University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections3665Gortler, Joshua H., 1936-Joshua H. Gortler papers and oral history
interview1923-20171.86 cubic feet (4 boxes plus 4 cassette tapes and 1 vertical file)Collection materials are in
English.Interviews and
documents related to Jewish community leader, Joshua H. Gortler who worked with
the elderly and was Executive Director at Kline Galland Home for the Aged in
SeattleJoshua Gortler was born in Poland in 1936. The Gortler family survived
the Holocaust by living in Siberia and then Uzbekistan. At the end of World War
II, his family lived in a displaced persons camp in Germany. In 1951, the
Gortler family was sponsored to emigrate to the U.S., where they settled in
Arizona. He was educated in the Yeshiva High School in New York and also took
classes at the public high school. Gortler continued his education at Yeshiva
College and then the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University
where he earned a Master's degree in Social Work. He and his wife Sarah later
established the Joshua H. Gortler and Sarah B. Gortler Scholarship in Geriatric
Social Work at Wurzweiler. He served for 38 years as the Executive Director of
the Caroline Kline Galland Home in Seattle from 1969 until his retirement in
2006.
Organized into 5 accessions.
- Accession No. 3665-001, Joshua H. Gortler oral history interview,
1969-1985
- Accession No. 3665-002, Joshua H. Gortler oral history interview,
2008
- Accession No. 3665-003, Joshua H. Gortler papers,
2002-2014
- Accession No. 3665-004, Joshua H. Gortler papers,
1923-2017
- Accession No. 3665-005, Joshua H. Gortler papers, 2006
The collection contains a tape-recorded interview, conducted by Adina
Russak on 10/9/85, where Gortler describes his family's experiences during
World War II. In an additional oral history interview, conducted on February
21, 2008, Gortler discusses his administration of the Caroline Kline Galland
home including its programs for care of Jewish elderly. The collection also
includes clippings that span the period of 1969-1985, thank-you-letters from
students regarding Josh Gortler's speeches on his experiences during the
Holocaust, and documents related to the history and operations of the Kline
Galland Home. Also included are materials from Gotler's retirement celebration
in 2006 including notes and cards.
Forms part of the Washington State Jewish Archives
Open to all users.
Request at UW
Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington
Libraries.
Oral History Interview with Joshua H. Gortler and Michael
Cohen, 2018
Joshua Gortler photograph collection, Collection No.
PH1069
Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)Gortler, Joshua H., 1936---ArchivesCaroline Kline Galland Home (Seattle, WashJews--Washington (State)--Seattle--InterviewsImmigrants--Washington (State)--Seattle--InterviewsWorld War, 1939-1945--JewsRefugee camps--GermanyOlder Jews--Washington (State)--SeattleOlder people--Institutional care--Washington (State)--SeattleJewish old age homes--Washington (State)--SeattleTranscriptsInterviewsRecords (Documents)EphemeraRussak, AdinaWashington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)Gortler, Joshua H., 1936---InterviewsJewish AmericansOral HistoriesSound RecordingsSeattleWashington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)
Accession No. 3665-001: Joshua H. Gortler oral history interview, 1969-1985.18 cubic feet (1 box plus two cassette tapes)Scope and Content: Tape-recorded interview conducted by Adina Russak on 10/9/85.
Clippings span the period 1969-1985.
Born in Poland in 1936, Gortler describes his family's experiences
during World War II. The family ended up in DP camps in Germany and he
describes their life there. In 1951, the family was sponsored to immigrate to
the U.S. He was educated in the Yeshiva High School in New York and also took
classes at the public high school. He graduated with a degree in psychology,
and a masters in social services from Yeshiva. He became interested in working
with the elderly while in graduate school which eventually led to the position
of Executive Director at Kline Galland. He talks about the changes to Kline
Galland, the programs that he developed over the years, future trends and
projections, etc.
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: The analog tape cannot be played due to preservation concerns.
However, the interview has been digitized and can be accessed on the Libraries
Digital Collections website.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of
Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Joshua Gortler, 10/9/1985.
