Jewish Historical Society of Delaware

03/05/2026

https://www.domore24delaware.org/fundraisers/jewish-historical-society-of-delaware

02/25/2026

DO MORE 24 DELAWARE is coming soon. Help JHSD DO MORE to preserve Delaware's Jewish history.

01/16/2026

Fifty years ago, JHSD presented an exhibition in Old Town Hall as part of the Bicentennial Celebration.

12/10/2025

We're Lighting up Market Street! Visit our Hanukkah Window Display at the Delaware History Museum at 504 N Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

12/07/2025

STEPHEN ‘Salty’ SALTZMAN from Wilmington, Delaware, was in the 98thCoastal Artillery during Pearl Harbor. He reportedly shot down the first Japanese plane at Pearl Harbor. In a 1974 article in the Sarasota Journal, Saltzman describes the morning of December 7, 1941.
“I ran outside with a rifle and emptied five rounds at the front of a plane straffing toward us. If he hadn’t had to pull up to miss a high wire he would probably have hit us.”
Saltzman had time to reload and fire again at the plane which was only 100 feet away. The pilot was hit and the plane crashed.
“Our regional commander claimed it was the first plane brought down in World War II,” said Saltzman, who received the Silver Star.
The Silver Star was presented to Stephen G. Saltzman, Second Lieutenant (Coast Artillery), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Coast Artillery Regiment at Wahiawa, Territory of Hawaii, during the Japanese aerial attack on 7 December 1941, where he brought down a Japanese airplane with his automatic rifle. Along with Staff Sergeant Lowell V. Klatz, Second Lieutenant Saltzman voluntarily and on his own initiative without regard for his own safety, left the shelter of the Command Post in the face of heavy fire from enemy planes. He coolly waited in an exposed position until one of the enemy planes approached within 100 yards, and then delivered armed automatic rifle fire at one of the two enemy planes. His fire, combined with that of Sergeant Klatz, caused the plane to crash, resulting in the destruction of the ship and crew. The cool determination and disregard for his personal safety displayed was an inspiration to members of his regiment.
He later joined the Air Force to become a fighter pilot.
He flew 22 missions before being injured over the French and Belgian border. He managed to fly back to the south of England with one hand and earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions. ​
Photo from the collections of the Delaware Public Archives.

11/12/2025

Delaware State Rep. Melanie Ross Levin, Governor Matt Meyer with officers of Jewish War Veterans Nathan Balick Post #747, and JHSD Archivist at the Veterans Memorial Park, New Castle, Delaware.

08/04/2025

Join us on Thursday, August 21, to hear Diane Wolf discuss Hymie Swartz and 20th Century Jewish Recreation in Delaware.
Hymie Swartz taught and coached generations of young athletes in Delaware. Come here his story and other fascinating tales.
Diane is Past President of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware and co-chair of JHSD's 50th Anniversary Celebration committee.

06/06/2025

Sol Balick, Irwin Cohen and others were likely part of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. More than 700 service members from Delaware's Jewish community were deployed around the globe during WWII. Visit jhsdelaware.org/voices-of-service/cover to learn about some of the stories and how to help us uncover more about their heroic defense of freedom and democracy.

05/26/2025

Thanks to the Scouts, JHSD members others who came to help Jewish War Verterans Nathan Balick Post 747 remember Delaware's Jewish Veterans today. We wish you a meaningful Memorial Day.

05/12/2025

A great presentation about World War II service members and the homefront.

Please join us May 14th at 7:00pm, at the Brandywine Library , for this program about a very spectacular women, presented by Mr. Allen Rosso.

04/02/2025

Our Spring newsletter is now available. Read all about our exciting 50th Anniversary events!
https://jhsdelaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JHSDSpring2025web.pdf