University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections1916 (Accession No. 1916-001)Stein, Ben, approximately 1890-Ben Stein papers and oral history
interview1920-19720.94 cubic feet (2 boxes) plus
2 audio cassettesCollection materials are in
English and
Russian.Tape-recorded
interview of an immigrant from Russia concerning life in SeattleBorn around 1890 in the Russian-controlled Belarusian city of Minsk,
Ben Stein arrived as an immigrant to the United States in 1915. Initially
landing in Seattle, he soon traveled east across the country and tried his hand
at a series of professions. Stein never returned to Russia, but instead chose
to settle in the Seattle area for the remainder of his life. After working in
the luggage business for a time, Stein began to sell insurance in Seattle with
his cousin, M.N. Ketzlach. Though his work as an insurance agent provided him
with his primary source of income, the true focus of his energy was his
involvement with Seattle's Jewish community. Stein served as the financial
secretary for the Seattle branch of the Workmen's Circle, an organization that
provided fiscal, cultural, and educational support to Jewish citizens in the
area.
The collection contains general correspondence, academic work, and
journals that belonged to Ben Stein, as well as a tape-recorded interview with
Stein in 1972 that discusses his life and his time with the Workmen's Circle
organization.
Listen to the audio recording of this interview on
the Libraries Digital Collections site.
No restrictions on access.
Request at UW
Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of
Washington Libraries.
Donated by Ben Stein, May 9, 1972.
Processing completed in 2016.
Material Described Separately: Workmen's Circle/Der Arbeter Ring Branch 304 photograph
collection (PH0769)
Workmen's Circle/Der Arbeter Ring Branch 304 records
(Manuscript collection 1859)
Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)Stein, Ben, approximately 1890---InterviewsWorkmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring--History--SourcesStein and Ketzlach Insurance CompanyPersonal correspondenceRecords (Documents)InterviewsOral historiesDiariesWashington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)Stein, Ben, approximately 1890- --ArchivesJewish AmericansRussian AmericansSound RecordingsOral HistoriesSeattleWashington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)
Series 1Ben Stein Papers1/1General Correspondence1920-19721/2School Papers1920-19241/3Drawingundated1/4Notebookundated1/5Diary1929-19302Record Books of Stein and Ketzlach Insurance
Co.1939-1965Series 2Ben Stein Interview1Audio Interview with Ben Stein, Part 119722Audio Interview with Ben Stein, Part 21972