From the Archive: A Sampling of the Hadassah Collection

by | Aug 6, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

By Sadie Spett

Hadassah’s mission is, and always has been to heal the United States and Israel as volunteers and philanthropists. But it is so much more. Hadassah, more formally known as The Womans Zionist Organization of America, is a group of Jewish women, not only coming together to speak about advancing healthcare, strengthening the connection between Zionism and Israel, and Jewish education youth initiatives, but finding relationships in the organizations that they might not find in a casual setting. Additionally you can catch a glimpse of what kinds of events Hadassah has hosted and what advertisement techniques they used to gain more members. Being an intern at Dallas Jewish Historical Society, through the Rabbi Gerald Klein Internship program with Jewish Family Service, I have seen how the Dallas Jewish community has evolved through the years, appealing to each generation. For example, in the earlier years, with less technology, the flyers and invitations were less flashy and were straight to the point. Leading up to the later years starting in the 1990s, more color and pictures appear to grab the attention of potential and current members. But as far as programs go, there have always been conferences, galas, and dinners.

My first time looking at the files of part of the Hadassah Collection at DJHS, I was surprised to see as many invitations to events and gatherings as I did. These gatherings were a way for the Hadassah members to discuss issues in the Jewish world. At a particular event in 1939 called the Annual Conference of Texas Zionist Organization, Annual Conference of Texas-Louisiana Region of Hadassah, and Annual Conference of Junior Hadassah, there is a whole planned schedule for each part of the day with date and times. Each day there are different sessions that you can choose to attend. One session called the Zionist session takes you through your day in great depth. A typical day in attending the Zionist session would be: 8:30 A.M.-regristration, 9:00 A.M- executive meeting, 10:00 A.M business session with a speaker named Mr. L. F. Shanblum, 1:00 P.M-JNF Luncheon, 3:00 P.M Business session with special committee reports, 6:00 P.M.-Buffet supper, with a panel talk and visiting rabbis. This event was a several day affair and Jewish Hadassah members would travel from all over the world to attend. And the rest of the sessions were quite similar. I have learned that events like this were very prominent in the lives of Hadassah members. These loyal members put everything into planning these occasions to build the program and make it the best they could, and in doing so they put together such formal invitations to address Hadassah members.

Thank you notes are also prominent in the Hadassah collection.

These notes are from people expressing their gratitude to hosts such as Phyllis Shear, chapter president at the time, in 1983, for hosting a conference. The notes are additionally thanking the host for their hospitality for hosting gatherings, from people congratulating the host on their good work on leading and hosting functions, and from people that are thanking attendees for taking part in what event is going on, whether it’s a conference, a seminar,or a charity gala. In reading these notes, you can feel the welcoming and appreciative nature from the note-taker and you can tell that these participants were all very dear to each other.

To sum it up, Hadassah was, and is, such a noteworthy part of Dallas history. Hosting gatherings and promoting Jewish and secular education is such an essential fact and this organization did, and still does such a great job executing that in a fun and interactive way. The members grow so close to each other and we can see that just by looking at photos and thank you notes. Not only is educating yourself on important topics a crucial undertaking but so is interacting with people that have something in common with you. Having these people is important so you can understand each other’s references and you can have discussions about the familiar topic. And this organization has both.

Stories From the Archive: Irvin Beren Collection

by | Jul 28, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

 

By Evan Israel

As part of my duties for the Rabbi Gerald J. Klein High School Internship I received through Jewish Family Service, I reviewed the Irvin Beren Collection housed at the Dallas Jewish Historical Society. 

Through its extensive correspondence between family, friends, and businesses, I grasped a piece of Irvin Beren’s character throughout the period 1942-1944 and beyond. Beren served as a committed Captain for the United States Military during World War II, and throughout the period referenced above served overseas in the South Pacific, Southwest Pacific, and European Theater of Operations, fighting valiantly for the U. S’s military in the Army Engineer Corps.  His bravery to serve on the front lines during this time is inspirational, and although his story is limited online, his collection provides a snapshot of his persona.

