Zerline Aronin papers and oral history interview, 1891-1994

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Aronin, Zerline, 1901-2005
Title
Zerline Aronin papers and oral history interview
Dates
1891-1994 (inclusive)
Quantity
4 vertical files, 2 oversize packages, and 2 sound cassettes
Collection Number
3186
Summary
Oral history interview with and personal memorabilia of a Seattle Jewish community member
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

Zerline Aronin (6 February 1901 – 7 August 2005) was born in Castle Rock, Washington to Rebecca Jacobs. Her mother’s parents came from Poland and her father came from Latvia. Aronin’s parents had five children and operated stores in Portland, Oregon and Bellingham, Washington. They lived in Castle Rock for a brief time when Aronin was born and were the only Jewish family in the town at the time. Aronin’s family moved from Bellingham to Seattle by boat in 1916 during the infamous big snowstorm. Aronin graduated from Broadway High School in 1919 and started university studying sociology with hopes of being a social worker. She attended university for two years and then left to marry Morris Jacobson from Everett, Washington in 1921. They had a son in 1923 and shortly thereafter Aronin filed for divorce but was denied. Eventually she went back to her husband and they moved to Pinehurst near Everett. She began running a Jewish Sunday School from 1925-1928 when she had a daughter. Aronin was eventually granted a divorce in 1930 and moved back to Seattle. She got a job as a buyer of women’s clothing and worked there from 1930-1943. During WWII Aronin went to work for the army as a buyer. In 1946 she opened her own shop called Zerline’s Fifth Avenue, which sold jewelry, china, and antiques. She married Herman Aronin in 1952. She sold her store in 1966.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Oral history interview plus personal memorabilia including certificates, programs, photographs, correspondence and other materials.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Forms part of the Washington State Jewish Archives.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 3 accessions.

  • Accession No. 3186-001, Zerline Aronin papers, 1913-1930
  • Accession No. 3186-002, Zerline Aronin oral history interview, 1891-1992
  • Accession No. 3186-003, Zerline Aronin papers, 1969-1994

Acquisition Information

Donated by Zerline Aronin between 1981 and 1994

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 3186-001: Zerline Aronin papers, 1913-1930Return to Top

1 vertical file plus 1 oversize package

Scope and Content: Certificates, programs, photograph; 1913-1930. Includes certificates and program of confirmation from Temple de Hirsch, marriage certificate, Freemason certificate, program of Broadway High 1919 commencement, Council of Jewish women photograph.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

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

Acquisition Info: Bibliographic Source: Zerline Aronin, Seattle, June 1, 1981

Description
Zerline Aronin papers

Accession No. 3186-002: Zerline Aronin oral history interview, 1891-1992Return to Top

2 vertical files, 2 sound cassettes, 1 oversize package

Scope and Content: Tape recorded interview conducted by Meta Buttnick on 16 Dec 1992; transcript, 27 pp; correspondence, 1938-1942, 1968; wedding certificate, invitation, calling cards, 1891; confirmation certificate, 1917. See summary.

Digital Content/Other Formats: Listen to the audio recording and view the transcript 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: Bibliographic Source: Zerline Aronin, December 16, 1992

Description
Zerline Aronin oral history interview

Accession No. 3186-003: Zerline Aronin papers, 1969-1994Return to Top

1 vertical file

Scope and Content: Correspondence, clippings.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

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

Acquisition Info: Bibliographic Source: Zerline Aronin, February 1, 1994

Description
Zerline Aronin papers

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Jewish marriage customs and rites--Washington (State)
  • Jewish women--Washington (State)
  • Jews--Washington (State)
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Aronin, Zerline, 1901-2005--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Council of Jewish Women (U.S.). Seattle Section--Photographs
  • Temple de Hirsch (Seattle, Wash.)

Other Creators

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