Market, at 362 Bowman Street. Mittman’s Market specialized in selling fruits.^[126] Arthur and Sylvia Negin arrived in Mansfield by 1940. Arthur, who worked as an attorney in the city, was highly active in Richland County. Within the Jewish community, he served as chairman of the executive committee of the Ohio-Kentucky region of the Anti-Defamation League and was president of both B’nai Jacob and the local B’nai B’rith lodge for a time. He was also active with the Elks, Malabar High School Music Parents Club, Masons, and the YMCA. Sylvia served as president of B’nai B’rith Women and was active in the B’nai Jacob Sisterhood. Frank Shuster, who has been mentioned previously, lived in Mansfield by 1936 and operated Frank’s Bargain Spot on North Main.^[127] Jerome Tuber moved to Mansfield in 1939 and operated the Mansfield Wrecking & Materials Company.^[128] Lester and Maxine Zavelson resided in Mansfield by 1940, and Lester supported his family by working at the Independent Towel Supply Company. 

On December 7, 1941, the United States was attacked by the Empire of Japan at Pearl Harbor. Soon millions of Americans would enlist in the armed forces and once again residents of Richland County from all backgrounds did their part to support the national war effort. At least 29 local Jews are known to have served. Their names are Alvin Bachrach, Robert Bachrach, Philmour Bein, Gertrude Booksbaum, Ralph Cobey, Joseph Edelstein, Joseph Ellison, Jerome Fellenbaum, Gordon Fliegel, Jules Frankel, Jerome Gans, Leon Goettinger, Jerome Goldman, Myron Kalish, Lionel Levant, Alan Mandel, Robert Mittman, Morris Mosberg, Sarah Mosberg Owings, Samuel Rosenbaum, Sheldon Shaffer, Alfred Silverman, Jacob Sternbaum, Morton Stern, Nathan Strauss, Harold Zucker, Joseph Zucker, Milton Zucker, and Willard Zucker. One of these individuals, Jacob Sternbaum died overseas and another, Jerome Fellenbaum died from Hodgkin’s lymphoma while stationed in Hawaii.^[129] Jacob was serving as a first lieutenant in the Air Corps when his airplane crashed while crossing the Himalayas in northern India. In memory of his son, Carl and Mary Sternbaum donated the land for Mansfield’s Friendly House.^[130] This community centre continues to exist in Mansfield as of 2023 and is located at 380 North Mulberry Street. It is also of note that one individual, Stanley Cowan relocated to Mansfield in 1942 and served during the war. After World War II, several other Jewish veterans arrived in Mansfield. The list presented above profiles servicemen who lived in the Mansfield area before the war’s end.

Around the year 1942, the members of B’nai Jacob organized the first Jewish cemetery in Richland County. This cemetery, known as the B’nai Jacob Cemetery or B’nai B’rith Cemetery, is located on the north side of Park Avenue West to the east of the Ontario Community Cemetery. The cemetery continues to be active well into the twenty-first century. Included in the cemetery is a monument erected to honor four servicemen who served in World War II. In addition to Jacob Sternbaum, the memorial also lists the names Alvin Bachrach, Morris Chasin, and Howard Weinberg. Alvin, the son of Louis and Sarah Bachrach, died of an illness while waiting to be deployed overseas. He is buried at the United States Military Academy Cemetery at West Point, where he was a graduate. Morris Chasin, who is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, lived in Toledo before entering the service. It is likely that relatives in Mansfield included his name on the memorial. Howard, the son of Alex and Esther Weinberg, lived in New London, Ohio, before entering the service. His parents moved to Williard, 26 miles northwest of Mansfield, after World War II. The inclusion of Morris Chasin and Howard Weinberg on the memorial created at the B’nai Jacob Cemetery demonstrates the ties Mansfield’s Jewish families had with families in other parts of Ohio. 

It should also be remembered that some members of the Mansfield Jewish community lost relatives during the Holocaust. One of these individuals was Eugene Klein. A native of Hungary, Eugene moved to Mansfield by 1935 and opened a clothing store, Gene’s Men’s Shop, at 105 North Main Street.^[131] In 1948, Eugene visited relatives who remained in Hungary. Following his visit, the local Mansfield News-Journal highlighted the Holocaust’s impact on the Klein family and Hungary’s Jewish community more broadly.^[132] Eugene and his wife, Jolan left Mansfield by 1957. Their two sons, Oscar and Robert, both remained in Mansfield, however, and each opened a medical practice after serving in the United States Armed Forces. Oscar was a physician specializing in internal medicine.^[133] Robert was a dentist who opened his practice in 1959.^[134] Another couple, Ernst and Lizabeth Mainzer arrived in Mansfield during 1939 after living in Mandatory Palestine and New York City. Born in Germany, the Mainzers left Europe after Hitler’s rise to power in 1933. Ernst, who was a physician trained in internal medicine, opened a private practice after relocating to Mansfield. He later worked at the Mansfield General Hospital as a diagnostician and served on the hospital’s board of directors. Lizabeth, who was also trained in medicine, was a general practitioner who later specialized as a pediatrician. She performed house calls throughout Richland County and organized classes for adolescent girls that covered topics such as sex education. These were among the first classes of their kind offered in the Mansfield area. Lizabeth was also among the founders of the Mansfield Art League and she was active in the local League of Women Voters chapter. While Ernst’s family was able to leave Germany during the 1930s, few members of Lizabeth’s family, which had lived near Cologne for 700 years, survived the Holocaust. Ernst and Lizabeth had two children while living in Mansfield, Daniel and Susan. Both children relocated from Richland County after reaching adulthood. Daniel went on to have a notable career as a photographer.

In addition to the Kleins and Mainzers, following World War II, in 1951, Hans Walter, a native of Berlin, relocated to Mansfield. Hans survived five concentration camps during the Holocaust and, at the time of his death, he was the last living member of Operations Bernhard, a Nazi counterfeiting operation at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

 

The Post-War Years, 1945 to 1960

Jewish life in Mansfield flourished in the years following World War II, along with the City of Mansfield as a whole. In 1947, it was estimated that 308 Jews resided in the city.^[140] This number equaled around 0.70 percent of the total population of Mansfield. Additionally, families from outside the city continued to participate in Mansfield’s Jewish organizations. As an example, in 1948 ten children were confirmed at B’nai Jacob. Along with Mansfield, confirmands also lived in Ashland, Greenwich, Mt. Vernon, and West Salem.^[141] West Salem, located 29 miles northeast of Mansfield, was the farthest community represented among the members of the religious school class.
A handful of Jewish families lived in West Salem during the mid-twentieth century.^[142] Of these families, the Lillian and Myer Swack household, with ten children, was the largest. Before her marriage to Myer, Lillian lived in Ashland and was the wife of Arthur Grundstein, a scrap dealer.^[143] Arthur died in 1933 after an explosion occurred while he was working at his scrap yard. Myer, an immigrant from Poland, lived in Cleveland before relocating to West Salem for work.^[144] In time, Myer built up his own businesses including the Myer Swack Truck Company and the M. Swack Iron and Steel Company.^[145] Myer and Lillian raised their family on a farm that produced both dairy products and a variety of crops, including corn. This farm remained in the family until 1988.^[146] As adults, the Swack children relocated to a variety of places including California, Georgia, Mansfield, New Jersey, New York, and Zanesville. 

