Steinberg family papers, 1910-2011
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Steinberg family
- Title
- Steinberg family papers
- Dates
- 1910-2011 (inclusive)19102011
- Quantity
- 1.33 cubic feet (4 boxes plus 1 vertical file and 1 audiocassette tape)
- Collection Number
- 3660
- Summary
- Papers of a Jewish family active in the Seattle Jewish community
- 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 Note
Jewish family active in the Seattle Jewish community. Samuel and Reuben Steinberg were the sons of Hiram Steinberg, who first came to Seattle in 1905 at the request of his brother, Zalman Reuven, a shochet (ritual slaughterer) and peddler. The father returned to his family in the Jewish village of Shamke, Minske, Russia a year later, but returned to Seattle again in 1910 with Samuel. They bought a horse and wagon and went into the peddling business, buying and selling old clothes and rags. The remaining family, Hiram's wife, Anna, and children, Shima Esther, Reuben, Goldie and Rashe (Rose), came to Seattle in 1911.
Content Description
Correspondence, financial records, minutes, organizational features, clippings, interviews and transcripts, congregation Bikur Cholim yearbooks, oral history.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Arranged into three accessions:
- Accession no. 3660-004, Steinberg Family papers, 1910-1985
- Accession no. 3660-005, Oral History with Sheldon Steinberg, 2002
- Accession no. 3660-006, Sheldon Steinberg papers, 1961-2011
Related Materials
A segment of papers created during Bernice Rind's term as president of the Jewish Federation's Women's Division has been removed and accessioned as Bernice Rind Papers, 3714-001 .
Records of Seattle Hebrew Academy originally included in this accession, have been accessioned as Seattle Hebrew Academy Records, 3713-001 .
Detailed Description of the Collection
-
Accession No. 3660-004: Steinberg family papers, 1910-1985
1.05 cubic foot (3 boxes)Scope and Content: Correspondence, financial records, minutes, organizational features, clippings, 1910-1985.
This collection of Steinberg Family Papers includes the papers of brothers Reuben and Sam Steinberg, Reuben's son Sheldon, and Sheldon's wife Irene. The material, received at various times, have been merged into one accession, with the exception of two tape recorded interviews. See also: Reuben Steinberg oral history interview, accession no. 1945 and Irene Steinberg oral history interview, accession no. 4015. The transcripts for these interviews are included in accession no. 3660-004.
SUBGROUPS
Steinberg and Sons/Steinberg Brothers
These papers include business records of the Steinberg family retail and wholesale businesses. In 1916, Hiram opened a men's furnishings store at the corner of 5th and Jackson. The store sold surplus army goods and work clothes. Business was good, but was hampered by Saturday closures for the Sabbath. In 1923 the business was expanded into the wholesale market upon which Sabbath closures would have less impact. The firm continued to expand its retail business, with stores in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. Hiram died in 1940. Reuben's son, Sheldon, joined the firm, in the 1940s, after studying marketing at the University of Washington. The business continued to expand its merchandise, stores and markets until 1985. At that time Sheldon liquidated the wholesale business, and moved to Israel with his wife, Irene, and daughter, Shana. Reuben died in 1973; Sam died in 1982. Sheldon and Irene's son, Steve, who joined the firm in the mid1970s, took over the retail division of the company in the early 1980s. He continues to run it, with stores in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and Alaska.
Sheldon Steinberg
These papers reflect Sheldon's activities as part of the organized Jewish community. He served at various times as campaign chairman for the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, President of the Seattle Hebrew Academy, and President of Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath.
Irene Steinberg
Irene Mohrer Steinberg was born March 23, 1929 in Frankfurt to a German Orthodox family. She fled to America, with her family, in 1938, two weeks before the crystal Nacht. She became a U.S. citizen in 1945, attended the University of Washington, 1946-48, and married Sheldon Steinberg in 1948.
Irene founded a chapter of Hadassah for young married women in Seattle, shortly after her own marriage, served as its president in the 1950s, and remained active in the Jewish community throughout her life in Seattle. The papers primarily represent her later activites with the Jewish Federation, and the Jewish Family Service.
Irene served as president of the Women's Division of the Jewish Federation 1979-81. This was a second term, the first was served in the 1960s. She also served on the Board of the Jewish Family Service from the early 1970s, and as its President from 1979 through 1981. One of her primary interests was the Russian Resettlement Program which she started and for which she served as chairperson 1975-79. Irene also served as president of Bikur Cholim Sisterhood (1965-67), president of Seattle Hebrew Academy, PTA (1960s), and board memeber of the Kline Galland House through the 1970s.
A transcript (113 pages) of a lengthy interview with Irene, taped in 1989, may be found at the end of this subgroup.
Reuben and Samuel Steinberg
This subgroup contains a transcript of an interview with Reuben and Samuel taped in 1972.
Arrangement: Arranged in 5 series.
- Series 1, Steinberg and Son/Steinberg Brothers
- Series 2, Steinberg Family
- Series 3, Steinberg, Sheldon
- Series 4, Steinberg, Irene
- Series 5, Steinberg, Reuben and Samuel
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Reuben and Sam Steinberg, 5/9/1972.
