Kessler, Irving_1975 Transcript

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.