Accession No. 3665-002: Joshua H. Gortler oral history interview, 20082 cassette tapes and 1 Vertical FileScope and Content: Oral history interview conducted on February 21, 2008. Gortler
discusses his administration of the Caroline Kline Galland home including its
programs for care of Jewish elderly such as Kosher Meals on Wheels, the Polack
Adult Day Center, and the Summit at First Hill retirement center.
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: The analog tape cannot be played due to preservation concerns.
However, the interview has been digitized and can be accessed on the Libraries
Digital Collections website.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of
Washington Libraries
Acquisition Info: Donated by Joshua Gortler, 2/21/2008.
Accession No. 3665-003: Joshua H. Gortler papers, 2002-2014.36 cubic feet (1 box)Scope and Content: Thank you letters from students regarding Josh Gortler's speeches
on his experiences during the Holocaust. Schools and colleges visited include:
Jewish Day School, Kilo Middle School, Kitsap Detention School, Nelson Middle
School, The Northwest School, Rainier Beach High School, Seattle Central
Community College, Seattle Hebrew Academy, and Spanaway High School. Also
includes flyers and other information from the Holocaust Education Resource
Center in Seattle.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of
Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Joshua H. Gortler, 2015-03-27
Accession No. 3665-004: Joshua H. Gortler papers, 1923-20171.14 cubic feet (1 box)Scope and Content: Documents and video recordings related to the history and
operations of the Kline Galland Home including legal documents, correspondence,
bylaws, resident rules and regulations, pamphlets and brochures, newsletters,
and newspaper clippings. Also includes documents related to The Summit, a
Jewish retirement community in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle owned by
the Kline Galland Home, as well as Joshua H. Gortler's tenure as Executive
Director at the Kline Galland Home.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington
Libraries Special Collections.
Acquisition Info: Joshua H. Gortler, 2018-05-03
1/1-1/33665-004News clippings1930-20071/43665-004Caroline Kline Galland Home1970s-19891/53665-004Joshua H. Gortler - honors and speeches1992-20151/63665-004Caroline Kline Galland Home - pamphlets1924-19941/73665-004Keep It Going campaign reports1992, 19931/83665-004Caroline Kline Galland Home newsletters1966-19851/93665-004Chai Lites1984-20131/103665-004Meeting with Samuel Stroum - campaignNovember 1, 19911/113665-004Caroline Kline Galland Home - background information and
studiesundated1/123665-004Kline Galland Investment Committee1980-19991/133665-004Stroum, Samuel1991-20001/143665-004Hansen, et. Al vs. City of Seattle and Seattle Trust and
Savings Bank1972-19741/153665-004Publicity- News releases - Kent Swigard19931/16-1/173665-004Letters of appreciation from resident's
families1970-20171/183665-004Kline Galland - property transfer19861/193665-004Annual Meetings2008-20101/20-1/233665-004News clippings, publicity1973-19851/243665-004Kline Galland Home "Our 90th Anniversary"January 20052 DVDs1/253665-004Josh Gortler luncheon and presentation 2006, 20122 DVDs1/263665-004AAHSA Annual meeting award presentation to Josh
GortlerNovember 20062 DVDs1/273665-004The Annie Aronwald Endowment for Theater Arts: Fiddler
on the RoofJune 2, 20141 DVD13665-004Early Films - B&W, Channel 9 Documentaryundated1 tape13665-004Ground Breaking May 31, 19911 tape13665-004Shtetl KlineSeptember 19981 VHS13665-004"Celebration of Life" Kline Galland HomeSeptember 19971 VHS13665-004Kline Galland Open House VideoSeptember 20001 VHS13665-004"Reflections of a Century" Kline GallandOctober 19991 VHS13665-004Seattle Trust Company Safe Deposit Vaults1923Accession No. 3665-005: Joshua H. Gortler papers, 20060.18 cubic feet (1 box)Scope and Content: Notes, cards, invitations, and other materials from a celebration
of Gortler's retirement from 37 years at the Kline Galland Center.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist
on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching
copyright status before use.
Acquisition Info: source: Washington State Jewish Historical Society