-
Series 1: Steinberg and Son/Steinberg Brothers
-
Description: Financial RecordsDates: 1916-1963Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Financial RecordsDates: 1916-1963Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Invoices: Buttnick Manufacturing CompanyDates: 1935-1939Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: ClippingsDates: 1934-1985Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Certificate, National Jewish FundContainer: Box/Folder 1/5, Accession 3660-004
-
-
Series 2: Steinberg Family
-
Description: Legal Documents, ClippingsDates: 1920-1982Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Accession 3660-004
-
-
Series 3: Steinberg, Sheldon
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle: Organizational FeaturesDates: 1971-1974Container: Box/Folder 2/1, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle: General CorrespondenceDates: 1975-1977Container: Box/Folder 2/2, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle: ClippingsDates: 1977-1978Container: Box/Folder 2/3, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle: MapsDates: 1975Container: Box/Folder 2/4, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Planning and Budget CommitteeDates: 1974-1976Container: Box/Folder 2/5, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Personal Papers: Clippings and MiscellaneousDates: 1944-1975Container: Box/Folder 2/6, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Personal Papers: Bikur Cholim Machzikay HadathDates: 1965-1971Container: Box/Folder 2/7, Accession 3660-004
-
-
Series 4: Steinberg, Irene
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: Organizational FeaturesDates: 1971-1974Container: Box/Folder 2/8, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: General CorrespondenceDates: 1974-1977Container: Box/Folder 2/9, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: MemorandaDates: 1975-1977Container: Box/Folder 2/10, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: MinutesDates: 1975-1977Container: Box/Folder 2/11, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: Notices and AnnouncementsDates: 1975-1977Container: Box/Folder 2/12, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: Speeches and WritingsDates: 1975-1979Container: Box/Folder 2/13, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: ClippingsDates: 1973-1974Container: Box/Folder 2/14, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: Sisterhood ProgramDates: 1976-1977Container: Box/Folder 2/15, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: Fundraising ActivitiesDates: 1976-1977Container: Box/Folder 2/16, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: Jewish Awareness InstituteDates: 1975-1976Container: Box/Folder 2/17, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Women's Division: EphemeraContainer: Box/Folder 2/18, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service: Organizational FeaturesContainer: Box/Folder 2/19, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service: General CorrespondenceDates: 1976-1981Container: Box/Folder 2/20, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service: Financial RecordsDates: 1978-1981Container: Box/Folder 2/21, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service: Notices and AnnouncementsContainer: Box/Folder 2/22, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service, Board of DirectorsContainer: Box/Folder 2/23, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service, Planning CommitteeContainer: Box/Folder 2/24, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service, Eastside Advisory CommitteeContainer: Box/Folder 2/25, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service, Russian Resettlement Program - organizational featuresDates: 1975-1977Container: Box/Folder 3/1, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service, Russian Resettlement Program - general correspondenceDates: 1976Container: Box/Folder 3/2, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service, Russian Resettlement Program - notices and announcementsDates: 1977Container: Box/Folder 3/3, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service, Russian Resettlement Program - clippingsDates: 1975-1977Container: Box/Folder 3/4, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service, Russian Resettlement Program - publicationsContainer: Box/Folder 3/5, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service, Russian Resettlement Program, Employment CommitteeDates: 1975Container: Box/Folder 3/6, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Jewish Family Service, Russian Resettlement Program, Furnishing CommitteeDates: 1975Container: Box/Folder 3/7, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Personal Papers: Interview TranscriptDates: 1989Container: Box/Folder 3/8, Accession 3660-004
-
Description: Personal Papers: ClippingsDates: 1948Container: Box/Folder 3/8, Accession 3660-004
-
-
Series 5: Steinberg, Reuben and Samuel
-
Description: Interview TranscriptDates: 1972Container: Box/Folder 3/9, Accession 3660-004
-
-
Description: Accession No. 3660-005: Sheldon Steinberg oral history interview, 20021 vertical file (1 sound cassette (approximately 17 minutes))
Scope and Content: Sheldon Steinberg recounts the Jewish and non-Jewish stores, businesses, and institutions that were located on Yesler Way in the 1930's and 1940's, which were used by the Jews who lived in the neighborhood (Central Area). Most of the stores mentioned were located on Yesler Way from 26th Avenue to about 12th Avenue, near where the Jews lived. In addition, he mentions some of the businesses in the downtown area, between 1st Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and Yesler Way and Jackson Street, because that is where his family business was located. Other Jews also owned retail stores in that area.
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: Informant's/creator's rights dedicated to the public. May be used for research, instruction, publication or similar purposes.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Sheldon Steinberg, 6/5/2002.
-
Description: Accession No. 3660-006: Sheldon Steinberg papers, 1961-20110.21 cubic feet (1 box)
Scope and Content: Includes a Hadassah Seattle chapter 50th anniversary yearbook from 1962 as well as Congregation Bikur Cholim anniversary yearbooks from 1961, 1966, 1981, 1991, 2001, and 2011.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries
Acquisition Info: Donor: Sheldon Steinberg, July 30, 2013.
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Jews--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
- Stores, Retail--Washington (State)--Seattle
Personal Names
- Anches, Reyna
- Goldberg, Irving
- Kahan, Isidore
- Shiff, Murray
- Steinberg, Sheldon--Interviews
- Stroum, Samuel, 1921-2000
Corporate Names
- B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation (University of Washington)
- Caroline Kline Galland Home for the Aged (Seattle, Wash.)
- Congregation Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath (Seattle, Wash.). Sisterhood
- Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America. Seattle Chapter
- Seattle Talmud Torah Hebrew School
Family Names
- Steinberg family--Archives (creator)
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Steinberg, Samuel (creator)
- Steinberg, Sheldon (interviewee)
- Twersky, Reva
Corporate Names
- Jewish Family Service (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
- Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)
- Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)
