A historical account of the development of Jewish communities in the Indiana Dunes Country region from 1830 to 1950. The author examines the early settlements of Jewish settlers in the area, including LaPorte, Michigan City, Valparaiso, Crown Point, and Lowell. The primary focus of the paper is on Hammond, Indiana, the first of the four industrial …

This biography of Minnette Baum, published by the Indiana Jewish Historical Society, highlights her extraordinary life as a social worker and Zionist. The document recounts her impactful work in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she established programs for youth, immigrants, the blind, and disadvantaged women. It also explores her passionate commitment t…

A history of Congregation B'nai Torah in Indianapolis, Indiana, starting with its founding in 1923 as Central Hebrew Congregation. The text details the congregation's early struggles for survival, its growth under the leadership of Rabbi Nandor Fruchter, and its moves to more extensive facilities. The text includes anecdotes about the congregation'…

The history of Beth Shalom, a Jewish congregation in Bloomington, Indiana, focuses on the impact of a firebombing in 1984. The event profoundly affected the congregation, fostering a sense of unity and increasing their sense of community. The fire also brought an outpouring of support from the surrounding non-Jewish community, which bolstered the c…

John Jacob Hays was Fort Wayne, Indiana's first known Jewish resident. The text outlines his family history, his early years in the American wilderness, his role as an Indian agent, and his contributions to the region's development. The authors examine his challenging experiences, including his efforts to mediate between Native American tribes and …

Rabbi Morris M. Feuerlicht served the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation for fifty years. The memoir details Feuerlicht’s career in the Jewish community, highlighting his contributions to social justice, his commitment to American Judaism, and his experiences with other faiths and cultures. Feuerlicht discusses his work with the Indianapolis Jewish F…

The essay "The Scapegoat in Steeltown: Unraveling the Legacy of Morris Lieberman" examines the life of Morris Lieberman, a Jewish immigrant and successful pharmacist in Gary, Indiana, during the early 20th century. Lieberman, a respected community member, became the target of a conspiracy theory during the Red Scare of 1919, falsely accused of orch…