John W. Friedmann papers and oral history interview, 1966-2001

Overview of the Collection

Creator, interviewee
Friedmann, John W. (John Werner), 1921-
Title
John W. Friedmann papers and oral history interview
Dates
1966-2001 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 vertical file plus 2 sound cassettes
Collection Number
5452 (Accession No. 5452-001)
Summary
Oral history, transcript, and other written reminiscences of John W. Friedmann, who was born in Germany and was later largely involved with the Jewish community on Mercer Island, Washington
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

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

John W. Friedmann was born on June 21, 1921 in Glogau, Silesia, Germany. Mr. Friedmann escaped to England 3 months before World War II and became a British subject after the war. He emigrated to the United States, first to New York and then to Seattle with his wife, Ulla. They arrived in Washington state in 1950 and bought a house on Mercer Island in 1952. They raised three children, and have 6 grandchildren. He is now married to Madelaine Georgette, and they live on Mercer Island.

John Friedmann helped found Overlake Jewish Religion School in 1957 and was appointed as Chairman of the Building Committee for the Herzl Synagogue in 1963.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

2 sound cassettes (1 original and 1 copy) of a 60-minute tape recorded interview conducted on April 26, 2001, a 19-page transcript, a photograph, newsletter, photocopies of newsclippings and correspondence, and other written reminiscences. In the interview and writings, Mr. Friedmann describes his early life and family in Glogau, Germany before World War II. He talks about the family business, his education, his time in England during the war, and the fact that all of his family in Germany perished in the Holocaust. Mr. Friedmann talks about his emigration to the United States, his first wife Ulla, and their life in New York and, later, Seattle. He describes his work, family, and community activism for organizations such as Congregation Ner Tamid and Overlake Lodge B'nai Brith. He also talks about his work founding the Overlake Jewish Religion School, the construction of the new Herzl synagogue in Seward Park, the merger of the Herzl and Ner Tamid congregations, and forming a Holocaust Memorial committee.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Forms part of the Washington State Jewish Archives.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Listen to the audio recording of the interview on the Libraries Digital Collections site.

Restrictions on Use

Creator's rights dedicated to the public. May be used for research, instruction, publication or similar purposes.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

John W. Friedmann, 1996-08-01 and 2001-04-26

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Holocaust survivors--Washington (State)--Interviews
  • Immigrants--Washington (State)--Interviews
  • Jewish community centers--Washington (State)
  • Jews--Washington (State)--Interviews
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Friedmann, John W. (John Werner), 1921---Archives
  • Friedmann, John W. (John Werner), 1921---Interviews

Corporate Names

  • Congregation Ner Tamid of Bellevue (Bellevue, Wash.)
  • Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound
  • Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation (Mercer Island, Wash.)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Stiefel, Doris J (interviewer)
    Corporate Names
    • Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington) (creator)
    • Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)