Irwin Grossman

by | Apr 29, 2015 | 1930s, Video Oral History | 0 comments

Irwin Grossman was born in 1931 in Paris, Texas, and moved to Dallas in 1937. His father came from Russia and his mother from Lithuania, but they met in Dallas. Irwin’s father started a dry goods store and later became a real estate investor. Irwin had his bar mitzvah at  Congregation Shearith Israel and later was confirmed at Temple Emanu-El. He attended MIT and later entered the general contracting business. Irwin was very involved in Golden Acres, building several buildings there, and eventually becoming president of Golden Acres as well. He also built some of the buildings at Temple Emanu-El and was vice president of Temple Emanu-El and of the Jewish Federation. Irwin, along with his wife, Irma, has been a very important member of the Dallas community.

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Syl Benenson

by | Apr 9, 2015 | 1930s, Video Oral History | 0 comments

Syl BenensonSyl Benenson was born in 1933 in Lexington, Mississippi. After high school, Syl attended the University of Texas where she majored in speech therapy. She moved to Houston after graduating and worked as a speech therapist, ultimately moving to Dallas in 1960. Syl married her late husband, Murray z”l, who worked as an accountant. She has been a heavily involved leader and supporter of the Dallas Jewish and general communities and has also been honored with many awards from various different organizations and agencies, both locally and nationally. Syl has been at the forefront of many social action programs for National Council of Jewish Women where she served as president. In addition to the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, Syl has volunteered at Jewish Family Service and Temple Emanu-El, among many others.

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