Kessler, Irving*, 1975 - 2010

Subjects of the interview include: Parents coming from Gubernia (border between Poland and Russia), arrived in United States in their teens before World War I. Growing up Jewish, Military Involvement in World War II, seeing aftermath of Holocaust/film of camps distributed by Eisenhower. Seeing impact of Holocaust spurred his interest in Zionism/Jewish Community. Discussed Professor Philip Jessup at Tufts who was influential in hislife-read a telegram that Truman would recognize Israel. Started involvement with Zionism in college; some including Jewish chaplain were anti-Zionist and gave them a hard time. Became involved in the underground helping arms and helping to recruit people to the cause in 1947-48.

Went to Boston University Graduate School of Social Work. Worked for 5 years at Boston Federation while working on his degree. Heard many good things about Hartford community before arriving here.

Discussed how he brought the Federation to a more prominent place in the community, partially bringing it out of the backrooms at Tumblebrook. Talks about his behind the scenes involvement in various synagogue mergers in the area (some did not go through, main one is Beth Sholom of Hartford with Beth Hillel of Bloomfield.) Zionism in the Hartford community. Addressed his role in trying to better establish quality Jewish education in the area and some of the resistance to the idea by area rabbis. Touched on his career move as he was leaving Hartford to join United Israel Appeal; moved to Stamford, CT and Israel. Hartford was non-centralized Jewish Community; many smaller organizations hard to organize. Kessler attempted to make the Federation more than just the fundraising arm of the community.

Early involvement in Zionism/supporting Israel upon its creation in college years. Went to graduate school Columbia, undergraduate at Tufts. Wanted to go to Tufts for graduate school (specifically the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy) but war delays prevented this-mentioned several times.

Involvement in Boston Federation. Discusses moving to the Hartford Federation working under and eventually taking over from Bernie Gottlieb who was director of the Federation before him. Large parts of interview reflect on his relationship with/the influence of Gottlieb. Talks about the Federation under Gottlieb and what changes he made (not becoming as friendly on a personal level with big donors like having Tumblebrook as a second office, as he put it). Didn’t want the community only focused on needs of Tumblebrook group of people-this position influence by his socialist/labor background. Talks about the Hartford Jewish community and how it did not need to be built-very active & involved. Minimal involvement with Black leaders.

Reflects on professional career. Attempts at outreach of Jewish Federation-tried to get other Federations in the state, though Greater Hartford remained the center. Relationship with JCC and Hebrew Home, synagogues and the Jewish Community, as well as political leaders. Fundraising efforts, particularly for Israel Bonds. Public relations work/dealing with the Jewish Ledger. Talked about leaving Hartford to join United Israel Appeal-felt he could do more for Israel there. Also gave him the opportunity to live in Israel part time. Scandal with secret practice of Jewish Family Services essentially buying babies-paying for cost of having a baby and then adopting it into a Jewish family and gave them substantial income. Other family service organizations were not pleased. Reforming the area’s Jewish education system-help educate the teachers. Positive feelings about his time in Hartford.

Member of Beth Hillel in Bloomfield. Participated in merger with Beth Sholom of Hartford in the 1960s which brought Rabbi Lazowitz to Bloomfield and the Bloomfield rabbi resigned.

Helped smuggler certain airplane parts to Israel in his carry-on luggage from Louie Rogow who worked at GE to help keep their older planes running. This was illegal because there were laws about exporting parts of the American defense system.

Some confusion in dates between 1967 and 1973. Amendments to this information are included in the transcription.

Interview ends abruptly.