21. Call to a Cultural Conference

Description:

Call To a Cultural Conference flyer: Keynote Speaker, Langston Hughes. "'No culture, no history, Heil Hitler!' is the slogan of death raised with the swastika…" “In this global war against fascism, the music, songs, drama, dances of the people are mighty weapons. Let’s use them for victory.” Flyer is not dated. References to 'occupied countries' and to the 'United Nations' (the latter presumably meaning the allies as defined by 1942, and not the formal organization). Maxine Wood is the pen name for Maxine Flora Finsterwald who wrote the Broadway play "On Whitman Avenue."

Date:

1943-10-10

Creator:

Maxine Wood

Identifier:

International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276, Box 49, Folder 6

22. Henri Slovès to Moissaye Olgin, Yosef Sultan, and Rubin Saltzman about two letters from the YKUF Directorate, November 1938

Description:

These two letters are dated December 2nd. Translated Summary: One, on blue paper, 1 page long, is addressed generally to the American Division of YKUF [IKUF]. Signatures are cut off, but it clearly comes from the directorate. Chides NY sharply for writing to the Lithuanian national committee to say that NY is gradually taking over the work of the Kultur Farband, and encouraging Lithuania to communicate with them directly. "In our letter of 11-25 we expressed our opinion on the matter of YKUF’s center. If you are not in agreement with us, we can drag it in front of all the usual committees, but you can’t be allowed to go behind our backs to whatever national organization..." The other letter of 2 December, on cream YKUF stationery, is 2 pages long and addressed personally to Olgin, Saltzman, and Sultan: "The stormy dynamism of your novelists, poets, general and national secretaries of YKUF in NY present a real danger to the world peace of the Kultur Farband... Enclosed is our friendly letter to the committee. As you can see, the situation is serious." Discusses implications of defections, in Paris and in NY. Deplores the opportunism, “bench-grabbing”, and behind-the-back politics. Urges the directorate to take the crisis seriously and to ‘look in on’ NY’s YKUF more often. Signed by Slovès. Note: The national committee of the IKUF in America: Kalmen (Kalman) Marmor (Mermer), Zishe Weinper, Paul (Pesach) Novick, Nachman Meisel, R. Saltzman, Itche Goldberg, Rabbi Avrom Bik (Abraham Bick), Raphael Mahler, Kleinberg, (B.Z.) Goldberg (Benjamin Waife, Sholem Aleichem’s son-in-law), Moishe Katz, Ahron Gudelman (Aaron Gidelman)]

Date:

1938-11-25

23. Marc Chagall to Rubin Saltzman regarding Bella Chagall's Books, January 1946 (correspondence)

Description:

In Yiddish. Autographed letter. Translated Summary: Sending "Belatchke's" [his nickname for Bella Chagall] books, hoping Rubin Saltzman can get them to his friends in the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee (JAFC) in Moscow. Asks if, as her second yortsayt (d. September 2, 1944 = 14th of Elul, 5704) approaches, Saltzman is still ready to publish her second book "Life and Love". Note: In fact, the Ordn (JPFO) did later publish Bella Chagall's second book, under the title "Di ershte bagegenish", or "First Encounter", accompanied by Marc Chagall's illustrations. Also see typed letter of January 11, 1946 from Rubin Saltzman to Marc Chagall confirming receipt of her books to be sent to Moscow and that Bella Chagall's posthumous memoir will be published.

Date:

1946-01

Creator:

Chagall, Marc, 1887-1985

Identifier:

International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276, Box 29, Folder 11

24. Cultural Work, Fraternalism, Inner Life- Material for a Discussion

Description:

In Yiddish. Notes on top say "For Itche" in Yiddish, and "File Bronx" in English. Speech for Bronx County Convention, reprinted as a pamphlet, probably for branch discussions. Material regarding culture ranges from ideological (quoting Olgin on the importance of cultural work animated by the latest and best knowledge and understanding) to practical (setting up a culture committee for the borough, not starting meetings too late, creating a dedicated money stream for cultural activities), and using culture to reach out to the broader community. Emphasizes that the Ordn is a fraternal organization above all. Gives a 'ten commandments' of fraternalism. These include the importance of setting a friendly tone, welcoming new members, socializing outside the Ordn activities, expressing concern for the sick and the impoverished, and comforting bereaved members and their families. Other suggestions include group birthday celebrations, family evenings, etc.

