Sam Prottas photograph collection

Sam Prottas photograph collection, 1892-1966

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Prottas, Sam, 1899-1977
Title: Sam Prottas photograph collection
Dates: 1892-1966 (inclusive)
18921966
Quantity: 119 photographic prints (1 box and 1 folder) ; various sizes
Collection Number: PH0883
Summary: Photographs of the Chevra Bikur Cholim as well as the Talmud Torah (which would eventually become the Seattle Hebrew Academy) the Jewish National Fund Seattle Council, and Sam Prottas, various rabbis and other people
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: Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Additional Reference Guides
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Sam Prottas was born in 1899 in New London, Connecticut. His father was a Hebrew teacher who learned to be a mohel. Sam attended the University of Washington and worked in the family business until 1966. He was active in the Seattle Jewish community, particularly on behalf of Jewish education, the Bikur Cholim congregation, and Zionism. He was on the Board of Directors for the Talmud Torah as well as its Building Committee. Prottas died in 1977.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Photographs of the Chevra Bikur Cholim as well as the Talmud Torah, (which would eventually become the Seattle Hebrew Academy) the Jewish National Fund Council, Sam Prottas, various Jewish rabbis and others.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View the digital version of the collection

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Custodial History

Collected by the Washington State Jewish Historical Society.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Sam Prottas, June 1977.

Processing Note

Processed by Sarah Julsonnet and Emily Craig, 2010.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath (BCMH)Return to Top

Bikur Cholim was incorporated in the city of Seattle in 1891. In 1897 property was bought and turned into a synagogue at 13th Avenue and Washington Street. The community quickly outgrew the building however and a new location was sought after. In 1909, property was purchased to build a synagogue at 17th Avenue and Yesler Way. It was dedicated in 1915 and served as Bikur Cholim's home for 60 years. In 1971, Bikur Cholim changed its name to reflect a merger with the congregation of Machzikay-Hadath, the name became Bikur Cholum-Machzikay-Hadath. In 1966, Bikur Cholim purchased property in Seward Park. High Holy Day services were held in an interim synagogue on the site until 1972, at which time the completed synagogue was dedicated. As of 2010, services continue to be held there.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/1	1	Bikur Cholim synagogue at Hinckley block where the congregation first met	1892
1/1	2	Jefferson Hall, meeting place of Chevra in 1898	1898
1/1	3	Mock-up of a plaque celebrating members of the Bikur Cholim Congregation who served in World War I Superior Engraving Company (Creator)
1/1	4	Dedication of addition to Bikur Cholim cemetery	1941
1/1	5	Bikur Cholim Board of Directors at the time of the October 50th Jubilee	1941
1/1	6	Soldiers eating Yom Kippur dinner at Bikur Cholim Caption: Eating their last meal before the twenty-four-hour Holy Day fast are Privates Calvin Kramer of Chicago, left, and Abe Fox of Brooklyn. They are being served at Bikur Cholum Synagogue by Mrs. Celia Borish. Many soldiers and sailors attended Seattle services.Written on verso: Names (left to right) Pvt. Isidor Rabinovich, Cpl. Isadore Rosen, Pvt. Calvin Kramer, Pfc. Abe Fox, Sgt. Herman M. Bleiberg (back) Joseph Harris, Mrs. Celia Borish, Frank Anteel	1943
box-folder:oversize
OS5	7	Exterior of Bikur Cholim at 17th & Yesler
OS5	8	Interior view of main sanctuary of Bikur Cholim - Machzikay Hadath
Box/Folder
1/1	9	Five men on the steps of BCMH	circa 1950
1/1	10	A group of people celebrating BCMH's 60th Anniversary Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	1951
1/1	11	A Rabbi from St. Louis speaking and shaking hands with Rabbi Rivkin at his installation Photographer: Hartsook Studio, Seattle	1959
1/1	12	Three men attaching the Mezuzah to the addition of the synagogue The Seattle Times, Seattle (photographer)	1962
		Return to Torah Banquet
Box/Folder	item
1/2	13	Rabbi Bernard Goldenberg of Congregation Schara Tzedeck in Vancouver, British Columbia, speaking at the Return to Torah Banquet Martin Duchin, Seattle (photographer)	1963
1/2	14	Cantor David Kousevitsz performing at the Return to Torah Banquet Martin Duchin, Seattle (photographer)	1963
1/2	15	Cantor David Kousevitsz and Ben Glower at the Return to Torah Banquet Martin Duchin, Seattle (Photographer)	1963
1/2	16	Cantor David Kousevitsz signing an autograph at the Return to Torah Banquet Martin Duchin, Seattle (photographer)	1963
1/2	17	Rabbi Leo Jung speaking at the Return to Torah Banquet Martin Duchin, Seattle (photographer)	1963
1/2	18	Rabbi Leo Jung and Rabbi Sholom Rivkim at the Return to Torah Banquet at the Norselander Restaurant	1963
Box/Folder	item
1/3	19	A photograph of President John F. Kennedy in a place of honor during a memorial service at Bikur Cholim Bob Miller, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle (photographer)	November 22, 1964
1/3	20	Cantor Chiam Gottleib, Rabbi Sholom Rivkin and Choir Leader Kurt Steinbrecher	September 1964
1/3	21	Colonel Foster, Luba Grunbaum Alexander, Jean Glower, Dorothy Klein and an unidentified woman at a Civil Defense course at BCMH The Seattle Times, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1965
1/3	22	Julius Rickles and Meta Buttnick outside the Seattle Central Building On verso: BCMH rented a room [at the Seattle Central Building] for a Hedar circa 1895. Pupils J. Rickles, Joe Buttnick and Robert Shapiro.	before 1966

