Creative Contest Ribbon – Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood

This first place creative contest ribbon given out by the Temple Emanu-El sisterhood on October 15, 1974, was given to Helen Loeb for her knitting. In 1974, the president of the Temple Emanu-El WRJ/Sisterhood was Janie Rosenthal. The sisterhood has been involved with crafts since 1920 when a newly purchased organ was bought, they paid it off selling their own hand-made goods. This women’s society began back in 1886 at Temple Emanu-El. They state “Community service began with visits to the sick and needy as well as assistance to Jewish immigrants settling in Dallas.” While the Sisterhood isn’t meeting in person during the Coronavirus, they keep up with one another virtually, this includes wellness events, socials, and book clubs.

From the May Sebel Collection

 

Fannie Schwartz Embroidered State Fair Flag, 1946

In 1946 the Texas State Fair reopened, or as they called it then the “Victory Fair.” The fair was closed from 1942 to 1945 due to World War II, and the shortages of rubber affected the transportation of exhibitions. In the September 29, 1945 Billboard Magazine, they announced the Victory Fair, and that it was planning a $700,000 improvement program,  approved by the State Fair Association directors. They also planned on replacing the automobile building which had been destroyed by a fire in 1941, with a “modern exhibit building.” When the fair reopened in 1946 one of the sideshows included a man, “Scotty Scott,” who was buried alive in a casket 6 feet underground; for the length of the State Fair, 5 ½ months.

From the Fannie Schwartz Collection

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2011/10/03/fair-flashback-when-there-was-no-state-fair-early-1940s/

https://flashbackdallas.com/2019/10/30/buried-alive-at-the-fair-park-midway-1946/

https://books.google.com/books?id=oBgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT57&lpg=PT57&dq=1946+victory+fair&source=bl&ots=-FpZQ1mSlh&sig=ACfU3U2CMX7A5KO94rtFFLQhoZ5veyoS5A&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjXw9XQr4nqAhUQTawKHcBJAxQQ6AEwEHoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=1946%20victory%20fair&f=false

BBG Star Of Deborah Pin

This is a gold Star of Deborah which is an individual award given out by the B’nai B’rith Girls or BBG organization. There is criteria and a point system in place to receive this honor. It includes earning 400 points, advisor approval, an essay, and the recruitment of 3 new members.

From the Luterman Family Collection.

 

Mr. Meyer J. Rachofsky Name Plate

Meyer J. Rachofsky was the Vice President of Mercantile National Bank. Mr. Rachofsky was also the treasurer of Golden Acres, as seen in the October 17, 1957 Texas Jewish Post Newspaper.

The Mercantile National Bank is well known for its iconic building located on Main Street in Downtown Dallas. The building was completed in 1943, and it was the only major skyscraper built during World War II. It was also the tallest building west of the Mississippi River for over a decade. The building, now called The Merc, is currently home to many people as it was converted into an apartment building.

From the Morton Rachofsky Collection

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth755520/m1/4/?q=Meyer%20J.%20Rachofsky

Abraham Levi Family Portrait & Family Tree

Here is a family portrait of Abraham Levi, with his children and grandchildren. Abraham Levi was born in 1822 in France. Leaving France at age 24 he landed in America and eventually made his way to Texas. Abraham was a large influence on the Victoria, Texas community. Levi served as president of the Victoria Jewish congregation for a quarter of a century. He also financed the area’s first electrical generator and ice plants. He died on November 30, 1902, and was buried in the B’nai B’rith Israel Cemetery at Victoria.

 

The Mid-Cities Anglers of Texas Trophy

Sig Badt was given this desk trophy for being the master of ceremonies for the awards banquet for Mid-Cities Anglers Club in 1972. The Mid-Cities Anglers of Texas, as they call themselves now, was organized in 1965 and is one of the oldest clubs in the area. The club defines itself as family-friendly, and a small club. The desk trophy displays a fish, a clock, and a pen holder. 

From the Sig Badt Collection