Washington State Jewish Historical Society

09/02/2026

From the Archives

In this photo from the UW Special Collections, Carrie Frauenthal Rosenblatt and Hermine are on the porch of the family home at 903 Summit Ave., Seattle. Captured sometime between 1880 and 1940, this photograph offers a quiet glimpse into everyday life and the people who helped shape our community's history.

08/26/2026

A Musical Legacy That Lives On

Samuel E. Goldfarb’s music has been woven into generations of Jewish life, leaving a lasting impact through his compositions, leadership, and dedication to community. Best known as the composer of “The Dreidel Song,” Goldfarb served as the longtime music director at Temple De Hirsch Sinai, where his work inspired countless singers and worshippers.

The Samuel E. Goldfarb exhibit celebrates his remarkable legacy through a special 2006 reunion concert that brought former choir members together under his direction, along with a curated collection of artifacts honoring his life and career. Featuring performances, memories, and personal stories, the exhibit offers a glimpse into the enduring influence of one of American Jewish music’s most beloved figures.

Explore Samuel E. Goldfarb’s story and musical legacy
🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/page/musical-legacy-samuel-e-goldfarb

📷 Samuel E. Goldfarb walking with his two sons on a city sidewalk, Seattle, August 1937

08/19/2026

Preserving a Legacy of Care and Community

For generations, the Kline Galland Center has been a place of compassion, connection, and support within Seattle’s Jewish community. Founded as a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving older adults, Kline Galland has grown into a leading institution providing nursing services, assisted living, and retirement residences while preserving the stories of those who helped shape its history.

Through a collaboration with the Washington State Jewish Archives at the University of Washington Special Collections Libraries, the Kline Galland Collection highlights the people, milestones, and moments that define this remarkable legacy. Explore exhibits featuring Faces of the Summit, Kline Galland Living History, Past Presidents, and special scrapbook pages from Josh Gortler’s collection.

Explore the Exhibit
🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/page/kline-galland-living-history

Explore UW Collection 🔗https://content.lib.washington.edu/jhpweb/KlineGalland/index.html

08/12/2026

The Architect Behind the Golden Age of Theater

B. Marcus Priteca transformed the way audiences experienced entertainment, leaving behind a legacy of beautifully designed theaters across North America. Born in Glasgow in 1889, Priteca moved to Seattle in 1909 and went on to become one of the most celebrated theater architects of the early 20th century.

Through his collaboration with vaudeville pioneer Alexander Pantages, Priteca designed more than 150 theaters, including the iconic Hollywood Pantages Theatre and Seattle’s Admiral and Magnolia Theatres. Known for creating breathtaking spaces while working within modest budgets, his vision brought a sense of luxury and wonder to communities for generations.

Explore the life and work of B. Marcus Priteca and discover the stories behind his architectural legacy

🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/page/b-marcus-priteca-collection

📷 Portrait of B Marcus Priteca, circa 1916 (MOHAI 11006)

07/01/2026

Oral History Spotlight: Samuel E. Goldfarb

In this oral history, Samuel E. Goldfarb reflects on his early life growing up on the Lower East Side in a musical, Jewish household. He recalls entering the lively world of Tin Pan Alley, where he encountered composers like George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, and performing in Yiddish theater. Alongside his traditional Jewish education, he also studied music at Columbia University. Goldfarb describes how a 1930 trip brought him and his wife to Seattle, where Rabbi Samuel Koch invited him to become musical director of Temple de Hirsch. He reflects on building a lasting music program there, founding children’s choirs, and training generations of young musicians before retiring in 1968. Listen to Samuel's Oral History interview at the link below.

🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/oral-history/samuel-e-goldfarb

📷 Samuel E. Goldfarb walking on a city sidewalk, Seattle, approximately 1940. Photo Courtesy of UW Special Collections.

06/24/2026

WSJHS Testimonials – Share Your Story

We currently have four active testimonial projects, and we’d love to help preserve your story. Your experiences, memories, and reflections are part of the history that connects our communities.

📖 America 250 – Stories of Place and Belonging
How has Washington shaped your Jewish identity and connection to your roots? Help us capture stories that foster connection across Jewish communities throughout the state.

🏅 Distant Replay – Washington’s Jewish Sports Heroes
Did sports shape your life or identity? Share memories of athletics, teams, community, or your connection to Distant Replay.

🌳 Six-Generation Family Trees
What traditions, values, and stories have been passed down through your family? Help preserve the connections that span generations.