Committees and Groups of Bikur Cholim-Machzikay HadathReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		BCMH Board of Directors and Officers
Box/Folder	item
1/4	23	BCMH Officers and Board Walters, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1956
1/4	24	Board of Directors of Congregation BCMH Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1957
1/4	25	Officers of Congregation Bikur Cholim Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1963
1/4	26-27	BCMH Officers and Board of Directors	1966
1/4	28	BCMH Board of Directors	1966
1/4	29	Executive Officers of Bikur Cholim	1966
Box/Folder	item
1/4	30-31	Yavneh Officers at BCMH	1966
		Men's Club
Box/Folder	item
1/5	32	BCMH Men's Club Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	before 1958
1/5	33	Paula Rivkin, Ben Bridge, Irwin Treize and Sam Prottas at the Men's Club Man of the Year Banquet	October, 1964
1/5	34	Men's Club Officers and Board Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1966
1/5	35	Men's Club Officers	1966
		Sisterhood
Box/Folder	item
1/5	36	Four women from the BCMH Sisterhood group Walters Studio (photographer)	circa 1957
1/5	37	Congregation BCMH Sisterhood group Officers and Board Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	1957
1/5	38	Women of the Sisterhood Group at Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1966
1/5	39	Sisterhood officers and board	1966
1/5	40	Sisterhood officers of BCMH	1966
		Chevra Kadisha or Hachnosas Orchim committee
Box/Folder	item
1/6	41	Group of men on the Chevra Kadisha or Hachnosas Orchim committee Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1957
1/6	42	A group of men and women representing either Chevra Kadisha or Hachnosas Orchim committee Walters Studio (photographer)	circa 1957
1/6	43	Officers of Chevra Kadisha, the Burial Society Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1966
1/6	44	Members of the Hachnosas Orchim committee	1966
		Couples Groups
Box/Folder	item
1/6	45	Couples Group Officers of Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1966
1/6	46	BCMH Young Couples Club	1966
		Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath Sunday School
Box/Folder	item
1/6	47	Graduates of the BCMH Religious School	circa 1957
1/6	48	Kindergarten graduates of the BCMH Sunday School	circa 1957
1/6	49	Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath Sunday School children with Rabbi Rivkin Martin Duchin, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1960
		Camp Noar
Box/Folder	item
1/7	50	Governor Dan Evans addressing Camp Noar campers	October 1966
1/7	51	Rabbi Zev Eisenstein addressing children at Camp Noar	1966
1/7	52	Youth involved in a performance at Camp Noar	1966
1/7	53	Children and adults of Camp Noar at Fort Casey	Summer 1966
		Yeshiva Group
Box/Folder	item
1/7	54	The class of Yeshiva Rabeinu Hayim Ozer Martin Duchin, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1957
1/7	55	Yeshiva Group of Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1964
1/7	56	Yeshiva Committee at BCMH	1966
Box/Folder	item
1/7	57	Anniversary Committee of Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	1966
1/7	58	BCMH Choir with Choir Leader Kurt Steinbrecher	circa 1966
1/7	59	Unknown committee at B.C.-M.H	1966

Talmud Torah, 1930Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/8	60	Building Committee members in front of building Walters (Photographer)	October 26, 1930
1/8	61	Board of Directors in front of building Walters (Photographer)	1930
box-folder:oversize
OS5	62	Dedication of the new Talmud Torah building Walters (Photographer)	October 25, 1930
OS5	63	Large group in front of building after the march to the new Talmud Torah Walters (Photographer)	October 25, 1930

