Friends of B’nai Abraham – Spring, 2015 www.IronRangeJewishHeritage.org 1

The B'nai Abraham Synagogue in Virginia, Minnesota is a story of loss and reuse. Built in 1909-10, it was the last remaining active synagogue on the Iron Range until its congregation dwindled to a handful of members who could no longer maintain the handsome brick structure. It closed its doors in the mid-1990s. It was acquired in 2005 by a not-for-profit organization, the “Friends of B'nai Abraham”, who raised funds, and continue to do so, for the building's restoration and reuse in order to serve as a cultural center for all the citizens of Virginia, Minnesota and surrounding areas, and to preserve the history of its Jewish community, of which it was so much a part.

Together with our partner, The Virginia Area Historical Society (VAHS), we look forward to seeing this lovely building used for many cultural and educational programs for the community.

• The B’nai Abraham Museum & Cultural Center is located at 328 5th Street South at the corner of 4th Avenue & 5th Street South.

• For updated information visit the B’nai Abraham website: www.ironrangejewishheritage.org.

Summer Performances 2015 at B’nai Abraham All events have free admission though donations are appreciated.

Cowboy Angel Blue Friday, June 26, 2015 7:00 pm

James Paavala (lead guitar, vocals, harmonica) and Bill Maxwell (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) are the original members of the amplified acoustic group Cowboy Angel Blue. They have been playing together for about 10 years. They specialize in presenting in their own way material from singer songwriters like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Buddy Holly and Hank Williams. As a trio, the world-class steel guitar player, John Ely, joins them.

Northern Lights Music Festival Saturday, July 11, 2015 7 pm

Veda Zuponcic, Music Director

One of Minnesota’s largest Iron Range music festivals, the Northern Lights Music Festival, offers lovers of classical music three weeks of opera, solo recitals, chamber and orchestra concerts presented by an international roster of guest artists, performing faculty and prize-winning student performers. Now in its 11th year, the festival provides a remarkable opportunity for serious musicians to learn from a superb international faculty, to create music and to be in front of warm and enthusiastic audiences.

Friends of B’nai Abraham – Spring, 2015 www.IronRangeJewishHeritage.org 2

Kanteleen Soitajat Wednesday, July 22, 2015 7:00 pm

Soittajat, a group of 18 enthusiastic American-Finns from Duluth and surrounding area perform on the kantele, an ancient instrument that originated two thousand years ago and is now Finland’s national musical instrument. The group plays mostly 10 and 11 string kanteles with a flute and a guitar sometimes added. They play and sing a variety of Finish folk, dance, religious and humorous songs with a few other Scandinavian and American songs included. Since 2002 Kanteleen Soitajat has performed at over 100 events including four FinnFests, Salolampi, weddings, funerals, ethnic festivals, nursing homes and churches in four states and Canada.

Sam Miltich and his band Saturday, August 1, 2015 7:00 pm

Sam Miltich is a Gypsy Jazz guitarist, born and raised in the woods of northern Minnesota. He is a musician by profession and plays regularly in the Upper Midwest as a soloist and with his band the Sam Miltich and the Clearwater Hot Club. In addition to gypsy jazz and traditional jazz his musical interests include Brazilian choro, French musette, Eastern European tamburitza, and other forms of traditional folk music. Sam now hosts the weekly Jazz at the VFW in Grand Rapids, MN, on Wednesdays with a rotating cast of musicians who play regularly with him. Playing with him at B’nai Abraham will be Matthew Miltich, bass, Mike Miller, drums and Tony Balluff, clarinet. Sam continues to live in northern Minnesota where he gardens, hunts, fishes, and roots for the Minnesota Twins.

Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys Saturday, August 15, 2015 7:00 pm

Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys are a group of talented musical friends who hail from the great North Woods of Minnesota, including its beautiful Boundary Waters Wilderness area merging the borders of the US and Canada. They play songs of the 60s and 70s, often singing the memorable music of artists such as Jim Croce, John Denver and Gordon Lightfoot. Pat’s wife, Performance Artist Donna, adds sign language. This is their third year at B’nai Abraham.

