Bernard Weinberg Papers
Scope and Content Note
The collection contains meeting minutes from 1933 of the Port Elizabeth Mizrachi Zionist Organization and from 1934 of the South African Palestine Tour. It also includes correspondence from Bernard Weinronk to his cousin Bernard Weinberg, dated 1933 and 1935. Of note is a 1935 letter in which Weinronk quotes briefly from the report of the 19th Zionist Congress in Lucerne and expresses his concerns for the safety of the Jews and his hopes for Palestine.
Dates
- 1933-1935
Creator
- Weinberg, Bernard (Person)
Language of Materials
The collection is in English
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for researcher use. Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@nehgs.org.
Use Restrictions
There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@nehgs.org.
Biographical Note
Bernard Weinberg was born in Russia in 1873 and immigrated to the United States in 1889. He was married to Esther Goldstein, also originally from Russia, and had four children: Herbert, Rosalind, Eugene, and Ruth. He lived with his family in Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked as a furrier. He died in the late 1930s.
Bernard Weinronk was born in Russia in 1870 and attended school up to the age of 14. At the age of 21, after being drafted into the Russian army, he immigrated to Limerick, Ireland, where he worked as a peddler. Two years later, he was joined by his parents and siblings, who had been expelled from their home by the Russian government. The family became British subjects during the 1890s.
Weinronk married in 1898 and in 1903 traveled alone to South Africa in search of business opportunities. Settling in Johannesburg, he was later joined by his wife and children, who had fled Ireland in the wake of a 1904 boycott of Jewish-owned businesses and acts of violence provoked by an anti-Semitic sermon by Father John Creagh, a Catholic priest in Limerick.
In 1912, Weinronk moved to Port Elizabeth, working first as a theater operator and then opening a furniture company. He was active in community affairs, holding numerous leadership positions in Zionist organizations, including president of the Port Elizabeth Mizrachi Zionist Organisation, chairman of the Port Elizabeth Zionist Society, and managing director of the Port Elizabeth Association for the Acquisition of Land in Palestine. Founded in 1902, the Mizrachi movement sought to unite Orthodox Judaism and Zionism.
Weinronk traveled to Palestine in 1934 as part of tour group from South Africa. In 1941, he moved to Palestine, where he died the following year.
References
- Material from collection.
- “Autobiography of Bernard Weinronk.” Accessed May 4, 2017. http://www.fisherfamily.za.net/autobiography_of_bernard_weinronk.htm.
- “This Day in Jewish History.” Haaretz, January 11, 2015. http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/this-day-in-jewish-history/1.636364.
- United States Census, 1910-1940. https://familysearch.org. Accessed May 9, 2017.
- “Limerick, 1904, an anti-Jewish pogrom in Ireland.” www.ibtimes.com/limerick-1904-anti-jewish-pogrom-ireland-1091444
- Jewish Virtual Library. “South Africa Virtual Jewish History Tour.” Accessed May 9, 2017. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/south-africa-virtual-jewish-history-tour.
Chronology
- 1870
- Bernard Weinronk is born in Russia.
- 1873
- Bernard Weinberg is born in Russia.
- 1889
- Weinberg immigrates to the United States.
- 1891
- Weinronk is drafted into Russian army and immigrates to Limerick, Ireland.
- 1890s
- Weinronk and family become British subjects.
- 1898
- Weinronk marries.
- 1903
- Weinronk immigrates to South Africa, eventually settling in Johannesburg.
- 1912
- Weinronk moves to Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
- 1934
- Weinronk travels to Palestine as part of South African Palestine Tour.
- 1930s
- Weinberg dies.
- 1941
- Weinronk immigrates to Palestine.
- 1942
- Weinronk dies.
Extent
0.25 linear feet (1 half-manuscript box)
Abstract
This collection contains correspondence from Bernard Weinronk of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to his cousin Bernard Weinberg of Boston, Massachusetts. Also included are meeting minutes describing the goals, resolutions, and activities of Zionist groups in which Weinronk was active.
Physical Location
Located in Boston, Mass.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Ruth Weinberg Seder, 1993.
Processing Information
Processed by Judith Maas, 2017
- Title
- Guide to the Bernard Weinberg Papers, P-668
- Author
- Processed by Judith Maas
- Date
- 2017
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository