http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...nagogues_in_Oklahoma

Is there still information available about these Jews ?

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Lang:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...nagogues_in_Oklahoma

Is there still information available about these Jews ?

The president of this Synagogue is mentioned in Marquis James book, "The Cherokee Strip".
http://books.google.com/books?...Woolf%20enid&f=false

Isaiah 2:4

"He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore."

Here is what the Christian messiah Jesus said

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but with a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's foes will be those of his own household "

Does he really seem like the fulfillment of Isaiah ?

The Enid Cemetery also has a Jewish section where many of early Enid's Jewish merchants who came in on the land run are interred, including the founders of Kaufman's Style Shop, Herzberg's Department Store, Newman Mercantile, and

Meibergen and Godschalk was historically recorded as Enid's first clothing store

http://www.screamingbutterflyp...f-enids-jewish-past/

There is something about hometowns. No matter how far you move, you never really leave them. Their imprint on you is unshakable. Sure, you may grow older, and even have a new town you call home, but that town you grew up in, you’re stuck with. You’re from… I am from Enid. I lived there for 12 years. The farther I got from Enid, the more fascinated I became with its history.

As I looked at the larger scope of Enid history, I began unlocking nuggets of its Jewish history as well. On my last trip back to Enid, I wandered the Enid Cemetery to the Jewish section, paying my respects and saying Kaddish. There you will find the Newmans, the Kaufmans, the Herzbergs, and the Godschalks. May all of their memories be for a blessing. Below is a collection of facts and tidbits of some early Enid settlers for whom I have found great admiration.

“Enid Jewish history began with the Cherokee Strip opening in 1885, when Marius Gottschalk made the “run.”" — Encyclopaedia Judaica

“Of the pioneer merchants the story must include Joe Meibergen and Marinus Godschalk, who set up in business immediately after the “run.”" — Frisco Employes Magazine, September 1924

Joseph Meibergen and Marinus Godschalk – Joseph Meibergen was Enid’s mayor from 1897 to 1901. In 1899, he illuminated Enid’s first electric lights. Marinus Godschalk was the Worshipful Master of Enid Masonic Lodge No. 19 in 1897 and 1898.

During the land run, Meibergen jumped from the train leading into Enid and broke his leg. Marinus Godschalk, his cousin, walked three miles to find Meibergen on the day of the run. Henry Sturgis said “he saw a man preparing to leap and watched him leave the train at the place where the railroad now crosses Maine street by way of an overhead bridge. He said that the man, he found later, was Meibergen. One of Meibergen’s legs was fractured as he rolled down the grade.” — “Pioneers Recall Railroad Fight”, The Morning Tulsa daily world., November 10, 1922, Page 10.

Meibergen’s former home is located in the Waverly Historic District at 1517 W. Oklahoma Ave.

“The commercial interests of Enid find a worthy representative in Joseph Meibergen, who is now conducting a clothing business in the town with which he has been continuously identified since the opening of the strip. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, July 30, 1869. Mr. Meibergen belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is a gentleman of genial manner, popular with his fellow citizens. That he has their confidence and regard is indicated by the fact that he was elected mayor of the city and by reelection was continued in the office for four years. He made a popular and efficient chief executive and brought to bear in the discharge of his duties the same spirit of enterprise and progress which have characterized him in his business life. He has been identified with the development of this community from its pioneer days and in the intervening years his worth as a citizen and as a business man have been widely acknowledged.” — A history of the state of Oklahoma, 1908, p.453 and 454

Herbert Lyons Kaufman – Herbert Lyons Kaufman ran the Kaufman Style Shop in Enid. He also had a house located at 1708 W. Maine which was the best example of Spanish Mission architecture in town. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for this reason. In May 2005, the Enid Public School system tore down Mr. Kaufman’s house and replaced it with a playground.

“Herbert Kaufman arrived in Enid in 1904 with his brother and sufficient capital to open a store on the west side of the square. This first dry goods store lasted two years, with Kaufman later locating at 110 W. Randolph. He was in business here until his retirement in Nov. 1940 due to ill health. ….An active civic leader, Kaufman was a veteran Lions member and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce, always ready to lend a hand with civic projects. Kaufman and his wife resided at 1708 West Maine, and the couple were well known for their attractive yard and blooms.” –Enid News

Mr. Kaufman’s house was designed by George Ernest Blumenauer, who owned the firm Blumenauer & Associates, which also helped to design the Broadway Tower.