Friends of B’nai Abraham – Spring, 2015 www.IronRangeJewishHeritage.org 3

Full Range Quartet – Saturday, September 12, 2015 7:00 pm

Full Range, a male quartet, was formed in the Spring of 2009. The original members included: 1st Tenor-Ken Bouchie (Chisholm); 2nd Tenor-Mark Olson (Virginia); Baritone-Mark Muster (Gilbert); and Bass/Accompanist - Maury Best (since replaced by Jason Hagolin from Gilbert). The group has since become exclusively an acapella group. They perform a "full range" of music including everything from Gospel to Doo-wop to Folk and Traditional music and even an occasional Barbershop number.

SUMMER - 2015 - Exhibit at the B’NAI ABRAHAM MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER

Table-model phonograph Wash tub bass

By Harry Lampa, Virginia Area Historical Society

This summer’s exhibit will include both ethnic and vintage musical instruments along with early radios and windup phonographs. In addition to standard band items such as clarinets and trumpets, the exhibit will display familiar button boxes, kanteles and a home-made musical contraption known as a washtub or garbage-can bass. A display will feature information and artifacts about band/orchestra leader Vernon Malone, singer/pianist Dorothea Helenius Tomes and Virginia-born tenor Elmer Lamppa.

An early form of radio was the simple crystal receiver that was powered by a radio wave received by a wire antenna. These simple home-made sets introduced the public to a new form of home entertainment that improved with the advent of modern radio that apealed to all---youth cheered on Saturday mornings to the exploits of Tonto and the Lone Ranger, fathers listened to boxing matches between famous heavyweights and mothers relaxed after Sunday dinner to the soothing music of the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

In addition, the exhibit will display old floor and table-model windup phonographs that embellished many homes for a generation or more.

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A Notable Event In 2014

Family Reunion at B’nai Abraham More than thirty descendants of Morris Benjamin (M.B.) and Jennie Booth gathered in Duluth and Virginia for a family reunion in August 2014. They visited B’nai Abraham Synagogue where Morris served as cantor, shochet, and religious school president from 1907 to 1921. He and Jennie emigrated to the U.S. from Riga, Latvia, in 1906 with six children. Three more were born in Virginia before they moved to Chicago. The reunion provided an opportunity to share some family history and see the location of the former Booth home and M.B. Booth’s butcher and grocer shop at the corner of S. Third Ave. and Fourth St. S. The family toured the Virginia History Museum to learn more about the city.

Although parents of six of the assembled cousins grew up in Virginia, it was the first time most of the descendants had visited the city. This was a multi-generational event with cousins ranging in age from 5 to 80. They came from Toronto, Chicago, Colorado, Arizona, Massachusetts, Vermont, Washington, D.C., Missouri, and British Columbia. Everyone marveled at the preservation work accomplished by the Friends of B’nai Abraham. Please consider having your family reunion / event at B’nai Abraham.

Construction   Report   2015:   Balcony   Stairs   and   Trim   on   Four  Stained  Glass  Windows:  

 

We  have  completed  the  restoration  of  the  steps  to  the  balcony  and  the   trim   on   four   of   the   large   stained   glass   windows   in   the  sanctuary.        This  project  was  supported  by  donations  and  a  grant  from  the  legacy  funds  financed  in  part  with  funds  provided  by  the  State   of  Minnesota   through   the  Minnesota  Historical   Society   from  the  Arts  and  Cultural  Heritage  Fund.  

 

In Memoriam - 2014 – 2015 - of three former Iron Rangers: Harriet Schibel Joseph

Colonel (ret) Roy R. Bright Charles Frisch

Board of Directors of the Friends of B’nai Abraham

Marjorie Ostrov, President Ann Shanedling Phillips, Vice President of Administration Charles Ostrov, MD,Treasurer Dianne Siegel, Development Director Alan Milavetz, Legal Counsel

Michael Blehert, Engineering Consultant Marilyn Chiat, PhD, Architectural Historian Leighton Siegel, MD, Webmaster/Editor Larry Chiat, Legal Counsel Judy Karon

Elayne Deutsch Chiat Audra Keller James Rubenstein Jo Doig

Friends of B’nai Abraham – Spring, 2015 www.IronRangeJewishHeritage.org 5

Grants awarded to the Friends of B’nai Abraham for 2015 programming

Arrowhead Regional Arts Council - $3000 Legacy Funds are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Fund.

