Documenting Maine Jewry - Documenting Maine Jewry : Oral Recollections & Family Histories Index

Documenting Maine Jewry :
Master Index to all known Maine Jewish Oral Histories and Biographies

The collection of the DMJ’s 2009/2010 oral histories of Portland area Jews and the 1972 collection of Greater Portland Jewish oral histories by Konnilyn G. Feig. are available here and on the Portland Public Library website. .

The DMJ project was supported by a grant from the Maine Humanities Council and individual contributions while the Feig collection was commissioned by the Jewish Community Center. .

Thanks goes to Annette Elowitch, Eleanor Goldberg, Ross Goldberg, Judy Halpert, Ani Helmick, Elaine Crasnick Kahaner, Marvin London, Joanne Rosenthal and Wilma Rose for undertaking the 2009/2010 DMJ interviews.

"Oh, Lord. Oh, Lourdes. Alors!" , an essay in "How to Spell Chanukah and Other Holiday Dilemmas" published in "How to Spell Chanukah and Other Holiday Dilemmas", an anthology of essays, edited by Emily Franklin for Algonquin Books, 2007 (Algonquin Books, 225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014) - Marcia Leiberman Mameve Medwed
Remarks by Daniel S Mariaschin on the Abraham J Berson Family at the 120th Anniversary Commemoration/Beth Israel Synagogue (private collection) - Marcia Berson Lieberman
Isaac Abrams Family printout (with Documenting Maine Jewry project) - Jo Kibourn
Isaac Abrams printout (with Documenting Maine Jewry project) - Jo Kilbourn Jo Kibourn
James Albert Abramson (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer

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Arlen Eisen : Growing Up in Portland () - Ann Mayer Eisen, Arlene's daughter-in-law
Sara Miller Arnon : transcription of Colby College interview (Colby College) - interviewed by Amy Eklund Colby College Jewish History Project
Dave Astor (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Elaine Crasnick Kahane Documenting Maine Jewry
Jordan S. Alpert, The Alpert Family of Bangor, Maine , San Francisco, CA, J.S. Alpert, (private collection) - Jordon S Alpert

Jordan S Alpert, The Cohen Family of Bangor , San Francisco, 1990 (private collection) - Jordon S Alpert
Marcia Beckerman : transcription of Colby College interview (Colby College) - interviewed by Kimi Kossler Colby College Jewish History Project
Rabbi David Berent (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Nathan Berliawsky (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Sumner Bernstein (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

Louis Bernstein (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Mrs. Israel Bernstein (Rebecca) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Judge Louis Bernstein (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Rebecca "Peggy" Bernstein (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Interview with Rosalyne S and Sumner T Bernstein : Summary Sheet and Transcript (Bates Muskie Archives) - interviewed by Jeremy Robitaille Bates Muskie Archives

Roz Bernstein (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Judy Halpert Documenting Maine Jewry
Sumner Thurman Bernstein (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Israel Bernstein (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Israel Bernstein, Biography (American Jewish Historical Society Boston) - AJHS (American Jewish Historical Society)
Mrs. Louis Black (Selma) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

Selma Black (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Interview with Selma Blatt : Summary Sheet and Transcript (Bates Muskie Archives) - interviewed by Stuart O'Brien and Rob Chavira Bates Muskie Archives
Paula Borelli (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Leslie Harris
Russell Bornstein (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Ross Goldberg Documenting Maine Jewry
Gerald Boxstein (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

Muriel Kodis Branz (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Eleanor Goldberg
Judy Brody interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Jena Hershkowitz Colby Maine Jewish History Project
Estelle Brooks (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Wilma Rose Documenting Maine Jewry
Sam Cinamon (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Interview with F. Davis Clark : Summary Sheet and Transcript (Bates Muskie Archives) - interviewed by Andrea L’Hommedieu Bates Muskie Archives

Robert Clenott (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
William Cohen (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Bella Cowan Coll. S-6354 Misc Box 190/9 (Maine Historical Society) - interview by Joyce Butler Joyce Butler
Bella Cowan (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed by Ani Helmick
Morris Cox (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

Charity and Acts of Loving Kindness in Portland, Maine
Or How My Father, Solomon Crasnick, Grew Up to be a Tzadik by Elaine Crasnick Kahaner (private collection) - interviewed by Elaine Crasnick Kahaner, daughter Elaine Crasnick Kahaner, daughter
Interview with Eliot Cutler : Summary Sheet and Transcript (Bates Muskie Archives) - interviewed by Andrea L’Hommedieu Bates Muskie Archives
Harry Day (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Leah Day (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Ida Mae Dondis (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer

Mildred Drees (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Elaine Crasnick Kahaner Documenting Maine Jewry
Mildred Drees (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Rabbi Steven Dworken (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Elowitch family tree (private collection) - Janet Crocker Joyce
Julius Elowitch (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