In his collection it was abundantly clear that Beren, along with his family and friends, placed a high value on maintaining consistent and meaningful connections to ensure everyone’s safety during such a challenging time. His frequent correspondence with loved ones reveals the depth of his commitment to this tight-knit community in Dallas, underscoring how deeply he cared for those around him. Letters from Beren, his fiancée Bess Abbott, his sister Sara Beren Feldman (married to notable Dallas philanthropist and businessman, Jacob Feldman), and other family members like his parents and cousins, reveal a man who valued strong emotional bonds. His interactions with Bess reflect a deep commitment—she emerges not only as his romantic partner but as a confidante during an uncertain time. Though official records don’t clearly define her background, the tenderness in their letters paints a picture of enduring partnership.

Beyond the family sphere, Beren played a vital role in the Dallas Jewish community. He served as Board Member and Local Services Budget Chairman for the Jewish Welfare Federation of Dallas and served on its executive committee in 1959—identifying him as a natural leader and trusted voice of local Jewish communal welfare. Furthermore, this highlights the importance of Beren’s Jewish identity for himself, making his story captivating for any Jews in the Dallas area hoping to learn about a dedicated Jewish individual during World War II. Extending back to the rest of the family, Sara Feldman’s marriage to Jacob Feldman, another major philanthropist, reinforces the family’s civic prominence.

Overall, from this collection I was able to grasp Beren’s constant love and support for those around him, his bravery and hard work during the war, and the utmost importance of his Dallas Jewish community. 

Irvin Beren Collection Finding Aid 

 

Marilyn Pailet: 2023 ALSHA “Born to Rock” Honoree

by | Sep 11, 2023 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Marilyn – wife, mother, grandmother (Mimi), friend and realtor – has  been a true gift to DJHS. Her memory of early Dallas extends back to pre-DJHS where her authority comes naturally by being born into one of Dallas’ bedrock Jewish families. Her parents were the beloved Frances and Ervin Donsky. After teaching high school for 2 years, Marilyn joined her family’s business, Sterling Jewelers. After 43 years, Sterling’s closed. Marilyn and her 3 siblings, Michael, Howard and her sister Gayle Borovay, have carried on the family tradition of contributing greatly to the Dallas community.

Marilyn was born during WWII, attending Highland Park schools, and was an active member of Zesmer BBG, and Young Judea. After graduating from Tulane University, where she was a member of the Jewish Sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, and President of Hillel, she married Harrell Pailet in 1962. They recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. Harrell was an officer in the Army, where they were stationed for 2 years in Germany. During that time, they adopted their son, Eric, who was born in a US Army hospital. Upon their return to Dallas, they adopted their second son, Jeffrey, through Jewish Family Service. Their family was complete as Marilyn and Harrell were then blessed with their third son, Kevin and shortly after, their fourth son, David.

Marilyn is in her thirtieth year with Ebby Halliday Realtors. She has received numerous business awards from Big D Magazine as Best Realtor and Texas Monthly Best Realtor.

In Marilyn’s service to the community, some of her countless leadership roles have included Chair of the Federation’s Teen Tour, serving on the DJHS board, Vice-Chair of the JCC, Shearith Israel, Akiba Academy Academy PTA, Hebrew Free Loan, National Council of Jewish Federations Women’s board, Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas (where she served as Champaign Chair & Division President), President of Chai Chapter of B’nai B’rtih Women, National Hillel board and the North Texas Hillel Vice-Chair.

Marilyn has been the recipient of the Jewish Federation of Great Dallas’ Frances Donsky Achievement Award and the Helen Gross Leadership Award. She was presented the L’Dor V’Dor award by the State of Israel Bonds. She is a life-member of Hadassah, Jewish Women International, National Council of Jewish Women and Shearith Israel Sisterhood. She was on of the 2013 Torah Fund honorees.

In recognition of Marilyn’s extraordinary commitment to our Jewish Community, it is an honor to present Marilyn Pailet with the Ann Sikora Humanitarian Award.

