Claire Grossman Receives Fifth
Annual Dr. Allan Hurst Award
by Stan Hordes |
 t the Annual Membership Meeting on June 2, Claire
Grossman received the Dr. Allan Hurst Award. Named for one of
the Society's founding members, the award recognizes the person,
persons, or organization who has contributed to New Mexico Jewish
history, culture and community for a substantial period of time.
For more than ten years, Claire Grossman has made a tremendously
meaningful contribution to the cause of New Mexico
Jewish History. Having grown up in Cincinnati, Ohio (birthplace
of the Reform Jewish movement in America, and home of the Hebrew
Union College and the American Jewish Archives), Claire was steeped
in the family tradition of participating in Jewish cultural and
historical causes.
Immediately upon her arrival in Santa Fe in 1990, she joined
the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society, and has participated |
|
actively in the
organization and activities of the group ever since. Many would
say that she is actually the glue that holds the Society together.
She served three terms as President, three more as Vice-President,
and chaired several key committees. When the Museum of New Mexico's
Palace of the Governors decided to embark on their major exhibit,
"Jewish Pioneers of New Mexico," they asked Claire
to sit on both the Fundraising and Academic Advisory Committees,
which she did with distinction.
For many years, Claire played an instrumental role in ensuring
the success of the Society's Annual Conferences and
Annual Memorial Day Field Trips by overseeing the logistical
details and making certain that all the participants were fed
well and lodged comfortably.
Most recently, Claire has served as Project Manager for
two grants awarded to the Society by the New Mexico State Records
Center and Archives, designed to rehouse vital elements of the
Society's archival |
|
holdings. The ultimate
goal of the project is to render these vital historical materials
more easily accessible to researchers.
Moreover, Claire has established a fund in honor of her
70th birthday to support the NMJHS Video History Project, which
will result in the preservation of vital information concerning
the history of Jewish pioneers in nineteenth and twentieth century
New Mexico.
To be certain, the contributions of Claire Grossman to the
New Mexico Jewish Historical Society have been mammoth. In the
face of severe administrative challenges, she has stepped forward
to do whatever was required to ensure the success of vital programs
and the actual continuation of this important organization.
But, far more than that, Claire's unselfish devotion to the promotion
and preservation of New Mexico Jewish history, itself, through
the contribution of her labor, her largess, her wisdom and her
vision, makes her most deserving of the Annual Dr. Allan Hurst
Award. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Taos Conference -continued from p. 1 |
| |
|
|
|
|
communities throughout
New Mexico.
This is the first time the NMJHS is sponsoring an event
specifically dealing with the second half of the twentieth century.
The weekend will begin with a dessert and coffee reception on
Friday evening, with director Karl Francis and a screening of
"One of the Hollywood Ten." The event ends on Sunday
afternoon with a lox and bagel lunch accompanied by live music. |
|
Society members
will soon be receiving a Conference brochure with a full schedule.
For Conference registration information, contact the NMJHS's
office at 5520 Wyoming Blvd., NE., Albuquerque, NM 87109, by
phone at 505-348-4471, or e-mail at nmjhs@jewishnewmexico.org.
The Society's website is www.nmjewishhistory.org. |
|
Rooms have
been blocked at the Sagebrush Inn in Taos at a special conference
rate of $70.00, including full breakfast. Reservations should
be made directly to the Sagebrush Inn, 1-800-428-3626. The conference
cost is $79 for members, $114 for non-members (prior to Oct.
28), $50 for students, Round-trip transportation from Santa Fe
and Albuquerque to Taos will be available. |
| |
|
|
|
|
Big Book Sale Big Success
by Sheila Gershen |
|
|
wonderful
new tradition was established Labor Day weekend of 2002 when
the NMJHS held it's First Annual Book & Etc. Sale. Thanks
to the expertise of local bookseller and Board member Shirley
Jacobson, the fundraising event was so successful that plans
are already in the works for next year's sale.
It also couldn't have happened without the efforts of Board
member Claire |
|
Grossman and the many other
volunteers from Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Vegas who collected
and sorted the books and took care of sales on Saturday and Sunday.
The sale was held at the Wild Oats Community building on
Cordova Rd. from 10 to 5 p.m. both days. It's an excellent location
and a large, bright room with lots of parking right out front.
The variety of books was impressive, with literally something
for everyone, and the prices were so low that they were irre- |
|
sistible. There was also one
of a kind jewelry and other odds and ends. For the collectors,
there were even rare books and autographed editions.
Everything was generously donated by members and friends.
It's not too early to start thinking about what you can clear
off your shelves for the Second Annual Sale. And consider being
a volunteer for next year; it's fun, it's for a good cause, and
you'll have first chance at some wonderful bargains. |
|