Returning to Mansfield, two new Jewish organizations, Hadassah, mentioned earlier in this work, and the B’nai Jacob Men’s Club, were formed before 1950. The Men’s Club affiliated itself with the National Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs.^[147] Older Jewish organizations also flourished in the years following World War II. An estimated 116 people were members of B’nai B’rith and B’nai B’rith Women in 1951. One philanthropic effort undertaken by the two allied groups during this time was to furnish a room at the Mansfield hospital.^[148] The B’nai B’rith organizations also supported Hidden Hollow Camp southeast of Mansfield by dedicating a cabin on the grounds.^[149] In 1949, an estimated 75 people were members of the B’nai Jacob Sisterhood.^[150] The Temple Emanuel Sisterhood also continued to exist as a separate organization. Both organizations continued to support a variety of charitable causes both within and outside of the Jewish community. 

Both B’nai Jacob and Temple Emanuel experienced significant developments in 1946. At B’nai Jacob, the congregation elected, after 19 years as an Orthodox Jewish synagogue, to formally adopt a Conservative Jewish practice. Conservative Judaism, which began as a movement in the mid-nineteenth century, maintains that Jewish practice and theology evolve over time. Yet, Conservative religious leaders emphasize that changes in religious practice ought to be done with care and with due consideration for historical precedent. B’nai Jacob’s formal change from Orthodox to Conservative Judaism signified shifting religious practices among its members and a growing convergence with the practices of many Temple Emanuel members. 

David Rub, the first rabbi at B’nai Jacob, left Mansfield in 1946 for Chicago. He was succeeded in 1947 by Rabbi Moshe Goldblum, who arrived in Mansfield from Minneapolis alongside his wife, Evelyn. Moshe was the congregation’s first Conservative rabbi. During World War II, he served as a chaplain in the United States Army.^[151]Moshe did not remain in Mansfield for long, however, and, in 1949, he left the congregation. He was succeeded by Rabbi Zelig Chinitz, a graduate of Yeshiva University in New York City. About one year later, however, Zelig left Mansfield to serve as a military chaplain at the Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Illinois.^[152] In 1951, Rabbi Israel Botwinick arrived at B’nai Jacob. Like Moshe, Israel served as a chaplain during World War II. During this time, he was awarded a Bronze Star for his work to support Holocaust survivors in Germany following the war.^[153] Israel, who remained in Mansfield until 1952, lived in Lebanon, Pennsylvania before moving to Ohio.

Moving back to developments in 1946, the members of Temple Emanuel, after sharing space with B’nai Jacob for two years, voted to purchase a plot of land at the corner of Cook Road and Lexington Avenue to build a new synagogue. This structure, which in 2022 is occupied by the Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church, was the first building built in Richland County to be used as a synagogue.^[154] On July 28, 1947, the cornerstone was laid for the synagogue. Nearly 14 months later, on September 26, 1948, the new synagogue was dedicated by Rabbi Bertram Korn and Rabbi Eugene Lipman. An estimated 200 people attended the ceremonies.^[155] Bertram served as a student rabbi at Temple Emanuel from 1946 to 1947. Eugene began ministering at Temple Emanuel as a student rabbi in 1948. He did not live in Mansfield, but rather commuted to town to lead services and teach at the congregation’s Sunday School. In 1949, Eugene took a position with Hillel, a Jewish campus organization. The first, and only, full-time rabbi at Temple Emanuel was Milton Greenwald. Milton arrived in Mansfield from Brunswick, Georgia, with his wife, Ruth in 1957.^[156] By the time Milton arrived in Mansfield, he had already served as a rabbi for 29 years. By 1962, Milton and Ruth lived in Indiana.

In 1950, it was estimated that B’nai Jacob had 80 member families. Temple Emanuel had an estimated 52 families.^[157] Both congregations sponsored active Sunday schools and a community-wide Jewish youth group, Aleph Zadik Aleph, restarted its activities.^[158] At Temple Emanuel, starting around 1959, students from Kenyon College were hired by the congregation as teachers.^[159] Some of these teachers, including Murray Horwitz, a playwright, and Richard Baehr, a conservative commentator, have gone on to have notable careers.^[160] Some Mansfield families, including Blanche and Max Meisel and Beatrice and Harold Oxman, were members of both B’nai Jacob and Temple Emanuel. Beatrice and Harold, who have not been mentioned previously, were wed in 1941. At the time, Harold operated the Maxie Tire & Supply Company in Norwalk, Ohio alongside his brother, Philip. By 1953, Harold was associated with both Mansfield Steel and Supply Company and the Shelby Iron and Metal Company, which was founded by his father, Max in 1918. Philip, who moved to Richland County by 1946, also worked with the two companies.^[161] In 1951, the members of B’nai Jacob purchased a home at 237 Wood Street for use as a parsonage.^[162] This home was about a ten-minute walk from the synagogue. For a time before the congregation purchased the home, rabbis at B’nai Jacob stayed at an apartment located at 160 West Second Street that was rented by the congregation.^[163]

In August 1955, Rabbi Avram Hartstein began his time at B’nai Jacob.^[164] Avram would be one of the longest-serving rabbis in Mansfield, remaining in his role for 20 years. A native of Hungary, Avram, who was also known as Andre, married Deborah Feuerwerker, a native of Geneva, in 1936.^[165] In 1939, the couple arrived in the United States and Avram found work as a rabbi in Akron. He remained in this role until 1952, when he accepted a job with Beth Jacob Synagogue in Regina, Canada.^[166] He arrived in Mansfield from Canada. During his time in Richland County, Avram also served as a chaplain at the Ohio State Reformatory. On March 3, 1957, the ground was broken by the representatives of B’nai Jacob for a new synagogue at the corner of Cook and Larchwood roads.^[167] A little over six months later, on September 25, 1957, the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the new sanctuary was opened.^[168] The structure included space for a B’nai B’rith meeting lounge, a kitchen, nine classrooms, which were utilized by the congregation’s religious school, a rabbi’s study, and a social hall. Later additions and renovations included a library wing, which also served as the headquarters for the local B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, and modern stained glass windows, which were funded through a bequest in the will of Martha Shaffer.^[169] The B’nai B’rith Youth Organization was a successor to Aleph Zadik Aleph.