Liz Liener: 2023 ALSHA “Born to Rock” Honoree

by | Sep 4, 2023 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Liz, a third-generation Dallasite, graduated Phi Beta Kapa from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Computer Science before joining Ericsson Inc. During her 17-year tenure at Erricsson, she married Robert Liener, and had three children, Aaron, Benjamin and Sarah.

Liz and Robert’s children attended Akiba Academy and Yavneh, believing strongly in Jewish education. Liz began volunteering at their school. She served on the Akiba School Board, serving as their VP of Education, then President. Additionally, she served as Board Trustee at Yavneh. When the schools merged, Liz joined the steering committee.

Liz authored and published a memoir, Markus, Planter of Trees, about the late Marcus Rosenberg, a Holocaust survivor, who was a prominent businessman, philanthropist, and influential member of the Dallas community.  He and his wife, Ann, were instrumental in founding Akiba Academy and Congregation Shaare Tefilla, planting the seeds of Dallas’ thriving Orthodox community.

Over the past two decades, Liz has taken multiple key leadership positions in our community to include serving on the boards of JCC of Dallas and The Legacy Senior Committee. She is the current Board Chair of Legacy at Home, and has additionally served as Vice Chair of Maccabi Games, Chair of Dallas Jewish Book Fair, JCC Cultural Arts Chair, VP of Portfolios for the JCC Preschool, Membership and Premiere Memberships. She was also on the Planning and Allocation Committee for JFGD.

Liz has received the JCC Leader of the Year Award.

Liz has been involved with the Dallas Jewish Historical Society (DJHS) for the past 11 years, first as a board member, then advancing to Vice President, a position she held through 2019. She has been an integral part of DJHS’ growth this past decade, imparting her wisdom and helping the organization with her outstanding non-profit expertise.

It is with great pride, DJHS honors Liz Liener, with the Ann Sikora Humanitarian Award for her outstanding vision, dedication, and commitment to our Jewish community.

Jeri Finkelstein: 2023 ALSHA “Born to Rock” Honoree

by | Aug 28, 2023 | Uncategorized | 1 comment

Jeri is a third-generation Dallasite. In 1995, she became the Executive Director of Dallas Kosher (The Vaad Hakashus of Dallas, DK), and currently serves as Board President. Under her leadership, DK has grown exponentially to include a wide range of restaurants, caterers, and food programs; assisting with kosher supermarkets, kosher sections in grocery stores and kosher events throughout our city. Jeri has also held leadership roles with the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, JFGD Women of Philanthropy, Israel Bonds, ADL, The Holocaust and Human Rights Center, JCC of Dallas, Jewish Women’s International (formally B’nai B’rith Women), National Council of Jewish Women, Chabad, Congregation Shaare Tefilla and Shearith Israel.

Jeri with a 1990s appointment from the State of Texas, was the first Chairperson of the Charitable Bingo Committee of the Texas Lottery Commission, raising proceeds benefitting many local Jewish schools and non-profit organizations. She also was integral in raising funds for the Jerusalem Hills Therapeutic Center in Israel, and Jewish Family Service’s Special Needs Program in Dallas. In the last three decades, Jeri’s efforts resulted in making available over $3.5 million in grants.

Over forty years ago, Jeri chartered a new chapter of B’nai B’rith Women, “The Career Network Chapter.”  In doing so, Jeri educated, conducted leadership training, and personally mentored many young women. Today, these women have continued to carry leadership roles throughout our Jewish Community.

Jeri, and her husband, Bill (JFGD Immediate Past Board Chair), have been married 51 years. They have 3 married daughters, Robin Stone (Evan), LeLe Sadoughi (Armand) and Shana Bygott-Webb (Sam). They have 8 grandchildren. Jeri is the sister of Kenny and Neil Goldberg.  Jeri’s parent’s Bob & Lois Goldberg “z”l”, who both passed away in 2020, lived a shining example of L’dor V’dor during the 74 year marriage.

It is with great pride, DJHS honors Jeri Finkelstein, with the Ann Sikora Humanitarian Award for her outstanding vision, dedication, and commitment to our Jewish community.