🏪 Stories & Memories of Washington Jewish Businesses
Share memories of Jewish-owned businesses that impacted your life, family, or community—past or present.

With your consent, recordings will be preserved in our archives and shared through future educational and historical projects. We currently have just a few testimonials collected and would love to add more voices.

🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/wsjhs-testimonials

📷 Otto Grunbaum (center) speaking with customers in a office at Grunbaum Furniture Co., 6th Ave., Seattle, 1920-1925. Courtesy of UW Special Collections.

Questions? Send us a DM—we’d love to hear from you!

Otto Grunbaum (center) speaking with customers in office at Grunbaum Furniture Co., 6th Ave., Seattle, 1920-1925Courtesy of UW Special Collections Otto Grunbaum (center) speaking with customers in office at Grunbaum Furniture Co., 6th Ave., Seattle, 1920-1925Courtesy of UW Special Collections WSJHS....

06/17/2026

An Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) convention picnic at Lake Lucerne, 1940 ☀️🌲

Founded in 1924, Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) is an international Jewish youth organization focused on leadership, community service, personal growth, athletics, and Jewish life. As the male branch of the B'nai B’rith Youth Organization, AZA has helped shape generations of young leaders.

This snapshot captures a summer gathering full of community and connection. Pictured here are Elsie Deutsch Weiner, Hoda Strusser Greenberg, Helen Fisher, Pearl Joel Reubstein, Betty Finkelstein, Stanley Singer, Carolyn Luilner, Lewis Back, Connie Lander (Williams), and Althea Wisenhaus (Stroum). As well as Stanley Singer, Mitchell Schneider, Ann Faghin, and David Sidell.

Photos like these preserve more than names and faces—they tell stories of friendships, youth experiences, and moments that became part of community history. Do you recognize anyone pictured here or have memories connected to AZA? Share below!

06/10/2026

Oral History Spotlight: Harry Varon

Harry Varon was born in Seattle on July 19, 1918. During World War II, he served in the Navy as a butcher and cook, stationed at Sand Point Naval Air Station and later at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. He owned Varon's Kosher Meats from 1947 until he handed the business to his son-in-law, Roger Hirsch, in 1984. Varon discusses his family history, his Navy service during World War II, and the kosher meat business he operated in Seattle. He also describes the other butchers in the area, the effects of the Race Riots on business, and the closure of many butcher shops with the advent of chain supermarkets. Listen to Harry's oral history interview at the UW Special Collections.

🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/oral-history/harry-varon

📷 Children at Ralph Adatto's Bar Mitzvah at Adatto home on 17th Ave. and Jefferson St., August 1940. Back row, left to right: Harry Varon, Leon Uziel, Morrie "Muskie" Moshcatel, Mier Varon, Ralph Adatto, Sol N. Azose, Jack Moshcatel; front row, left to right: Tom Halfton, Sol Jerusalmi, Albert Adatto, Jack Adatto. Courtesy of UW Special Collections.

06/04/2026

We want to share a very special thank you to Sarah Po***ck and Sabrina Heinrichs, two incredible graduate students at the University of Washington, who have been working alongside our team on an exciting new project we hope to unveil in the fall of 2026.

Our upcoming Mapping Project will feature an interactive map with location pins highlighting historic Jewish sites across Washington State—bringing stories, places, and community history together in a new way. While the project is still in development, we’re excited about what’s ahead.

Sarah and Sabrina, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and all the care you’ve put into this project. We are incredibly grateful for everything you’ve contributed.

Join us in celebrating and congratulating them on their amazing work—and all that’s still to come!

06/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for “Reconstructing a Family’s Journey: Oral History, Research, and Storytelling” with author Ken Baronsky, where he explored how memory, research, and storytelling come together to preserve the lives and histories of his family that might otherwise be forgotten.

If you were unable to attend, you can find the link to his recorded presentation below. If you would like to read Ken's book, you can purchase it at the link below. A heartfelt thank you to the Spokane Public Library for hosting us, and to Ken Baronsky for sharing his family’s story and partnering with us in our mission to preserve oral histories.

Here are a few memorable moments from his presentation, and we will be working to upload the collected Storybooth content soon, so stay tuned.

🔗 https://www.wsjhs.org/event/reconstructing-familys-journey-oral-history-research-and-storytelling

🔗 https://www.amazon.com/Zaydes-Crossing-Ken-Baronsky/dp/B0GZ9DQ245