Temple B'nai Israel Newsletter. Vol. II, No. 1. November 1943

[Revere, Massachusetts]: [Temple B'nai Israel], 1943. Good. 14" x 8½". Corner stapled, eight mimeographed leaves, printed rectos only. Pp. 8. Good: folded twice, bottom edge heavily worn with dogears and affecting a few characters of text.

This is a mimeographed newsletter created by a Jewish congregation in Massachusetts that was intended to share news with members serving in World War II. It was produced by Temple B'nai Israel, a synagogue established in 1906 in Revere, Massachusetts. We are not sure how many issues were created as the copy here mentions a hope to publish once a month and that its goal was to "bring some pleasure and a touch of home to all you 'Men of Destiny.'"

This issue included a message from Rabbi Morris B. Funk urging soldiers not to lose their faith or discount the value of Judaism during the war. There's also an article by a female member of the congregation, Belle Pearlman, who lamented the loss of the men of her town but also expressed admiration for the women in the service represented by "Rosie the Riveter, Sadie the Welder, [and] Lulu from Louisville." Other columns urged the continuation of positive actions the Jewish community of Revere was known for, including donating blood and advancing tolerance and understanding through multicultural lectures and discussions. One section implored, "As true Americans, we must harness all liberal forces throughout the country, and the world, too, in order to preserve the principles of Democracy for which we fight today. As Jews, more than ever, we must combine and actively engage those powers that wish to destroy us."

The newsletter also contained lighthearted gossip and news of the congregation and community, including sports highlights (the Revere High School football team had four Jewish students on it that year), births, and sightings of GIs home from war.

Rare and heartfelt documentation of a Jewish community's experience during World War II. OCLC shows no holdings.