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, Hebrew, 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 Kyiv, Ukraine (formerly Kief, Russia) on September of 1885 to Max Sterman and Ide Oradin. In 1906, Oscar immigrated to the United States and settled in Chelsea, Massachusetts where he first worked as a shoemaker before becoming a contractor and later the president of the American Wrecking Company. Celia Kredenzer was born in present day Ukraine in 1889 and immigrated to Halifax, Canada in 1906 before crossing the border to the United States.Oscar and Celia were married in 1910 and had three daughters (Ida, Mildred, and Natalie.) Shortly after starting their family they moved to Brookline, Massachusetts.
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.
- UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960. Accessed October 31, 2023.
- Massachusetts, U.S., State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1798-1950. Accessed October 31, 2023.
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Accessed October 31, 2023.
- U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2. Accessed October 31, 2023.
- U.S., Naturalization Record Indexes, 1794-1995. Accessed October 31, 2023.
- Correspondence with grandson Peter Roberts and donor Melanie Zibit.
Chronology
- 1885
- Kyiv, Ukraine
- Oscar Sterman born on September 15
- 1890
- Russia
- Celia Kredentser (Sterman) born on April 10
- 1906
- Oscar Sterman immigrates to the United States settling in Chelsea, MA.
- 1910
- Quincy, MA.
- Oscar and Celia are married on May 27
- 1912
- Oscar Sterman becomes a United States Citizen on February 20
- 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
1.75 linear feet (1 manuscript box, 1 oversized box)
Abstract
Oscar and Celia (Kredenzer)Sterman both immigrated to the United States in 1906 from present day Ukraine and settled in Chelsea, Massachusetts after their marriage in 1910. They later moved to Brookline, Massachusetts where they raised their 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. Updated by Gabrielle Roth, 2023.
- 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 in 2010. Updated by Gabrielle Roth in 2023.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Revision Statements
- October 2023: Additional information added to Biographical Sketch through newly available records.
Repository Details
Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository