Mel Oseran oral history interview, 1936-1993

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oseran, Melville, 1918-
Title
Mel Oseran oral history interview
Dates
1936-1993 (inclusive)
Quantity
.29 cubic foot (1 box including 2 sound cassettes; transcript: 36 pages)
Collection Number
4371 (Accession No. 4371-001)
Summary
Oral history interview of a lawyer and Seattle Jewish community leader who discusses his life and his efforts towards the Jewish community
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Oseran was born in 1918, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He moved to Seattle with his family in 1919 and attended the public schools of the city and the University of Washington, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees. A practicing attorney, his involvement in the Jewish community includes the presidency of the Seattle Anti-Defamation League, B'nai B'rith, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Hillel Foundation, Jewish Family Service, and Temple de Hirsch-Sinai.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Tape-recorded oral history interview conducted by Reva Twersky on 06/09/1993. Accession also includes clippings, writings, programs, certificates (1936-1986), and a bound volume of Temple de Hirsch "Temple Tidings" (1972-1973).

The oral history interview reviews Oseran's life and times. He talks about his early years and the various moves that his family made in Seattle, his secular and religious education, his military career in World War II, and the various law firms and partnerships that he joined or formulated during his professional career, including a lengthy association with Harold Heath and the Heath Techna Corporation. He explains why at different times he was Secretary of Bikur Cholim and President of Temple de Hirsh. As one of the leaders of the Seattle Jewish community, he lists his numerous volunteer activities in national, civic, religious and secular Jewish community organizations. He details his work as chair of the Anti-Defamation League to end discriminatory practices at Laurelhurst Pool and Sand Point and discusses his personal effort to break the Rainier Club's barrier to Jewish membership.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Listen to the audio recording and view the transcript of this interview on the Libraries Digital Collections site.

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated by Melville Oseran, 6/10/1993.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Jews--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Jews--Washington (State)--Seattle--Interviews

Personal Names

  • Oseran, Melville, 1918- --Archives
  • Oseran, Sylvia

Corporate Names

  • B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation (University of Washington)
  • B'nai B'rith. Anti-defamation League. Northwest Regional Office

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Twersky, Reva (creator)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)