Jewish National Fund Seattle CouncilReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/9	64	Leo Weisfield, Sam Prottas and Sam Tarshis at the Annual Jewish National Fund Meeting Heib, Seattle (photographer)	December 19, 1949
1/9	65	Sam Prottas, Sam Tarshis, Leo Weisfield and an unidentified man looking at a document at the Jewish National Fund annual meeting Heib, Seattle (Photographer)	December 19, 1949
1/9	66	Sam Tarshis, Fred Kahn, Sam Prottas, L. Ketzler and an unidentified man at the Jewish National Foundation Channukah Banquet Heib, Seattle (photographer)	undated
		Jewish National Fund Banquet at Norselander Restaurant
Box/Folder	item
1/9	67-70	Jewish National Fund Banquet in Ballroom at Norselander Restaurant	undated
1/9	71-72	The head table at the Jewish National Fund Banquest at Norselander Restaurant Heib, Seattle (photographer)	undated
1/9	73	A group of 4 men honoring Mrs. Anna Dolgoff with a plaque at the Jewish National Fund Banquet	undated
Box/Folder	item
1/9	74	Sam Prottas, Ben Majlan and Abe and Anna Silver, honoring the Silver's on their 50th anniversary Heib, Seattle (photographer)	1963

PeopleReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/10	75	Max Bender Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1950
1/10	76	Mrs. Bob Block Dolph Zubick, Seattle (Photographer)	circa 1950
1/10	77	Max Block Shelburne Studios, New York City (Photographer)	circa 1950
1/10	78	Ben Bridge Hartsook Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1950
1/10	79	Miriam Brill Walters Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1950
1/10	80	Mert Cohen Parker Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1950
1/10	81	Isaac Colsky	circa 1950
1/10	82	Rabbi Zev Eisenstein	circa 1950
1/10	83	Mr. Etkin	circa 1950
1/10	84	Mendel N. Fisher Alexander Archer, New York City (photographer)	circa 1950
1/10	85	Mr. Harry Freedman	circa 1950
1/10	86	First Vice President Benjamin Genauer	circa 1950
1/10	87	Mrs. B. Gendor	circa 1950
1/10	88	Rabbi Genss Issac Katz, Tremont Row, Boston, Mass.	circa 1880s
1/10	89	Cantor Gottlieb	circa 1950
1/11	90	Cantor Handler of Congregation BCMH	circa 1950
1/11	91	Mr. Hartholy Hartsook Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1950
1/11	92	Rabbi Chiantzui Hollander Written on verso: Rosh Yeshivah (head of the Hebrew higher learning classes); Teacher in S.H.A.	Circa 1958
1/11	93	Rabbi David B. Hollander, speaker at the BCMH 65th Anniversary Banquet	1956
1/11	94	Mrs. Jaffe, office secretary	circa 1950
1/11	95	Mr. I. Lawson	circa 1950
1/11	96	I.J. Levey, active in BCMH's Men's Club	circa 1950
1/11	97	Mrs. Moe (Hannah) Marx, Sisterhood President Hartsook Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1950
1/11	98	Mrs. Moe (Hannah) Marx Hartsook Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1950
1/11	99	Charles Miller	circa 1950
1/11	100	Rabbi Paltiel, a teacher in the BCMH Yeshiva Rabeinu Hayim Ozer	circa 1966
1/11	101	David Pass	circa 1950
1/11	102	Sam Prottas Walter Studio, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1950
1/11	103	William Prottas	circa 1950
1/11	104	Miriam Radinsky Mulholland Studios, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1950
1/12	105	Rabbi Rivkin	circa 1960
1/12	106	Rabbi Rivkin George August Photography (photographer)	circa 1960
1/12	107	Sam Steinberg	circa 1950
1/12	108	Dr. Steinbrecher, Choir Director	circa 1950
1/12	109	Max Stusser	circa 1950
1/12	110	Florence Grinspan, Sisterhood President	circa 1950
1/12	111	Jack Willard Bruno, New York City and Hollywood (photographer)	circa 1950
1/13	112	Portrait of a couple Boyd, Seattle (Photographer)	undated
1/13	113	Small piece of cardstock with an image of a man and an image of a woman glued to it	undated
1/13	114	Portrait of an unidentified man Hartsook Studio, Seattle (Photographer)	undated
1/13	115	Usadian Associates meeting at the Washington Hotel Walter P. Miller, Seattle (photographer)	December 29, 1933
1/13	116	Two men with the Gray Ladies of Veterans Hospital Rose Prottas is in the back row Northwest Photographers, Seattle (photographer)	undated
1/13	117	A group of men and women seated for a portrait	undated
1/13	118	Five men and two women standing in front of a curtain	circa 1951
1/13	119	Men at the United Organization of Jewish Congregations of America regional conference	1962

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

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