In 1954, a new organization, the Mansfield Jewish Federation, was created to serve as a central philanthropic agency for the Jewish community of Richland County and surrounding areas. The largest effort sponsored by the Federation was an annual campaign to support the United Jewish Appeal.^[170] This organization, which existed in Mansfield until 2004, supported charitable efforts both in the United States and Israel. Individuals who were leaders in the Federation over the years included Morris Berer, Albert Cousins, Myron Kalish, Arthur Negin, and Abraham Senser. Aside from Arthur, none of the individuals listed has been referenced previously and so each will be highlighted briefly. Morris Berer, the founder of the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Mansfield, arrived in Richland County around 1934. His bottling business did not, however, begin to operate locally until around 1965.^[171] Morris was married to Dorothy, who was active with both B’nai B’rith Women and the B’nai Jacob Sisterhood. Morris’ former company, now known as the Pepsi Bottling Group, continues to exist in Richland County as of 2023. Albert Cousins, the brother of Jacob Cousins, lived in Mansfield by 1937. He worked with Jacob at the J M Cousins Scrap Iron Company. In addition to his involvement with the Federation, Albert was also active with B’nai B’rith and B’nai Jacob, serving each as president for a time. He was married to Evelyn, who served as president of B’nai B’rith Women for a period. Myron Kalish, who moved to Mansfield with his parents around 1942, operated a repair shop alongside Al Mecurio. Myron was known to his friends as Mike.^[172] Abraham Senser, like Albert Cousins, worked with the J M Cousins Company. Abe and his wife Lillian lived in Mansfield by 1961. Their sons, Brian and Steven, were also active in the Jewish community.

Amid these examples of the Jewish community’s growth, it is important to note one tragedy that visited the City of Mansfield and the Jewish community in 1952. In December 1952, Leah Sternbaum, the wife of Max Sternbaum, was murdered at the Sternbaum Complete Food Marts office at 169 Vale Avenue.^[173] Leah, who was the mother of three and a member of the B’nai Jacob Sisterhood and Hadassah, worked at the grocery along with her husband. Max was later accused of murdering his wife and was put on trial in 1953. This trial, which would at become the longest murder trial in Ohio history at the time, was covered extensively by the Mansfield News-Journal and received attention from around the state. On March 5, 1954, shortly after the death of his father, Carl, Max was declared not guilty by the jury.^[174] In 1955, Sternbaum Markets was sold to the Tracy & Avery Company, which was also based in Mansfield.^[175] After the sale, the Sternbaum family left Mansfield. By the early 1970s, many others followed the Sternbaums in departing Richland County.

 

The Merger of B’nai Jacob and Temple Emanuel

In 1967, the American Jewish Yearbook, an annual publication printed in Philadelphia, reported that 480 Jews lived in Mansfield.^[176] In the 1962 through 1966 editions of the yearbook, however, a higher estimate of 615 Jews is given. Yet, this estimate was likely an overcount. In the 1961 edition of the American Jewish Yearbook, only 525 Jews are reported to have lived in Mansfield.^[177] In the opinion of this writer, the 1961 estimate is the most accurate assessment of how large Mansfield’s Jewish population grew before entering into a sustained period of contraction. Many of the Jews living in Mansfield during the 1950s and 1960s were baby boomers who later went away to university. Finding jobs in other cities, many young people did not return to Mansfield after completing their studies. In 1974, the Cleveland Jewish News ran an article profiling the Mansfield Jewish community that highlighted this trend.^[178] This same article stated that in 1974 About 65 families were affiliated with B’nai Jacob and around 30 families were members of Temple Emanuel. Mansfield’s entire Jewish population was estimated by Rabbi Avram Hartstein to number 90
families.^[179] As occurred in 1950, some families held memberships in both B’nai Jacob and Temple Emanuel.

Jews who did arrive in Mansfield after 1940 were more likely to be white-collar professionals. Examples include Alvin Bales, Bernard Barton, Stanley Cowan, Harold Cohen, Robert Fagin, Robert Garber, Florence and Leo Levin, Phil Marcus, Seymour Schlossman, Bettie and Erwin Sherman, and Eugene Sherman. Alvin Bales, a native of Pittsburgh, first arrived in Mansfield in 1948 to work as a general practitioner. He soon left, however, in 1950 to obtain postgraduate training in surgery before returning to Mansfield in 1956.^[180] Alvin continued to practice surgery until 1979 and served as chief of surgery at the Mansfield General Hospital.^[181] Bernard Barton, who arrived in Mansfield around 1958, worked with the State of Ohio as director of prisons and later served as the executive director of the Richland County Mental Health Board. Stanley Cowan, who as mentioned previously arrived in Mansfield during 1942, worked as vice president of Mansfield Plate and Window Glass Company. He became involved with the company after his marriage to Sylvia Frankel, who was the daughter of the company’s founder Samuel. Stanley and Sylvia later relocated to Oberlin and then Cleveland.^[182] Harold Cohen opened an ophthalmology practice at 49 West Second Street in 1960. In 1966, Harold performed the first-ever corneal transplant in Mansfield.^[183] Robert Fagin, a native of Youngstown who lived in Mansfield by 1963, operated a pharmacy on Glessner
Avenue.^[184] Robert Garber, who lived in Mansfield by 1948, was a radiologist at the Mansfield General Hospital. He was married to Esther and was a longtime member of the Temple Emanuel Board of Trustees.

Leo Levin, an attorney, moved to Mansfield from Minneapolis with his wife, Florence in 1954. Florence was a native of Corning, Ohio, and a graduate of Western Reserve University. She taught biology at Mansfield Senior High School after moving to Richland County. Thirteen years later, she began working as a professor at the Mansfield branch campus of The Ohio State University.^[185] In 1975, she began to teach at Ashland College, which was renamed Ashland University in 1989.^[186] In 1993, Florence retired and left Mansfield along with her husband. Phil Marcus, a native of Cincinnati, moved to Mansfield in 1956 to take a job with the City of Mansfield engineer’s office. In 1957, he was appointed assistant city engineer.^[187] Later, in the 1960s, Phil served on the Mansfield City Council for the 7th Ward. Seymour Schlossman, a physical therapist and health administrator, arrived in Mansfield during the mid-1950s from New York. He played a significant role in raising funds to create The Rehab Center at 270 Sterkel Boulevard, and served as the centre’s director for 18 years. Erwin Sherman, a native of Cleveland, opened a dental practice in Mansfield in 1950. His wife, Bettie, taught mathematics at Madison Jr. High for over 30 years until retiring in 2009 at the age of 79.^[188] Eugene Sherman, a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey, arrived in Mansfield in 1958 and worked with Robert Ellison, the son of David and Sadie, as a gynecologist.^[189] Their medical practice remained in business until 1976, when Robert relocated to California. It is also of note that Robert’s brother, Joseph, was a prominent attorney in Mansfield who opened his law practice in 1939.^[190] Joseph was also active in local politics as a member of the Democratic Party.^[191]