Date:

1950-02-03

Creator:

Maymudes, Abraham

Identifier:

International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276, Box 47, Folder 10

25. National Committee To Free the Ingram Family

Description:

National Committee to Free the Ingram Family appeal to potential supporters asking if they will become a member of "the national sponsoring committee." Terrell is Chariman of the National Committee to Free the Ingram Family which is supported by the IWO which also worked with the Civl Rights Congress (CRC) and others to raise support for the Ingram case, a cause celebre in its day in regard to Southern juries, Jim Crow, violence, [perhaps] attempted rape, and sharecropping.

Date:

1948-1949

Creator:

Terrell, Mary Church Jackson, Ada B. Robinson, Therese Graham, Shirley

Identifier:

International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276, Box 17, Folder 7

26. Invitation to Film "The Negro Soldier"

Description:

Invitation to a showing of the movie "The Negro Soldier"produced by the U.S. Army with director Frank Capra. The Bensonhurst, Brooklyn Lodge 817, which is mainly Jewish, is holding a program co-sponsored with the Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Date:

1944-03-01

Creator:

International Workers Order (IWO) Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Identifier:

International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276, Box 19, Folder 12a

27. Negro History Week Bulletin: Discussion Outline on Negro History

Description:

Brochure focusing on IWO activities such as reading, lectures, and political campaigns for lodges for Negro History Week

Date:

1945-02

Creator:

International Workers Order (IWO)

Identifier:

International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276, Box 19, Folder 12a

28. John E. Middleton letter, March 9, 1945 on IWO Harlem interracial solidarity rally and ongoing need for interracial organizing

Description:

Letter March 9, 1945, to all IWO New York lodges from IWO Vice President John E. Middleton on attending Harlem interracial, intergroup solidarity rally on March 25 to mark Negro History Week. The rally organized by the IWO Negro Organizing Committee is to be held at the Golden Gate Ballroom with Adam Clayton Powell, Councilman Benjamin Davis Jr., and Earl Browder. Middleton states “inter-racial unity is not something to be worn like a Sunday suit of clothes - on certain special days of the year.” His stress is on the importance of the daily work of creating racial equality within the IWO and its broader organizational implementation. Letterhead with logo at bottom in red: "Life Insurance, Sick and Accident Benefits, Family Medical, and Specialist Service, Birth Control Centers." The letterhead is from the IWO's New York City Central Committee whose officers include Middleton, Jesus Colon and Maurice Grubin. This text uses the term ‘Negro’ to refer to Black people in the context of the concerted efforts made primarily in the 1920s-1940s to fight racial discrimination. While the term ‘Negro’ might be read as pejorative today, the term was then used in a positive regard, including by Black leftists.

Date:

1945-03-09

Creator:

Middleton, John E.

Identifier:

International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276, Box 8, Folder 4

29. IWO Press Release Regarding Philadelphia Transportation Strike

Description:

Press release with I.W.O.'s position against the racially-motivated August 1-6th Sickout Transit Strike of 1944, in Philadelphia.

Date:

1944-08-03

Creator:

Rotenberg, Sol

Identifier:

International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276, Box 45, Folder 1

30. Printed solicitation with photo of Paul Robeson to buy tickets for concert for 1947 "Chicago Salutes Paul Robeson"

Description:

Professional flyer solicitation for buying tickets to the "Chicago Salutes Paul Robeson" fundraiser for the Abraham Lincoln School which sponsored the April 27, 1947 Robeson support rally and concert featuring Lena Horne. With the advent of the Cold War, Robeson's politics were attacked as were the School's which were associated with the IWO. As per the Chicago Defender, 11/21/47: "The Lincoln school is a new educational project scheduled to open in Chicago early in 1943, offering comprehensive courses in social,economic and political problems especially as they relate to the winning of the war. An innovation in the Middle West, the school will focus attention on the democratic heritage and traditions of America. Its student body enlisted from all walks of life, regardless of race, color, or creed, will be provided with the knowledge and clarity necessary for safeguarding and developing democracy." Founder William Patterson and spouse Louise Thompson Patterson were key figures in the School. The Robeson program was brought together by IWO Vice President and President of the Illinois District, Louise Thompson Patterson who organized the Chicago IWO Du Sable Lodge.

Date:

1947-04-29

Creator:

Patterson, Louise Thompson, 1901-1999 Abraham Lincoln School of Social Science

Identifier:

International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276, Box 1, Folder 8