Barbara Epstein (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Annette Elowitch Documenting Maine Jewry
Daniel Epstein (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Israel Bernstein, Bar Assocation Memorial Service Eulogy (American Jewish Historical Society Boston) - AJHS (American Jewish Historical Society)
Sumner Fanger interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Spencer Kasko Colby Maine Jewish History Project
William "Bill" Federer (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Linda Patrie

Mrs. Abe Fineberg (Tara) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Irene Friedman interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Nicole Mitchell Colby Maine Jewish History Project
Fivel Gerber (private collection) - Bessie Gerber, granddaughter
Pearl Gerber (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Joanne Rosenthal Documenting Maine Jewry
Frances B Gleckman (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Erin Mullet

Mrs. Norman I. Godfrey (Ethel) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Esther Goldberg (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Annette Elowitch
Jerome Goldberg (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig
Marsha Finberg Goldfarb (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Elaine Crasnick Kahaner Documenting Maine Jewry
Libby Goldman (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Ani Helmick

Harold Goodkowsky (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Ani Helmick
Arnold Goodman (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Dorothy Baker Goodman (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Julius Greenstein (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Haiman Philip Spitz : An Autobiography Spitz lived in Bangor from 1848-1856 and was among the founders of Ahawas Achim. Six of his children were born in Bangor (on-line) - David Frendenriech

Robert Haines interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Jena Hershkowitz Colby Maine Jewish History Project
Judy Venner Halpert (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Ross Goldberg
Harold Hugo family tree (CD) - Harold Hugo
Ida Gertner Memoirs (private collection) - Sid Cronsberg
Phillip Isaacson (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Marvin London Documenting Maine Jewry

Samuel Isacson (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Morris Isenman (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Kenneth Jacobson : transcription of Colby College interview (Colby College) - interviewed by Katie Peterson Colby College Jewish History Project
Kenneth Jacobson interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Katie Peterson Colby Maine Jewish History Project
Notes on Biddeford-Saco Communities (2006) () - Jennie Aaronwitch

Lester Jolovitz interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Samuel Levine Colby Maine Jewish History Project
Lester Jolovitz : transcription of Colby College interview (Colby College) - interviewed by Sam Levine Colby College Jewish History Project
Harry Judelshon (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Mrs. Max Kaplan (Ethel) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Glenyce Miller Kaplan : transcription of Colby College interview (Colby College) - interviewed by David Freidenreich Colby College Jewish History Project

Jules Krems (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Sid Kronsberg (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Annette Elowitch Documenting Maine Jewry
Shep Lee Interview : Summary Sheet and Transcript (Bates Muskie Archives) - interviewed by Chris Beam Bates Muskie Archives
Mrs. Meyer Lerman (Ethel) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Journey of William and Sarah Levine, from Vilna, Lithuania to Waterville, Maine, presented by Eric Bloom at the Levine Family Reunion, July 2009 (private collection) - Eric Bloom

Shirley Spector Levine (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Annette Elowitch
Shirley Spekter Levine (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Annette Elowitch Documenting Maine Jewry
Phil Levinsky (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Marvin London Documenting Maine Jewry
David Lewis (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Elaine Crasnick Kahaner Documenting Maine Jewry
Sherman G Shapiro, Lewiston Shapiro Family History By Sherman G. Shapiro , Lewiston Shapiro Family History, June 1982 (private collection) - Sherman G Shapiro Dick Shaw

Florence Lieberman interview, DMJ, 2009 (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Ani Helmick Documenting Maine Jewry
Louis Seavey (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Philip W Lown (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Frances Lyons (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Ani Helmick Documenting Maine Jewry
Julie Lyons (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Annette Elowitch Documenting Maine Jewry

Mrs. Charles Mack (Cynthia) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Myer Marcus (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Marvin London
Chaim Merson (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Lee Merson (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Sonya Messerchmidt (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Eleanor Goldberg

Kurt Messerchmidt () - interviewed by Eleanor Goldberg
Julie Miller-Soros : transcription of Colby College interview (Colby College) - interviewed by Hannah Dhonau Colby College Jewish History Project
Harold Nelson (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Mrs. Harold Nelson (Mildred) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Samuel Nelson (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer

Louise Nevelson (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Harold Osher (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Marvin London Documenting Maine Jewry
Sue Pinansky (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Wilma Rose Documenting Maine Jewry
Jocelyn Pollard (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Joanne Rosenthal Documenting Maine Jewry
Arnold Potter (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

Maurice S Povich (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Janice Povich (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Joanne Rosenthal Documenting Maine Jewry
Recollections of Emma Arenstam on the Ocassion of her Granddaughter's Bat Mitzvah (private collection) - Lisa Bornstein Brand
Mrs. Rebecca Rice (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Louis Rich (private collection) - interviewed by Dr Ruth Helen Fox, granddaughter Dr Ruth Helen Fox, granddaughter