While many Jews in Mansfield found work outside of retail after World War II, it should be noted that several local businesses were founded by Jewish families after 1945. These stores included Dunkin Jewelers, Five Cousins Discount Store, Sid’s Camera Shop, Sid’s Furniture Store, and Todd’s Jewelry Store. Dunkin Jewelers was co-founded by Oscar and Shirley Dinkin in 1948.^[192] As of 2023, Dunkin Jewelers continues to operate at 2291 W 4th Street. Five Cousins was founded in 1959 by five households, four of whom were related.^[193] Some of the business partners, including Irene and Jerry Friedman, relocated to Mansfield from Chicago while others, including Leonard and Sylvia Biarsky, moved from Cleveland.^[194] Five Cousins remained in business until the mid-1980s.^[195] Sid’s Camera Shop, located at 73 North Main Street, was opened in 1954 by Sid Yellen.^[196] Sid’s Furniture Store, located at 118 North Main Street, was in operation by 1957. The store’s owners, Edith and Sydney Lieberman moved to Mansfield from Brooklyn.^[197] Todd’s Jewelry Store was opened at the corner of Third Street and Main in 1948 by Norman Lakin. Another member of the local Jewish community, Daniel Markowitz, owned the Mansfield Rangers, a semi-pro football team in Mansfield, during the late 1940s and 1950s.^[198]

In 1979, after supporting their own synagogue building for 31 years, the members of Temple Emanuel elected to sell the building at 473 Cook Road to the Southwood Baptist Church and move their services to the B’nai Jacob synagogue at 973 Larchwood Road.^[199] Eight years later, after existing as autonomous congregations sharing the same space, B’nai Jacob and Temple Emanuel merged into one congregation. This new congregation took on the name Emanuel Jacob Congregation. As occurred for many Jewish communities in Ohio that were located in smaller towns and cities, however, Mansfield’s Jewish population continued to decline during the late twentieth century. By 1990, an estimated 250 Jews resided in Mansfield.^[200] This represented an approximately 52 percent decline since 1961. By 1999, the American Jewish Yearbook estimated just 150 Jews lived in Mansfield.^[201] 

 

Conclusion, Into the Twenty-first Century 

Since 1970, Mansfield has been experiencing a population decline according to federal census records. In 1970, the city’s population was estimated at 55,047. By 2020, however, an estimated 47,534 people resided in Mansfield. The Jewish community’s demographic decrease has been larger than the approximately 14 percent decrease for the city as a whole. Factors contributing to this greater contraction include the relocation of a larger percentage of young people to larger cities and the closure of many businesses that once supported local Jewish families. The modest number of Jews who arrived in Mansfield after 1970 were even more likely than those in the 1950s and 1960s to be white-collar professionals. Two medical professionals who moved to Mansfield between 1970 and 1980 were Ronald Goldbus, a surgeon, and Robert Mohl, a gastroenterologist. In addition, several Jews relocated to Mansfield after finding work with The Ohio State University at Mansfield campus. Examples include, Cass Foster, who taught theater, Evelyn Freeman, who researched early and middle childhood teaching and learning, and Mark Nadler, who was a professor of economics.  

It should also be noted that Jews continued to be engaged with various businesses in the Mansfield area after 1970. For example, in 1969 Al Budin took over management of a restaurant known as the Gourmet Room. This eatery was located at 1313 South Main Street. Al was the son of Leo and Mildred Budin, who were both active members of Mansfield’s Jewish community. In Galion, Ralph Coby, the son of Harry and Minnie Cohen, continued to play a prominent role in local manufacturing as president of the Eagle Crusher Company.^[202]During the mid-twentieth century, the Cohen family, which eventually changed their surname to Coby, was associated with the Perfection Steel Body Company in Galion.^[203] Ralph Coby was also a member of Emanuel Jacob. This demonstrates how the congregation continued to draw members from areas outside of Mansfield. Additional members included including Fred and Thelma Gerson and Alvin and Selma Kasten who were residents of Ashland. Emanuel Jacob at times supported a full-time rabbi until 2000. Bernard Bloomstone, the congregation’s last full-time rabbi, began his time in Mansfield in 1991. Before he arrived in Richland County, Bernard lived in Springfield, Massachusetts where he worked as an adjunct professor at Springfield College and served as a rabbi at Sinai Temple.^[204] A native of Montreal, Bernard was also active in interfaith work during his time in Mansfield. For a time he served as president of the Mansfield Ministerial Association and he often visited Christian churches and schools to talk about Judaism.^[205] Rabbi Bloomstone was also a chaplain at the Mansfield Correctional Institution and the Marion Correctional Institution. 

Bernard’s death in 2000 occurred suddenly while he was visiting family in Massachusetts. While buried in Massachusetts, around 300 people attended a memorial service organised at Emanuel Jacob for Bernard, including many non-Jews. Reverand Gregory Kirk of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Galion remarked in a letter to the editor of the News-Journal:

I will always be extremely grateful for Rabbi [Bloomstone]’s presence in the Mansfield area, for his work with people incarcerated in prison, for his love of children, for his tireless work on behalf of tolerance, peace and justice, and for his love for Christian clergy despite the many sins of anti-Semitism our churches have sadly been responsible for. Many words come to mind for me as I reflect on Rabbi Bloomstone’s life, among them integrity, holiness, compassion, mercy, and love… Rabbi [Bloomstone] made a tremendous difference to all of us who knew him and loved him.

Rabbi Bloomstone’s efforts to promote Holocaust education are still remembered in Mansfield, and visitors to the city’s Holocaust memorial along Park Avenue West will find that it is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Bloomstone. In 2001, Sheila Case, an ordained cantor and native of Kansas, succeeded Rabbi Bloomstone as Emanuel Jacob’s religious leader.^[206] Sheila’s time in Mansfield was not long, however, and, after about a year, she departed Richland County. Emanuel Jacob again searched for a religious leader. While Mansfield’s Jewish population was not growing in the early twenty-first century, Emanuel Jacob, as the only synagogue in Richland County, attracted congregants from various backgrounds. For example, at least one contemporary member, Betty Harsh, was a convert to Judaism. This conversion took place in 1998 after Betty studied Judaism along with other faiths.^[207] 

In 2002, Emanuel Jacob retained the services of a visiting rabbi, Michael Oppenheimer. Michael, who would provide the congregation with religious leadership until 2017, worked at Emanuel Jacob eight months out of the year.^[208] Reflecting in 2017, Michael estimated that when he began his time in Mansfield, 75 families were members of Emanuel Jacob and 40 to 50 children were enrolled in the congregation’s religious school.^[209] A source from August 2001, however, estimated just 66 families were members of the congregation.^[210] By the time Michael retired from the congregation in 2017 around 30 families were members of the synagogue and an estimated ten people were attending a typical Shabbat service.^[211] Despite the decline in the Jewish community’s size, Emanuel Jacob continued to host important life cycle events such as weddings. One of the more recent weddings to occur at the congregation was the marriage of David Oppenheimer, the son of Carolyn and Michael, and Michelle Meyers in 2006.^[212] Michelle, a native of Richland County, is the daughter of Samuel and Sandra Meyers. An annual Holocaust commemoration at the synagogue also continued to be an important event engaging the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. 

