October 1920: The Women Who Led the Way: Jewish Women

Annie Fisher, 1900 (Photo courtesy of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford)

Annie Fisher came to Hartford with her family in the late 1800’s, escaping Jewish persecution in Russia.  In 1900, Annie graduated from Hartford Public High School.  She received a scholarship to study at Wesleyan University.  After graduating, she tried to find a teaching job but found it difficult to get hired because she was Jewish.  Annie was finally hired as an English teacher for adult evening classes in Hartford.  This was the beginning of a 40 year career in the Hartford Public School system.  She was a teacher at the Henry Barnard School. Eventually she became the school’s principal, making her the first female principal in Hartford’s history.  Later Annie would go on to become the city’s first female district superintendent of schools.  She is credited with early experiments with early childhood intervention, curriculum for mentally disabled children, special classes for foreign born children, and hygiene.  The Annie Fisher Montessori Magnet School on Plainfield Street is named in her honor.

Etta Rufkess Feingold (Photo from Hartford Jews, © Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduced with permission.)

Etta Flora Ruffkess Feingold was born in Russia in 1890.  Her family came to Hartford when Etta was one year old.  She attended Hartford Public Schools and was a member of Hartford Public High School’s graduating class of 1907.  She married Gustave Feingold, who was also born in Russia, and who served as Principal of Bulkeley High School from 1927 until 1948.  Etta was very active in civic and religious organizations. Among many other positions, she was the corresponding secretary for the Hartford League of Women Voters and a trustee of Temple Beth Israel.

Sarah Suisman (Photo from Hartford Jews, ©Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduced with permission.)

Sarah P. Suisman was born in Riga, Latvia in 1874, the daughter of Louis and Rose Friedman.  The Friedmans came to Hartford in 1893.  Active in civic and religious organizations, Sarah was one of the founders of the Hebrew Home for the Aged, the Hebrew Home for Children, and a charter board member of Mt. Sinai Hospital.

Theresa S. Fox  (Photo from Hartford Jews, © Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduced with permission.)

Theresa Stern Fox was born in New York in 1865.  She was married to Moses Fox, the President of G. Fox & Co.  Theresa was active in the Hartford Chapter of the Council of Jewish Women. The later address on her card was the home of her daughter, Beatrice Fox Auerbach. Her family remains active in the Greater Hartford Jewish community.

Pauline Juster, Hartford, 1924 (Photo and biographical information courtesy of Susan Juster Viner)

Pauline Juster (1881-1959) was born in the Romanian shtetl (village) of Podu Iloaiei.  Her family emigrated to Zichron Yaacov, Palestine, to work for the Baron Edmond de Rothschild, founder of Carmel Wine.  There she met and married her husband, Morris Juster, who had emigrated from Iasi, Romania.  They emigrated to the United States at the very end of the 19^th century, and settled in Hartford for the rest of their lives. Morris and Pauline's descendants remain in the area.

Celia K. Levy (Photo from Hartford Jews, © Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduced with permission.)

Celia Knoek Levy was born in Hartford in 1861 to Joseph and Hannah Blodes Knoek.  She was the wife of Hyman P. Levy and mother of Joseph and Pauline.  She was one of the founders of the Hartford Chapter, National Council of Jewish Women and board member of the Hartford Democratic Women’s Club.

Annie Saxe Zeman (Photo from Hartford Jews, ©Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduced with permission.)

Annie Saxe Zeman was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1872.  She came to Hartford in 1909, when she married Dr. Burnhardt Zeman.  In addition to being the mother of two sons, Annie was active in many civic and religious organizations.  She was a founder and served as the first president of the Hartford Chapter of Hadassah, served as president of the Hartford Chapter of the Council of Jewish Women, and was an organizer of the Women’s Auxiliary of Mt. Sinai Hospital.  The Annie Saxe Zeman Scholarship at the University of Connecticut, School of Social Work was established to honor all of her years of service to the Greater Hartford Community. Annie died in 1957 at the age of 85.

Minnie K. Samuels (Photo from Hartford Jews, © Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduced with permission.)

Minnie Krotoshiner Samuels (1865-1932) was born in Toronto, Canada in 1865.  During her more than  55 years living in Hartford, she was involved with many social welfare organizations.  Minnie was a Director of the Hartford Visiting Nurses Association, the Girl Scouts and the Big Sister movement.  

Rose Hershenow Weinstein (Photo from Hartford Jews, © Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduced with permission.)

Rose Hershenow Weinstein was born in Russia in 1894 to Shalom and Bessie Hershenow.  Her family came to Harford when Rose was a child.  She worked with her husband in his firm, Maurice the Jeweler, which was located on Asylum Avenue for over 40 years.  Additionally, she served as President of the Hebrew Home for the Aged, as an officer for Emanuel Synagogue Sisterhood, the Jewish Children’s Service Organization and the Mt Sinai Hospital Auxiliary.  Rose died in May, 1961.

Alphabetically, Mrs. Zwillinger was the last woman on the October 1920 registration list.