Sol Esfeld papers and oral history interviews, 1895-1983

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Esfeld, Sol
Title
Sol Esfeld papers and oral history interviews
Dates
1895-1983 (inclusive)
Quantity
circa 10.72 cubic feet plus 5 sound cassettes, 2 trancripts, and 2 items
Collection Number
2018
Summary
Oral history recordings, correspondence, photographs, minutes, financial records, reports and ephemera for Sol Esfeld, Seattle businessman, and community leader.
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

Consult the access restrictions information for each of the accessions listed below.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Born in Poland in 1899, Mr. Esfeld came to Seattle from Texas about 1909. In Seattle he went to grade school and later to Wilson's Modern Business College. After graduating from business college, he was placed with a wholesale grocery and about six months later was recommended for a job with a large insurance company as a stenographer. Six years later, Mr. Esfeld joined an insurance business which became know as Lippman and Esfeld. Mr. Esfeld was a civic leader and fund raiser in the Jewish community. He was active in B'nai B'rith Lodge no. 503, 1925-1939; and no. 4, 1921-1942; Federated Jewish Fund, 1927-1945; United Palestine Appeal, 1936-1945; United Service Organization, 1943-1945; and the Zionst Organization of America, 1927-1944; among other organizations.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Consult the scope and content information for each of the accessions listed below.

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

Consult the restrictions governing reproduction and use for each of the accessions listed below.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 6 accessions.

  • Accession No. 2018-001, Sol Esfeld papers, circa 1918-1945
  • Accession No. 2018-002, Sol Esfeld oral history interview, 1976
  • Accession No. 2018-003, Sol Esfeld oral history interview, 1977
  • Accession No. 2018-004, Sol Esfeld papers, 1933-1983
  • Accession No. 2018-005, Sol Esfeld papers, 1895
  • Accession No. 2018-006, Sol Esfeld papers, 1945-1973

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 2018-001: Sol Esfeld papers, circa 1918-1945Return to Top

2.33 cubic feet

Scope and Content: Correspondence, minutes, financial records, reports and ephemera.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Sol Esfeld, 10/12/1972.

Description
Sol Esfeld papers

Accession No. 2018-002: Sol Esfeld oral history interview, 1976Return to Top

2 sound cassettes; 5 pages; transcript: 62 pp.

Scope and Content: Tape recorded interview, 1890-1976 by Jeanette Schrieber and Meta Buttnick Kaplan, June 2, 1976. Includes three letters, 2 photos, and a transcript.

Tells of family's life in Plotsk, Poland and of coming to America and landing in Galveston, Texas. He tells of his family's life in Dallas. He tells of life in Seattle; education, selling newspapers, early history of Herzl and his family's early involvement with that Congergation. He tells of the founding of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and recounts its early history. He became active in the work for the Kline Galland Home when his mother went to live there and he tells of his efforts on its behalf. He talks about the establishment of the Lippman Esfeld Insurance business and of the American Discount.

Digital Content/Other Formats: Listen to the audio recording of this interview on the Libraries Digital Collections site.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Sol Esfeld, 6/2/1976.

Description
Sol Esfeld oral history interview

Accession No. 2018-003: Sol Esfeld oral history interview, 1977Return to Top

3 sound cassettes; transcript: 69 pp.

Scope and Content: Tape recorded interview, 1909-1930, by Howard Droker on June 27, 1977. Includes a transcript.

Esfeld discusses his family life up to his marriage, and the roles of the family members, particularly his parents. He reminisces about the Yesler Way Jewish community, the schools, synagogues, stores, clubs, and street life; and talks about his public activities as officer and fund-raiser for Jewish organizations.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Sol Esfeld, 7/21/1977.

Description
Sol Esfeld oral history interview

Accession No. 2018-004: Sol Esfeld papers, 1933-1983 (bulk 1941-1949)Return to Top

8.33 cubic feet

Scope and Content: Correspondence, newsletters, photographs, clippings, ephemera, other related material.

The accession is chiefly concerned with Esfeld's activities as Chairman of the B'nai B'rith War Service Committee during World War II; in other organizations designed to aid servicemen; and various organizations to improve the welfare of displaced persons and Jewish immigrants.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Sol Esfeld, 7/7/1983.

Description
Sol Esfeld papers

Accession No. 2018-005: Sol Esfeld papers, 1895Return to Top

2 items

Scope and Content: Biographical booklet, and newsletter.

Illustrated biography of Sol Esfeld produced by the Kline Galland Home as a tribute to Esfeld, who directed two major fundraising campaigns for the home as well as serving on it Board of Trustees.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Meta Buttnick, 10/1/1985.

Description
Sol Esfeld papers

Accession No. 2018-006: Sol Esfeld papers, 1945-1973Return to Top

circa .06 cubic foot

Scope and Content: Correspondence, Emigre Committee minutes, reports, statistics, clipping, ephemera, subject series.

Accession chiefly concerned with his activities to improve the welfare of needy people, especially displaced persons and immigrants.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Jewish Family Service, 8/25/1986.

Description
Sol Esfeld papers

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Civic leaders--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Jews--Washington (State)--Seattle

Personal Names

  • Esfeld, Sol--Interviews

Corporate Names

  • Caroline Kline Galland Home for the Aged (Seattle, Wash.)
  • Herzl Conservative Congregation (Seattle, Wash.)
  • Jewish Archives (University of Washington)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Adler, Eugene (creator)
    • Alhadeff, Nessim (creator)
    • August, Benjamin (creator)
    • Bergren, H. J (creator)
    • Eban, Abba Solomon, 1915-2002
    • Morgenthau, Henr (creator)
    • Silver, Samuel M (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • B'nai B'rith. Anti-defamation League (creator)
    • B'nai B'rith. District Grand Lodge No. 4 (creator)
    • B'nai B'rith. Seattle Lodge No. 503 (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Civic Unity Committee (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds (creator)
    • Federated Jewish Fund & Council of Greater Seattle (creator)
    • Jewish Family and Child Service (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle (creator)
    • Jewish Welfare Society (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Joint Distribution Committee of the American Funds for Jewish War Sufferers (creator)
    • United Palestine Appeal (creator)
    • United Service for New Americans (creator)
    • Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)
    • Young Men's Hebrew Association (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Zionist Organization of America (creator)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)