After Michael retired in 2017, Nancy Shimer took over his responsibilities at the congregation. Nancy had already been active with Emanuel Jacob before Michael’s departure. In 2017, it was estimated that Emanuel Jacob had under 100 members.^[213] Nancy continues to serve as Emanuel Jacob’s religious leader, or morah as of 2023. In the spring of 2022, the members of Emanuel Jacob recognized that their building at 973 Larchwood Road no longer fit the needs of the congregation. The synagogue was put up for sale and sold before October. Some religious articles from the congregation were donated to Jewish communities around the world. Destinations included Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, the Philippines, and El Paso, Texas. In addition, records from B’nai Jacob, Temple Emanuel, and Emanuel Jacob Congregation were donated to the Columbus Jewish Historical Society, where they will be preserved. The Columbus Jewish Historical Society was also entrusted with documents from other historic Jewish organizations in Mansfield and Judaica items from the three congregations. Paul Hyman, a professor of biology at Ashland University since 2010, serves as the president of Emanuel Jacob as of 2023. While Mansfield is no longer home to a synagogue, a Jewish community remains in Richland County. The current members of Emanuel Jacob carry on a 174 year tradition of continuous Jewish life in Richland County that began with the arrival of Myer Miller in 1848. While never numbering more than one percent of the county’s overall population, Jews have made a measurable impact on the civic, economic, and social fabric of Richland County. This impact merits preservation and remembrance.

Bibliography 

Primary Sources

Branson, Nita. “Confirmation Rites Mark Pentecost.” Mansfield News-Journal. June 12, 1948.

Bruss, Jim and Frank Howard. “Jury Frees Sternbaum.” Mansfield News-Journal. March 05, 1954. 

Clay, Dwyer. “Mansfielder Visits Family in Europe.” Mansfield News-Journal. August 06, 1948.

Constable, George. “Andrew Klein.” News-Journal. February 22, 1976.

“Four Metals Firms Announce Merger.” Recycling Today (Valley View, Ohio). August 05, 2022. https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/four-metals-firms-announce-merger/.

Jacob, Bob. “Mansfield Yom Hashoah Service to Feature Kol Israel Speaker.” Cleveland Jewish News. April 21, 2017.

Kaufman, Jane. “Rabbi Michael Oppenheimer, Former Rabbi of Mansfield Temple, Dies at 77.” Columbus Jewish News, September 04, 2019.

Kellam, Paul. “Mansfielders Justly Proud of 152 Acres of Park. Mansfield News-Journal. August 02, 1950.  

Lee, Virginia. “Hospital’s First Corneal Transplant Returns Sight.” News Journal. February 10, 1966.

Lee, Virginia. “Salesman for 68 Years – so Far.” News Journal. December 14, 1975.

Liston, Nina. “Jews of Mansfield Enjoy Their Small-Town Life.” Cleveland Jewish News. February 01, 1974.

“Managing Director of Jewish Charities of Chicago for 10 Years.” Jewish Telegraphic Agency (New York). April 27, 1930. https://www.jta.org/archive/managing-director-of-jewish-charities-of-chicago-for-10-years-tells-of-ideals-consummated-as-he-prep.

Pratt, Nancy. “Of People and the Times.” Times Recorder (Zanesville). May 14, 1967.

“News in Brief.” Jewish Telegraphic Agency. December 08, 1929. https://www.jta.org/archive/news-in-brief-9.

Palmer, Karen. “A New Focus on Faith.” News Journal. March 09, 2002.

Palmer, Karen. “New Job Suits Young Cantor.” News Journal. August 04, 2001.

Ritchey and Albertson. The Herald’s Directory to Mansfield, Ohio 1888-1889 (Mansfield, Ohio: The Herald Company. 1888).

Simon, Ron. “Cattle Raiser Predicts Reduced Food Supplies.” News-Journal. July 01, 1973.

Swack, Elmer. “Fond Memories of A Farm No Longer Ours.” Cleveland Jewish News. September 06, 1991.

Whitmire, Lou. “Mansfield Loses Rabbi.” News Journal. August 02, 2000.

Wittenberg, Ed. “Rabbi Retires – Again.” Cleveland Jewish News. July 07, 2017.

 

Newspapers Utilized 

Ashland Times (Ashland, OH).

Cleveland Jewish News (Cleveland, OH).

Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, OH).

Columbus Jewish News (Columbus, OH).

Daily Ohio State Journal (Columbus, Ohio).

Daily Reflector (Norwalk, OH).

Galion Inquirer (Galion, OH).

Jewish News of Northern California (San Francisco, CA).

Jewish Review and Observer (Cleveland, OH).

Mansfield News (Mansfield, OH).

Mansfield News-Journal (Mansfield, OH).

Mansfield Weekly News (Mansfield, OH).

News Journal (Mansfield, OH).

Norwalk Reflector-Herald (Norwalk, OH).

Recycling Today (Valley View, Ohio).

Times Recorder (Zanesville, OH).

Weekly News (Mansfield, OH).

Secondary Sources

American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 16. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America. 1914:  https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1914_1915_7_Statistics.pdf.

American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 50. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America. 1949: https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1948_1949_18_Statistics.pdf.

American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 62. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America. 1961: https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1961_4_USDemographic.pdf.

American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 68. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America. 1967: https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1967_6_USDemographic.pdf.

American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 90. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America. 1990: https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1990_6_USDemographic.pdf.

American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 99. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America. 1999: https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1999_6_USDemographic.pdf.

“Ashland Main Street.” Ashland on the Margins. Accessed October 02, 2022. https://sites.google.com/site/ashlandonthemargins/ashland-main-street.

“Decade by Decade.” Ashland Times. January 14, 2016. https://issuu.com/ashlandtimes-gazette/docs/decade_by_decade.

Eskenazi, Joe.“Junkyard Jews.” Jewish News of Northern California (San Francisco). August 20, 2004.

Goodkind, S. B. Eminent Jews of America (Toledo: The American Hebrew Biographical Company. 1918).

 “History of Emanuel Jacob Congregation.” Emanuel Jacob Congregation. Accessed September 30, 2022. https://emanueljacob.org/about-us-2/.

Obituary of Bettie S. Sherman. News Journal. Reprinted by Legacy.com. Accessed October 04, 2022. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/mansfieldnewsjournal/name/bettie-sherman-obituary?id=11556817.

Obituary of Florence Sarah Levin.Tribute Archive. December 13, 2021. https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/23387124/florence-sarah-levin.  

Obituary of Jerome G. Tuber. Snyder Funeral Homes. January 23, 2001. https://snyderfuneralhomes.secure.tributecenteronline.com/obituaries/Jerome-G-Tuber?obId=22968970.

Obituary of Myron ‘Mike’ Kalish. News Journal. Reprinted by Legacy.com. Accessed October 4, 2022. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/mansfieldnewsjournal/name/myron-kalish-obituary?id=11557479.

