Kashmann, Seymour_1972, Oral History

Subjects of interview include: Parents, Growing up Jewish in Hartford, Education, Work, Jewish Community Organizations, Immigrants, more community

GREATER HARTFORD JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION

Tape No.: 26 No. of Tapes: Name of Interviewee: Seymour Kashmann Date of Interview: March 22, 1972 Occupation: Meat Market Owner Date of Birth: circa 1880 Place of Birth: Hartford, CT Transcript (yes/no): yes No. of Pages: 23

Abstract: Mr. Kashmann’s father came to the U.S. from Germany before 1875. He was married in Hartford and had two sons and three daughters. In Germany he dealt in livestock and when he came to the U.S. he introduced the first Holstein cattle. He opened a meat and grocery market that existed for 50 years. Seymour graduated from Brown elementary school and then went to the Hartford High School for two years, after which he entered his father’s business. His father sold kosher meat, but Seymour and his brother subsequently had a meat market that did not sell kosher meat although he kept a kosher home and observed the holidays. He recalled the large flow of immigrants from Russia in 1910 and the efforts of the charities to provide shelter and assist them in getting settled. He criticized the Jews for their sharp business practices that caused ill feelings in the community. He held his Bar Mitzvah at Beth Israel although his parents went to Ados Israel synagogue. His Hebrew teacher was Mr. Van Hooten and Rabbi Elkin. He participated in several Jewish organizations. He joined Bnai Brith at its inception in Hartford and its social service activities. He also belonged to the United Jewish Charities. He spoke about the role of Jews in politics particularly citing Jake Leiziger who was influential in the Republican Party. He did a great deal for the Jews and was trusted and admired by prominent non-Jews such as the Brainard's and Barber's. He made it possible for Seymour to be elected as an alderman and then to the Common Council for several years. After that he was appointed to the High School Committee and was instrumental in helping to appoint Gustave Feingold as the first Jewish principal of a high school, namely the Bulkeley H.S. He was also one of the incorporators of the Mount Sinai Hospital. He recounted the difficulties the Jewish doctors had in practicing in the hospitals in Hartford. He is married for 62 years and has a son.

Subject Index: Business Community Activities (in the Jewish community) Community Leadership (in the Jewish community) Oral History Politics