Archives West Finding Aid

Born in Seattle in 1923, Katsman discusses his youth on Cherry Street in Seattle's Central District. As a child, he lived south of Union Street, attended Seattle Talmud Torah on 25th between Cherry and Columbia Streets, and later graduated from Garfield High School. He also tells about attending Sabbath services with his father at Congregation Bikur Cholim on 17th and Yesler Way. He recalls numerous Jewish-owned establishments along Cherry Street, including bakeries, grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations, butcher shops and the Madrona Theatre. Katsman concludes that during the 1930s and 1940s, the Cherry Street neighborhood was very important to the Jewish community.