Schlechty, Jayson. “Two Jewish Congregations Become One.” Mansfield/Richland County Public Library. December 04, 2021. https://theshermanroom.wordpress.com/author/theshermanroom/.

Bibliography

^[1] “The Pioneer Merchant,” Weekly News (Mansfield), January 07, 1892.
^[2] “Mansfield Has Many Lodge Men,” Mansfield News, July 01, 1911.
^[3] “Primitive Volunteers,” Mansfield News, July 01, 1911.
^[4] “Celebrate Golden Wedding,” Daily Reflector (Norwalk), November 28, 1906.
^[5] Obituary of Hannah Billstein, Mansfield News, January 21, 1910.
^[6] “Solomon Spear Achieves a Long Citizenship Record,” Mansfield News, May 06, 1923.
^[7] Ibid.
^[8] Paul Kellam, “Mansfielders Justly Proud of 152 Acres of Park, Mansfield News-Journal, August 02, 1950.
^[9]  “A. J. Heineman,” The Weekly News (Mansfield), March 03, 1892.
^[10] Ibid.
^[11] Paul Kellam, “Mansfielders Justly Proud of 152 Acres of Park, Mansfield News-Journal, August 02, 1950.
^[12] Ron Simon, “Cattle Raiser Predicts Reduced Food Supplies,” News-Journal (Mansfield), July 01, 1973.
^[13] “Managing Director of Jewish Charities of Chicago for 10 Years,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency (New York), April 27, 1930, https://www.jta.org/archive/managing-director-of-jewish-charities-of-chicago-for-10-years-tells-of-ideals-consummated-as-he-prep.
^[14] “Decade by Decade,” Ashland Times, January 14, 2016, p 22, https://issuu.com/ashlandtimes-gazette/docs/decade_by_decade.
^[15] Ibid.
^[16] Ibid.
^[17] “The Pioneer Merchant,” Weekly News, January 07, 1892.
^[18] Obituary of William Schoenberg, Mansfield News, November 26, 1902.
^[19] Ibid.
^[20] “Louis Freundlich is Dead Veteran Leader in Trade, Civic Life Summoned,” Mansfield News, October 19, 1932.
^[21] “Civic Worker Dies at Age 78,” Mansfield News-Journal, October 19, 1946.
^[22] Obituary of Louis Freundlich, Mansfield News, October 19, 1932.
^[23] “Civic Worker Dies at Age 78,” Mansfield News-Journal, October 19, 1946.
^[24] Ritchey and Albertson, The Herald’s Directory to Mansfield, Ohio 1888-1889 (Mansfield, Ohio: The Herald Company, 1888), p. 214.
^[25] “History of Emanuel Jacob Congregation,” Emanuel Jacob Congregation, accessed September 30, 2022, https://emanueljacob.org/about-us-2/.
^[26] “Know Your Churches Temple Emanuel,” Mansfield News-Journal, November 23, 1957.
^[27] Jayson Schlechty, “Two Jewish Congregations Become One,” Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, December 04, 2021, https://theshermanroom.wordpress.com/author/theshermanroom/.
^[28] “Merchant Here 46 Years Dies,” Mansfield News, August 05, 1932.
^[29] “Dean of Salesmen Now 70 Years Old,” Mansfield News, January 04, 1922.
^[30] “Manager of Store,” Mansfield News, May 19, 1919.
^[31] “Mall Draws Heavily from Wooster Area, Poll Shows,” News Journal, December 13, 1969.
^[32] “Ohio,” Daily Ohio State Journal (Columbus), January 07, 1879.
^[33] “Circuit Work in Ohio,” Jewish Review and Observer (Cleveland), January 08, 1904.
^[34] Ibid.
^[35] “Death Claims Henry Weil, 82,” Mansfield News-Journal, December 22, 1937.
^[36] “Has Long Been Active in Affairs of the Retailer,” Mansfield News, September 28, 1922.
^[37] “Circuit Work in Ohio,” Jewish Review and Observer (Cleveland), January 08, 1904.
^[38] “Temple, Synagogue Serve Jewish Congregations,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 02, 1950.
^[39] Ibid.
^[40] “Know Your Churches Temple Emanuel,” Mansfield News-Journal, November 23, 1957.
^[41] “Help the Sufferers,” Mansfield News, September 20, 1900.
^[42] “Rites Arranged for Joseph Bein,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 01, 1946.
^[43] “Sisterhood Plans Affair Honoring Mrs. Joseph Haupt,” Mansfield News-Journal, May 03, 1933.
^[44] “On Store Staff,” Mansfield News-Journal, July 25, 1933.
^[45] “Ex-Mansfield Resident Dies,” Mansfield News-Journal, April 13, 1942.
^[46] “Jewish Sunday School Holds Annual Picnic,” Mansfield News, July 20, 1922.
^[47] American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 16, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1914: 373, https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1914_1915_7_Statistics.pdf.
^[48] “Plan Building,” Mansfield News-Journal, April 28, 1936.
^[49] “Cab Owner Dies,” Mansfield News-Journal, May 13, 1937.
^[50] S. B. Goodkind, Eminent Jews of America (Toledo: The American Hebrew Biographical Company, 1918), 54.
^[51] “Few Knew of His Benefactions,” Mansfield News-Journal, May 11, 1950.
^[52] “Four Metals Firms Announce Merger,” Recycling Today (Valley View, Ohio), August 05, 2022, https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/four-metals-firms-announce-merger/.
^[53] S. B. Goodkind, Eminent Jews of America (Toledo: The American Hebrew Biographical Company, 1918), 54.
^[54] “Samuel V. Fox, 72, Jeweler, Succumbs,” News Journal, January 20, 1970.
^[55] “Hyman Mosberg, 73, Dies After Brief Illness,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 03, 1955.
^[56] “A. Rappaport Dies at 72,” Mansfield News-Journal, March 08, 1949.
^[57] “Founder of Store Dies,” Mansfield News-Journal, January 02, 1950.
^[58] Virginia Lee, “Salesman for 68 Years – so Far,” News Journal, December 14, 1975.
^[59] “Company Head Dies,” Mansfield News-Journal, March 03, 1954.
^[60] “250 Will Get Bonuses,” Mansfield News-Journal, December 14, 1953.
^[61] “Dr. Bachrach Dies After Long Illness,” Mansfield News-Journal, November 17, 1958.
^[62] Ibid.
^[63] “J. J. Freundlich, Mansfield Merchant, Dies,” Mansfield News-Journal, February 14, 1935.
^[64] “Aid Society Members Sew for Red Cross Society,” Mansfield News, May 14, 1918.
^[65] “Israeli Official to Speak at B’nai B’rith Celebration,” Mansfield News-Journal, November 04, 1966.
^[66] Nina Liston, “Jews of Mansfield Enjoy Their Small-Town Life,” Cleveland Jewish News, February 01, 1974.
^[67] “Modern Jewish Temple to be Errected [sic] in Mansfield Soon,” Mansfield News, October 05, 1919.
^[68] Ibid.
^[69] “Ashland Main Street,” Ashland on the Margins, accessed October 02, 2022, https://sites.google.com/site/ashlandonthemargins/ashland-main-street.
^[70] “Plymouth,” Mansfield Weekly News, March 10, 1892.
^[71] “Retires from Active Role in Galion Firm,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 28, 1959.
