Hoffenberg, Samuel_1974/11/21, Oral History

Subjects covered in interview include: Parents, Jewish Culture of Lithuania Growing up Jewish in Hartford Politics, Great Depression, Zionism, Catholicism, 1968 Riots

JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF GREATER HARTFORD ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION

Tape No.: 179 No. of Tapes: Name of Interviewee: Samuel Hoffenberg Date of Interview: Occupation: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Transcript (yes/no): Yes No. of Pages: 26

Abstract: This interview is designed to bring up to date information obtained in a previous interview of 9/9/68. Mr. Hoffenberg stated that Chesed Emes, now known as the Hebrew Funeral Home, had existed in the early 1900s. A description of the organization, services, changes of location and practices are gone into great detail in the tape. Some of the people who were active in the organization were Herman Holtz and Mr. Hochman. He also talked about the Mikveh, which existed in Hartford in the early 1900s, and the changes of location of the building. He and Mr. Batts were very active in fund-raising; others were Ephraim Finkelstein, Rabbi’s Horowitz and Hoffenberg, Sam Goldman and Yitzchak Freedman. Mrs. Leah Sudarsky was the first custodian in the 1920s and Mrs. Sophie Stuppel was the custodian when the building was located on Blue Hills Ave. Mr. Hoffenberg does not remember the other custodians. Mr. Hoffenberg then went into detail about the Hebrew Ladies Sheltering Home who gave lodging and food to transient who came to Hartford, namely people associated with collecting money for Talmus Torahs. He was active in this organization, as well as Mrs. Hochman; Mr. Schluger, who was president; Jacob Stein, who was secretary; and Charles Gersten. The Jewish Federation of Hartford subsequently took over management of the organization through the work of Anatol Kraus. They provided shelter, but not food. He provided information about the formation of Young Israel, first the Organization and then the synagogues of Greater Hartford. They were incorporated in 1928 and are part of the national organization. He described the goals and practices of the synagogues. Mr. Hoffenberg was the organizer of the Young Israel of West Hartford and received an award for his services. Both he and his brother, Abe, were board members of the Jewish Welfare group formed during World War II to give help and comfort to the Jewish soldiers. Mr. Hoffenberg and his wife are moving to Hamilton, Ontario, to live with their daughter, son in law Rabbi Morton Green, and their grandchildren.

Subject Index: Community Activities (in the Jewish community) Orthodox Movement Synagogues Burial Societies Community Leadership (in the Jewish community) Oral History