Oscar and Celia Sterman Papers
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains correspondence, scrapbooks, photographs and articles about the personal, professional and philanthropic activities of Oscar and Celia Sterman. The majority of this collection is composed of undated photographs and three scrapbooks that focus on their 1960 trip to Israel. This collection provides a detailed account of the contributions the Stermans made to Israel. Of particular interest are documents regarding the opening of the Sterman Health Center, the construction of the Max Pine Trade School, and a welcome to Israel by Yosef Baratz, Isaac Hamlin and Yitzhak Ben-Zvi. The collection also contains a number of photographs of Oscar Sterman and his family.
Dates
- undated, 1939-2009
Language of Materials
The collection is in English and Yiddish.
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
Oscar Sterman was born in the Ukraine in 1885; his wife, Celia (Kredenser) was born in 1889. Census data is not clear on the year of their marriage, which was either 1909 or 1911. In 1916, the Stermans immigrated to the United States and settled in Brookline, Massachusetts, where they raised three daughters (Ida, Mildred, and Natalie.) Oscar Sterman later became president of the American Wrecking Company. The Stermans were involved in philanthropic Zionist activities and supported the establishment of the State of Israel. Their contributions included the construction of a library, youth center, health center, sports center, and the addition of the Electro Mechanic Department to the Max Pine Trade Center. In 1960, the Stermans traveled to Israel to oversee construction and attend the opening ceremonies for their buildings. They met with a number of important individuals including President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi and Mayor David Tuviahu of Beersheba, Israel.
Oscar Sterman died on August 29, 1969 at the age of 84. Celia Sterman died on July 24, 1974.
References
- Materials in collection.
- Correspondence from donor Melanie Zibit.
Chronology
- 1885
- Oscar Sterman born
- 1886
- Celia Kredenser (Sterman) born
- 1909 or 1911
- Oscar and Celia are married
- 1916
- The Stermans immigrate to the United States and settle in Brookline, Massachusetts
- 1954
- Oscar Sterman meets with David Tuviahu, Mayor of Beersheba, Israel
- 1960
- Oscar and Celia Sterman travel to Israel to oversee the construction/additions to buildings
- 1969
- Oscar Sterman dies on August 29
- 1974
- Celia Sterman dies on July 24
Extent
1 linear foot (1 manuscript box, 1 oversized box)
Abstract
Oscar and Celia Sterman immigrated to the United States in 1916 and settled in Brookline, Massachusetts, where they raised a family and became increasingly involved in the establishment of the State of Israel. The Stermans donated funds for the construction of several buildings in Beersheba and Eilat, Israel, including a library, sports center, youth center, and also provided funding for the addition of the Electro Mechanic Department to the Max Pine Trade Center. This collection documents both their family life as well as their considerable contributions to Israel, as well as their travels to the country.
Physical Location
Located in Boston, Mass.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Melanie Zibit, granddaughter of Oscar and Celia Sterman, on September 2, 2009.
Processing Information
Processed by Gregory Carter, 2009
- American Wrecking Company
- Ayanot (Israel)
- Baratz, Yosef
- Ben-Zvi, Itzhak, 1884-1963
- Bersheeba (Israel)
- Brookline (Mass.)
- Charities -- Israel
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Correspondence
- Elat (Israel)
- Hamlin, Isaac
- Israel
- Max Pine Trade Center
- Photographs
- Postcards
- Scrapbooks
- Sterman Health Center
- Sterman, Celia Kredenser, 1886-1974
- Sterman, Oscar, 1885-1969
- Tuviahu, David, 1898-1975
- Zionism -- Massachusetts
- Title
- Guide to the Oscar and Celia Sterman Papers, P-875
- Author
- Processed by Gregory Carter
- Date
- 2010
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at New England Historic Genealogical Society Repository