Apter  Family  Fund  of  the  Duluth  Superior  Area  Community  Foundation      $100  

Individual Contributions: November 2014 – May 2015 Anonymous Susan and Dale Berns Dr. Richard and Elizabeth Borken Jeanne Corwin Michael and Lorraine Davis Bob and Sylvia Fine Dana Fox Mel and Patti Frisch Mimi and Sherry* Gleekel Rivoli Golden Nancy Lammi Granovsky Myra and Roger Greenberg Bert and Susan Gross

Jon and Judy Harris Phyllis and Howard Harris Pattie and Merton Horne Thomas and Vicki Hurwitz Harriet and Joel Katz Jon and Linda Ketokoski Barbara and Keith Knoop Jean King and Stuart Applebaum Harry Lamppa Barbara Levie Joey and Jerry Laurie Gerald Leener Mesberg Yashar Fund

Virginia Nelson Allen and Marcia Oleisky Roberta Palen JoAnn Pasternack Ann and Felix Phillips Charles Pitzele Rosalyn Rettman Marvin and Stefanie Segal Morton Silverman Carolyn Sundquist Marti and Ann Vollbrecht Dr. Benjamin Yokel Alan and Bonnie Ziskin Howard and Kathy Zack

* deceased

Special Contributions: November 2014 – May 2015

Carolyn Abramson and Manny Kaplan: In memory of Michael Kiefer; Trudy Bers: In memory of her Mom, Saragrace Kenner Haffron; Richard and Amy Berman, Mike and Nancy Newman, Adrian and Barb Weidmann, Robert and Karen Berman: In memory of Michael Kieffer; Robert Beugen: In appreciation of our good friendship with Audra Keller; Mike and Sue Blehert: With thanks to Margie and Charlie Ostrov for all you do; Allen and Bobbie Bright: In memory of Uncle Roy Bright; Hon. Myron H. Bright: In memory of Harriet Schibel Joseph and Colonel (ret) Roy R. Bright; Marilyn Chiat: In memory of Michael Kieffer; In memory of Bud Rose; Chiat Family: Special Birthday of Ellyn Wolfenson; Speedy recovery to Barbara Weidmann; Judy and Rodney Cooperman: In honor of Audra Keller and Marilyn Chiat; Jo Doig: In memory of mother, Hannah Levinson and uncle Harold Siegel; Nomi Dworkin: In honor of Ann Phillips birthday; David Edelstein: In memory of Melvin Edelstein; Margie Goldberg: In memory of Dr. Nelson D. Goldberg; Sandy and Mort Greenberg: In memory of Michael Kiefer; Hennepin County DFL Party, 3rd Congressional District, State District 4: In memory of Michael Kiefer; Paul and Renate Hiller: In memory of Hannah Levinson; Gerre and Morris Hoffman: In memory of Michael Kieffer; Michael Jacobs: In honor of the M.B. Booth Family Reunion; Colette and Peter Johnson: In honor of Audra Keller and Frank Claymon; Nancy Karasov: In honor the birthdays of daughter Bonnie Resnick and granddaughters Zoe and Talia Milavetz; Judy Karon: In appreciation of Ostrov's hospitality; Miriam and Erwin Kelen: In honor of Ann and Felix Phillips; Audra Keller: In memory of Harriet Joseph; Gene Kishel: In honor of Charles and Margie Ostrov; Barbara Levie: In honor of Dianne and Leighton's new condo; Bob and Judy Marans: In memory of Ann Rose Siegel Marans; Lesli and Mike Marasco: In honor of Dianne and Leighton Siegel; Robert Maslansky: In memory of Carolyn Maslansky; Michael and Lisa Nekich: In memory of Harold D. Field, Jr; Margie and Charlie Ostrov: In memory of Michael Kieffer; In memory of Oren Steinfeldt; Elana and Brian Pfeifer: In appreciation of the beautifully restored Temple; Ann and Felix Phillips: In memory of Bud Rose; In memory of Michael Kieffer; In memory of Oren Steinfeldt; In memory of Sherry Gleekel; Michael Phillips and Julia Bucknall: In honor of Ann Phillips birthday; Audrey and Bob Rees: In honor of Ann Phillips; In memory of Truen Press; In memory of Mel Sinykin; In memory of David Meshbesher; In memory of Harold Field; Rochelle and David Rottenberg: In honor of Dianne and Leighton Siegel; James and Rosemarie Rubenstein: In memory of Rosemarie's mother, Ella Hoover; In memory of Larry Heilprin; Robert and Linda Schibel: In memory of Harriet Joseph and Larry Hailprin; Morris and Judy Sherman: In honor of Margie and Charlie Ostrov; Sally and Richard Seck: In memory of Monroe and Ruth Shanedling: Berta Shapiro: In memory of Stanley Shapiro; Dianne and Leighton Siegel: In memory of Oren Steinfeldt; In memory of Margot Siegel; In memory of Seymour Milavitz; Delores and Mel Sigel: In appreciation of Carolyn Abramson; Elaine and Jerry Stulberg: In honor of Stulberg-Phillips Families; Irwin Weisman: In memory of Margery Weisman; Sandy Wolfenson: In memory of Michael Kiefer; If we have inadvertently missed your name out of the Contributors list, please let us know so that you can be included in our next newsletter.

Friends of B’nai Abraham – Spring, 2015 www.IronRangeJewishHeritage.org 6

Endowment Fund Creation – help us preserve B’nai Abraham

Now that the building’s restoration is well on its way, The Friends of B’nai Abraham would like to create an Endowment Fund that will make certain B’nai Abraham can be well maintained long into the future. We have spoken to staff at several experienced community funds who have expressed an interest in being the repository for such an endowment and work with the Friends to assure that these dollars continue to be used to meet the goal of providing a community resource and ensuring that the contribution of the Jews of the Iron Range will not be forgotten.

To quote our Board member, Dr. Marilyn Chiat: B'nai Abraham represents our nation's great religious, cultural and ethnic diversity. When historic buildings such as B'nai Abraham are lost, our nation's magnificent mosaic (to quote Hubert H. Humphrey) loses some of its brilliant color.

This building in particular, the only extant synagogue left on the Range, and the only synagogue building in Minnesota to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, provides people with a window into

understanding the history of the Range and the people who contributed so much to its unique character. If you have suggestions or may wish to make such a contribution, please contact Charlie Ostrov at: costrov@gmail.com We need everyone to participate and help.

Ensure the preservation of this wonderful building.

WISH LIST - YOUR HELP IS GREATLY NEEDED TO COMPLETE Interior trims around three stained glass windows in the balcony. Some new kitchen equipment / small appliances. Completion of baseboard trim in the Sanctuary and Sanford I. Berman Social Hall. Crown molding in the Sanctuary. Tuck pointing of the exterior. Landscaping. Final finish of wood floors.

If you would like to receive emails of our upcoming programs and events or you would like to receive our newsletter by email, please send your email address to Charlie Ostrov at costrov@gmail.com

We are still short of our goal. All donations are fully tax deductible.

Please send your donation to: Friends of B’nai Abraham c/o Charles Ostrov, treasurer 1788 Maryland Ave. North Golden Valley, MN 55427 � Endowment: � Restoration:

Name: ______________________________________ Address: ______________________________________

City, State, Zip: ______________________________________ Amount: ________________________

To contribute stock -or- appreciated securities, contact: Jackie or Daryl at Morgan Stanley 800-791-8360 -or- costrov@gmail.com

� Memory of: � Honor of: � Other: ________________________________________________ Send acknowledgement card to: Name: _________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________