^[72] “Death Takes Max Oxman at Shelby,” Mansfield News-Journal, June 04, 1946.
^[73] Joe Eskenazi, “Junkyard Jews,” Jewish News of Northern California (San Francisco), August 20, 2004.
^[74] Jayson Schlechty, “Two Jewish Congregations Become One,” Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, December 04, 2021, https://theshermanroom.wordpress.com/author/theshermanroom/.
^[75] “News in Brief,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency (New York), December 08, 1929, https://www.jta.org/archive/news-in-brief-9.
^[76] “Temple, Synagogue Serve Jewish Congregations,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 02, 1950.
^[77] “Temple, Synagogue Serve Jewish Congregations,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 02, 1950.
^[78] Ibid.
^[79] “Pay Tribute to Founder,” Mansfield News-Journal, May 19, 1951.
^[80] “Temple, Synagogue Serve Jewish Congregations,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 02, 1950.
^[81] “Mansfield Personalities in News During Past Week,” Mansfield News-Journal, December 22, 1946.
^[82] American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 50, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1949: 681, https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1948_1949_18_Statistics.pdf.
^[83] “Mrs. Booksbaum Stricken at Age 72,” News Journal, July 27, 1970.
^[84] “Howard Chernoff Addresses Group,” Mansfield News-Journal, February 13, 1936.
^[85] Karen Eagleston, interview by Nancy Shimer, 2022.
^[86] “Plate Glass Firm Plays Major Role in Building,” Mansfield News-Journal, July 08, 1963.
^[87] Ibid.
^[88] “New Apartment,” Mansfield News-Journal, September 09, 1940.
^[89] “Opens Branch,” Mansfield News-Journal, November 22, 1935.
^[90] “Illness Fatal,” Mansfield News-Journal, February 13, 1942.
^[91] George Constable, “Andrew Klein,” News Journal, February 22, 1976.
^[92] Ibid.
^[93] “Andrew Klein Stricken,” News Journal, March 29, 1976.
^[94] Obituary of Max Levant, News Journal, February 23, 1970.
^[95] “Retired Businessman Dies of Heart Ailment,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 28, 1954.
^[96] “Pryor Gives Barnes Rule to Hout, Mintz,” Mansfield News-Journal, October 03, 1957.
^[97] “David Preis, 70, Passes Away at Ashland,” Norwalk Reflector-Herald, November 24, 1943.
^[98] “Work Begins on Store,” Mansfield News-Journal, May 04, 1963.
^[99] “Solomon Selfman, 75, Dies After Long Illness,” Mansfield News-Journal, January 02, 1954.
^[100] “B’nai B’rith Chapter Honors Several at Donor Luncheon,” Mansfield News-Journal, November 12, 1953.
^[101] “Officers Named,” Mansfield News-Journal, December 11, 1934.
^[102]  Nina Liston, “Jews of Mansfield Enjoy Their Small-Town Life,” Cleveland Jewish News, February 01, 1974.
^[103] “200 Attend Installation of Galion B’Nai B’Rith Lodge No. 1276 Sunday,” Galion Inquirer, March 28, 1938.
^[104] Ibid.
^[105] Ibid.
^[106] “One Hundred Guests at B’nai B’rith Dinner,” Galion Inquirer, December 02, 1940.
^[107] “Story of Queen Esther Charmingly Presented,” Galion Inquirer, March 05, 1923.
^[108] “Instructive, Interesting,” Galion Inquirer, December 17, 1928.
^[109] “Confirmation Jewish Children at Mansfield Sunday A. M.,” Galion Inquirer, June 17, 1932.
^[110] “7 From Galion Confirmed Sunday,” Galion Inquirer, June 05, 1937.
^[111] “Jewish Social Club is Organized Here,” Galion Inquirer, April 28, 1936.
^[112] “Death Calls Ira F. France,” Mansfield News, January 03, 1910.
^[113] “Temple, Synagogue Serve Jewish Congregations,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 02, 1950.
^[114] Jayson Schlechty, “Two Jewish Congregations Become One,” Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, December 04, 2021, https://theshermanroom.wordpress.com/author/theshermanroom/.
^[115] “Abe Bloom Succumbs,” News Journal, July 25, 1965.
^[116] “Benjamin Shaffer, Dominion Head, Dies,” Mansfield News-Journal, November 13, 1957.
^[117] “Dominion Founder Dies at 87,” News Journal, June 28, 1975.
^[118] “J. R. Cogen Dies at 51,” Mansfield News-Journal, June 12, 1952.
^[119] “B’nai B’rith Installs,” Mansfield News-Journal, May 26, 1948.
^[120] “Local Store Sends Birthday Cards to Young Customers,” Mansfield News-Journal, April 25, 1954.
^[121] “First Hadassah Meeting Oct. 6,” Mansfield News-Journal, October 03, 1948.
^[122] “Jules Glattke Dies at 77,” News Journal, August 26, 1968.
^[123] Obituary of Carl Goettinger, News Journal, January 24, 1967.
^[124] “Sunday in the Park with George Mansfield was His First Stage,” News Journal, September 02, 1984.
^[125] “Selling Clothes His Way of Life,” Mansfield News-Journal, September 04, 1957.
^[126] Obituary of Samuel Mittman, News Journal, May 31, 1966.
^[127] “Frank Shuster, 73, Fatally Stricken,” Mansfield News-Journal, October 09, 1969.
^[128] Obituary of Jerome G. Tuber, Snyder Funeral Homes, January 23, 2001, https://snyderfuneralhomes.secure.tributecenteronline.com/obituaries/Jerome-G-Tuber?obId=22968970.
^[129] “Pfc. Jerry Fellenbaum Dies in Hawaiian Is. Relatives Here Learn,” Galion Inquirer, December 04, 1942.
^[130] “Company Head Dies,” Mansfield News-Journal, March 03, 1954.
^[131] “E. J. Klein Dies in Budapest,” News Journal, June 05, 1974.
^[132] Dwyer Clay, “Mansfielder Visits Family in Europe,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 06, 1948.
^[133] “Dr. Oscar Klein Dies in California,” News Journal, January 22, 1969.
^[134] “Dr. Robert Klein to Open Dentistry Office,” News-Journal, September 01, 1959.
^[135] Daniel Mainzer, interview by author,  phone, 2023
^[136] Ibid.
^[137] Ibid.
^[138] Ibid.
^[139] Obituary of Hans Walter, News Journal, April 24, 2018.
^[140] American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 50, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1949: 681, https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1948_1949_18_Statistics.pdf.
^[141] Nita Branson, “Confirmation Rites Mark Pentecost,” Mansfield News-Journal, June 12, 1948.
^[142] Bernard Swack, interview by Nancy Shimer, 2022.
^[143] Ibid.
^[144] Ibid.
^[145] Nancy Pratt, “Of People and the Times,” Times Recorder (Zanesville), May 14, 1967.
^[146] Elmer Swack, “Fond Memories of A Farm No Longer Ours,” Cleveland Jewish News, September 06, 1991.
