Lippman, Sarah_1974/12/26, Oral History, 1974-12-26

GREATER HARTFORD JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION

Tape No.: 90 No. of Tapes: Name of Interviewee: Lippman, Sarah Rome, and Yetta Rome Spitz Date of Interview: December 26, 1974 Occupation: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Transcript (yes/no): Yes No. of Pages: 9

Abstract: Mrs. Lippman spoke about her father-in-law, Reverend Bernard Lippman who was born in Lithuania and came to America in 1888. His second wife, Dora Lippman, was also born in Lithuania and came to America shortly before 1888. Rev. Lippman had 2 children with his first wife and 8 with his second. They were both very prominent in religious activities in Hartford. Rev. Lippman was a shochet, mohel, and scribe and inscribed the Torah used at Ados Israel and he also conducted Friday night services at several synagogues. He died at the age of 47.

Dora Lippman belonged to all the Jewish Charities and was instrumental in organizing the Hartford Yeshiva (now the Hebrew Academy). She was president of that organization as well as the Old Peoples Home. She observed the rituals even to the extent of keeping cows and chickens. She offered housing and food for people who came to Hartford and had no place to stay. At her death, she was the first woman whose funeral was held at Ados Israel, officiated by 6 rabbis.

Stories were told of the way her father-in-law as well as other immigrants obtained their names when they went through Ellis Island.

Subject Index: Community Activities (in the Jewish community) Community Leadership (in the Jewish community) Ellis Island Mohels Scribe Shochet Education Jewish see also individual schools Organizations – see also individual organizations Oral History