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"Jewish Merchants of
Santa Fe's Past"
by Lance Bell |
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 he clouds parted and the raindrops lingered for a
wonderful historical event in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Sunday,
September 16, 2001. At 11am, Walter Kahn led an eager group
of fifty people back in time to learn about Santa Fe's Jewish
Merchants, their families and their businesses that helped shape
the downtown of the past and today. Everybody followed Walter
and listened carefully to each word and (sometimes) emotional
anecdote about his own family and other merchant families with
names such as Pick, Silver, Petchesky, Goodman, Taichert, Ilfeld,
Spiegelberg, Staab, Gans, Spitz, Gallanter, Berezin, Seligman,
Kahn, Kempenich, Jaffa, Beer, Stolaroff, Soloman, Gardesky, Livingston
and Bell.
Walter and his family moved to Santa Fe from Gallup in 1935
and opened a shoe store on West San Francisco Street. Many of
the families that Walter discussed were involved with the development
of Santa Fe's commerce and with the genesis of our Santa Fe Jewish
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One highlight
of the historical walking tour was the participation of Santa
Fe Mayor, LarryDelgado and his wife, Angie. The Mayor shared
a story of working at Kahn's Shoe Store as a youngster and also
how the Delgado family and his wife's family were involved with
many business aspects of Santa Fe's past.
A brochure of old photographs was distributed to walking
tour attendees so that they could compare the buildings today
with their former appearance.
After the hour and a half tour, a large group joined Walter
and his wife, Lorraine, for lunch at downtown's Bagelmania.
This event brought many people together who are either new to
Santa Fe, like Patty Cotts, or who have been here for a long
time, such as Leah Kellogg. Participants reminisced about buying
their fist pair of shoes at Kahn's Shoe Store and their first
pair of Levi's at Bell's Department Store.
Jim Terr, of Jim Terr's Video Productions, filmed the entire
event and the final edited copy will be viewed at a fundraiser
to be held in January 2002 by the New Mexico Jewish Historical
Society. |
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A Message From The NMJHS President |
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 ugust 30, 2001
Board of Directors
New Mexico Jewish Historical Society
Dear Members of the Board of Directors:
When I agreed to assume the office of President
of the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society there was a vacuum
that existed because, at that time, no one was willing to fill
the vacancy that was created by David Scholder's resignation.
I agreed to assume the office notwithstanding the fact that I
was already the President of another organization and that my
health left
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something to be desired.
I understand that Shirley Jacobson has expressed
a willingness to assume the role of President of the Society
and I am extremely pleased to hear that news.
Therefore, I very willingly tender my resignation
as President of the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society effective
immediately. I have agreed to remain on the Board.
Very truly yours,
Philip Saltz
The Board has selected Shirley Jacobson, vice-president,
as acting president.
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