^[147] “Club Affiliates with U.S. Unit,” Mansfield News-Journal, February 23, 1949.
^[148] “Installation Dinner, Dance Held at Leland,” Mansfield News-Journal, June 08, 1951.
^[149] Yolanda Kirschner, email to Nancy Shimer, November 16, 2022.
^[150] “B’Nai Jacob Sisterhood Honored with Luncheon,” Mansfield News-Journal, June 24, 1949.
^[151] “To Speak Here,” Mansfield News-Journal, December 20, 1946.
^[152] “Rabbi Chinitz to Report for Duty as Chaplain,” Mansfield News-Journal, November 25, 1950.
^[153] “Guest Rabbi Speaks Friday,” Mansfield News-Journal, March 08, 1951.
^[154] Jayson Schlechty, “Two Jewish Congregations Become One,” Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, December 04, 2021, https://theshermanroom.wordpress.com/author/theshermanroom/.
^[155] Ibid.
^[156] “Dr. Greenwald will Serve Temple Emanuel,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 10, 1957.
^[157] “Temple, Synagogue Serve Jewish Congregations,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 02, 1950.
^[158] Al Budin, interview by author, phone, 2023.
^[159] Howard Edelstein, interview by Nancy Shimer, 2022.
^[160] Ibid.
^[161] “Philip W. Oxman, 74; Headed Mansfield Steel Co,” Cleveland Jewish News, July 05, 1985.
^[162] “Buys House to Use as Parsonage,” Mansfield News-Journal, July 20, 1951.
^[163] Ibid.
^[164] “New Rabbi Arrives,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 20, 1955.
^[165] Obituary of Deborah Hartstein, Cleveland Jewish News, November 11, 1983.
^[166] “Rabbi Andre Hartstein, 83, Led Congregations in Ohio, Canada,” Cleveland Jewish News, May 28, 1993.
^[167] Jayson Schlechty, “Two Jewish Congregations Become One,” Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, December 04, 2021, https://theshermanroom.wordpress.com/author/theshermanroom/.
^[168] Ibid.
^[169] “Synagogue Adds Sacred Panes,” Mansfield News-Journal, September 05, 1964.
^[170] “Jewish Federation Calls Meeting to Raise Israel Funds,” News Journal, June 11, 1967.
^[171] “Morris J. Berer Dies at 86,” News Journal, April 22, 1971.
^[172] Obituary of Myron ‘Mike’ Kalish, News Journal, reprinted by Legacy.com, accessed October 4, 2022, https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/mansfieldnewsjournal/name/myron-kalish-obituary?id=11557479.
^[173] “Mrs. Max Sternbaum Slain,” Mansfield News-Journal, December 04, 1952.
^[174] Jim Bruss and Frank Howard, “Jury Frees Sternbaum,” Mansfield News-Journal, March 05, 1954.
^[175] “Tracy-Avery Makes Purchase Sternbaum Markets Sold,” Mansfield News-Journal, November 04, 1955.
^[176] American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 68, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1967: 240, https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1967_6_USDemographic.pdf.
^[177] American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 62, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1961: 60, https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1961_4_USDemographic.pdf.
^[178] Nina Liston, “Jews of Mansfield Enjoy Their Small-Town Life,” Cleveland Jewish News, February 01, 1974.
^[179] Ibid.
^[180] Obituary of Dr. Alvin Bales, News Journal, October 04, 1980.
^[181] Ibid.
^[182] Obituary of Stanley M. Cowan, Cleveland Jewish News, January 24, 1997.
^[183] Virginia Lee, “Hospital’s First Corneal Transplant Returns Sight,” News Journal, February 10, 1966.
^[184] “New Gray Drug Store Set to Open,” News Journal, November 08, 1964.
^[185] “Four Mansfielders Join Faculty,” News Journal, October 02, 1967.
^[186] Obituary of Florence Sarah Levin, Tribute Archive, December 13, 2021, https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/23387124/florence-sarah-levin.
^[187] “Mansfield Personalities in the News,” Mansfield News-Journal, September 15, 1957.
^[188] Obituary of Bettie S. Sherman, News Journal, reprinted by Legacy.com, accessed October 04, 2022, https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/mansfieldnewsjournal/name/bettie-sherman-obituary?id=11556817.
^[189] Obituary of Dr. Erwin E. Sherman, News-Journal, July 08, 1990.
^[190] “Atty. Ellison’s Services Set,” News Journal, January 28, 1976.
^[191] Ibid.
^[192] Obituary of Oscar B. Dinkin, News Journal, October 27, 1995.
^[193] Notes from Karen Eagleston, email from Nancy Shimer, January 2023.
^[194] Ibid.
^[195] Ibid.
^[196] “Sid’s Camera Shop Now on Main St.,” Mansfield News-Journal, April 11, 1954.
^[197] Notes from Karen Stallsmith, email from Nancy Shimer, January 2023.
^[198] “Board Agrees to Rent Field to Rangers if Bill is Paid,” Mansfield News-Journal, July 20, 1950.
^[199] Jayson Schlechty, “Two Jewish Congregations Become One,” Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, December 04, 2021, https://theshermanroom.wordpress.com/author/theshermanroom/.
^[200] American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 90, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1990: 289, https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1990_6_USDemographic.pdf.
^[201] American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 99, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1999: 223, https://ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1999_6_USDemographic.pdf.
^[202] Obituary of Ralph Coby, Columbus Dispatch, January 19, 2009.
^[1203] “Galion Industrialist Tells of Search for Happiness,” Mansfield News-Journal, August 30, 1951.
^[204] Lou Whitmire, “Mansfield Loses Rabbi,” News Journal, August 02, 2000.
^[205] Ibid.
^[206] Karen Palmer, “New Job Suits Young Cantor,” News Journal, August 04, 2001
^[207] Karen Palmer, “A New Focus on Faith,” News Journal, March 09, 2002.
^[208] Jane Kaufman, “Rabbi Michael Oppenheimer, Former Rabbi of Mansfield Temple, Dies at 77,” Columbus Jewish News, September 04, 2019.
^[209] Ed Wittenberg, “Rabbi Retires – Again,” Cleveland Jewish News, July 07, 2017.
^[210] Karen Palmer, “New Job Suits Young Cantor,” News Journal, August 04, 2001.
^[211] Karen Palmer, “New Job Suits Young Cantor,” News Journal, August 04, 2001.
^[212] “Oppenheimer-Meyers,” Cleveland Jewish News, February 24, 2006.
^[213] Bob Jacob, “Mansfield Yom Hashoah Service to Feature Kol Israel Speaker,” Cleveland Jewish News, April 21, 2017.