Milton J. Newman – “M.J. Newman came to Enid to handle the local operation [of Newman's Mercantile] and remained to spend the rest of his life and become one of the most beloved citizens with whom our town has ever been blessed.” – Henry B. Bass (The First 75 Years: D. C. Bass & Sons Construction Company, 1893-1968, pg 70) Milton was president of the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce at the time of his death.

Abraham Herzberg – Abraham Herzberg was another local Jewish merchant. The panoramic photo of Enid shows a storefront with A. Herzberg written on it. Herzberg’s Department Store was once located at 105 North Grand. Abe Herzberg once wrecked his car into Evan’s drug store. Herzberg’s former home is located in the Waverly Historic District at 1105 W. Maine.

Albert Loewen – Al Loewen built the Loewen Hotel and Loewen Theatre in Enid. He was also on the committee for the formation of Phillips University, as its sole Jewish member.

“Charters were issued Monday by Secretary of State Ben F. Harrison to these corporations: Temple Emanuel Congregation of Enid, trustees Albert Hirsch, Harry B. Wolf, Robert Aronberg, Charles Lowenstein, Marinus Godschalk, and Herbert L. Kaufman, all of Enid.” – The Daily Oklahoman, May 30, 1911

The congregation met at the Loewen Hotel, once located at the corner of North Independence and East Maple. It was affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations from 1910-1919. It held services in English during festivals, and had Sabbath school. Local mens furnishings salesman, Harry B. Wolf, served as president, and Rabbi Joseph Blatt of Oklahoma City served as rabbi when needed. The Loewen Hotel was purchased by M.C. Garber in 1917, and ultimately burned down. Enid also had a 20 member B’nai Brith lodge, with Sol Newman as president, and a Jewish Chautauqua Circle which formed the beginnings of Enid’s modern Chautauqua program.

I have done my best to add some of these tidbits to Wikipedia and findagrave, but am always open to more knowledge. If anyone knows anything else about Jewish Enid, Oklahoma, I’d love to learn…

Below are some images garnered from the web. They are all copyright their respective owners.

Tim, it is good to see that you enjoy the study and research of the Jewish history in Enid.

quote:

Originally posted by Jewish in Joplin:
Tim, it is good to see that you enjoy the study and research of the Jewish history in Enid.

Thank you.
Interesting to some but mostly to me since I was born and raised in Enid.
It is stunning to find that a vibrant opulent Jewish community ended abruptly ??? in the early 1940's.

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Lang:

quote:

Originally posted by Jewish in Joplin:
Tim, it is good to see that you enjoy the study and research of the Jewish history in Enid.

Thank you.
Interesting to some but mostly to me since I was born and raised in Enid.
It is stunning to find that a vibrant opulent Jewish community ended abruptly ??? in the early 1920's.

I wonder if many of the Jewish community in Enid had to leave due to various reasons. It just might be they and other fellow Enid citizens of Enid had to leave around that time aslo, due to a tough time in Enid history.

quote:

Originally posted by Jewish in Joplin:

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Lang:

quote:

Originally posted by Jewish in Joplin:
Tim, it is good to see that you enjoy the study and research of the Jewish history in Enid.

Thank you.
Interesting to some but mostly to me since I was born and raised in Enid.
It is stunning to find that a vibrant opulent Jewish community ended abruptly ??? in the early 1920's.

I wonder if many of the Jewish community in Enid had to leave due to various reasons. It just might be they and other fellow Enid citizens of Enid had to leave around that time aslo, due to a tough time in Enid history.

There is lots of speculation about how these events came about, but without cold hard facts, its just speculation.
The Enid mayor William H.Ryan carried a loaded gun with him at all times, spoke publicly about his fear of the Klan in the 20's, in Enid.
He did nothing to suppress Klan action and was asked by the ACLU what he did against Klan actions. Enid had 10 police officers and 1500 members of the KKK.
His public phrase was " Keep your mouth shut and keep out of the hands of the Klansman".
There was no point in making an investigation of any crime.
A government official from Enid named Harry O.Glasser ( not jewish ) opposed the Klan through the legislature in Oklahoma.
Gaslight Theater owner Walter S Billings in Enid in 1921 July 12th was
whipped by 5 masked men, given a coat of cotton and Tar by the Klan for being morally suspect.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tim Lang,