Mel Robbins (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Theresa L Allocca
Wilma Webber Rose (Documenting Maine Jewry) - Documenting Maine Jewry
Bob Rosenthal interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Becky Muller Colby Maine Jewish History Project
Leah Rubin (USM Life Story Center) - Carlye Homa, interviewer
Maurice Rubinoff (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

Rubinsky family tree (private collection) - Paul Rudman
Ethel Rubinstein (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Wilma Rose Documenting Maine Jewry
Phil and Bertha Rudek and their Portland families (private collection) - interviewed by Cynthia Rudek Pedlikin, daugther Cynthia Rudek Pedlikin, daughter
Susan Adelman Rudolph http://www.comsynrye.org/community/synagogue.php?page=16356 (On-line at synagogue site) - Harris Gleckman
Morris Sachnoff (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer

Interview with Marvin Sadik : Summary Sheet and Transcript (Bates Muskie Archives) - interviewed by Mike Richard Bates Muskie Archives
Sam Cronsberg Memoirs (private collection) - Sid Cronsberg
Judy Schreider interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Desiree Shayer Colby Maine Jewish History Project
Elliot Schwartz (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Joanne Rosenthal Documenting Maine Jewry
Joseph and Mary Shalit Family printout (with Documenting Maine Jewry project) - Jo Kilbourn Jo Kibourn

Elizabeth Shamas (USM Life Story Center) - Beverly Staples, interviewer
In Pursuit of the American Dream by W Dennis Stires, privately published (private collection) - Dennis Stires
Joanne Shatsky (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Sherly Baker
Burt and Phyllis Shiro interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Sam Levine Colby Maine Jewish History Project
Barnett Shur (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

Mrs. Barnett Shur (Clarice) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Esther Sibulkin (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Lynn Ploof-Davis
Charlotte Shulman Siegel (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Wilma Rose
Sliverman family tree of 30 Dec 1984 (private collection) -
Bertram Silverman (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

Israel Silverman (Dean) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Goldie Singer : transcription of Colby College interview (Colby College) - interviewed by David Freidenreich Colby College Jewish History Project
Rabbi Harry Sky (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Rabbi Harry Sky (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Hal Mermelstein
Rabbi Harry Sky (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Ross Goldberg Documenting Maine Jewry

Jerry Slivka (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Ken Slosberg interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Nicole Mitchell Colby Maine Jewish History Project
Inge Soule (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Sue Lippert
Inge Soule (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Sue Lippert
Jack Spiegel (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Wilma Rose Documenting Maine Jewry

Benjamin Stern (Maine State Library / Portland Public Library) - Celia C. Risen, biographer
Steven Sternberg : transcription of Colby College interview (Colby College) - interviewed by Desiree Shayer Colby College Jewish History Project
Melvin Stone (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Roberta Gordon Documenting Maine Jewry
Ross Stuart (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Nan Ross
Sydney F Shapiro - Newport, Me, Jews in Small Towns : Legends and Legacies, The Museum of Family History based on a 1997 book by the same name by Howard V Epstein, Ph.D (on-line) - Howard V Epstein

Walter Taranko (USM Life Story Center) - interviewed by Peter Comstock
Glenys Venner Tarlow (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Judy Halpert
The Werner Family 1840 - 1984 (private collection) - Sid Cronsberg
Gertrude Cope Troen (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig
Ken Waxman (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Marvin London

Harry Weinman (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Louis Weisberg (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig
Rita Weisberg (Documenting Maine Jewry) - interviewed by Elaine Crasnick Kahaner Documenting Maine Jewry
Rita Schwey Weisberg as presented at Temple Beth El, Nov 2004 (private collection) - Rita Weisberg Rita Schwey Weisberg
Charlotte Berman Wernick (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

Judge Sidney Wernick (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Mrs. Lester Willis (Rita) (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland
Gordon and Myrtle Wolman interview (Colby College Library) - interviewed by Hasan Bhatti Colby Maine Jewish History Project
Dr. Benjamen Zolov (Portland Room, Portland Public Library) - interviewed Konnilyn G Feig JCC - Portland

All the DMJ and Feig interviewees agreed that the interviews will protected by copyright and also deposited in the Portland Public Library as a public archive for use by future researchers. The interviewees also understood that the recordings and transcripts may be used in public presentations, including but not limited to audio and video documentaries, live performances, exhibits, print publications, web pages or any media as yet to be invented. Their gifts to DMJ does not limit any use that they may want to make of the information in these recordings.

DMJ is now seeking $7,500 in supplemental funding to create an on-line index to the 1977 and the 2009 interviews. On-line donations can be made from the DOMJ homepage. Regular donations can be sent to DMJ's financial sponsor, the Jewish Community Alliance (details also at the bottom on the DMJ home page.

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